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This lesson explores the fundamental Igbo verb ime (to make, to do), one of the most versatile and frequently used verbs in the language. As lesson 42 in our frequency-based curriculum, this verb represents the concept of “make” from the English word list—covering meanings from creating and causing to doing and performing actions.
In Igbo, ime functions as the infinitive form (literally “to do/make”), while mee serves as the imperative and appears in various conjugated forms. The root me takes different affixes to indicate tense, aspect, and mood. Unlike English, Igbo verbs do not change form based on the subject—the same verb form works for “I make,” “you make,” and “they make.”
The verb ime/mee is extraordinarily productive in Igbo, combining with nouns to create compound verbal expressions: ime nri (to cook/make food), ime ọrụ (to work/do work), ime ihe (to do something). Understanding this verb unlocks a vast range of everyday expressions.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “ime” mean in Igbo? The Igbo word ime (pronounced ee-meh) is the infinitive form of the verb meaning “to make” or “to do.” It is one of the most common verbs in the language and appears in countless compound expressions. The conjugated forms include na-eme (is making/doing), mere (made/did), and ga-eme (will make/do).
Key Takeaways
This lesson teaches the verb ime/mee (to make, to do) and its conjugations across tenses. Learners will practice the continuous marker na-, the past tense suffix -re, and the future marker ga-. The duplex glossing format presents each example twice: first with Igbo text and English glosses, then with pronunciation guidance, enabling learners to develop both reading fluency and pronunciation skills simultaneously.
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42.1a Ọ he/she na-eme is-making nri food n’ụlọ in-house
42.1b Ọ (aw) he/she na-eme (nah-eh-meh) is-making nri (nree) food n’ụlọ (noo-law) in-house
42.2a Anyị we ga-eme will-make ya it echi tomorrow
42.2b Anyị (ah-nyee) we ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-make ya (yah) it echi (eh-chee) tomorrow
42.3a Gịnị what ka INTERROG ị you na-eme? are-doing
42.3b Gịnị (gee-nee) what ka (kah) INTERROG ị (ee) you na-eme (nah-eh-meh) are-doing
42.4a M I mere made/did ọrụ work ahụ that
42.4b M (mm) I mere (meh-reh) made/did ọrụ (aw-roo) work ahụ (ah-hoo) that
42.5a Ha they na-eme are-making egwuregwu game/play
42.5b Ha (hah) they na-eme (nah-eh-meh) are-making egwuregwu (eh-gwoo-reh-gwoo) game/play
42.6a Nne mother m my mekwara also-made ofe soup taa today
42.6b Nne (nneh) mother m (mm) my mekwara (meh-kwah-rah) also-made ofe (oh-feh) soup taa (tah) today
42.7a Mee make-IMP nwayọọ slowly/gently
42.7b Mee (meh) make-IMP nwayọọ (nwah-yaw-aw) slowly/gently
42.8a Onye person mere made nke this a? QUEST
42.8b Onye (oh-nyeh) person mere (meh-reh) made nke (nkeh) this a (ah) QUEST
42.9a Ọ he/she na-eme is-doing ihe thing ọma good
42.9b Ọ (aw) he/she na-eme (nah-eh-meh) is-doing ihe (ee-heh) thing ọma (aw-mah) good
42.10a A IMPERS ga-eme will-do ya it otu one ụbọchị day
42.10b A (ah) IMPERS ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-do ya (yah) it otu (oh-too) one ụbọchị (oo-baw-chee) day
42.11a Ụmụaka children ahụ those na-eme are-making ụzụ noise
42.11b Ụmụaka (oo-moo-ah-kah) children ahụ (ah-hoo) those na-eme (nah-eh-meh) are-making ụzụ (oo-zoo) noise
42.12a I you meela have-done nke one ọma good
42.12b I (ee) you meela (meh-eh-lah) have-done nke (nkeh) one ọma (aw-mah) good
42.13a Ndị people ọka skilled na-eme make ihe things mara which-are mma beautiful
42.13b Ndị (ndee) people ọka (aw-kah) skilled na-eme (nah-eh-meh) make ihe (ee-heh) things mara (mah-rah) which-are mma (mmah) beautiful
42.14a Emeghị not-making m I ihe thing ọjọọ bad ọ any bụla -ever
42.14b Emeghị (eh-meh-ghee) not-making m (mm) I ihe (ee-heh) thing ọjọọ (aw-jaw-aw) bad ọ (aw) any bụla (boo-lah) -ever
42.15a Chineke God mere made ụwa world na and ihe things nile all
42.15b Chineke (chee-neh-keh) God mere (meh-reh) made ụwa (oo-wah) world na (nah) and ihe (ee-heh) things nile (nee-leh) all
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42.1 Ọ na-eme nri n’ụlọ. “She is making food in the house.”
42.2 Anyị ga-eme ya echi. “We will do it tomorrow.”
42.3 Gịnị ka ị na-eme? “What are you doing?”
42.4 M mere ọrụ ahụ. “I did that work.”
42.5 Ha na-eme egwuregwu. “They are playing a game.”
42.6 Nne m mekwara ofe taa. “My mother also made soup today.”
42.7 Mee nwayọọ. “Do it gently.” / “Take it slowly.”
42.8 Onye mere nke a? “Who made this?”
42.9 Ọ na-eme ihe ọma. “He is doing good things.”
42.10 A ga-eme ya otu ụbọchị. “It will be done one day.”
42.11 Ụmụaka ahụ na-eme ụzụ. “Those children are making noise.”
42.12 I meela nke ọma. “You have done well.”
42.13 Ndị ọka na-eme ihe mara mma. “Skilled people make beautiful things.”
42.14 Emeghị m ihe ọjọọ ọ bụla. “I did not do anything bad.”
42.15 Chineke mere ụwa na ihe nile. “God made the world and all things.”
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42.1 Ọ na-eme nri n’ụlọ.
42.2 Anyị ga-eme ya echi.
42.3 Gịnị ka ị na-eme?
42.4 M mere ọrụ ahụ.
42.5 Ha na-eme egwuregwu.
42.6 Nne m mekwara ofe taa.
42.7 Mee nwayọọ.
42.8 Onye mere nke a?
42.9 Ọ na-eme ihe ọma.
42.10 A ga-eme ya otu ụbọchị.
42.11 Ụmụaka ahụ na-eme ụzụ.
42.12 I meela nke ọma.
42.13 Ndị ọka na-eme ihe mara mma.
42.14 Emeghị m ihe ọjọọ ọ bụla.
42.15 Chineke mere ụwa na ihe nile.
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These are the grammar rules for ime/mee (to make, to do).
The Verb Root and Infinitive
The infinitive form is ime (ị-me), composed of the infinitive prefix ị- and the root -me. When the preceding word ends in a vowel, the prefix may reduce. The bare root me appears in imperative and conjugated forms.
Tense and Aspect Formation
Igbo marks tense and aspect through particles and affixes rather than verb stem changes.
Present Continuous: The marker na- precedes the verb, and the verb takes the prefix a-/e- (vowel harmony). Thus: na-eme (is making/doing). Examples: M na-eme (I am making), Ọ na-eme (he/she is making), Ha na-eme (they are making).
Simple Past: The suffix -re or -rV (where V copies the preceding vowel) attaches to the root. Thus: mere (made/did). Examples: M mere (I made), Ọ mere (he/she made), Anyị mere (we made).
Future: The particle ga- precedes the verb with its vowel prefix. Thus: ga-eme (will make/do). Examples: M ga-eme (I will make), Ị ga-eme (you will make), Ha ga-eme (they will make).
Perfect: The suffix -la/-le attaches to the verb. Thus: meela (has made/done). Example: I meela (you have done).
Negation
Negation in Igbo typically uses the suffix -ghị on the verb. For “not making/doing”: emeghị. Example: Emeghị m ya (I did not do it).
The Imperative
The simple command form is mee (make! do!). For plural or polite commands: meenụ. Negative imperative uses emela (don’t do/make).
Compound Verbal Expressions
The verb ime combines with nouns to create compound expressions:
ime nri - to cook (literally: to make food) ime ọrụ - to work (literally: to do work) ime ihe - to do something (literally: to make thing) ime egwu - to dance (literally: to make/do dance) ime ụzụ - to make noise
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the continuous marker na-: English speakers may say “M eme” instead of “M na-eme” for “I am making.”
Confusing word order: Igbo uses SVO order like English, but adverbials and objects follow different patterns.
Omitting vowel harmony: The vowel in prefixes should harmonize with the verb root vowels.
Using wrong tense markers: Remember na- (continuous), ga- (future), -re (past), -la (perfect).
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The verb ime holds profound significance in Igbo worldview. The famous Igbo proverb says: “Aka aja aja na-ebute ọnụ mmanu mmanu” — dirty/working hands bring an oily mouth (success comes from hard work). This reflects the Igbo emphasis on industriousness and the dignity of labor.
In traditional Igbo society, what one makes or does defines their character. The honorific title “Omeọkachie” (one who completes whatever he puts his hand to) represents the ideal of competent action. The proverb warns: “Onye akụ ka ji ewe ‘Omeọkachie’” — an indigent does not take the title of “Omeọkachie” — meaning one should not claim abilities one does not possess.
The verb also appears in religious contexts. Chineke (Chi-na-eke, the God who creates) combines with ime/eke to express divine creative power. The phrase “Chineke mere ya” (God made it/did it) attributes outcomes to divine will.
Regional variations exist across Igbo dialects. In some areas, the past tense may use -lu instead of -re (melu vs. mere). Standard Igbo (Igbo Izugbe) uses the forms presented in this lesson.
In contemporary usage, ime remains essential for everyday communication. The question “Gịnị ka ị na-eme?” (What are you doing?) serves as both a literal inquiry and a conversational greeting, similar to English “What’s up?”
The expression “I meela” (you have done well) functions as a common expression of gratitude and approval, equivalent to “thank you” or “well done” in appropriate contexts.
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The following passage demonstrates authentic usage of ime/mee in Igbo discourse, drawn from traditional proverbial wisdom.
Source: Adapted from traditional Igbo proverbs and Chinua Achebe’s literary Igbo
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Ndị people Igbo Igbo na-asị say na that aka hand aja dirty aja dirty na-ebute brings ọnụ mouth mmanu oil mmanu. oil
Ndị (ndee) people Igbo (ee-boh) Igbo na-asị (nah-ah-see) say na (nah) that aka (ah-kah) hand aja (ah-jah) dirty aja (ah-jah) dirty na-ebute (nah-eh-boo-teh) brings ọnụ (aw-noo) mouth mmanu (mmah-noo) oil mmanu (mmah-noo) oil
Nke this a here na-egosi shows na that onye person na-eme who-does ọrụ work ga-enweta will-get uru. profit
Nke (nkeh) this a (ah) here na-egosi (nah-eh-goh-see) shows na (nah) that onye (oh-nyeh) person na-eme (nah-eh-meh) who-does ọrụ (aw-roo) work ga-enweta (gah-en-weh-tah) will-get uru (oo-roo) profit
Ọ it bụ is eziokwu truth na that ihe thing onye person mee does ka is-what ọ he na-ata. eats
Ọ (aw) it bụ (boo) is eziokwu (eh-zee-oh-kwoo) truth na (nah) that ihe (ee-heh) thing onye (oh-nyeh) person mee (meh) does ka (kah) is-what ọ (aw) he na-ata (nah-ah-tah) eats
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Ndị Igbo na-asị na aka aja aja na-ebute ọnụ mmanu mmanu. Nke a na-egosi na onye na-eme ọrụ ga-enweta uru. Ọ bụ eziokwu na ihe onye mee ka ọ na-ata.
“The Igbo people say that dirty hands bring an oily mouth. This shows that whoever does work will gain profit. It is true that what a person does is what he reaps.”
F-C: Original Script Only
Ndị Igbo na-asị na aka aja aja na-ebute ọnụ mmanu mmanu. Nke a na-egosi na onye na-eme ọrụ ga-enweta uru. Ọ bụ eziokwu na ihe onye mee ka ọ na-ata.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
aka aja aja - “dirty hands” (aka = hand; aja = dirt/soil; reduplication intensifies) na-ebute - “brings” (continuous aspect of ibute) ọnụ mmanu mmanu - “oily mouth” (ọnụ = mouth; mmanu = oil; reduplication = abundance) na-egosi - “shows” (continuous aspect of igosi) ga-enweta - “will get/obtain” (future of inweta) na-ata - “eats/reaps” (continuous aspect of ita)
The proverb employs characteristic Igbo reduplication (aja aja, mmanu mmanu) for emphasis. The verb mee appears in its subjunctive/habitual form, indicating general truths rather than specific actions.
F-E: Literary Commentary
This proverb exemplifies the Igbo philosophy of industriousness. As Chinua Achebe noted, “Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten” among the Igbo. The imagery of dirty hands (from work) leading to an oily mouth (prosperity, good food) creates a vivid picture of the rewards of labor. The verb mee at the heart of the final clause emphasizes that one’s actions determine one’s outcomes—a core tenet of Igbo ethical thought.
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The following dialogue demonstrates natural usage of ime/mee in a conversation between two friends discussing their plans.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
42.16a Chidi: Kedu how ihe thing ị you ga-eme will-do taa? today
42.16b Chidi: Kedu (keh-doo) how ihe (ee-heh) thing ị (ee) you ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-do taa (tah) today
42.17a Obiora: M I ga-eme will-make nri food nye for ezinụlọ family m. my
42.17b Obiora: M (mm) I ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-make nri (nree) food nye (nyeh) for ezinụlọ (eh-zee-noo-law) family m (mm) my
42.18a Chidi: Ọ that dị is mma. good Gịnị what ka FOC ị you ga-eme? will-make
42.18b Chidi: Ọ (aw) that dị (dee) is mma (mmah) good Gịnị (gee-nee) what ka (kah) FOC ị (ee) you ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-make
42.19a Obiora: M I ga-eme will-make ofe soup egusi egusi na and garri. garri
42.19b Obiora: M (mm) I ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-make ofe (oh-feh) soup egusi (eh-goo-see) egusi na (nah) and garri (gah-ree) garri
42.20a Chidi: Nne mother m my na-eme is-making jollof jollof rice rice ugbu now a. this
42.20b Chidi: Nne (nneh) mother m (mm) my na-eme (nah-eh-meh) is-making jollof (joh-lof) jollof rice (rahys) rice ugbu (oo-gboo) now a (ah) this
42.21a Obiora: I you maara know ịme to-make nri food nke of ọma? well
42.21b Obiora: I (ee) you maara (mah-ah-rah) know ịme (ee-meh) to-make nri (nree) food nke (nkeh) of ọma (aw-mah) well
42.22a Chidi: Ee, yes nne mother m my kụzịrị taught m me ịme to-make nri. food
42.22b Chidi: Ee (eh) yes nne (nneh) mother m (mm) my kụzịrị (koo-zee-ree) taught m (mm) me ịme (ee-meh) to-make nri (nree) food
42.23a Obiora: Mee do-IMP ka that anyị we mee make nri food ọnụ together echi. tomorrow
42.23b Obiora: Mee (meh) do-IMP ka (kah) that anyị (ah-nyee) we mee (meh) make nri (nree) food ọnụ (aw-noo) together echi (eh-chee) tomorrow
42.24a Chidi: Ọ that ga-adị will-be mma. good M I ga-abịa will-come n’ụlọ to-house gị. your
42.24b Chidi: Ọ (aw) that ga-adị (gah-ah-dee) will-be mma (mmah) good M (mm) I ga-abịa (gah-ah-byah) will-come n’ụlọ (noo-law) to-house gị (gee) your
42.25a Obiora: Ọ it dị is mma. good Gịnị what ka FOC anyị we ga-eme will-make tupu before nri? food
42.25b Obiora: Ọ (aw) it dị (dee) is mma (mmah) good Gịnị (gee-nee) what ka (kah) FOC anyị (ah-nyee) we ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-make tupu (too-poo) before nri (nree) food
42.26a Chidi: Anyị we ga-eme will-do ahịa market n’ụtụtụ. in-morning
42.26b Chidi: Anyị (ah-nyee) we ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-do ahịa (ah-hee-ah) market n’ụtụtụ (noo-too-too) in-morning
42.27a Obiora: Onye who ga-eme will-do ihe thing ọzọ other niile? all
42.27b Obiora: Onye (oh-nyeh) who ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-do ihe (ee-heh) thing ọzọ (aw-zaw) other niile (nee-leh) all
42.28a Chidi: Anyị we ga-eme will-do ha them ọnụ. together Ọrụ work a this dịghị not-is arọ. difficult
42.28b Chidi: Anyị (ah-nyee) we ga-eme (gah-eh-meh) will-do ha (hah) them ọnụ (aw-noo) together Ọrụ (aw-roo) work a (ah) this dịghị (dee-ghee) not-is arọ (ah-raw) difficult
42.29a Obiora: Ị you meela have-done nke thing ọma good ịgwa to-tell m. me Daalụ. thanks
42.29b Obiora: Ị (ee) you meela (meh-eh-lah) have-done nke (nkeh) thing ọma (aw-mah) good ịgwa (ee-gwah) to-tell m (mm) me Daalụ (dah-loo) thanks
42.30a Chidi: Ọ it dị is mma. good Ka let anyị we mee make ka that o it mezie be-done nke of ọma! well
42.30b Chidi: Ọ (aw) it dị (dee) is mma (mmah) good Ka (kah) let anyị (ah-nyee) we mee (meh) make ka (kah) that o (oh) it mezie (meh-zee-eh) be-done nke (nkeh) of ọma (aw-mah) well
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Part B: Natural Sentences
42.16 Chidi: Kedu ihe ị ga-eme taa? “Chidi: What will you do today?”
42.17 Obiora: M ga-eme nri nye ezinụlọ m. “Obiora: I will make food for my family.”
42.18 Chidi: Ọ dị mma. Gịnị ka ị ga-eme? “Chidi: That’s good. What will you make?”
42.19 Obiora: M ga-eme ofe egusi na garri. “Obiora: I will make egusi soup and garri.”
42.20 Chidi: Nne m na-eme jollof rice ugbu a. “Chidi: My mother is making jollof rice right now.”
42.21 Obiora: I maara ịme nri nke ọma? “Obiora: Do you know how to cook well?”
42.22 Chidi: Ee, nne m kụzịrị m ịme nri. “Chidi: Yes, my mother taught me to cook.”
42.23 Obiora: Mee ka anyị mee nri ọnụ echi. “Obiora: Let’s cook together tomorrow.”
42.24 Chidi: Ọ ga-adị mma. M ga-abịa n’ụlọ gị. “Chidi: That will be good. I will come to your house.”
42.25 Obiora: Ọ dị mma. Gịnị ka anyị ga-eme tupu nri? “Obiora: Good. What will we do before cooking?”
42.26 Chidi: Anyị ga-eme ahịa n’ụtụtụ. “Chidi: We will go to market in the morning.”
42.27 Obiora: Onye ga-eme ihe ọzọ niile? “Obiora: Who will do all the other things?”
42.28 Chidi: Anyị ga-eme ha ọnụ. Ọrụ a dịghị arọ. “Chidi: We will do them together. This work is not difficult.”
42.29 Obiora: Ị meela nke ọma ịgwa m. Daalụ. “Obiora: You have done well to tell me. Thank you.”
42.30 Chidi: Ọ dị mma. Ka anyị mee ka o mezie nke ọma! “Chidi: It’s fine. Let’s make sure it’s done well!”
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Part C: Target Language Only
42.16 Chidi: Kedu ihe ị ga-eme taa?
42.17 Obiora: M ga-eme nri nye ezinụlọ m.
42.18 Chidi: Ọ dị mma. Gịnị ka ị ga-eme?
42.19 Obiora: M ga-eme ofe egusi na garri.
42.20 Chidi: Nne m na-eme jollof rice ugbu a.
42.21 Obiora: I maara ịme nri nke ọma?
42.22 Chidi: Ee, nne m kụzịrị m ịme nri.
42.23 Obiora: Mee ka anyị mee nri ọnụ echi.
42.24 Chidi: Ọ ga-adị mma. M ga-abịa n’ụlọ gị.
42.25 Obiora: Ọ dị mma. Gịnị ka anyị ga-eme tupu nri?
42.26 Chidi: Anyị ga-eme ahịa n’ụtụtụ.
42.27 Obiora: Onye ga-eme ihe ọzọ niile?
42.28 Chidi: Anyị ga-eme ha ọnụ. Ọrụ a dịghị arọ.
42.29 Obiora: Ị meela nke ọma ịgwa m. Daalụ.
42.30 Chidi: Ọ dị mma. Ka anyị mee ka o mezie nke ọma!
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Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
Constructions with ime/mee in the dialogue:
ga-eme (will make/do) - future tense appears repeatedly as the friends discuss plans
na-eme (is making) - present continuous for actions in progress (42.20)
ịme (to make) - infinitive form used after verbs like “maara” (know) and “kụzịrị” (taught)
meela (have done) - perfect aspect expressing completed action with present relevance (42.29)
mee (make!) - imperative form in 42.23 and 42.30
mezie (be done properly) - subjunctive/completive form suggesting successful completion
Notable expressions:
Mee ka + subjunctive - “Make it that...” / “Let’s make sure...”
ịme nri - compound verbal expression “to cook” (literally “to make food”)
ịme ahịa - idiomatic expression “to go to market” (literally “to do market”)
I meela nke ọma - “You have done well” - common expression of thanks/appreciation
ọnụ - “together” (literally “mouth,” used adverbially)
Dialogue notes:
The dialogue demonstrates natural Igbo conversation patterns with phatic expressions like Ọ dị mma (that’s good/fine) used to acknowledge statements. Note how ka functions both as a focus marker in questions and as a complementizer meaning “that/so that.”
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Igbo Vowels
Igbo distinguishes between “open” and “closed” vowels:
Open vowels: a, e, i, o, u (as in Italian or Spanish) Closed vowels: ị, ọ, ụ (pronounced with the tongue lowered/retracted)
a - as in “father” e - as in “bed” i - as in “machine” o - as in “go” u - as in “flute” ị - like “i” but with tongue lowered (similar to “bit”) ọ - like “o” but more open (similar to “bought”) ụ - like “u” but with tongue lowered (similar to “put”)
Key consonants
gb - voiced labial-velar (say “g” and “b” simultaneously) kp - voiceless labial-velar (say “k” and “p” simultaneously) ṅ/ñ - velar nasal (as “ng” in “sing”) ch - as in “church” sh - as in “ship” gh - voiced velar fricative (like a soft “g”) gw, kw, nw - consonant + w combinations
Tones
Igbo is a tonal language with high and low tones. While tone marks are often omitted in standard writing, they affect meaning. In this lesson, tones are not marked, following common orthographic practice.
Common pronunciation errors for English speakers:
Failing to distinguish ị/i, ọ/o, ụ/u Pronouncing gb and kp as sequences rather than simultaneous articulations Adding stress patterns instead of using tonal distinctions
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The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, serving autodidact learners worldwide. Our courses employ the interlinear construed text method, a time-tested approach that accelerates comprehension by presenting granular word-by-word glossing alongside natural sentences.
This Igbo course follows a frequency-based curriculum, systematically introducing the most commonly used words in the language. Each lesson builds vocabulary and grammatical understanding while exposing learners to authentic usage patterns and cultural context.
The duplex glossing format used in this lesson—presenting both the Igbo text with glosses and a pronunciation guide line—allows learners to develop reading fluency while building pronunciation confidence. This approach proves particularly effective for languages like Igbo, where unfamiliar sound distinctions and vowel qualities require careful attention.
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The interlinear method eliminates the need for vocabulary restrictions—every word in every lesson is immediately accessible through the glossing system. This means learners can engage with rich, authentic language from the very beginning of their studies.
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✓ Lesson 42 Igbo complete
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