Igbo Verbs
Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Igbo. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Igbo.
Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Igbo conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:
| Present Tense | Igbo |
|---|---|
| I speak English | a ma m asụ bekee |
| you speak French | ị ma asụ asụsụ ndị France |
| he speaks German | ọ na asụ asụsụ ndị Germany |
| she speaks Italian | ọ na asụ asụsụ ndị Italy |
| we speak Arabic | anyi na asụ arakwụba |
| they speak Chinese | ha na asụ asụsụ ndị China |
The past tense in Igbo conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:
| Past Tense | Igbo |
|---|---|
| I visited France | e jere m France |
| you visited Italy | ị jere Italy |
| he visited Morocco | ọ jere Morocco |
| she visited China | ọ jere China |
| we visited Mexico | anyị jere Mexico |
| they visited Kenya | ha jere Kenya |
The future tense in Igbo conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:
| Future Tense | Igbo |
|---|---|
| I will drink milk | m ga aňụ ala-efi |
| you will drink coffee | ị ga aňụ kọfị |
| he will drink tea | ọ ga aňụ ti |
| she will drink water | ọ ga aňụ mmiri |
| we will drink apple juice | ọ ga aňụ jus aplụ |
| they will drink tea | ha ga aňụ ti |
Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.
ear ntị | eye anya | mouth ọnụ | nose imi |
hair ntutu ishi | face iru | head ishi | heart obi |
hand aka | fingers mkpịsị/mkpụrụ aka | leg ọkpa/ụkwụ | feet mkpịsị/mkpụrụ ụkwụ/ọkpa |
Travel Phrases in Igbo
Imagine yourself in some Igbo speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!
| English | Igbo |
|---|---|
| Can you help me? | ị ga enyere m aka? |
| Can I help you? | m ga enyere gị aka? |
| Where is the airport? | kedụ ebe ọdụ ụgbọelu nọ? |
| Go straight | gaba n'iru/ogologo |
| Then | emesie |
| Turn left | ba na aka-nri |
| Turn right | ba na aka-ekpe |
I hope this lesson about the verbs in Igbo was not hard for you. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Igbo Audio |
Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe |