Language/Igbo/Vocabulary/Count-to-10
Hi Igbo learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to count from 1-10 in Igbo! Mastering the basic numbers in any language is critical for communication, whether you are shopping or interacting with locals during your travels.
Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Clothes, Education, How to say Good Bye? & Colors.
Counting 1-10[edit | edit source]
Let's get started! Here are the Igbo numbers from 1-10 in a table format:
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| otu | oh-tu | one |
| abuo | ah-boo-oh | two |
| ato | ah-toh | three |
| ano | ah-noh | four |
| ise | ee-seh | five |
| isii | ee-see-ee | six |
| asaa | ah-sah-ah | seven |
| asato | ah-sah-toh | eight |
| itoolu | ee-toh-oh-loo | nine |
| iri | ee-ree | ten |
To count from 1-10 in Igbo, you can simply say the number word alone. For instance, if you want to say "three," you can say "ato." Try saying the numbers out loud to help with memorization!
Fun facts about Igbo numbers[edit | edit source]
Did you know that the Igbo number system features 20 as a base instead of 10, like the decimal system we use in English? This means that the numbers 11-20 have their own unique words in Igbo:
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| iri na otu | ee-ree nah oh-tu | eleven |
| iri na abuo | ee-ree nah ah-boo-oh | twelve |
| iri na ato | ee-ree nah ah-toh | thirteen |
| iri na ano | ee-ree nah ah-noh | fourteen |
| iri na ise | ee-ree nah ee-seh | fifteen |
| iri na isii | ee-ree nah ee-see-ee | sixteen |
| iri na asaa | ee-ree nah ah-sah-ah | seventeen |
| iri na asato | ee-ree nah ah-sah-toh | eighteen |
| iri na itoolu | ee-ree nah ee-toh-oh-loo | nineteen |
| ishi | ee-shee | twenty |
Furthermore, the number system is used extensively in Igbo culture, including in traditional counting games, songs, and dances. To learn more about Igbo vocabulary, check out our Vocabulary page.
Practice makes perfect[edit | edit source]
To improve your Igbo counting skills, practice with a friend or find a language exchange partner using the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! Happy learning! 🤗
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Numbers Igbo Language Vocabulary – Ezinaụlọ
- Things Fall Apart: Igbo Words & Phrases | SparkNotes
- A GLOSSARY OF IGBO WORDS, NAMES AND PHRASES Taken ...
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]