Language/Igbo/Vocabulary/Numbers
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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!)
Videos[edit | edit source]
Numbers from 1 to 100 in Igbo and English (native speakers ...[edit | edit source]
LEARN IGBO LANGUAGE {NUMBERS} - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Things Fall Apart: Igbo Words & Phrases | SparkNotes
- Numbers Igbo Language Vocabulary – Ezinaụlọ
- Igbo English Dictionary
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Education
- Eating and Drinking
- Food
- Animals
- Health
- Fruits
- Introducing Yourself
- Express Surprise
- Drinks
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