Igala phrasebook

Igala is the indigenous language of the Igala ethnic group which spread across Kogi, Enugu, Anambra, Delta and Benue States of Nigeria. It is classified as a Yoruboid language with over 1 million native speakers in the world .

Pronunciation guide

• Vowels

à in álá (sheep)

è in égbé (grass)

ẹ in ẹ́gẹ (egg)

i in ìmọ (nose)

o in ógbó (old age)

ọ in ọdọ (year)

u in ùchú (yam)

• Cosonants

Phrase list

Basics

I feel sleepy.

Ólu ágò mí.

I am hungry.

Ébi ákpa mí.

I am thirsty.

Òlùgbẹ ákpa mí.

I was ashamed.

Ányọ́ fu mí mú.

I love you

Na fedo we

Thank you.

Nago

Friend

Onuku.

Numbers

1

Òókáà/Ényẹ́

2

Èjì

3

Ẹ̀ta

4

Ẹ̀lẹ̀

5

Ẹ̀lú

6

Ẹ̀fà

7

Èbie

8

Ẹ̀jọ

9

Ẹ̀lá

10

Ẹ̀gwá

11

Ẹ̀gwákáà

12

Ẹ̀gwéjì

13

Ẹ̀gwẹ́ta

14

Ẹ̀gwẹ́lẹ̀

15

Ẹ̀gwẹ́lū

16

Ẹ̀gwẹ́fà

17

Ẹ̀gwébie

18

Ẹ̀gwẹ́jọ

19

ẹ̀gwẹ́lā

20

Ógwu

30

Ógwú-ẹ́gwā

40

Ọ̀gbọ̀méji

50

Óóje

60

Ọ̀gbọ̀mẹ́ta

70

Ẹ̀tẹẹ̀gwá

80

Ọ̀gbọ̀mẹ́lẹ̀

90

Ẹ̀lẹ̀ẹ̀gwá

100

Ógwúmẹ́lū

200

Ọ̀gwọ́kọ́

300

Ólímẹ́fà

400

Úlú ọkọ́

500

Ólí mẹ́gwā

600

Ólí mẹ́gwējì

700

Ólí mẹ́gwẹ̄lẹ̀

800

Íchámúù

900

Íchámú-ógwúmẹ́lū

1000

Àdò-ókáà

Time

This time

Egba yii

That time

Egba le

Night

Ane

Tomorrow

Ona

Today

Eñini

Next tomorrow

Otona

Every time

Iko duu

Week

Aladi

Second month

Ochu ekeji

This Week

Aladi yii

Yesterday

Onale

Teaching (Ukọ)

Student

Ọma Ukọ

Book

Otakida

Teacher

Ako Ọnẹ

Pen

Ukọ ẹnwu

School

Unyi Ukọchẹ

Colors (Achi)

Black

Èdudu

Yellow

Otukpa

White

Èfufu

Red

Èkpikpa

Blue

Oduwa

Green

Omi emi

Orange

Omi Alemu

Indigo

Omi Awu

Violet

Itoru

Brown

Omi Obé

Part of the body

Ímọ

Nose

Èti

Ear

Ano

Skin

Ogugu

Bone

Imalu

Tongue

Okuku

Knee

Owo

Hand

Oji

Head

Eju

Face

Eyó Eju

Eye

Ógba Oji

Forehead

Óma ówó

Fingers

Efu

Stomach

Greetings

Good Morning

Olo-du-du

Good Night

Shu'du du

Goodbye

Shegbatuba

Good Afternoon

Olo'roka

Good Evening

Ola'ne

Welcome

Olale

How are you?

Adele

I am fine

Ucholafia

Well done

Olukolo

Family

Father

Atah.

Mother

Iye.

Grandmother

Oma

Sister/Brother

Omaye

Child

Oma

Children

Am'oma

Female child

Oma'onobule

Male child

Oma'enekele

Sibling

Omaye

Siblings

Am'omaye

Female sibling

Omaye'onobule

Male sibling

Omaye'enekele

Aunt

Omehi

Uncle

Omenyi

Wife

Oya

Husband

Oko

Grandparent

Okwo

Granparents

Am'okwo

Male grandparent

Okwo'onekele

Female grandparent

Okwo'onobule

Food

Rice

Ochikapa

Swallow

Oje

Beans

Egwa

Yam

Uchu

Potatoe

Odumu

Maize

Akpa

Cassava

Abacha

Cowpea

Okpa

Cocoyam

Ikachi

Wheat

Okili

Melon

Api

Plantain

Agbo

FRUITS

Orange

Alemu

Pineapple

Ogede oyibo

Coconut

Unoba

Banana

Ogede

Sherry

Eha

Mango

Mangolo

SOUP

Beans soup

Obo Egwa

Egusi Soup

Obo Api

Okra

Obo Oro

Corn Soup

Obo Aka

Vegetable Soup

Obo Emi

Garden egg soup

Obo Ika