Common Igbo Greetings & Manners

Learn the various words related to greetings and manners in Igbo. It is important to note that many do not agree with the translation of these words and phrases. If you’re Igbo, if possible, please verify with someone in your community how to use these words in your dialect.

Hello.
Ndêwó. (in-DEEH-WO)

Hello. (informal)
Kèdú. (keh-DO)

Hello. (casual)
Ǹdâ. (in-DAH)

Welcome
Nnộ (in-NOOR)

How are you?
Kèdú kà ímẹ̀rẹ̀? (keh-DOO kah E meh-reh)

How are you (Informal)
Kedu

Fine, thank you.
A dị̀ ḿmá,ị̀melâ (AW dee IM-MA)

What is your name?
Kèdú áhà gị́? (keh-DO AH-ha GEE)

My name is _ . Áhàm bụ̀ , or Áfàm bụ̀ (: AH-ham buh, or AH-fam buh)

Nice to meet you.
Obu ihe obi uto imata gi. (obuu ehe obi uu’to ima ta gi)

Please.
Bīkó. (BEE-COE)

Thank you.
Dālụ́/Imẹ̄lá. (DAA-LOO/EE-MEH-LAH)

You’re welcome.
Bàtà wà. (Ba ta waa)

Yes.
Éey, Ëhh. (ey, AEH)

No.
Ḿbà . (IM-bah)

Excuse me. (getting attention)
Chere, chètú. (Chey rey, CHE-too)

Excuse me. (begging pardon)
isi Gini, é weli íwé. (ishi gi ni, A WELLI E-WAY)

I’m sorry.
Ndo (n-DOH,)

Forgive me
Gbághàrám (BA-ha-RAM)

Goodbye
Kà ómésíá. (kah O-MEH-SI-YA)

Goodbye (informal)
ányị́ ga hú. (Anyi i, gaa ahU)

I can’t speak Igbo [well].
A’naghi’m a sú Igbo [ọfuma]. (AH na yim AH sue EEG-BOW [AW-FOO-MAH])

Do you speak English?
ị́ na-sú Bèké ? (EE na SOO BAY-KAY?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?
Ọ di onye nọ nga nweríke ị́súfù bèké? (OR dee on-yeh NOR in-GAH weh-RI-KI SUH-foo beh-KEH?)

Help me!
Nyerem áká! (NYEM AH-KAH)

Look out!
Lèpu kwá anya! (LAY-MA KWA)

Good morning.
Ibọla chi. (e BORLA CHI)

Good evening.
mgbede ọma . (MM-GBAYDAY oma’a)

Good night.
Kà chí bọ̌. (ka CHI BAW)

I don’t understand.
À ghọ́tàghìm. (ah GAW-tah-gim)

Where is the toilet?
Kéé ébé uló mpósi dì? (keh EH BEH MM-K-PO-CHEE dee)

Other Translations (source: EziNaUlo)

Hello – Ndewo  (Note: Some don’t agree with the direct translation of ndewo as “hello”. Some believe its “ndaa” while others believe “hello” doesn’t have a direct translation in English.)

Welcome – Nnọọ

How are you? – Kedu? / Kedu ka ị melu? / Kedu ka ị mere?  (Note: Some argue about the meaning of kedu by itself and its various uses with other words. Some also spell it kedụ.)

I am fine. – Adị m mma.

It is fine./He is fine./ She is fine. – Ọ dị mma.

I am not fine. – A dịghị m mma.

Please – biko

Wait – chere

Excuse me – cheretu (Note: Some do not agree that there is a direct translation of this word from English.)

Thank you – Daalụ / Imeela  (Note: Many argue about the correct word of thank you in Igbo.)

Sorry – Ndo

Yes – Ee / Eh / Oo / Ise  (Note: Some argue that there are many ways to say yes in Igbo such as some of the ones listed. It depends on the situation. You might the vary the tone and words you use to say yes in Igbo.)

No – Mba

Good morning – ị bọọla chi / ị saa la chi/ I tetala? / Ụtụtụ ọma (Note:

The translation of this to English means something like – Has the day started? Or have you woken up (I tetala)? Ụtụtụ ọma is a direct translation from English. Many do not agree with using this as a greeting.)

Good afternoon – Ehihie ọma

(Note: Ehihie ọma is a direct translation from English. Many do not agree with using this as a greeting.)

Good evening – Mgbede ọma

(Note: Mgbede ọma is a direct translation from English. Many do not agree with using this as a greeting.)

Good night – Ka chi fo (Note: The translation of this to English means something like – let the day break )

How to respnd to good night – Ka chi bọọ

Good bye – Ka ọmesịe / Ka emesia ( Note: The translation of this to English means something like – let it be until then.)

See you later – Ka ọ dị

Safe journey – Ije ọma