Learning Igbo: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Igbo course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Igbo is like
Igbo is strongly tonal: the same letters mean different things depending on pitch (high, low, or mid). Verbs change to match their subject, and the 'I' form often drops or shortens — achọrọ m and m chọrọ both mean 'I want'. Word order is usually subject-verb-object, and na links things ('and').
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Igbo is written with the Latin alphabet plus three special vowels (ị, ọ, ụ). It's a tonal language, so pitch — not just spelling — is part of every word. Master these sounds and you're already halfway there.
- tones — high (´) and low (`) change a word's meaning — the core of Igbo, as in akwa (HH) = cloth · akwa (LL) = bed.
- ị — short 'ee' as in see, as in ị = you · mmiri = water.
- ọ — short open 'aw' as in law, as in ọ = he/she · ọnụ = mouth.
- ụ — short 'oo' as in boot, as in ụzọ = road · ụlọ = house.
- gb — implosive 'gb' — a soft, caught sound, as in Igbo = EE-gbaw.
- kp — implosive 'kp' — the voiceless twin of gb, as in kpọo = call.
- ch — 'ch' as in church, as in achịcha = ah-chee-chah.
- m/n — a nasal 'm' or 'n' that carries the word on its own, as in nri = n-REE = food · mba = mm-BAH = no.
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Igbo | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Kedu | keh-DOO | Hello / how |
| Nnọọ | nnaw-AW | Welcome |
| Ụtụtụ ọma | oo-TOO-too AW-mah | Good morning |
| Mgbede ọma | mm-GBEH-deh AW-mah | Good evening |
| Ka ọ dị | kah AW dee | Goodbye |
| Daalụ | dah-AH-loo | Thank you |
| Biko | BEE-koh | Please |
| Daalụ nke ukwuu | dah-AH-loo n-keh OO-koo-oo | Thanks a lot |
| Ee | eh | Yes |
| Mba | mm-BAH | No |
| Otu | AW-too | 1 |
| Abụọ | ah-BUO | 2 |
| Atọ | ah-TAW | 3 |
| Anọ | ah-NAW | 4 |
| Ise | ee-SEH | 5 |
| Iri | EE-ree | 10 |
| Mmiri | MMEE-ree | water |
| Achịcha | ah-CHEE-chah | bread |
| Kọfị | koh-FEE | coffee |
| Tii | TEE-ee | tea |
| Nri | n-REE | food |
| Ebee ka...? | eh-BEH-eh kah | Where is...? |
| Aka nri | AH-kah n-REE | to the right |
| Aka ekpe | AH-kah EK-peh | to the left |
| Ụlọ mposi | oo-LAW mm-PO-see | the bathroom |
| Gịnị | GIN-ee | what |
| Ònye | AW-nyeh | who |
| Ego ole? | EH-goh AW-leh | how much? |
| Ị nwere...? | ee n-WEH-reh | do you have...? |
| Ezinụlọ | eh-zee-noo-LAW | family |
How the Igbo course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & being polite — kedu · nnọọ · ka ọ dị
- Polite words: Daalụ & Biko — daalụ · biko · ee · mba
- Numbers 1–10 — otu · abụọ · atọ · iri
- I want" — achọrọ m — achọrọ m · m chọrọ · ị chọrọ?
- Food & drink — mmiri · achịcha · kọfị · tii
- Getting around — ebee ka · aka nri · aka ekpe
- Questions & "do you have…?" — gịnị · ònye · ị nwere
- Family & people — ezinụlọ · nne · nna · enyi
- Time, days & weather — taa · echi · mmiri ozuzo
- Introducing yourself — aha m bụ Alex · gịnị bụ aha gị
- Health & emergency — nyere m aka · ụlọ ọgwụ · aghọtaghị m
- Tying it together — kedu · m chọrọ · ego ole · nyere m aka
- Airport & tickets — ọdụ ụgbọelu · paspọtụ · tiketi · ọnụ ụzọ
- The taxi — tagzi · ịga · ụlọ oriri ndị ọbịa · kwụsị
- The hotel — ndebanye aha · ọnụ ụlọ · igodo · abalị
- Ask for help — aghọtaghị m · nwayọọ · Bekee
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & being polite
Key pieces: kedu · nnọọ · ka ọ dị
The first word to know: Kedu (keh-doo) — hello / how is it? Say it out loud.
- Kedu (keh-DOO) — Hello / how are you?
- Nnọọ (nnaw-AW) — Welcome (hello)
- Kedu ka ị mere? (keh-DOO kah ee MEH-reh) — How are you?
- Ụtụtụ ọma (oo-TOO-too AW-mah) — Good morning
- Mgbede ọma (mm-GBEH-deh AW-mah) — Good evening
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Igbo: Kedu ka ị mere? (keh-DOO kah ee MEH-reh). Built from kedu = hello / how; ka ị mere = how did you do?.
To say goodbye: Ka ọ dị — literally 'let it be well'. Short and sweet.
To say “Goodbye!” in Igbo: Ka ọ dị! (kah AW dee). Built from ka = let; ọ dị = it is well.
To say “Good morning!” in Igbo: Ụtụtụ ọma! (oo-TOO-too AW-mah). Built from ụtụtụ = morning; ọma = good.
Polite words: Daalụ & Biko
Key pieces: daalụ · biko · ee · mba
The two magic words: Daalụ (thank you) and Biko (please). Say them.
- Daalụ (dah-AH-loo) — thank you
- Biko (BEE-koh) — please
- Daalụ nke ukwuu (dah-AH-loo n-keh OO-koo-oo) — thank you very much
- Biko (BEE-koh) — excuse me / sorry
- Ee (eh) — yes
- Mba (mm-BAH) — no
To say “Thank you very much!” in Igbo: Daalụ nke ukwuu! (dah-AH-loo n-keh OO-koo-oo). Built from daalụ = thank you; nke ukwuu = very much.
Biko softens any request — say it before you ask for something.
To say “Water, please” in Igbo: Mmiri, biko (MMEE-ree, BEE-koh). Built from mmiri = water; biko = please.
To say “Yes, thank you!” in Igbo: Ee, daalụ! (eh, dah-AH-loo). Built from ee = yes; daalụ = thank you.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: otu · abụọ · atọ · iri
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: otu, abụọ, atọ .
- otu (AW-too) — 1
- abụọ (ah-BUO) — 2
- atọ (ah-TAW) — 3
- anọ (ah-NAW) — 4
- ise (ee-SEH) — 5
- isii (ee-SEE-ee) — 6
- asaa (ah-SAH-ah) — 7
- asatọ (ah-sah-TAW) — 8
- itoolu (ee-TOH-oo-loo) — 9
- iri (EE-ree) — 10
To say “Two coffees, please” in Igbo: Kọfị abụọ, biko (koh-FEE ah-BUO, BEE-koh). Built from kọfị = coffee; abụọ = two; biko = please.
Ego ole? = how much money? Essential for shopping.
To say “How much is it?” in Igbo: Ego ole? (EH-goh AW-leh). Built from ego = money; ole = how much.
To say “It's five” in Igbo: Ọ bụ ise (aw BAH ee-SEH). Built from ọ bụ = it is; ise = five.
I want" — achọrọ m
Key pieces: achọrọ m · m chọrọ · ị chọrọ?
To say you want something: M chọrọ... = I want... and achọrọ m = I am wanting.
To say “I want water” in Igbo: Achọrọ m mmiri (ah-CHAW-roh m MMEE-ree). Built from achọrọ m = I want; mmiri = water.
To say “I want coffee” in Igbo: M chọrọ kọfị (m CHAW-roh koh-FEE). Built from m chọrọ = I want; kọfị = coffee.
To ask if someone wants something: Ị chọrọ...? = do you want...?
To say “Do you want tea?” in Igbo: Ị chọrọ tii? (ee CHAW-roh TEE-ee). Built from ị chọrọ = do you want; tii = tea.
To say “I want food” in Igbo: Achọrọ m nri (ah-CHAW-roh m n-REE). Built from achọrọ m = I want; nri = food.
Food & drink
Key pieces: mmiri · achịcha · kọfị · tii
Key food words: mmiri (water), achịcha (bread), kọfị (coffee), tii (tea).
- mmiri (MMEE-ree) — water
- achịcha (ah-CHEE-chah) — bread
- kọfị (koh-FEE) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
- tii (TEE-ee) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English tea.
- nri (n-REE) — food
- osikapa (oh-see-KAH-pah) — rice
To say “Water and bread, please” in Igbo: Mmiri na achịcha, biko (MMEE-ree nah ah-CHEE-chah, BEE-koh). Built from mmiri = water; na = and; achịcha = bread; biko = please.
To say “I want tea” in Igbo: Achọrọ m tii (ah-CHAW-roh m TEE-ee). Built from achọrọ m = I want; tii = tea.
na = and. Join items with it: mmiri na achịcha.
To say “Coffee and tea, please” in Igbo: Kọfị na tii, biko (koh-FEE nah TEE-ee, BEE-koh). Built from kọfị = coffee; na = and; tii = tea; biko = please.
Getting around
Key pieces: ebee ka · aka nri · aka ekpe
The most useful question in any town: Ebee ka... = where is...?
- Ebee ka...? (eh-BEH-eh kah) — Where is...?
- aka nri (AH-kah n-REE) — to the right
- aka ekpe (AH-kah EK-peh) — to the left
- n'ihu (n-EE-hoo) — straight ahead
- ụlọ mposi (oo-LAW mm-PO-see) — the bathroom
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Igbo: Ebee ka ụlọ mposi dị? (eh-BEH-eh kah oo-LAW mm-PO-see dee). Built from ebee ka = where is; ụlọ mposi = the bathroom; dị = to be.
Aka nri is 'right hand' (to the right); aka ekpe is 'left'.
To say “Straight ahead” in Igbo: N'ihu (n-EE-hoo). Built from n'ihu = straight ahead (in front).
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: gịnị · ònye · ị nwere
Question words: Gịnị (what), Ònye (who), kedu (how/which).
- Gịnị (GIN-ee) — what
- Ònye (AW-nyeh) — who
- Kedu (keh-DOO) — how / which
- Ebee (eh-BEH-eh) — where
- Ị nwere...? (ee n-WEH-reh) — do you have...?
To say “What is this?” in Igbo: Gịnị bụ nke a? (GIN-ee boo n-keh ah). Built from gịnị = what; bụ = is; nke a = this.
Ị nwere...? = do you have...? Perfect for asking whether something is available.
To say “Do you have water?” in Igbo: Ị nwere mmiri? (ee n-WEH-reh MMEE-ree). Built from ị nwere = do you have; mmiri = water.
To say “Who is it?” in Igbo: Ònye ka ọ bụ? (AW-nyeh kah aw boo). Built from ònye = who; ka ọ bụ = is it.
Family & people
Key pieces: ezinụlọ · nne · nna · enyi
Family words: ezinụlọ (family), nne (mother), nna (father).
- ezinụlọ (eh-zee-noo-LAW) — family
- nne (n-NAY) — mother
- nna (n-NAH) — father
- nwanne (n-WAN-nay) — sibling
- enyi (EH-nyee) — friend
- ụmụaka (oo-moo-AH-kah) — children
To say “I have a family” in Igbo: Enwere m ezinụlọ (en-WEH-reh m eh-zee-noo-LAW). Built from enwere m = I have; ezinụlọ = family.
Enwere m... = I have... The key verb for what you've got.
To say “I have a friend” in Igbo: Enwere m enyi (en-WEH-reh m EH-nyee). Built from enwere m = I have; enyi = friend.
To say “This is my mother” in Igbo: Nke a bụ nne m (n-keh ah boo n-NAY m). Built from nke a = this; bụ = is; nne m = my mother.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: taa · echi · mmiri ozuzo
Today is taa , tomorrow is echi .
- taa (TAH-ah) — today
- echi (EH-chee) — tomorrow
- ụnyaahụ (oo-nyah-HOO) — yesterday
- anyanwụ (ah-nyah-NWOO) — sun
- mmiri ozuzo (MMEE-ree oh-ZOO-zoh) — rain
- ihu igwe (ee-hoo EE-gweh) — weather
To say “See you tomorrow” in Igbo: Ka ọ dị echi (kah AW dee EH-chee). Built from ka ọ dị = see you; echi = tomorrow.
Ask about the weather: Kedu ka ihu igwe dị? = how is the weather?
To say “The weather is good” in Igbo: Ihu igwe dị mma (ee-hoo EE-gweh dee mm-AH). Built from ihu igwe = weather; dị mma = is good.
Introducing yourself
Key pieces: aha m bụ Alex · gịnị bụ aha gị
Introduce yourself: Aha m bụ... = my name is..., and Gịnị bụ aha gị? = what's your name?
To say “My name is Alex” in Igbo: Aha m bụ Alex (AH-hah m boo Alex). Built from aha m = my name; bụ = is; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name: Gịnị bụ aha gị?
To say “What's your name?” in Igbo: Gịnị bụ aha gị? (GIN-ee boo AH-hah gee). Built from gịnị = what; bụ = is; aha gị = your name.
To say “Hello, my name is Alex” in Igbo: Kedu, aha m bụ Alex (keh-DOO, AH-hah m boo Alex). Built from kedu = hello; aha m bụ = my name is.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: nyere m aka · ụlọ ọgwụ · aghọtaghị m
The most important words if you need help: Nyere m aka! (help me!), ụlọ ọgwụ (hospital).
- Nyere m aka! (NYEH-reh m AH-kah) — Help me!
- enyemaka (eh-nyeh-MAH-kah) — help
- ụlọ ọgwụ (oo-LAW AW-gwoo) — hospital
- dọkịta (daw-KEE-tah) — doctor Memory hook: ≈ English doctor.
- Aghọtaghị m (ah-gwor-TAH-ghee m) — I don't understand
- kpọọ ndị uwe ojii (KPOH-oh n-dee oo-weh OH-jee) — call the police
To say “Help me!” in Igbo: Nyere m aka! (NYEH-reh m AH-kah). Built from nyere = help; m = me; aka = hand.
To say “I don't understand” in Igbo: Aghọtaghị m (ah-gwor-TAH-ghee m). Built from aghọtaghị m = I don't understand.
To say you have trouble: Enwere m nsogbu = I have a problem.
To say “I have a problem” in Igbo: Enwere m nsogbu (en-WEH-reh m n-SO-gboo). Built from enwere m = I have; nsogbu = a problem.
Tying it together
Key pieces: kedu · m chọrọ · ego ole · nyere m aka
Great — you've built a real toolbox in Igbo. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Igbo: Kedu ka ị mere? (keh-DOO kah ee MEH-reh). Built from kedu = hello; ka ị mere = how are you?.
To say “I want water, please” in Igbo: M chọrọ mmiri, biko (m CHAW-roh MMEE-ree, BEE-koh). Built from m chọrọ = I want; mmiri = water; biko = please.
To say “Where is the road?” in Igbo: Ebee ka ụzọ dị? (eh-BEH-eh kah oo-ZAW dee). Built from ebee ka = where is; ụzọ = road; dị = to be.
To say “How much is it?” in Igbo: Ego ole? (EH-goh AW-leh). Built from ego ole = how much is it?.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: ọdụ ụgbọelu · paspọtụ · tiketi · ọnụ ụzọ
You have landed. The building is the ọdụ ụgbọelu . Your document is a paspọtụ .
- ọdụ ụgbọelu (AW-doo oo-GBAW-eh-loo) — airport
- paspọtụ (pas-PAW-too) — passport
- tiketi (tee-KEH-tee) — ticket
- ụgbọelu (oo-GBAW-eh-loo) — flight / plane
- ọnụ ụzọ (AW-nyoo oo-ZAW) — gate / door
To say “Where is the airport?” in Igbo: Ebee ka ọdụ ụgbọelu dị? (eh-BEH-eh kah AW-doo oo-GBAW-eh-loo dee). Built from ebee ka = where is; ọdụ ụgbọelu = airport; dị = is.
To say “Here is my passport” in Igbo: Nke a bụ paspọtụ m (n-keh ah boo pas-PAW-too m). Built from nke a = this; bụ = is; paspọtụ m = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Igbo: Tiketi otu, biko (tee-KEH-tee AW-too, BEE-koh). Built from tiketi = ticket; otu = one; biko = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Igbo: Ebee ka ọnụ ụzọ dị? (eh-BEH-eh kah AW-nyoo oo-ZAW dee). Built from ebee ka = where is; ọnụ ụzọ = gate; dị = is.
The taxi
Key pieces: tagzi · ịga · ụlọ oriri ndị ọbịa · kwụsị
The driver is waiting. Tagzi is taxi. Tell them where to go with achọrọ m ịga .
- tagzi (TAH-gzee) — taxi
- ọkwọ ụgbọala (AW-kaw oo-GBAW-ah-lah) — driver
- achọrọ m ịga (ah-CHAW-roh m ee-GAH) — I want to go
- kwụsị ebe a (KWOO-see eh-BEH ah) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Igbo: Tagzi, biko (TAH-gzee, BEE-koh). Built from tagzi = taxi; biko = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Igbo: Achọrọ m ịga n'ụlọ oriri ndị ọbịa (ah-CHAW-roh m ee-GAH n-oo-LAW oh-REE-ree n-dee AW-bee-ah). Built from achọrọ m ịga = I want to go; ụlọ oriri ndị ọbịa = hotel.
To say “Stop here, please” in Igbo: Kwụsị ebe a, biko (KWOO-see eh-BEH ah, BEE-koh). Built from kwụsị = stop; ebe a = here; biko = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Igbo: Ego ole? (EH-goh AW-leh). Built from ego = money; ole = how much.
The hotel
Key pieces: ndebanye aha · ọnụ ụlọ · igodo · abalị
At the desk: enwere m ndebanye aha — I have a reservation.
- ụlọ oriri ndị ọbịa (oo-LAW oh-REE-ree n-dee AW-bee-ah) — hotel
- ndebanye aha (n-deh-BAH-nyeh AH-hah) — reservation
- ọnụ ụlọ (AW-nyoo oo-LAW) — room
- igodo (ee-GOH-doh) — key
- otu abalị (AW-too ah-BAH-lee) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Igbo: Enwere m ndebanye aha (en-WEH-reh m n-deh-BAH-nyeh AH-hah). Built from enwere m = I have; ndebanye aha = reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Igbo: Ọnụ ụlọ maka otu abalị, biko (AW-nyoo oo-LAW MAH-kah AW-too ah-BAH-lee, BEE-koh). Built from ọnụ ụlọ = room; maka otu abalị = for one night; biko = please.
To say “The key, please” in Igbo: Igodo, biko (ee-GOH-doh, BEE-koh). Built from igodo = key; biko = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Igbo: Ebee ka ọnụ ụlọ m dị? (eh-BEH-eh kah AW-nyoo oo-LAW m dee). Built from ebee ka = where is; ọnụ ụlọ m = my room; dị = is.
Ask for help
Key pieces: aghọtaghị m · nwayọọ · Bekee
When the language is too fast: Nwayọọ, biko — slower, please.
- nwayọọ (n-WAH-yaw) — slower / gently
- ọzọ (AW-zaw) — again
- Bekee (BEH-keh-eh) — English
- ị nwere ike inyere m aka? (ee n-WEH-reh EE-keh in-YEH-reh m AH-kah) — can you help me?
To say “I don't understand” in Igbo: Aghọtaghị m (ah-gwor-TAH-ghee m). Built from aghọtaghị m = I don't understand.
To say “Slower, please” in Igbo: Nwayọọ, biko (n-WAH-yaw, BEE-koh). Built from nwayọọ = slower; biko = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Igbo: Ị nwere ike inyere m aka? (ee n-WEH-reh EE-keh in-YEH-reh m AH-kah). Built from ị nwere ike = can you; inyere m aka = help me.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Igbo: Ị na-asụ Bekee? (ee nah AH-soo BEH-keh-eh). Built from ị na-asụ = do you speak; Bekee = English.
Culture and etiquette
A tonal language
Igbo is tonal: the same spelling said high or low changes the meaning. 'akwa' on a high pitch is cloth, on a low pitch it's a bed. Listen closely to native speakers and mimic the pitch — it matters more than the letters.
The kola nut (oji)
The kola nut is central to Igbo ceremony — a sign of welcome, peace and hospitality. When you're offered one, accept with both hands. Breaking the kola formally opens a gathering, blessing and welcoming the group.
Mbari houses
In the southeast, Mbari were decorated houses built in honour of deities, filled with life-size clay figures. A community would gather, sculpt and paint them together — an art and social ritual at once.
Family structure & ọnụ
Igbo families run large and extended. Respect for elders is foundational: greet seniors first, use honorifics, and speak gently. 'ọnụ' (the compound) matters more than the household — decisions are often shared.
Greetings matter
Greeting is not a formality in Igbo culture — it's how you show respect. Use 'Nnọọ' (welcome) when someone arrives and 'Kedu' to ask how they are. A proper greeting with both hands signals warmth and character.
Masquerades & festivals
Ndi Igbo hold rich festivals with Egwu Mmanwu (masquerades) — striking, costumed figures that dance and speak in voices. Festivals celebrate yam, the new season and harvest, and are a vivid mix of music, dance and community.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: Kedu! M chọrọ kọfị, biko. (keh-DOO, m CHAW-roh koh-FEE, BEE-koh) — Hello! I want a coffee, please.
Barista: Ị chọrọ shuga? (ee CHAW-roh SHOO-gah) — Do you want sugar?
You: Mba, daalụ. Ego ole? (mm-BAH, dah-AH-loo, EH-goh AW-leh) — No, thanks. How much?
Barista: Iri abụọ na ise. (EE-ree ah-BUO nah ee-SEH) — Twenty-five.
You: Daalụ nke ukwuu! (dah-AH-loo n-keh OO-koo-oo) — Thank you very much!
At the bus stop
You: Biko, ebee ka bọs na-aga? (BEE-koh, eh-BEH-eh kah BAW-s nah AH-gah) — Please, where does the bus go?
Local: Ọ na-aga ahịa. (aw nah AH-gah AH-hee-ah) — It goes to the market.
You: Ego ole? (EH-goh AW-leh) — How much?
Local: Ise. (ee-SEH) — Five.
You: Daalụ! (dah-AH-loo) — Thanks!
At a restaurant
Waiter: Nnọọ! Gịnị ka ị chọrọ? (nnaw-AW, GIN-ee kah ee CHAW-roh) — Welcome! What do you want?
You: M chọrọ nri na mmiri. (m CHAW-roh n-REE nah MMEE-ree) — I want food and water.
Waiter: Ị chọrọ osikapa ma ọ bụ ji? (ee CHAW-roh oh-see-KAH-pah mah aw boo jee) — Do you want rice or yam?
You: Osikapa, biko. (oh-see-KAH-pah, BEE-koh) — Rice, please.
Waiter: Ọ dị mma. Daalụ. (aw dee mm-AH, dah-AH-loo) — OK. Thank you.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.