Language/Igbo/Grammar/Pronouns

Igbo Grammar - Pronouns

Hi Igbo learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning about Igbo pronouns. Pronouns are words used in place of nouns. Igbo pronouns apply to both animate and inanimate objects. They provide a simplified way to communicate when the noun is already known or implied. Understanding Igbo pronouns will make your communication in Igbo less cumbersome.

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns are the most common type of pronouns. They are used in place of a specific person or thing. In Igbo, personal pronouns vary depending on the context they are being used in. Igbo personal pronouns include:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English
mụ	mụ (mooh)	I/me
gị	gi (ghee)	You
ya	ya (yah)	He/him/she/her/it
anyị	ah-nyi (ahn-yee)	We/us
unu	oo-noo (oonoo)	You (plural)
ha	ha (hah)	They/them

Dialogue:

• Person 1: Mụ na-eme n'ụlọ. (I am working at home.)
• Person 2: Kedu ebe m ga-ewetaga gị? (Where should I meet you?)
• Person 1: Anyị ga-ewetago n'efi. (We will meet at the market.)
• Person 2: Unu ga-eme n'akụkọ. (You (plural) will work at the farm.)

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. In Igbo, reflexive pronouns always end with "ta" or "nyere." Examples include:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English
nọta	noo-tah	myself
gọnyere	go-nyeh-reh	yourself
ya ta	yah tah	himself/herself/itself
anyịghota	ah-nyee-gho-tah	ourselves
unughota	oo-noo-gho-tah	yourselves (plural)
hata	hah-tah	themselves

Dialogue:

• Person 1: Mụ na-esi isi m. (I am cutting my hair.)
• Person 2: Gọnyere maka nke a. (Do it yourself for this one.)
• Person 1: Anyịghọta na-agụ aka anyị n'ụwa. (We are washing our hands in the world.)
• Person 2: Unughọta na-azu ha na-ala. (You (plural) are eating on the ground.)

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns show ownership and replace a noun that has already been mentioned. Igbo possessive pronouns include:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English
m	m (m)	My/mine
gị	gi (ghee)	Your/yours
ya	ya (yah)	His/hers/its
anyị	ah-nyi (ahn-yee)	Our/ours
unu	oo-noo (oonoo)	Your (plural)
ha	ha (hah)	Their/theirs

Dialogue:

• Person 1: Mụ na-enye aka m. (I am giving my hand.)
• Person 2: Maka gị, sịrị na udo? (For you, what is your name?)
• Person 1: Anyị na-enweghị egwú, bụ ya na-ekwuola anyị. (We don't have a song, it's his that we are singing.)
• Person 2: Kedu ha-amasị ncha ha nmanya? (What are they bringing home?)
• Person 1: Nda ha. (Their house.)

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to or identify particular things or people. In Igbo, demonstrative pronouns include:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English
nke a	nkeh-ah	This/that
ha a	hah-ah	Those

Dialogue:

• Person 1: Hụrụ ha a. (Look at those.)
• Person 2: Nke a aghotara na ndị otu ha. (This is what they all have in common.)
• Person 1: Ha a na-ekwu okuko na-ama. (Those are the ones talking about chickens.)

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. In Igbo, interrogative pronouns include:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English
gịnị	ghee-nee	What
kedụ	keh-doo	Where
kére	keh-reh	Who
keji	keh-jee	Which
kilo	kee-loh	How

Dialogue:

• Person 1: Gịnị ka-ekperengodi na-ewu na ihe ahụ? (What is preventing you from doing that?)
• Person 2: Maka inwe anaghị eji gị, kedụ ihe gbasara gị? (Since I don't have your number, where can I reach you?)
• Person 1: Ọ bụrụ na abụghị ya, keji ọ dị mma? (If it's not this one, which one is good?)
• Person 2: Kére gị ga-amaka ma anyị? (Who will help you and us?)

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things in general. In Igbo, indefinite pronouns include:

Igbo	Pronunciation	English
ndị	ndee	People
anọ	ah-noh	Something
akwụkwọ	ah-kwoo-kwoh	Anything
ọnwụ	ohn-woo	Anyone

Dialogue:

• Person 1: Ndị nụ ndụ ka ị na-ewu? (Who are you waiting for?)
• Person 2: Anọ ọ dịrị anyị. (We are waiting for something.)
• Person 1: Akwụkwọ mụ bụ onye isi? (Am I anything or the leader?)
• Person 2: Ọnwụ mahadum n'uhịa. (Anyone can wander around here.)

To improve your Igbo Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources

• Pronouns in Igbo Language – Ezinaụlọ
• Learn Igbo pronouns — Igbostudy
• Igbo Grammar - Igboguide.org

Related Lessons

• How to Use Be
• Future Tense
• Adjectives
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• How to Use Have
• Plurals
• Conditional Mood
• Questions