10 Essential Igbo Phrases (That are NOT Kedu)

Most Nigerians understand an Igbo word or two. Probably the two most widely understood Igbo words are Bia and Kedu.

However, if you’re not Igbo and you ever find yourself in an Igbo speaking area. Or even if you just have a lot of Igbo friends and are always wondering what they’re going on about, Sugabelly is here to rescue you.

Memorise these ten essential Igbo phrases and everyone will think you know how to speak Igbo even if you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

10. I wena iwe

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

I – You; We – To “angry”; Na – Suffix that negates; Iwe – Anger. => “You Angry Not Anger”

Figurative Meaning:

Don’t be angry / Don’t be mad

When to Use it:

In place of “excuse me” , Before asking to use something that belongs to someone else, While squeezing past someone, When someone catches you using their property without permission, etc

Example:

Your friend has a book and you’ve come to rip a sheet of paper….

Response:

I wena iwe …. ***Riiiippppp!***

9. Rapu okwu a

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Rapu – Leave / Let go of; Okwu – Speech/Word/Talk/Topic of Discussion; A – That or This => “Leave Talk That”

Figurative Meaning:

Forget that matter / Leave that matter / Let’s forget about that / Forget it / Nevermind

When to Use it:

When someone is trying to persuade you on something you’ve already made up your mind about. When someone is trying to pursue a discussion topic that you don’t want to talk about or that makes you feel irritated / uncomfortable.

Example:

Yo Tunde, I just heard your Dad is going to become a stripper!

Response:

Rapu okwu a ….. ****irritated look on face****

8. Soso

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Soso – Only/Just

Figurative Meaning:

Only? Is that all? Just that?

When to Use it:

Response when you are told to do / or expected to do something ridiculous / inappropriate / or way beyond what you should have to do.

Example:

I need you to wash the dishes, sweep the house, do the laundry, run my shop, cook the food.

Response:

Soso? … ****Give your best hiss****

7. Chelugodu

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Che – wait; Lu – suffix that doesn’t do anything except make the word sound nicer; Godu – suffix that makes the verb sound politer / softens the blow of a command / also indicates action should be performed for just a single instance. NOTE – Godu is fundamentally POLITE but can be made to sound rude.

Figurative Meaning:

Wait a minute / One second / Gimme a moment

When to Use it:

You need a moment; You want to process what someone has just said to you; Someone is talking too much and you want to politely tell them to shut the fuck up.

Example:

Blah, blah, blah, blah, my Range Rover, blah blah my house in Banana Island

Response:

Chelugodu …. then change the topic.

6. Ngwanu

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Ngwa – Quickly (note, this is NOT the adjectival “quickly”. The adjectival quickly is Osiso); Nu – A suffix that implies the speaker is feeling impatient.

Figurative Meaning:

Alright / Very Well / Whatever

When to Use it:

You have been worn down to the bone by someone’s argument or entreaty and have no choice but to acquiesce.

Example:

Come on, let’s watch Tonto Dike’s music video! It can’t be that bad! You’ll like it I promise! I’ll give you fifty naira if you watch it with me!

Response:

Ngwanu … ****Roll your eyes****

5. Jikonata onwe gi

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Ji – To hold; Ko – suffix that implies togetherness; Nata – Suffix that indicates Trying; Onwe – Self; Gi – You / Your/ Yours => “Hold Together Self Your”

Figurative Meaning:

Hold yourself together / Get it together / Get a grip

When to Use it:

Someone is freaking out or totally tripping and it’s not helping matters. Someone is really ill or injured and seems to be losing hope.

Example:

(After pricking himself with a pin) – Oh shit! Oh shit! I’m gonna bleed to death!!

Response:

Jikonata onwe gi!!! ….. ****Throw in a slap for good measure****

4. Sam sam

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Sam sam – Never

Figurative Meaning:

HELL NO! No way!

When to Use it:

You will absolutely NOT do whatever you are being asked to do.

Example:

Can I borrow your diamond studded Louboutins for this party on campus?

Response:

Sam sam!

3. Ezi okwu

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Ezi – Good / Proper / True; Okwu – Word / Speech ; => True Talk / True Words

Figurative Meaning:

Is that so? That’s the truth! Oh yeah?

When to Use it:

What you are being told is too incredible to believe. You are trying hard to swallow the news and you suspect this might be the Bobogisting of the century.

Example:

A whale just washed up in the middle of Abuja

Response:

Ezi okwu!

2. Ewo

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Ewo – Exclamation of sadness / unpleasant surprise / pity => Direct equivalent of Eyaaa!

Figurative Meaning:

Oh no!

When to Use it:

Anything bad happens; You don’t give a shit but you need to look like you care.

Example:

I can’t connect to the Internet! My life is ruined!

Response:

Ewoooooo!!!!!! *****Look Sympathetic*****

1. Jisie Ike

Literal Grammatical Breakdown:

Ji – To Hold; Si – suffix that implies thoroughness or that the action has been completed; E – suffix that indicates the verb is a command; Ike – strength / power / Energy => Hold Thoroughly Strength

Figurative Meaning:

Jisie ike is REALLY DIFFICULT to describe in English, but strangely enough has THE EXACT SAME MEANING as the Japanese phrase Gambate/Gambare. It’s a way of encouraging someone.

When to Use it:

Say it to anyone in a tough situation or about to embark on a difficult task. Also good to encourage someone who is in the process of doing something and is succeeding.

Example:

I have exams tomorrow

Response:

Jisie ike!