Language/Igbo/Vocabulary/Numbers

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Igbo → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Time → Numbers

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the Igbo language's numbering system and learn how to count from one to one hundred. Numbers are an essential part of any language, and Igbo is no exception. By understanding Igbo numbers, you will be able to communicate effectively when talking about quantities, prices, dates, and time.

This lesson is part of the "Complete 0 to A1 Igbo Course," designed for complete beginners. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use numbers in Igbo speech and understand the concept of ordinal numbers. Let's dive in!

Igbo Numbers from 1 to 10

To start, let's learn the numbers from one to ten in Igbo. Take a look at the table below:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English Translation
ọ̀nụ̀	/ɔ̀nù/	one
èjìrì	/ɛ̀ʤîrì/	two
ètò	/ɛ̀tɔ̀/	three
ìnáwá	/înáwá/	four
ísii	/ísíì/	five
èsé	/ɛ̀sé/	six
àsà	/àsà/	seven
ìtè	/îtɛ̀/	eight
èjà	/ɛ̀ʤà/	nine
ìsí	/îsí/	ten

It's important to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation and spelling of each number. Practice saying them aloud to get a feel for the Igbo language's unique sounds.

Igbo Numbers from 11 to 20

Now that we've learned the numbers from one to ten, let's move on to the numbers from eleven to twenty. These numbers follow a pattern and can be easily constructed by combining the word for ten, "ìsí," with the numbers one to ten. Take a look at the table below:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English Translation
ìsí n'ọ́nụ̀	/îsí nɔ̀nù/	eleven
ìsí n'èjìrì	/îsí nɛ̀ʤîrì/	twelve
ìsí n'ètò	/îsí nɛ̀tɔ̀/	thirteen
ìsí n'ìnáwá	/îsí nɪ̂náwá/	fourteen
ìsí n'ísii	/îsí nɪ́síì/	fifteen
ìsí n'èsé	/îsí nɛ̀sé/	sixteen
ìsí n'àsà	/îsí nàsà/	seventeen
ìsí n'ìtè	/îsí nɪ̂tɛ̀/	eighteen
ìsí n'èjà	/îsí nɛ̀ʤà/	nineteen
ìrírí a isii	/írírí a ísíì/	twenty

Again, practice saying these numbers aloud and familiarize yourself with their pronunciation and spelling.

Igbo Numbers from 21 to 100

To count from twenty-one to one hundred in Igbo, we continue the pattern we learned with the numbers from eleven to twenty. We simply combine the word for twenty, "ìrírí a isii," with the numbers one to ten. Take a look at the table below:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English Translation
ìrírí a isii n'ọ́nụ̀	/írírí a ísíì nɔ̀nù/	twenty-one
ìrírí a isii n'èjìrì	/írírí a ísíì nɛ̀ʤîrì/	twenty-two
ìrírí a isii n'ètò	/írírí a ísíì nɛ̀tɔ̀/	twenty-three
ìrírí a isii n'ìnáwá	/írírí a ísíì nɪ̂náwá/	twenty-four
ìrírí a isii n'ísii	/írírí a ísíì nɪ́síì/	twenty-five
ìrírí a isii n'èsé	/írírí a ísíì nɛ̀sé/	twenty-six
ìrírí a isii n'àsà	/írírí a ísíì nàsà/	twenty-seven
ìrírí a isii n'ìtè	/írírí a ísíì nɪ̂tɛ̀/	twenty-eight
ìrírí a isii n'èjà	/írírí a ísíì nɛ̀ʤà/	twenty-nine
ìrírí a ìtò	/írírí a ìtɔ̀/	thirty
...	...	...
ìrírí a ìnọ́nụ̀	/írírí a ìnɔ̀nù/	forty
...	...	...
ìrírí a ísii	/írírí a ísíì/	fifty
...	...	...
ìrírí a èsé	/írírí a ɛ̀sé/	sixty
...	...	...
ìrírí a àsà	/írírí a àsà/	seventy
...	...	...
ìrírí a ìtè	/írírí a ìtɛ̀/	eighty
...	...	...
ìrírí a èjà	/írírí a ɛ̀ʤà/	ninety
...	...	...
ìrírí àtụ̀	/írírí àtù/	one hundred

Take your time to practice these numbers and become comfortable with their pronunciation and spelling. Remember, repetition is key to mastering any language skill.

Ordinal Numbers

In addition to cardinal numbers, Igbo also has ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers indicate the position or order of something in a sequence. To form ordinal numbers in Igbo, we add the suffix "-m" to the cardinal numbers. Let's take a look at some examples:

• mbụ́ọ́nụ́ (first)
• èjìrìm (second)
• ètòm (third)
• ìnáwám (fourth)
• ísiím (fifth)
• èsém (sixth)
• àsám (seventh)
• ìtèm (eighth)
• èjàm (ninth)
• ísím (tenth)

Notice how the "-m" suffix is added to each cardinal number. Practice saying these ordinal numbers aloud and use them in sentences to familiarize yourself with their usage.

Cultural Notes

In Igbo culture, numbers hold significant cultural and spiritual meanings. For example, the number four, "ìnáwá," is associated with death and is often avoided in certain contexts. Similarly, the number seven, "àsà," is considered a lucky number and is often associated with positive events and celebrations.

Furthermore, numbers are essential in traditional Igbo naming ceremonies. Each child is given a name that reflects the day they were born. The Igbo calendar follows a four-day cycle, and names are chosen accordingly. For example, a child born on the first day of the cycle might be named "Ọ̀kwọ̀," while a child born on the fourth day might be named "Ọ̀nụ̀."

These cultural associations and traditions add depth and richness to the Igbo language's numeric system.

Exercises

Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test with some exercises. Translate the following English sentences into Igbo using the appropriate numbers:

1. I have two sisters. 2. Today is the fifth of September. 3. He is the third person in line. 4. We bought seven apples at the market. 5. She arrived on the twentieth of July.

Solutions:

1. A na-eme abụ mụ nne mụ. 2. Taa bụ nke isii nke Septemba. 3. O bụ ndị ọkọ a nke ọdịnaka. 4. Anyị jiri asa nke asa n'okpomụ. 5. O nweghị ego na nke iri na asaa nke Julụ.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned the Igbo numbers from one to one hundred, as well as ordinal numbers. Numbers are an essential part of everyday communication, and now you can confidently discuss quantities, prices, dates, and time in Igbo.

Continue practicing and using these numbers in various contexts to reinforce your understanding. In the next lesson, we will explore how to tell time in Igbo and discuss the days of the week. Olee! (Well done!)

Table of Contents - Igbo Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns
• Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Verbs
• Tenses

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers
• Telling Time

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating and Drinking

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Igbo Customs and Traditions

• Traditional Ceremonies
• Festivals and Celebrations

Sources

• Things Fall Apart: Igbo Words & Phrases | SparkNotes
• Numbers Igbo Language Vocabulary – Ezinaụlọ
• Igbo English Dictionary

Other Lessons

• Education
• Eating and Drinking
• Food
• Animals
• Health
• Fruits
• Introducing Yourself
• Express Surprise
• Drinks

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