Igala phrasebook

Igala is the indigenous language of the Igala ethnic group which spread across Kogi, Enugu, Anambra, Delta and Benue States of Nigeria. It is classified as a Yoruboid language with over 1 million native speakers.

Pronunciation guide
à in álá (sheep) è in égbé (grass)
 * Vowels

ẹ in ẹ́gẹ (egg)

i in ìmọ (nose)

o in ógbó (old age)

ọ in ọdọ (year)

u in ùchú (yam)


 * Cosonants

Basics

 * I feel sleepy. : Ólu ágò mí.
 * I am hungry. : Ébi ákpa mí.
 * I am thirsty. : Òlùgbẹ ákpa mí.
 * I was ashamed. : Ányọ́ fu mí mú.
 * I love you : Na fedo we
 * Thank you. : Nago
 * Friend: Onuku.

Numbers

 * 1 : Òókáà/Ényẹ́
 * 2	: Èjì
 * 3	: Ẹ̀ta
 * 4	: Ẹ̀lẹ̀
 * 5	: Ẹ̀lú
 * 6	: Ẹ̀fà
 * 7	: Èbie
 * 8	: Ẹ̀jọ
 * 9	: Ẹ̀lá
 * 10 : Ẹ̀gwá
 * 11 : Ẹ̀gwákáà
 * 12 : Ẹ̀gwéjì
 * 13 : Ẹ̀gwẹ́ta
 * 14 : Ẹ̀gwẹ́lẹ̀
 * 15 : Ẹ̀gwẹ́lū
 * 16 : Ẹ̀gwẹ́fà
 * 17 : Ẹ̀gwébie
 * 18 : Ẹ̀gwẹ́jọ
 * 19 : ẹ̀gwẹ́lā
 * 20 : Ógwu
 * 30 : Ógwú-ẹ́gwā
 * 40 : Ọ̀gbọ̀méji
 * 50 : Óóje
 * 60 : Ọ̀gbọ̀mẹ́ta
 * 70 : Ẹ̀tẹẹ̀gwá
 * 80 : Ọ̀gbọ̀mẹ́lẹ̀
 * 90 : Ẹ̀lẹ̀ẹ̀gwá
 * 100 : Ógwúmẹ́lū
 * 200 : Ọ̀gwọ́kọ́
 * 300 : Ólímẹ́fà
 * 400: Úlú ọkọ́
 * 500 : Ólí mẹ́gwā
 * 600 : Ólí mẹ́gwējì
 * 700 : Ólí mẹ́gwẹ̄lẹ̀
 * 800 : Íchámúù
 * 900 : Íchámú-ógwúmẹ́lū
 * 1000 : Àdò-ókáà

Time

 * This time : Egba yii
 * That time : Egba le
 * Night : Ane
 * Tomorrow : Ona
 * Today : Eñini
 * Next tomorrow : Otona
 * Every time : Iko duu
 * Week : Aladi
 * Second month : Ochu ekeji
 * This Week : Aladi yii
 * Yesterday : Onale

Teaching (Ukọ)

 * Student : Ọma Ukọ
 * Book : Otakada
 * Teacher : Ako Ọnẹ
 * Pen : Ukọ ẹnwu
 * School : Unyi Ukọchẹ

Colors (Achi)

 * Black : Èdudu
 * Yellow : Otukpa
 * White: Èfufu
 * Red : Èkpikpa
 * Blue : Oduwa
 * Green: Omi emi
 * Orange : Omi Alemu
 * Indigo : Omi Awu
 * Violet : Itoru
 * Brown : Omi Obé

Part of the body

 * Ímọ : Nose
 * Èti : Ear
 * Ano : Skin
 * Ogugu : Bone
 * Imalu : Tongue
 * Okuku : Knee
 * Owo : Hand
 * Oji : Head
 * Eju : Face
 * Eyó Eju : Eye
 * Ógba Oji : Forehead
 * Óma ówó : Fingers
 * Efu: Stomach

Greetings

 * Good Morning : Olo-du-du
 * Good Night: Shu'du du
 * Goodbye : Shegbatuba
 * Good Afternoon : Olo'roka
 * Good Evening: Ola'ne
 * Welcome : Olale
 * How are you? : Adele
 * I am fine : Ucholafia
 * Well done: Olukolo

Family

 * Father: Atah.
 * Mother: Iye.
 * Grandmother : Oma
 * Sister/Brother : Omaye
 * Child : Oma
 * Children : Am'oma
 * Female child : Oma'onobule
 * Male child : Oma'enekele
 * Sibling : Omaye
 * Siblings : Am'omaye
 * Female sibling : Omaye'onobule
 * Male sibling : Omaye'enekele
 * Aunt : Omehi
 * Uncle : Omenyi
 * Wife : Oya
 * Husband : Oko
 * Grandparent : Okwo
 * Granparents : Am'okwo
 * Male grandparent : Okwo'onekele
 * Female grandparent : Okwo'onobule

Food

 * Rice : Ochikapa
 * Swallow : Oje
 * Beans : Egwa
 * Yam : Uchu
 * Potatoe : Odumu
 * Maize : Akpa
 * Cassava : Abacha
 * Cowpea : Okpa
 * Cocoyam : Ikachi
 * Wheat : Okili
 * Melon : Api
 * Plantain : Agbo

FRUITS

 * Orange : Alemu
 * Pineapple : Ogede oyibo
 * Coconut : Unoba
 * Banana : Ogede
 * Sherry : Eha
 * Mango : Mangolo

SOUP

 * Beans soup : Obo Egwa
 * Egusi Soup : Obo Api
 * Okra : Obo Oro
 * Corn Soup : Obo Aka
 * Vegetable Soup : Obo Emi
 * Garden egg soup : Obo Ika