Everyday Igbo phrases

Igbo phrases you can use every day.

Start speaking with simple Igbo sentences – greetings, check‑ins, family talk, and market Igbo – with clear English meanings.

SECTION 1

Greetings and check‑ins.

These phrases help you say hello, ask how someone is, and reply politely.

Igbo phrase	English meaning	Usage note
Kedu?	How are you?	Very common, friendly check‑in you can use with most people.
Ị dị mma?	Are you well?	Another way to ask how someone is feeling.
Ọ dị m mma.	I am fine.	Simple reply to Kedu? or Ị dị mma?
Ụtụtụ ọma.	Good morning.	Use earlier in the day when greeting someone.
Ehihe ọma.	Good afternoon.	Afternoon greeting.
Abalị ọma.	Good evening / good night.	Evening or night‑time greeting or farewell.
Daalụ.	Thank you.	Simple thank you – safe everywhere.
Daalụ nke ukwuu.	Thank you very much.	Stronger form of thanks.
Biko.	Please.	Add to requests to sound polite and soft.

SECTION 2

Use these phrases to say your name, ask about someone’s family, and speak with elders respectfully.

Igbo phrase	English meaning	Usage note
Aha m bụ …	My name is …	Example: Aha m bụ Ada. – My name is Ada.
Ólee aha gị?	What is your name?	Use with a person around your age or younger.
Ólee otu ezinụlọ gị dị?	How is your family?	Warm check‑in about someone’s family.
Nna m dị mma.	My father is well.	You can replace nna with nne (mother), ụmụnne (siblings) etc.
Gwa nna gị kele m.	Greet your father for me.	Common polite phrase after speaking with someone.
Ị bi n’ebe a?	Do you live here?	Use when getting to know someone.
Abịam na …	I am from …	Example: Abịam na Enugu. – I am from Enugu.

SECTION 3

These sentences are helpful when buying things, asking for price, or moving around.

Igbo phrase	English meaning	Usage note
Ọgụ ọnụ ego ole?	How much is it?	General question for price.
Too ya, biko.	Reduce it, please.	Used to bargain politely.
Enwere m ego ole na ole.	I have only a little money.	Another way to push price down.
Enwereghị m.	I don’t have (it).	Short response when you don’t have something.
Biko, gosiri m ụzọ.	Please, show me the way.	Ask for directions.
Achọ m ịzụ …	I want to buy …	Example: Achọ m ịzụ mkpụrụ wụrụ awụ. – I want to buy groundnuts.