Igbo Gender
Welcome to the fifth Igbo lesson about gender. This time we will view a list of people, feminine and masculine, followed by grammar rules, finally a list of expressions in Igbo to help you practice your daily phrases.
man nwoke | woman nwanyi | husband di | wife nwunye |
boy nwa nwoke | girl nwa nwanyị | father nna | mother nne |
Gender Grammar Rules
In general, gender is used to distinguish between male and female, sometimes referred to as masculine and feminine. For example: my son and daughter are students the noun [son] is masculine, while [daughter] is feminine. The following examples use gender in different ways and places to demonstrate their behavior.
| Grammar + Rules | Igbo |
|---|---|
| my son is a student [masculine + noun] | nwa m nwoke bụ nwata akwụkwọ |
| her daughter is a student [feminine + noun] | nwa ya nwanyị bụ nwata akwụkwọ |
| he has a tall brother [adjective + masculine] | ọ nwere obele nwanne nwoke |
| she has a tall sister [adjective + feminine] | ọ nwere obele nwanne nwanyi |
| his brothers are young [plural masculine + adjective] | ụmụ nwanne ya nwoke dị obele |
| his sisters are young [plural feminine + adjective] | ụmụ nwanne ya nwanyị dị obele |
The list below will probably provide more clarification. These are family members (males and females). I think it would be wise to memorize them as part of your important vocabulary list.
son nwa nwoke | daughter nwa nwanyị | brother nwa nne nwoke | sister nwa nne nwanyị | grandfather nna nna/nne | grandmother nne nna/nne | child nwa | children ụmụaka/ụmụazị/ụmụntakịrị |
Expressions in Igbo
Now it's time to practice expressions used in daily conversations. If you're a beginner in learning Igbo, then the phrases below are something you would want to know.
| English | Igbo |
|---|---|
| What do you mean? | gịnị ka ị chere? |
| I don't understand | a ghọtaghị m |
| I don't know | a marọ m |
| What is that called in Igbo? | gịnị ka a n'akpọ ** na asụsụ obodo unu? |
| What is this? | gịnị bụ ihe a? |
| What does that word mean in English? | kedụ ihe a n'akpọ okwu a na asụsụ bekee? |
| Sorry (if you made a mistake) | ndo |
I hope you enjoyed this lesson about the gender in Igbo. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Igbo Numbers |
Inspirational Quote: High achievement always takes place in a framework of high expectation. Jack Kinder |