Language/Igbo/Grammar/Conjunctions
In this lesson, you will learn about Igbo conjunctions. Conjunctions are an essential part of any language as they connect words, phrases, and clauses, making sentences complete and coherent. They help to convey precise meaning and impact how ideas are expressed. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to recognize and use Igbo conjunctions correctly.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are words that join two or more words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. They are called 'coordinating' because they join elements that are the same in importance and structure. Igbo has seven coordinating conjunctions, which are:
- "na" (and)
- "ma" (but, however)
- "n'ime" (as, since, because)
- "mgbe" (when)
- "ka" (so, then, in order that)
- "k'anyi" (so that)
- "n'okpuru" (or)
Examples:
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ana adịghị mma "na" ụlọ niile nwere ike ịkpọtụ nke ọma. | Ah-nah ah-dig-hee mmah "nah" oo-loe nee-lay nwair-ee-kay ik-poh-too n-kay o-mah. | It is not good "and" everyone has the ability to plant beautiful flowers. |
| Ọ bụmma ayi "ma" ọ chọrọ ịbaa. | Oh boo-mah ah-yee "mah" oh choh-roh ee-baa. | It's beautiful "but" it's expensive. |
| Agaghị ahụ biko "n’ime" mụ ma ị ga-azụ ụzọ. | Ah-gah-ghee ah-hoo bee-koh "neeme" moo mah ee ga-ah-zoo oo-zoh. | Don’t talk to me "because" I will ignore you. |
| A bụ m n’ụbọchị "mgbe" ị na-akwụsị adị nnukwu. | Ah boo em n’oo-boh-chee "m-gbeh" ee nah-ah-kwoo-see ah-dee n-nu-kwoo. | I was hungry "when" you came with a small portion. |
| Sọrọ ike "ka" anyị ga-aru ọtụtụ. | Soh-roh ee-kay "kah" ahn-yee gah-ah-roo oh-too-too. | Let us work "so that" we can finish early. |
| Jisie ike "k'anyi" n’azu ịgbalị. | Jee-see-ay ee-kay "koh-yan-yee" nah-zoo ee-gbah-lee. | Work hard "so that" you can make money. |
| Ọ na-eje ịkw werere "n'okpuru" okuko ma ọ agha. | Oh na-ay-jay ee-koo wer-reh-reh "noh-kpoor-oo" oh-koo-koh mah oh ah-ghah. | Eat either a chicken "or" fish. |
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a dependent clause or subordinate clause to a main clause. In Igbo, there are several subordinating conjunctions, which include:
- "aka" (like, as)
- "biko" (please, as)
- "ebe" (where, place, event)
- "efa" (if)
- "na-agba" (because, since)
- "na-ala" (as, since)
- "na-aso" (until, before)
- "n'ọkụ" (until)
- "oke" (until)
Examples:
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mgbe ahụrụ m "aka" onyeali o buru na o nụrụ mma. | M-gbeh ah-hoo-roo em "ah-kah" oh-nye-ah-lee oh boo-roo nah oh noo-roo-mmah. | When I grow up "like" my parents, I will do well. |
| Ọ bụ m aka nso anya. | Oh boo em "ah-kah" n-soh ahn-yah. | It is like a blackboard. |
| Biko kpatara m onwe m "biko" nke a. | Bee-koh k-pa-ta-raahm ohn-weh-m "bee-koh" n-kay ah. | Please help me "as" you can. |
| Ọ dịka gịrị "ebe" ahụ nyere m m k’egwu. | Oh dee-kah gee-ree "eh-beh" ah-hoo nyeh-reh mm-kay-eg-wuh. | It is like a place "where" I was told to wait. |
| Ọ daalụ "efa " gịrị aka ahụ a. | Oh dah-looh "eh-fah" gee-ree ah-kah ah-hoo ah. | If you go "like" that. |
| Ejiri aka ịkụ ọnụ "na-agba" ịzụtara a. | Eh-jee-ree ah-kah ee-koo oh-noo "nah-ah-gbah" ee-zoo-tara-rah ah. | Since you can't breathe "because" it is air-tight. |
| Ọ dịka "na-ala" ahụ bịara n'elu. | Oh dee-kah "nah-ah-lah" ah-hoo bee-ah-rah nay-loo. | It is "as" he came up. |
| Gaa n'anya "na-aso" ihie gbasara m. | Gah Nah-nyah "nah-ah-so" ee-hyeh g-ba-sah-rah mm. | Go away "until" I am ready. |
| Di anya "n'ọkụ" anyi jide onye abịa. | Dee ahn-yah "noh-koo" ahn-yee jee-deh ohn-yeh ah-bi-ah. | Wait "until" we see someone coming. |
| Jijijijij 🙂 Chelum kara m gbam "oke" ahụkọ egosi. | Jee-Jee-Jee-Jee-Jee Jee. Cheh-loom kah-rah meh gbahm "oh-kay" ah-hoo-kaw eh-goh-see. | I laughed haha haha. I just found out the reason "why" he is angry. |
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to connect two or more elements of equal importance within a sentence. In Igbo, the correlative conjunctions are:
- "ri" ... "nye" (either ... or)
- "kpọ" ... "kpọ" (either ... or)
- "jide" ... "ka" (until, before)
Examples:
| Igbo | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Jisie ike ụlọ "ri" bụ isi. | Jee-see-ay ee-kay oo-low "ree" boo ee-see. | Work hard "either" in the farm "or" as a head. |
| Anaghị adịghị m ntị "kpọ" nke a. | Ah-nah-ghee ah-dig-hee em n-tee "k-poh" n-kay ah. | I don't like "either" of these. |
| I ga-ekwu na-anya maka ihe "jide" ma ọ ga-agba ya. | Ee-gah-eh-kwoo nah-n-yah mah-kah ee-hay "jee-deh" ma oh gah-ah-gbah-yah yah. | You should say the truth "until" when he forgives you. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, conjunctions are essential in joining words and phrases together to make more meaningful sentences. Igbo has coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions. Each type of conjunction creates a specific relationship between words, clauses, and phrases. Learning how to use them correctly in sentences adds cohesion, clarity, and power to your speech. With the knowledge gained in this lesson, practice joining sentences using the various conjunctions, and develop your skills to communicate more effectively in Igbo.