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In this lesson, we explore the Igbo verb ịma (to know), one of the most fundamental cognitive verbs in any language. The root form ma serves as the foundation for expressing knowledge, awareness, and understanding in Igbo. This verb appears frequently in proverbs, everyday speech, and philosophical discourse, reflecting the Igbo cultural emphasis on wisdom and knowledge.
Unlike English, which distinguishes between “know” (facts) and “know” (acquaintance) using the same word, Igbo primarily uses ma/ịma for both senses, with context determining the precise meaning. The verb conjugates according to Igbo’s tense and aspect system, using prefixes and suffixes to indicate time and completion of action.
The negation form amaghị (to not know) is equally important and appears in the famous Igbo expression “Amaghị m” (I don’t know), which carries no shame in Igbo culture—acknowledging the limits of one’s knowledge is considered a mark of wisdom.
For the full course index, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “know” mean in Igbo?
The Igbo word for “know” is ma (root verb) or ịma (infinitive form). It expresses cognitive awareness, factual knowledge, recognition, and familiarity. The past tense form mara indicates completed knowing or having come to know something.
Key Takeaways
In this lesson, you will learn to use ma/ịma in present, past, and future tenses. You will encounter the negation form amaghị and learn to construct sentences expressing what you know or don’t know. The 30 examples progress from simple statements to complex proverb-style constructions, demonstrating how knowledge-related concepts permeate Igbo discourse.
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46.1a M I maara know aha name gị your 46.1b M (m) I maara (mà-rà) know aha (á-hà) name gị (gị́) your
46.2a Ị you maara know eziokwu truth ahụ that 46.2b Ị (ị́) you maara (mà-rà) know eziokwu (è-zì-ó-kwù) truth ahụ (à-hụ́) that
46.3a Ọ he/she maara knows ụzọ way ụlọ house 46.3b Ọ (ọ́) he/she maara (mà-rà) knows ụzọ (ụ́-zọ̀) way ụlọ (ụ́-lọ̀) house
46.4a Anyị we maara know nwata child ahụ that 46.4b Anyị (à-nyị́) we maara (mà-rà) know nwata (nwà-tà) child ahụ (à-hụ́) that
46.5a Amaghị not-know m I ihe thing ahụ that 46.5b Amaghị (à-mà-ghị́) not-know m (m) I ihe (í-hè) thing ahụ (à-hụ́) that
46.6a Ha they ga-ama will-know eziokwu truth n’oge in-time 46.6b Ha (hà) they ga-ama (gà-à-mà) will-know eziokwu (è-zì-ó-kwù) truth n’oge (n’ó-gè) in-time
46.7a Onye who maara knows ihe thing ga-ekwu will-speak 46.7b Onye (ó-nyè) who maara (mà-rà) knows ihe (í-hè) thing ga-ekwu (gà-é-kwù) will-speak
46.8a Ị you na-ama are-knowing asụsụ language Igbo Igbo 46.8b Ị (ị́) you na-ama (nà-à-mà) are-knowing asụsụ (à-sụ́-sụ́) language Igbo (Ì-gbò) Igbo
46.9a Nwata child maara knows nne mother ya his/her 46.9b Nwata (nwà-tà) child maara (mà-rà) knows nne (nnè) mother ya (yà) his/her
46.10a Mara know-IMP na that ndụ life dị is mkpa important 46.10b Mara (mà-rà) know-IMP na (nà) that ndụ (ndụ̀) life dị (dì) is mkpa (m̀-kpà) important
46.11a Ndị people okenye elders maara know ọtụtụ many ihe things 46.11b Ndị (ndị̀) people okenye (ò-kè-nyè) elders maara (mà-rà) know ọtụtụ (ọ̀-tụ̀-tụ̀) many ihe (í-hè) things
46.12a Ọ he/she maara knows ọrụ work ya his/her nke well ọma well 46.12b Ọ (ọ́) he/she maara (mà-rà) knows ọrụ (ọ́-rụ̀) work ya (yà) his/her nke (n̄-kè) well ọma (ọ̀-mà) well
46.13a Amaghị not-know ha they onye person bịara came 46.13b Amaghị (à-mà-ghị́) not-know ha (hà) they onye (ó-nyè) person bịara (bì-à-rà) came
46.14a Unu you-PL maara know na that m I na-abịa am-coming 46.14b Unu (ù-nù) you-PL maara (mà-rà) know na (nà) that m (m) I na-abịa (nà-à-bì-à) am-coming
46.15a Onye who ma knows ihe thing ọma good na-eme does ya it 46.15b Onye (ó-nyè) who ma (mà) knows ihe (í-hè) thing ọma (ọ̀-mà) good na-eme (nà-é-mè) does ya (yà) it
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46.1 M maara aha gị. M maara aha gị. “I know your name.”
46.2 Ị maara eziokwu ahụ. Ị maara eziokwu ahụ. “You know that truth.”
46.3 Ọ maara ụzọ ụlọ. Ọ maara ụzọ ụlọ. “He/She knows the way home.”
46.4 Anyị maara nwata ahụ. Anyị maara nwata ahụ. “We know that child.”
46.5 Amaghị m ihe ahụ. Amaghị m ihe ahụ. “I don’t know that thing.”
46.6 Ha ga-ama eziokwu n’oge. Ha ga-ama eziokwu n’oge. “They will know the truth in time.”
46.7 Onye maara ihe ga-ekwu. Onye maara ihe ga-ekwu. “The one who knows will speak.”
46.8 Ị na-ama asụsụ Igbo. Ị na-ama asụsụ Igbo. “You are learning the Igbo language.”
46.9 Nwata maara nne ya. Nwata maara nne ya. “The child knows his/her mother.”
46.10 Mara na ndụ dị mkpa. Mara na ndụ dị mkpa. “Know that life is important.”
46.11 Ndị okenye maara ọtụtụ ihe. Ndị okenye maara ọtụtụ ihe. “The elders know many things.”
46.12 Ọ maara ọrụ ya nke ọma. Ọ maara ọrụ ya nke ọma. “He/She knows his/her work well.”
46.13 Amaghị ha onye bịara. Amaghị ha onye bịara. “They don’t know who came.”
46.14 Unu maara na m na-abịa. Unu maara na m na-abịa. “You all know that I am coming.”
46.15 Onye ma ihe ọma na-eme ya. Onye ma ihe ọma na-eme ya. “Whoever knows what is good does it.”
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46.1 M maara aha gị. M maara aha gị.
46.2 Ị maara eziokwu ahụ. Ị maara eziokwu ahụ.
46.3 Ọ maara ụzọ ụlọ. Ọ maara ụzọ ụlọ.
46.4 Anyị maara nwata ahụ. Anyị maara nwata ahụ.
46.5 Amaghị m ihe ahụ. Amaghị m ihe ahụ.
46.6 Ha ga-ama eziokwu n’oge. Ha ga-ama eziokwu n’oge.
46.7 Onye maara ihe ga-ekwu. Onye maara ihe ga-ekwu.
46.8 Ị na-ama asụsụ Igbo. Ị na-ama asụsụ Igbo.
46.9 Nwata maara nne ya. Nwata maara nne ya.
46.10 Mara na ndụ dị mkpa. Mara na ndụ dị mkpa.
46.11 Ndị okenye maara ọtụtụ ihe. Ndị okenye maara ọtụtụ ihe.
46.12 Ọ maara ọrụ ya nke ọma. Ọ maara ọrụ ya nke ọma.
46.13 Amaghị ha onye bịara. Amaghị ha onye bịara.
46.14 Unu maara na m na-abịa. Unu maara na m na-abịa.
46.15 Onye ma ihe ọma na-eme ya. Onye ma ihe ọma na-eme ya.
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These are the grammar rules for ma/ịma (to know).
Basic Forms
The verb “to know” appears in several forms in Igbo. The infinitive is ịma, used when you need to express “to know” as a concept. The root verb ma appears in conjugated forms. The past/perfective form mara indicates completed knowing or having come to know.
Tense Formation
Present/Habitual tense uses the root with appropriate subject pronouns: “M ma” (I know), “Ị ma” (you know), “Ọ ma” (he/she knows). For present continuous, add the prefix na-: “M na-ama” (I am knowing/learning).
Past tense adds -ra to the root: “M mara” (I knew/have known), “Ị mara” (you knew), “Ọ mara” (he/she knew). This form is very common in everyday speech.
Future tense uses the prefix ga-: “M ga-ama” (I will know), “Ha ga-ama” (they will know).
Negation
The negative form amaghị combines the verb with the negative suffix -ghị. The structure is typically: negative verb + subject pronoun. “Amaghị m” literally means “not-know I” = “I don’t know.” For plural subjects: “Amaghị anyị” (we don’t know), “Amaghị ha” (they don’t know).
Complementizer “na”
When expressing “know that...” Igbo uses the complementizer na: “M maara na ọ bịara” (I know that he/she came). This pattern is essential for complex knowledge statements.
Common Mistakes
English speakers often place the pronoun before the negative verb, but in Igbo negation, the negative verb typically comes first: “Amaghị m” (correct) not “M amaghị” (less common).
The past form mara should not be confused with mara mma (to be beautiful), which is a different verb phrase entirely.
Remember that Igbo has vowel harmony, so the choice between light vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and heavy vowels (ạ, ẹ, ị, ọ, ụ) affects related words in a sentence.
Pronoun Summary for ma/ịma
First person singular: M maara (I know/knew) Second person singular: Ị maara (you know/knew) Third person singular: Ọ maara (he/she knows/knew) First person plural: Anyị maara (we know/knew) Second person plural: Unu maara (you all know/knew) Third person plural: Ha maara (they know/knew)
Imperative
To command someone to know/understand something, use mara: “Mara na...” (Know that...). This form appears in proverbs and advice-giving contexts.
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The Value of Knowledge in Igbo Culture
Knowledge holds a revered place in Igbo society. The expression “Onye maara ihe” (the one who knows things) is a compliment indicating wisdom and discernment. Conversely, “Onye amaghị ihe” (the one who doesn’t know things) suggests ignorance or foolishness.
Proverbs and Wisdom
Igbo proverbs frequently employ ma/mara to convey wisdom. The pattern “mara na...” (know that...) introduces moral teachings and life lessons. Elders use such constructions when passing down traditional knowledge.
Dialectal Variations
Different Igbo dialects (Imo, Anambra, Abia, Enugu) may show slight variations in pronunciation and usage of this verb. The central/standard form presented here is widely understood across regions.
“Amaghị m” — A Cultural Marker
The phrase “Amaghị m” (I don’t know) carries no stigma in Igbo culture. Admitting ignorance is seen as the first step toward learning. This contrasts with cultures where not knowing might cause embarrassment. The Igbo saying “Onye amaghị ihe na-ajụ” (The one who doesn’t know asks) encourages inquiry.
Knowledge and Age
Igbo culture traditionally associates knowledge with age and experience. Hence, “Ndị okenye maara ọtụtụ ihe” (elders know many things) reflects respect for accumulated wisdom. Young people are expected to learn from their elders before claiming to “know.”
Contemporary Usage
In modern Nigerian Igbo, ma extends to technological and academic contexts: “Ọ maara komputa” (He/she knows computers), “Ha maara akwụkwọ” (They know books/are educated). The verb remains as vital as ever in expressing competence and awareness.
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From Igbo Proverbial Wisdom
A chuo aja ma a hughi udele, a mara na ihe mere be ndi mmuo.
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
A one chuo offers aja sacrifice ma but a one hughi not-see udele vulture a one mara knows na that ihe something mere happened be at-home ndi of-the mmuo spirits A (à) one chuo (chù-ò) offers aja (à-jà) sacrifice ma (mà) but a (à) one hughi (hù-ghị́) not-see udele (ù-dè-lè) vulture a (à) one mara (mà-rà) knows na (nà) that ihe (í-hè) something mere (mè-rè) happened be (bè) at-home ndi (ndị̀) of-the mmuo (m̀-mù-ò) spirits
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
A chuo aja ma a hughi udele, a mara na ihe mere be ndi mmuo. “If one offers a sacrifice but does not see the vulture, one knows that something has happened in the spirit realm.”
F-C: Original Text Only
A chuo aja ma a hughi udele, a mara na ihe mere be ndi mmuo.
F-D: Vocabulary and Grammar Notes
This proverb demonstrates the impersonal/generic construction using a (one/someone). The verb mara here means “knows/realizes” and introduces the complement clause with na (that). The proverb teaches that absence of expected signs (the vulture at a sacrifice) indicates hidden disturbances. The structure “a mara na...” (one knows that...) is a classic pattern for drawing conclusions from observations.
F-E: Literary Context
This proverb reflects the Igbo worldview where the physical and spiritual realms are interconnected. Vultures traditionally appear at sacrifice sites; their absence signals disruption in the natural order. The proverb teaches observational wisdom—knowing how to read signs and draw correct conclusions. Such sayings form the backbone of traditional Igbo education, passed down through generations as encoded wisdom.
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The following dialogue takes place between a teacher (Onye nkuzi) and a student (Nwa akwụkwọ) discussing knowledge and learning.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
46.16a Onye person nkuzi teaching jụrụ asked nwa child akwụkwọ book gịnị what ka that ị you maara know 46.16b Onye (ó-nyè) person nkuzi (n̄-kù-zì) teaching jụrụ (jụ̀-rụ̀) asked nwa (nwà) child akwụkwọ (à-kwụ́-kwọ́) book gịnị (gị́-nị́) what ka (kà) that ị (ị́) you maara (mà-rà) know
46.17a Nwa child akwụkwọ book zara answered m I maara know ọtụtụ many ihe things 46.17b Nwa (nwà) child akwụkwọ (à-kwụ́-kwọ́) book zara (zà-rà) answered m (m) I maara (mà-rà) know ọtụtụ (ọ̀-tụ̀-tụ̀) many ihe (í-hè) things
46.18a Onye person nkuzi teaching sịrị said gwa tell m me ihe thing ị you maara know 46.18b Onye (ó-nyè) person nkuzi (n̄-kù-zì) teaching sịrị (sị̀-rị̀) said gwa (gwà) tell m (m) me ihe (í-hè) thing ị (ị́) you maara (mà-rà) know
46.19a M I maara know na that mmiri water na-esi comes-from n’igwe from-sky ezuo falls 46.19b M (m) I maara (mà-rà) know na (nà) that mmiri (m̀-mì-rì) water na-esi (nà-é-sì) comes-from n’igwe (n’í-gwè) from-sky ezuo (è-zù-ò) falls
46.20a Ọ that dị is mma good onye person nkuzi teaching kwuru said ma but ị you maara know ihe thing ọzọ other 46.20b Ọ (ọ́) that dị (dì) is mma (m̀-mà) good onye (ó-nyè) person nkuzi (n̄-kù-zì) teaching kwuru (kwù-rù) said ma (mà) but ị (ị́) you maara (mà-rà) know ihe (í-hè) thing ọzọ (ọ̀-zọ̀) other
46.21a Ee yes m I makwara also-know na that anyanwụ sun na-enwu shines n’ehihie at-noon 46.21b Ee (èè) yes m (m) I makwara (mà-kwà-rà) also-know na (nà) that anyanwụ (à-nyà-nwụ̀) sun na-enwu (nà-é-nwù) shines n’ehihie (n’è-hì-hì-è) at-noon
46.22a Onye person nkuzi teaching jụrụ asked gịnị what ka that ị you na-achọ seeking ịma to-know 46.22b Onye (ó-nyè) person nkuzi (n̄-kù-zì) teaching jụrụ (jụ̀-rụ̀) asked gịnị (gị́-nị́) what ka (kà) that ị (ị́) you na-achọ (nà-à-chọ́) seeking ịma (ị̀-mà) to-know
46.23a Achọrọ want m I ịma to-know ihe things gbasara about ụwa world anyị our 46.23b Achọrọ (à-chọ̀-rọ̀) want m (m) I ịma (ị̀-mà) to-know ihe (í-hè) things gbasara (gbà-sà-rà) about ụwa (ụ́-wà) world anyị (à-nyị́) our
46.24a Nke that ahụ that bụ is ọchịchọ desire ọma good onye person nkuzi teaching kwuru said 46.24b Nke (n̄-kè) that ahụ (à-hụ́) that bụ (bụ̀) is ọchịchọ (ọ̀-chị̀-chọ̀) desire ọma (ọ̀-mà) good onye (ó-nyè) person nkuzi (n̄-kù-zì) teaching kwuru (kwù-rù) said
46.25a Onye who chọrọ wants ịma to-know ga-ajụ will-ask ajụjụ questions 46.25b Onye (ó-nyè) who chọrọ (chọ̀-rọ̀) wants ịma (ị̀-mà) to-know ga-ajụ (gà-à-jụ́) will-ask ajụjụ (à-jụ́-jụ́) questions
46.26a Ee yes amaghị not-know m I ihe things niile all mana but achọrọ want m I ịmụta to-learn 46.26b Ee (èè) yes amaghị (à-mà-ghị́) not-know m (m) I ihe (í-hè) things niile (nì-i-lè) all mana (mà-nà) but achọrọ (à-chọ̀-rọ̀) want m (m) I ịmụta (ị̀-mụ̀-tà) to-learn
46.27a Mara know-IMP na that ịmụta learning bụ is ụzọ way ịma to-know ihe things 46.27b Mara (mà-rà) know-IMP na (nà) that ịmụta (ị̀-mụ̀-tà) learning bụ (bụ̀) is ụzọ (ụ́-zọ̀) way ịma (ị̀-mà) to-know ihe (í-hè) things
46.28a M I maara know nke that ahụ that ugbu now a now onye person nkuzi teaching 46.28b M (m) I maara (mà-rà) know nke (n̄-kè) that ahụ (à-hụ́) that ugbu (ù-gbù) now a (à) now onye (ó-nyè) person nkuzi (n̄-kù-zì) teaching
46.29a Ndị people maara know ihe things na-enyere help ndị people ọzọ other aka hand 46.29b Ndị (ndị̀) people maara (mà-rà) know ihe (í-hè) things na-enyere (nà-é-nyè-rè) help ndị (ndị̀) people ọzọ (ọ̀-zọ̀) other aka (à-kà) hand
46.30a Nke that ahụ that bụ is eziokwu truth ga let m I gaa go mụọ learn akwụkwọ book m my 46.30b Nke (n̄-kè) that ahụ (à-hụ́) that bụ (bụ̀) is eziokwu (è-zì-ó-kwù) truth ga (gà) let m (m) I gaa (gà-à) go mụọ (mụ̀-ọ́) learn akwụkwọ (à-kwụ́-kwọ́) book m (m) my
Part B: Natural Sentences
46.16 Onye nkuzi jụrụ nwa akwụkwọ: “Gịnị ka ị maara?” Onye nkuzi jụrụ nwa akwụkwọ: “Gịnị ka ị maara?” “The teacher asked the student: ‘What do you know?’”
46.17 Nwa akwụkwọ zara: “M maara ọtụtụ ihe.” Nwa akwụkwọ zara: “M maara ọtụtụ ihe.” “The student answered: ‘I know many things.’”
46.18 Onye nkuzi sịrị: “Gwa m ihe ị maara.” Onye nkuzi sịrị: “Gwa m ihe ị maara.” “The teacher said: ‘Tell me something you know.’”
46.19 “M maara na mmiri na-esi n’igwe ezuo.” “M maara na mmiri na-esi n’igwe ezuo.” “’I know that rain falls from the sky.’”
46.20 “Ọ dị mma,” onye nkuzi kwuru, “ma ị maara ihe ọzọ?” “Ọ dị mma,” onye nkuzi kwuru, “ma ị maara ihe ọzọ?” “’That is good,’ the teacher said, ‘but do you know something else?’”
46.21 “Ee, m makwara na anyanwụ na-enwu n’ehihie.” “Ee, m makwara na anyanwụ na-enwu n’ehihie.” “’Yes, I also know that the sun shines at noon.’”
46.22 Onye nkuzi jụrụ: “Gịnị ka ị na-achọ ịma?” Onye nkuzi jụrụ: “Gịnị ka ị na-achọ ịma?” “The teacher asked: ‘What do you want to know?’”
46.23 “Achọrọ m ịma ihe gbasara ụwa anyị.” “Achọrọ m ịma ihe gbasara ụwa anyị.” “’I want to know things about our world.’”
46.24 “Nke ahụ bụ ọchịchọ ọma,” onye nkuzi kwuru. “Nke ahụ bụ ọchịchọ ọma,” onye nkuzi kwuru. “’That is a good desire,’ the teacher said.”
46.25 “Onye chọrọ ịma ga-ajụ ajụjụ.” “Onye chọrọ ịma ga-ajụ ajụjụ.” “’The one who wants to know will ask questions.’”
46.26 “Ee, amaghị m ihe niile, mana achọrọ m ịmụta.” “Ee, amaghị m ihe niile, mana achọrọ m ịmụta.” “’Yes, I don’t know everything, but I want to learn.’”
46.27 “Mara na ịmụta bụ ụzọ ịma ihe.” “Mara na ịmụta bụ ụzọ ịma ihe.” “’Know that learning is the way to knowledge.’”
46.28 “M maara nke ahụ ugbu a, onye nkuzi.” “M maara nke ahụ ugbu a, onye nkuzi.” “’I know that now, teacher.’”
46.29 “Ndị maara ihe na-enyere ndị ọzọ aka.” “Ndị maara ihe na-enyere ndị ọzọ aka.” “’Those who know things help others.’”
46.30 “Nke ahụ bụ eziokwu. Ga m gaa mụọ akwụkwọ m.” “Nke ahụ bụ eziokwu. Ga m gaa mụọ akwụkwọ m.” “’That is true. Let me go study my books.’”
Part C: Target Language Only
46.16 Onye nkuzi jụrụ nwa akwụkwọ: “Gịnị ka ị maara?” Onye nkuzi jụrụ nwa akwụkwọ: “Gịnị ka ị maara?”
46.17 Nwa akwụkwọ zara: “M maara ọtụtụ ihe.” Nwa akwụkwọ zara: “M maara ọtụtụ ihe.”
46.18 Onye nkuzi sịrị: “Gwa m ihe ị maara.” Onye nkuzi sịrị: “Gwa m ihe ị maara.”
46.19 “M maara na mmiri na-esi n’igwe ezuo.” “M maara na mmiri na-esi n’igwe ezuo.”
46.20 “Ọ dị mma,” onye nkuzi kwuru, “ma ị maara ihe ọzọ?” “Ọ dị mma,” onye nkuzi kwuru, “ma ị maara ihe ọzọ?”
46.21 “Ee, m makwara na anyanwụ na-enwu n’ehihie.” “Ee, m makwara na anyanwụ na-enwu n’ehihie.”
46.22 Onye nkuzi jụrụ: “Gịnị ka ị na-achọ ịma?” Onye nkuzi jụrụ: “Gịnị ka ị na-achọ ịma?”
46.23 “Achọrọ m ịma ihe gbasara ụwa anyị.” “Achọrọ m ịma ihe gbasara ụwa anyị.”
46.24 “Nke ahụ bụ ọchịchọ ọma,” onye nkuzi kwuru. “Nke ahụ bụ ọchịchọ ọma,” onye nkuzi kwuru.
46.25 “Onye chọrọ ịma ga-ajụ ajụjụ.” “Onye chọrọ ịma ga-ajụ ajụjụ.”
46.26 “Ee, amaghị m ihe niile, mana achọrọ m ịmụta.” “Ee, amaghị m ihe niile, mana achọrọ m ịmụta.”
46.27 “Mara na ịmụta bụ ụzọ ịma ihe.” “Mara na ịmụta bụ ụzọ ịma ihe.”
46.28 “M maara nke ahụ ugbu a, onye nkuzi.” “M maara nke ahụ ugbu a, onye nkuzi.”
46.29 “Ndị maara ihe na-enyere ndị ọzọ aka.” “Ndị maara ihe na-enyere ndị ọzọ aka.”
46.30 “Nke ahụ bụ eziokwu. Ga m gaa mụọ akwụkwọ m.” “Nke ahụ bụ eziokwu. Ga m gaa mụọ akwụkwọ m.”
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This dialogue demonstrates several important uses of ma/ịma:
Question Formation: “Gịnị ka ị maara?” (What do you know?) shows the question word gịnị (what) with the particle ka preceding the verb.
Infinitive Usage: “Achọrọ m ịma” (I want to know) shows ịma as an infinitive complement after the verb “want.”
Emphatic “also”: “M makwara” uses -kwara to add emphasis meaning “I also know” or “I know too.”
Reported Speech: The dialogue uses direct quotation extensively, introduced by verbs like sịrị (said), jụrụ (asked), and zara (answered).
The Imperative “Mara”: “Mara na...” (Know that...) is a command form used for teaching and advising.
Contrast with “ịmụta”: Note the distinction between ịma (to know) and ịmụta (to learn). One learns (mụta) in order to know (ma).
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Key Sounds
The vowel a is pronounced as in English “father.” The vowel ụ (with dot below) is pronounced as a back unrounded vowel, similar to the “u” in “put” but further back. The vowel ọ (with dot below) is an open-mid back rounded vowel, similar to the “o” in British “hot.”
ma is pronounced /mà/ with a low tone mara is pronounced /mà-rà/ with low tones ịma is pronounced /ị̀-mà/ with low tones amaghị is pronounced /à-mà-ghị́/ with the last syllable having a high tone
Tonal Nature
Igbo is a tonal language with two main tones: high (´) and low (`). The verb ma typically carries a low tone. However, tones can shift based on grammatical context. Standard written Igbo often omits tone marks, relying on context for disambiguation.
Common Pronunciation Challenges
English speakers should note that Igbo gh is a voiced velar fricative (like a voiced version of the “ch” in Scottish “loch”), not a stop. In amaghị, the ghị ending requires this sound.
The dot-below vowels (ị, ọ, ụ) require attention. They are distinct phonemes from their non-dotted counterparts.
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Lesson 46 Complete
✓ Igbo Lesson 46 (ịma - to know) complete
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