Ebira phrasebook

Ebira (also known to their Yoruba-speaking neighbors as Egbura or Igbira ) is a divergent Nupoid language spoken in the North Central region of Nigeria. Native speakers can be found in Kogi state, Nassarawa state, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kwara state, Niger State, Benue state, Edo state and Ondo State. Ebira people refer to speakers of their common language as, "Anebira."

Pronunciation guide

• Vowels

A - |ah|

E - roughly like |ei|, with less emphasis on the |I| sound

Ẹ - |eh| as in egg

I - as in issue

O - as in ocean

Ọ - |aw|

U - |oo|

• Consonants

B

CH

D

G

H

J

K

M

N

NGW

NYH

P

R

S

Ṣ - as in shower

T

V

W

Y

Z

Zh - pronounced as in garage

All consonants are otherwise pronounced as they are in English.

Fun fact: the double consonant "gb", which is common to other Niger-Congo languages in the area, including Yoruba, does not exist in Ebira language. For this reason, native Ebira speakers with Yoruba as a second language tend to pronounce 'b' instead of 'gb' unless they consciously avoid doing so.

Phrase list

Basics

How are you?

Etemeya?

I am fine

Ma dahi

Hello

Ngwao

Hope you are fine?

Wadahi OR Avu dahi?: How is work?: Akoro yo?: How is your father?: Inda u yo? OR Ada u yo?:: How is your mother?: Inyha u yo? OR Onyha u yo?: He/she/it is fine.: O dahi

Long time no see

Anyari Ekuhi Eta

What is your name?

Ireha awu ri?

I thank God

Ma ku Ohomorihi Avo

Come and Eat

Ve Varisa

Please

Arihini

How much is this?

Oya Osoni vi?

Wait for me

Je zimi

Welcome

Nyhasẹ (from a journey), Anyharusẹ (from a short outing)

Good morning

Anyhene

Good afternoon

Anyhaọọdu

Good evening

Anyhaoruva

Goodbye

Adijọ

Goodnight

Aduhuọ : Since morning: Hurenene

Problems

Come back

Vave

Leave me alone

Navomi he: To give a beating: Nyha-isa: Move out of the way: : Huroze:

Numbers

1

Ọọnyi

2

Ẹẹva

3

Ẹẹta

4

Ẹẹna

5

Ẹẹhi

6

Ihinoyi

7

Ihimba

8

Ihinta

9

Ihina

10

Ẹẹwu

15

Ẹẹwu Ri Ẹẹhi

20

Oohu

25

Oohu Rẹhi

30

Oohu Rẹwu

35

Oohu Rẹwu Rẹhi

40

Ẹbẹẹva

50

Ẹbẹẹva Rẹwu

60

Ẹbẹẹta

70

Ẹtarẹwu

80

Ẹbẹẹna

90

Ẹẹna rẹwu

100

Ẹchẹhi

120

Ẹchi Hinonyi

140

Ẹchi Himba

160

Ẹchi Hinta

180

Ẹchi Hiina

200

Irẹka

300

Irẹka ri Ẹchẹhi

400

Akava

500

Akava ri Ẹchẹhi

600

Akata

700

Akata ri Ẹchẹhi

800

Akana

900

Akana ri Ẹchẹhi

1000

Akahi

2000

Akawu

Duration

Year

Irayi

Month

Uhwẹ

Week

Ọsẹ

Morning

Ẹnẹnẹ

Afternoon

Ọọdu

Evening

Oruva

Night

Irahu

Days

Monday

Osi’nyhima

Tuesday

Asuvuri

Wednesday

Ihiovi

Thursday

Asipita

Friday

Opotu

Saturday

Uhuotu

Sunday

Amoto

Months

January

Etudaiye

February

Oyioji

March

Iruwa

April

Ireba

May

Orenyhi

June

Ori

July

Ageva

August

Engw’ome

September

Opisa

October

Okoruwa

November

Ododo

December

Obaji

Colors (Achẹrẹ)

Ọvwọọvu

White.

Ojooji

Black.

Ovivi

Red.

Odozeyiri

Yellow.

Ọrẹ̀

Purple.

Ivuru

Blue.

Ọnidaadu

Brown.

Angẹrẹ

Green.

Ọnatiti

Pink.

Ọnakọkọ

Orange.

Ọnatitọ

Ash.

Musical Instruments (Enya Isohu)

Agidibo

Slit Drum

Use

Metal Gong

Eze/Anuva

Pot Drum

Okokoro

Local Flute

Ugogonyi

Talking Drum

Okanga

Mambrane Drum

Ikakanchi

Trumpet

Ahihya

Gourd Rattle

Uhwere

Whistle

Ijabana

Tension Drum

Ichekene

Rattle

Izenyi

Small Bells

Okokoro Oyivo

Flute

Opanyi

Horn

Ireha

Big Local Bells

Part of the body

Head

Iresu

Finger

Igege

Wrist

Eguvo

Hand

Uvo

Waist

Öte

Stomach

Ireka

Thigh

Usi

Knee

Idunku

Foot

Otutu-ahu

Toe

Igege-inàhu

Ankle

Ibezi-ahu

Leg

Aahu

Teeth

Anyi

Navel

Iraje

Elbow

Okuvo

Eye

Eyi

Nose

Aahi

Cheek

Abami

Chin

Irewa

Mouth

Irenu

Neck

Ororko

Nails

Apara-igege

Heel

Ege-ahu

Chest

Irachi

Hair

Éyi

Back

Irema

Shoulder

Oguza

Breast

Ireva

Eyebrow

Egorgor

Eyelids

Papame-eyi

Armpit

Arivava

Feet

Petahu

Family

Father

Àdá

Mother

Onyi

Child

Ozi

Grandchild

A’azi

Food

Pounded yam

Iya

Porridge Beans

Epete

Cassava/Yam Flour

Uka

Moi-Moi (steamed cake) from Water Yam

Ọve

Moi-Moi (steamed cake) from unpeeled beans

Àpápà

Maize

Àpáapà

Beans Soup

Epeza

Egg

Ajẹ

Meat

Uye

Fried bean cake

Akara

Garden Egg Soup

Ebatu Soup

Animal

Fish

Ivovo

Chicken

Ahue

Snake

Ewu

Monkey

Anchere

Spider

Arahi

Lion

Udu

Ram

Ideba