Igbo Numbers
Welcome to the sixth Igbo lesson about numbers. This time we will learn about cardinal and ordinal numbers, followed by grammar rules, then animal names, finally a conversation in Igbo to help you practice your daily phrases.
| Cardinal | Igbo | Ordinal | Igbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| one | ofu | first | nke mbụ |
| two | abụọ | second | nke abụọ |
| three | atọ | third | nke atọ |
| four | anọ | fourth | nke anọ |
| five | ise | fifth | nke ise |
| six | ishii | sixth | nke ishii |
| seven | asaa | seventh | nke asaa |
| eight | asatọ | eighth | nke asatọ |
| nine | itenanị | ninth | nke itenanị |
| ten | iri | tenth | nke iri |
| eleven | iri na out | eleventh | nke iri na out |
| twelve | iri na abụọ | twelfth | nke iri na abụọ |
| thirteen | iri na atọ | thirteenth | nke iri na atọ |
| fourteen | iri na anọ | once | ofu mgbe |
| fifteen | iri na ise | twice | ugboro abụọ |
| sixteen | iri na ishii | Monday | monde |
| seventeen | iri na asaa | Tuesday | tuzde |
| eighteen | iri na asatọ | Wednesday | wenzde |
| nineteen | iri na itenanị | Thursday | tọzde |
| twenty | iri abụọ | Friday | fraide |
| seventy one | iri abụọ na ofu | Saturday | satde |
| one hundred | nnarị | Sunday | ụbọchị ụka |
Numbers Grammar Rules
Igbo cardinal numbers refer to the counting numbers, because they show quantity. For example: I speak two languages. Ordinal numbers on the other hand tell the order of things and their rank: my first language is Igbo. The examples below use numbers in different ways and places to demonstrate how they behave in a sentence.
| Grammar + Rules | Igbo |
|---|---|
| I have three dogs [number + noun] | e nwere m nkịta atọ |
| my daughter has two cats [number + noun] | nwa m nwanyị nwere pusu abụọ |
| she speaks seven languages [verb + number] | o na asụ asụsụ asaa |
| my brother has one son [number + singular noun] | nwa nne m nwoke nwere ofu nwa nwoke |
| this is my second lesson [ordinal number + noun] | nke a bụ ihe ọmụmụ nke abụọ m |
| did you read the third book? [ordinal number + noun] | Ị gụgo akwụkwọ nke atọ? |
We're not done yet! The following is a list of animals.
cow efi | goat ewu | donkey donki | horse ayịya |
dog nkịta | cat pusu | mouse oke | bird nnụnụ |
Conversation in Igbo
Now we finally reach the last part, the practice of the daily conversations. These phrases are used to get to know new people, and break the ice.
| English | Igbo |
|---|---|
| Where are you from? | kedụ ebe ị si? |
| I'm from the U.S | e si m U.S |
| I'm American | a bụ m onye Amerika |
| Where do you live? | Kedụ ebe ị bi? |
| I live in the U.S | e bi m Amerika |
| What do you do for a living? | gịnị ka ị na arụ? |
| I'm a student | a bụ m nwata akwụkwọ |
Did you enjoy this lesson about numbers in Igbo? I hope so, if you have any problem with this lesson contact me with questions you have here. You can now check the next lesson below.
| Igbo Phrases |
Inspirational Quote: Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking. William B. Sprague |