Igbo for Kids

Igbo words and numbers

Say hello, be polite, count to ten and learn how tones change a word.

Lesson 1 of 4

Hello and thank you

Greetings

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Being polite

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Say it aloud!

Try greeting someone at home today: “Ndewo!” Then ask “Kedụ ka ị mere?” and wait for “Adị m mma!”

The word Daalụ also encourages someone who is working, a bit like saying “well done”.

Lesson 2 of 4

Count to ten

One to ten

Tap each number to count!

Big numbers

Ten is iri and one hundred is nari.

Igbo people used to count in twenties. And remember “ijeri”, the billion that is too big to count!

Match the numbers

Tap two cards that belong together.

otu = 1
atọ = 3
ise = 5
asaa = 7
iri = 10

Lesson 3 of 4

Words with a tune

One word, four meanings

In Igbo, “akwa” can mean four different things, depending on the tune: a cry, cloth, an egg or a bridge.

Say it high-high, high-low, low-high or low-low and listen to the difference.

Akwa has four jobs

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Lesson 4 of 4

Family words

My family

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Match the family words

Tap two cards that belong together.

nne = mother
nna = father
nwa = child
nwanne = sibling

★ quiz