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Welcome to Lesson 47 of the Latinum Institute Igbo Language Course. Today’s lesson focuses on the verb were (to take), one of the most fundamental and frequently used verbs in the Igbo language. This versatile verb appears across countless everyday situations, from simple requests to complex transactional contexts.
The Igbo verb were belongs to the class of action verbs that express physical acquisition or transfer. Unlike English, where “take” has dozens of idiomatic uses, Igbo employs were with remarkable consistency for physical taking, while related verbs like nara (receive/collect) handle receptive contexts.
Grammatical Overview: The root form were undergoes systematic modifications to express tense and aspect. The infinitive iwere (to take) follows standard Igbo verb formation with the i-/ị- prefix. Present continuous uses the na- prefix marker, yielding na-ewere (is taking). The past tense adds the characteristic -rV suffix where V harmonizes with the verb’s vowel, producing weere (took). Future tense employs the auxiliary ga- before the participial form: ga-ewere (will take).
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FAQ: What does “were” mean in Igbo? “Were” is the Igbo verb meaning “to take” or “to grasp.” It is used for physical acquisition and transfer of objects, as in “Were akwụkwọ ahụ” (Take that book) or “Ọ weere ego m” (He/she took my money).
This lesson demonstrates how were functions across all major tense-aspect combinations in Igbo. You will learn the imperative forms for giving commands, the continuous aspect for ongoing actions, the past tense for completed taking, and the future tense for planned acquisition. The 30 examples progress from simple commands to complex narrative contexts, showing how were integrates with other vocabulary to form natural Igbo sentences.
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47.1a Were (were) take akwụkwọ (akwụkwọ) book ahụ (ahụ) that
47.1b Were (wè-ré) take akwụkwọ (à-kwụ́-kwọ́) book ahụ (à-hụ́) that
47.2a Ọ (ọ) he/she na-ewere (na-ewere) is-taking ego (ego) money m (m) my
47.2b Ọ (ɔ̀) he/she na-ewere (nà-è-wè-ré) is-taking ego (é-gó) money m (m̀) my
47.3a Werenụ (werenụ) take-PL nri (nri) food a (a) this
47.3b Werenụ (wè-ré-nụ́) take-PL nri (n̄-rí) food a (à) this
47.4a Ha (ha) they ga-ewere (ga-ewere) will-take ụgbọ (ụgbọ) vehicle anyị (anyị) our
47.4b Ha (hà) they ga-ewere (gà-è-wè-ré) will-take ụgbọ (ụ̀-gbọ́) vehicle anyị (à-nyị́) our
47.5a Achọghị (achọghị) not-want m (m) I iwere (iwere) to-take nke (nke) that-which a (a) this
47.5b Achọghị (à-chọ́-ghị́) not-want m (m̀) I iwere (ì-wè-ré) to-take nke (n̄-ké) that-which a (à) this
47.6a Were (were) take nke (nke) thing gị (gị) your nye (nye) give m (m) me nke (nke) thing m (m) my
47.6b Were (wè-ré) take nke (n̄-ké) thing gị (gị́) your nye (ǹ-yé) give m (m̀) me nke (n̄-ké) thing m (m̀) my
47.7a Ọ (ọ) it bụ (bụ) is m (m) I weere (weere) took ya (ya) it
47.7b Ọ (ɔ̀) it bụ (bụ́) is m (m̀) I weere (wè-è-ré) took ya (yà) it
47.8a Ekwela (ekwela) don’t-allow ka (ka) that o (o) he/she were (were) take akpa (akpa) bag ahụ (ahụ) that
47.8b Ekwela (è-kwè-là) don’t-allow ka (kà) that o (ò) he/she were (wè-ré) take akpa (à-kpá) bag ahụ (à-hụ́) that
47.9a Ha (ha) they na-ewere (na-ewere) are-taking akwa (akwa) cloth ndị (ndị) those mara (mara) beautiful mma (mma) beauty
47.9b Ha (hà) they na-ewere (nà-è-wè-ré) are-taking akwa (à-kwá) cloth ndị (n̄-dị́) those mara (mà-rà) beautiful mma (m̄-má) beauty
47.10a Ị (ị) you ga-ewere (ga-ewere) will-take ihe (ihe) thing niile (niile) all
47.10b Ị (ị́) you ga-ewere (gà-è-wè-ré) will-take ihe (í-hé) thing niile (nì-í-lé) all
47.11a Onye (onye) who weere (weere) took ite (ite) pot m (m) my n’ụlọ (n’ụlọ) from-house ọzụzụ (ọzụzụ) market
47.11b Onye (ò-nyé) who weere (wè-è-ré) took ite (ì-té) pot m (m̀) my n’ụlọ (n’ụ̀-lọ́) from-house ọzụzụ (ọ̀-zụ́-zụ́) market
47.12a Nwa (nwa) child ahụ (ahụ) that na-ewere (na-ewere) is-taking ọkụ (ọkụ) fire n’aka (n’aka) in-hand
47.12b Nwa (n̄-wà) child ahụ (à-hụ́) that na-ewere (nà-è-wè-ré) is-taking ọkụ (ọ̀-kụ́) fire n’aka (n’à-ká) in-hand
47.13a Anyị (anyị) we ga-ewere (ga-ewere) will-take ụzọ (ụzọ) road ọhụrụ (ọhụrụ) new gaa (gaa) go obodo (obodo) town
47.13b Anyị (à-nyị́) we ga-ewere (gà-è-wè-ré) will-take ụzọ (ụ̀-zọ́) road ọhụrụ (ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́) new gaa (gà-á) go obodo (ò-bó-dó) town
47.14a O (o) he/she siri (siri) said ya (ya) he/she were (were) take nkwurịta (nkwurịta) conversation okwu (okwu) word nke (nke) of a (a) this n’ụzọ (n’ụzọ) in-way dị (dị) be mma (mma) good
47.14b O (ò) he/she siri (sì-rì) said ya (yà) he/she were (wè-ré) take nkwurịta (n̄-kwù-rị́-tà) conversation okwu (ò-kwú) word nke (n̄-ké) of a (à) this n’ụzọ (n’ụ̀-zọ́) in-way dị (dị̀) be mma (m̄-má) good
47.15a Ọ (ọ) it dị (dị) is mma (mma) good iwere (iwere) to-take oge (oge) time ịmụta (ịmụta) to-learn asụsụ (asụsụ) language Igbo (Igbo) Igbo
47.15b Ọ (ɔ̀) it dị (dị̀) is mma (m̄-má) good iwere (ì-wè-ré) to-take oge (ó-gé) time ịmụta (ị̀-mụ́-tà) to-learn asụsụ (à-sụ́-sụ́) language Igbo (ì-gbó) Igbo
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47.1 Were akwụkwọ ahụ. Wè-ré à-kwụ́-kwọ́ à-hụ́. “Take that book.”
47.2 Ọ na-ewere ego m. Ɔ̀ nà-è-wè-ré é-gó m̀. “He/she is taking my money.”
47.3 Werenụ nri a. Wè-ré-nụ́ n̄-rí à. “Take this food (you all).”
47.4 Ha ga-ewere ụgbọ anyị. Hà gà-è-wè-ré ụ̀-gbọ́ à-nyị́. “They will take our vehicle.”
47.5 Achọghị m iwere nke a. À-chọ́-ghị́ m̀ ì-wè-ré n̄-ké à. “I don’t want to take this one.”
47.6 Were nke gị, nye m nke m. Wè-ré n̄-ké gị́, ǹ-yé m̀ n̄-ké m̀. “Take yours, give me mine.”
47.7 Ọ bụ m weere ya. Ɔ̀ bụ́ m̀ wè-è-ré yà. “I was the one who took it.”
47.8 Ekwela ka o were akpa ahụ. È-kwè-là kà ò wè-ré à-kpá à-hụ́. “Don’t allow her to take that bag.”
47.9 Ha na-ewere akwa ndị mara mma. Hà nà-è-wè-ré à-kwá n̄-dị́ mà-rà m̄-má. “They are taking the beautiful clothes.”
47.10 Ị ga-ewere ihe niile. Ị́ gà-è-wè-ré í-hé nì-í-lé. “You will take everything.”
47.11 Onye weere ite m n’ụlọ ọzụzụ? Ò-nyé wè-è-ré ì-té m̀ n’ụ̀-lọ́ ọ̀-zụ́-zụ́? “Who took my pot from the market house?”
47.12 Nwa ahụ na-ewere ọkụ n’aka. N̄-wà à-hụ́ nà-è-wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́ n’à-ká. “That child is taking fire in hand.”
47.13 Anyị ga-ewere ụzọ ọhụrụ gaa obodo. À-nyị́ gà-è-wè-ré ụ̀-zọ́ ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́ gà-á ò-bó-dó. “We will take the new road to go to town.”
47.14 O siri ya were nkwurịta okwu nke a n’ụzọ dị mma. Ò sì-rì yà wè-ré n̄-kwù-rị́-tà ò-kwú n̄-ké à n’ụ̀-zọ́ dị̀ m̄-má. “He/she said to handle this conversation well.”
47.15 Ọ dị mma iwere oge ịmụta asụsụ Igbo. Ɔ̀ dị̀ m̄-má ì-wè-ré ó-gé ị̀-mụ́-tà à-sụ́-sụ́ ì-gbó. “It is good to take time to learn the Igbo language.”
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47.1 Were akwụkwọ ahụ. Wè-ré à-kwụ́-kwọ́ à-hụ́.
47.2 Ọ na-ewere ego m. Ɔ̀ nà-è-wè-ré é-gó m̀.
47.3 Werenụ nri a. Wè-ré-nụ́ n̄-rí à.
47.4 Ha ga-ewere ụgbọ anyị. Hà gà-è-wè-ré ụ̀-gbọ́ à-nyị́.
47.5 Achọghị m iwere nke a. À-chọ́-ghị́ m̀ ì-wè-ré n̄-ké à.
47.6 Were nke gị, nye m nke m. Wè-ré n̄-ké gị́, ǹ-yé m̀ n̄-ké m̀.
47.7 Ọ bụ m weere ya. Ɔ̀ bụ́ m̀ wè-è-ré yà.
47.8 Ekwela ka o were akpa ahụ. È-kwè-là kà ò wè-ré à-kpá à-hụ́.
47.9 Ha na-ewere akwa ndị mara mma. Hà nà-è-wè-ré à-kwá n̄-dị́ mà-rà m̄-má.
47.10 Ị ga-ewere ihe niile. Ị́ gà-è-wè-ré í-hé nì-í-lé.
47.11 Onye weere ite m n’ụlọ ọzụzụ? Ò-nyé wè-è-ré ì-té m̀ n’ụ̀-lọ́ ọ̀-zụ́-zụ́?
47.12 Nwa ahụ na-ewere ọkụ n’aka. N̄-wà à-hụ́ nà-è-wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́ n’à-ká.
47.13 Anyị ga-ewere ụzọ ọhụrụ gaa obodo. À-nyị́ gà-è-wè-ré ụ̀-zọ́ ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́ gà-á ò-bó-dó.
47.14 O siri ya were nkwurịta okwu nke a n’ụzọ dị mma. Ò sì-rì yà wè-ré n̄-kwù-rị́-tà ò-kwú n̄-ké à n’ụ̀-zọ́ dị̀ m̄-má.
47.15 Ọ dị mma iwere oge ịmụta asụsụ Igbo. Ɔ̀ dị̀ m̄-má ì-wè-ré ó-gé ị̀-mụ́-tà à-sụ́-sụ́ ì-gbó.
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These are the grammar rules for “were” (to take):
Verb Conjugation Paradigm
The verb were follows standard Igbo verb conjugation patterns. The root form were serves as the base for all derivations.
Infinitive Formation: The infinitive is formed by prefixing i- or ị- to the verb root according to vowel harmony. Since were contains the front vowel e, the infinitive takes i-, yielding iwere (to take). Verbs with back vowels (a, ọ, ụ) take ị- instead.
Present/Continuous Tense: The continuous aspect marker na- combines with a vowel prefix that harmonizes with the verb. For were, this produces na-ewere (is taking, takes habitually). The structure is: Subject + na-ewere + Object.
Past Tense Formation: Igbo marks the past tense with the -rV suffix, where V copies the vowel of the preceding syllable. For were, this creates weere (took). When the subject pronoun follows the verb (as with first person singular), the prefix e- appears: M weere ya or E weere m ya (I took it).
Future Tense: The future employs the auxiliary ga- before the participial form of the verb. The participial form takes the a-/e- prefix: ga-ewere (will take). Structure: Subject + ga-ewere + Object.
Imperative Forms: The bare stem were functions as the singular imperative (Take!). The plural imperative adds -nụ: Werenụ! (Take, you all!). These are direct commands.
Negative Formation: Negation uses the suffix -ghị attached to verb forms. For example, achọghị m iwere (I don’t want to take) negates the desire to take. The prohibitive Ekwela (Don’t allow) creates negative commands: Ekwela ka o were (Don’t let him/her take).
Vowel Harmony in Igbo
Igbo vowels divide into two harmonizing sets. The “light” or ATR+ vowels (i, e, u, o) and the “heavy” or ATR- vowels (ị, a, ụ, ọ) generally do not mix within native Igbo words. Prefixes and suffixes adjust accordingly. The verb were belongs to the light vowel class, hence it takes i- (infinitive), e- (participle), and harmonizes with na-e- (continuous).
Word Order
Igbo follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order consistently. In Ọ na-ewere ego m (He is taking my money), Ọ is subject, na-ewere is verb, and ego m is object. Possessive pronouns follow the noun: ego m (money my = my money).
English speakers often confuse were (take physically) with nara (receive/collect). While both involve acquisition, were implies active taking whereas nara suggests passive reception. Compare: Were akwụkwọ (Take the book - active) versus Nara akwụkwọ (Receive/collect the book - given to you).
Another error involves tone. Igbo is tonal, and were carries specific tones (low-high: wè-ré) that distinguish it from homographs. Mispronunciation can cause confusion.
Beginners sometimes forget vowel harmony when adding prefixes, producing forms like *ịwere instead of the correct iwere. Always match prefix vowels to the verb’s vowel class.
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Frequency and Usage
The verb were ranks among the most common verbs in everyday Igbo speech. It appears in greetings, market transactions, household instructions, and ceremonial contexts. The imperative Were! is heard constantly in markets and homes throughout Igboland.
Register and Formality
In formal contexts, speakers often soften commands by adding biko (please): Biko, were akwụkwọ ahụ (Please, take that book). Among elders or in traditional settings, requests may be framed more elaborately to show respect.
Proverbs and Idiomatic Usage
Igbo proverbs (ilu) frequently employ were. The saying “A ma ka mmiri si were baa n’ọpị ugbọgụrụ?” (Who knows how water entered the pumpkin stalk?) uses were metaphorically to express mystery and the unknowable nature of some events.
Another proverb states: “Nwaanyị mụta ite ofe mmiri mmiri, di ya amụta ipi ụtara aka were suru ofe” (If a woman decides to make watery soup, the husband will learn to dent the foofoo before dipping it in). Here were appears in were suru (take and dip), illustrating how the verb combines in serial verb constructions.
Regional Variations
Across Igbo dialects (Onitsha, Owerri, Ngwa, etc.), were remains relatively stable, though pronunciation may vary slightly. Some dialects may use tone patterns that differ from the standard. The Central Igbo form presented here is widely understood.
Ceremonial Contexts
In traditional ceremonies, the act of taking or receiving items carries symbolic weight. When palm wine or kola nuts are presented, the phrase “Were ọjị” (Take the kola) initiates important rituals. The verb thus connects daily action to sacred tradition.
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From Igbo Traditional Proverb (Ilu Igbo)
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
A (a) one/IMPERS ma (ma) know ka (ka) how mmiri (mmiri) water si (si) from were (were) take baa (baa) enter n’ọpị (n’ọpị) into-stalk ugbọgụrụ (ugbọgụrụ) pumpkin
A (à) one/IMPERS ma (mà) know ka (kà) how mmiri (m̄-mí-rí) water si (sì) from were (wè-ré) take baa (bà-á) enter n’ọpị (n’ọ̀-pị́) into-stalk ugbọgụrụ (ù-gbọ̀-gụ́-rụ́) pumpkin
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
A ma ka mmiri si were baa n’ọpị ugbọgụrụ? À mà kà m̄-mí-rí sì wè-ré bà-á n’ọ̀-pị́ ù-gbọ̀-gụ́-rụ́? “Who knows how water managed to enter the pumpkin stalk?”
F-C: Original Script Only
A ma ka mmiri si were baa n’ọpị ugbọgụrụ? À mà kà m̄-mí-rí sì wè-ré bà-á n’ọ̀-pị́ ù-gbọ̀-gụ́-rụ́?
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This proverb employs the impersonal construction with initial A (one, people in general). The verb ma (know) is followed by the complementizer ka (how, the manner in which). The serial verb construction si were baa literally means “from-took-entered,” expressing how something managed to accomplish an action. The preposition n’ (in, into) contracts before the noun ọpị (stalk, hollow stem). Ugbọgụrụ refers to the pumpkin plant.
The proverb uses were metaphorically—water doesn’t literally “take” its way into the pumpkin; rather, were here expresses the means or manner of accomplishing something mysterious. This illustrates how Igbo verbs can extend beyond their core physical meanings.
F-E: Literary Commentary
This proverb belongs to the philosophical category of Igbo sayings that acknowledge the limits of human knowledge. When confronted with inexplicable phenomena or events whose causes remain hidden, an Igbo speaker may invoke this proverb. It teaches humility before mystery and reminds listeners that not all things can be understood.
The image is striking: the pumpkin (ugbọgụrụ) grows with water somehow having entered its hollow stalk, yet no one observes this process. The proverb thus celebrates natural wonder while acknowledging that some processes remain beyond human observation or comprehension.
Source: Traditional Igbo proverb, collected in various compilations of Igbo oral literature.
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The following examples present a coherent dialogue set in an Igbo market (ahịa), where the verb were naturally occurs in transactional contexts.
47.16a Nnọọ (nnọọ) welcome n’ahịa (n’ahịa) to-market anyị (anyị) our Gịnị (gịnị) what ka (ka) COMP ị (ị) you chọrọ (chọrọ) want iwere (iwere) to-take taa (taa) today
47.16b Nnọọ (n̄-nọ́-ọ́) welcome n’ahịa (n’à-hị́-à) to-market anyị (à-nyị́) our Gịnị (gị́-nị́) what ka (kà) COMP ị (ị́) you chọrọ (chọ̀-rọ́) want iwere (ì-wè-ré) to-take taa (tà-á) today
47.17a Achọrọ (achọrọ) want m (m) I iwere (iwere) to-take ọkụkọ (ọkụkọ) chicken abụọ (abụọ) two na (na) and ji (ji) yam atọ (atọ) three
47.17b Achọrọ (à-chọ̀-rọ́) want m (m̀) I iwere (ì-wè-ré) to-take ọkụkọ (ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́) chicken abụọ (à-bụ́-ọ́) two na (nà) and ji (jì) yam atọ (à-tọ́) three
47.18a Ọ (ọ) it dị (dị) is mma (mma) good Were (were) take ọkụkọ (ọkụkọ) chicken ndị (ndị) PL a (a) this lee (lee) look ha (ha) them nke (nke) REL ọma (ọma) good
47.18b Ọ (ɔ̀) it dị (dị̀) is mma (m̄-má) good Were (wè-ré) take ọkụkọ (ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́) chicken ndị (n̄-dị́) PL a (à) this lee (lè-é) look ha (hà) them nke (n̄-ké) REL ọma (ọ̀-má) good
47.19a Ego (ego) money ole (ole) how-much ka (ka) COMP m (m) I ga-ewere (ga-ewere) will-take nye (nye) give gị (gị) you maka (maka) for ọkụkọ (ọkụkọ) chicken ndị (ndị) PL a (a) this
47.19b Ego (é-gó) money ole (ò-lé) how-much ka (kà) COMP m (m̀) I ga-ewere (gà-è-wè-ré) will-take nye (ǹ-yé) give gị (gị́) you maka (mà-ká) for ọkụkọ (ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́) chicken ndị (n̄-dị́) PL a (à) this
47.20a Were (were) take naira (naira) naira puku (puku) thousand abụọ (abụọ) two maka (maka) for otu (otu) one ọkụkọ (ọkụkọ) chicken
47.20b Were (wè-ré) take naira (nái-rà) naira puku (pù-kú) thousand abụọ (à-bụ́-ọ́) two maka (mà-ká) for otu (ò-tú) one ọkụkọ (ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́) chicken
47.21a Ọ (ọ) it dị (dị) is oke (oke) too-much biko (biko) please were (were) take puku (puku) thousand otu (otu) one na (na) and narị (narị) hundred ise (ise) five
47.21b Ọ (ɔ̀) it dị (dị̀) is oke (ò-ké) too-much biko (bí-kó) please were (wè-ré) take puku (pù-kú) thousand otu (ò-tú) one na (nà) and narị (nà-rị́) hundred ise (ì-sé) five
47.22a Mba (mba) no enwere (enwere) cannot m (m) I ike (ike) ability inye (inye) to-give gị (gị) you ya (ya) it n’ego (n’ego) at-money ahụ (ahụ) that Were (were) take puku (puku) thousand otu (otu) one na (na) and narị (narị) hundred asaa (asaa) seven
47.22b Mba (m̀-bá) no enwere (è-n̄-wè-ré) cannot m (m̀) I ike (ì-ké) ability inye (ì-nyé) to-give gị (gị́) you ya (yà) it n’ego (n’é-gó) at-money ahụ (à-hụ́) that Were (wè-ré) take puku (pù-kú) thousand otu (ò-tú) one na (nà) and narị (nà-rị́) hundred asaa (à-sá-á) seven
47.23a Ọ (ọ) it dị (dị) is mma (mma) good M (m) I ga-ewere (ga-ewere) will-take ọkụkọ (ọkụkọ) chicken abụọ (abụọ) two Ugbu (ugbu) now a (a) this nye (nye) give m (m) me ji (ji) yam ndị (ndị) PL ahụ (ahụ) that
47.23b Ọ (ɔ̀) it dị (dị̀) is mma (m̄-má) good M (m̀) I ga-ewere (gà-è-wè-ré) will-take ọkụkọ (ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́) chicken abụọ (à-bụ́-ọ́) two Ugbu (ù-gbú) now a (à) this nye (ǹ-yé) give m (m̀) me ji (jì) yam ndị (n̄-dị́) PL ahụ (à-hụ́) that
47.24a Ji (ji) yam ndị (ndị) PL a (a) this dị (dị) are nnukwu (nnukwu) big Were (were) take narị (narị) hundred anọ (anọ) four maka (maka) for otu (otu) one
47.24b Ji (jì) yam ndị (n̄-dị́) PL a (à) this dị (dị̀) are nnukwu (n̄-nú-kwú) big Were (wè-ré) take narị (nà-rị́) hundred anọ (à-nọ́) four maka (mà-ká) for otu (ò-tú) one
47.25a M (m) I ga-ewere (ga-ewere) will-take ji (ji) yam atọ (atọ) three Were (were) take ego (ego) money niile (niile) all dị (dị) is ebe (ebe) here a (a) this
47.25b M (m̀) I ga-ewere (gà-è-wè-ré) will-take ji (jì) yam atọ (à-tọ́) three Were (wè-ré) take ego (é-gó) money niile (nì-í-lé) all dị (dị̀) is ebe (è-bé) here a (à) this
47.26a Daalụ (daalụ) thank-you nwanne (nwanne) sibling Were (were) take akpa (akpa) bag a (a) this tinye (tinye) put ihe (ihe) thing ndị (ndị) PL a (a) this n’ime (n’ime) inside ya (ya) it
47.26b Daalụ (dà-á-lụ́) thank-you nwanne (n̄-wán-né) sibling Were (wè-ré) take akpa (à-kpá) bag a (à) this tinye (tì-nyé) put ihe (í-hé) thing ndị (n̄-dị́) PL a (à) this n’ime (n’ì-mé) inside ya (yà) it
47.27a Ị (ị) you nwere (nwere) have ike (ike) ability iwere (iwere) to-take nsogbu (nsogbu) trouble ọ (ọ) it bụla (bụla) any bịakwute (bịakwute) come-to m (m) me ma (ma) if ọ (ọ) it dị (dị) is
47.27b Ị (ị́) you nwere (n̄-wè-ré) have ike (ì-ké) ability iwere (ì-wè-ré) to-take nsogbu (n̄-sò-gbú) trouble ọ (ɔ̀) it bụla (bụ́-là) any bịakwute (bì-à-kwù-té) come-to m (m̀) me ma (mà) if ọ (ɔ̀) it dị (dị̀) is
47.28a M (m) I na-eche (na-eche) am-thinking iwere (iwere) to-take azụ (azụ) fish ma (ma) also ị (ị) you nwere (nwere) have azụ (azụ) fish ọhụrụ (ọhụrụ) fresh
47.28b M (m̀) I na-eche (nà-è-ché) am-thinking iwere (ì-wè-ré) to-take azụ (à-zụ́) fish ma (mà) also ị (ị́) you nwere (n̄-wè-ré) have azụ (à-zụ́) fish ọhụrụ (ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́) fresh
47.29a Ee (ee) yes were (were) take azụ (azụ) fish ndị (ndị) PL a (a) this lee (lee) look ka (ka) how ha (ha) they si (si) from dị (dị) be ọhụrụ (ọhụrụ) fresh
47.29b Ee (è-é) yes were (wè-ré) take azụ (à-zụ́) fish ndị (n̄-dị́) PL a (à) this lee (lè-é) look ka (kà) how ha (hà) they si (sì) from dị (dị̀) be ọhụrụ (ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́) fresh
47.30a Daalụ (daalụ) thank-you nne (nne) mother M (m) I ga-ewere (ga-ewere) will-take ihe (ihe) thing ndị (ndị) PL a (a) this niile (niile) all gaa (gaa) go ụlọ (ụlọ) home ugbu (ugbu) now a (a) this
47.30b Daalụ (dà-á-lụ́) thank-you nne (n̄-né) mother M (m̀) I ga-ewere (gà-è-wè-ré) will-take ihe (í-hé) thing ndị (n̄-dị́) PL a (à) this niile (nì-í-lé) all gaa (gà-á) go ụlọ (ụ̀-lọ́) home ugbu (ù-gbú) now a (à) this
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47.16 Nnọọ n’ahịa anyị. Gịnị ka ị chọrọ iwere taa? N̄-nọ́-ọ́ n’à-hị́-à à-nyị́. Gị́-nị́ kà ị́ chọ̀-rọ́ ì-wè-ré tà-á? “Welcome to our market. What do you want to take today?”
47.17 Achọrọ m iwere ọkụkọ abụọ na ji atọ. À-chọ̀-rọ́ m̀ ì-wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ à-bụ́-ọ́ nà jì à-tọ́. “I want to take two chickens and three yams.”
47.18 Ọ dị mma. Were ọkụkọ ndị a lee ha nke ọma. Ɔ̀ dị̀ m̄-má. Wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ n̄-dị́ à lè-é hà n̄-ké ọ̀-má. “That’s good. Take these chickens, look at them well.”
47.19 Ego ole ka m ga-ewere nye gị maka ọkụkọ ndị a? É-gó ò-lé kà m̀ gà-è-wè-ré ǹ-yé gị́ mà-ká ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ n̄-dị́ à? “How much money will I give you for these chickens?”
47.20 Were naira puku abụọ maka otu ọkụkọ. Wè-ré nái-rà pù-kú à-bụ́-ọ́ mà-ká ò-tú ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́. “Take two thousand naira for one chicken.”
47.21 Ọ dị oke. Biko, were puku otu na narị ise. Ɔ̀ dị̀ ò-ké. Bí-kó, wè-ré pù-kú ò-tú nà nà-rị́ ì-sé. “It’s too much. Please, take one thousand five hundred.”
47.22 Mba, enwere m ike inye gị ya n’ego ahụ. Were puku otu na narị asaa. M̀-bá, è-n̄-wè-ré m̀ ì-ké ì-nyé gị́ yà n’é-gó à-hụ́. Wè-ré pù-kú ò-tú nà nà-rị́ à-sá-á. “No, I cannot give it to you at that price. Take one thousand seven hundred.”
47.23 Ọ dị mma. M ga-ewere ọkụkọ abụọ. Ugbu a nye m ji ndị ahụ. Ɔ̀ dị̀ m̄-má. M̀ gà-è-wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ à-bụ́-ọ́. Ù-gbú à ǹ-yé m̀ jì n̄-dị́ à-hụ́. “That’s fine. I will take two chickens. Now give me those yams.”
47.24 Ji ndị a dị nnukwu. Were narị anọ maka otu. Jì n̄-dị́ à dị̀ n̄-nú-kwú. Wè-ré nà-rị́ à-nọ́ mà-ká ò-tú. “These yams are big. Take four hundred for one.”
47.25 M ga-ewere ji atọ. Were ego niile dị ebe a. M̀ gà-è-wè-ré jì à-tọ́. Wè-ré é-gó nì-í-lé dị̀ è-bé à. “I will take three yams. Take all the money here.”
47.26 Daalụ nwanne. Were akpa a tinye ihe ndị a n’ime ya. Dà-á-lụ́ n̄-wán-né. Wè-ré à-kpá à tì-nyé í-hé n̄-dị́ à n’ì-mé yà. “Thank you, sibling. Take this bag and put these things inside it.”
47.27 Ị nwere ike iwere nsogbu ọ bụla bịakwute m ma ọ dị. Ị́ n̄-wè-ré ì-ké ì-wè-ré n̄-sò-gbú ɔ̀ bụ́-là bì-à-kwù-té m̀ mà ɔ̀ dị̀. “You can bring any problem to me if there is one.”
47.28 M na-eche iwere azụ, ma ị nwere azụ ọhụrụ? M̀ nà-è-ché ì-wè-ré à-zụ́, mà ị́ n̄-wè-ré à-zụ́ ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́? “I’m thinking of taking fish, do you have fresh fish?”
47.29 Ee, were azụ ndị a lee ka ha si dị ọhụrụ. È-é, wè-ré à-zụ́ n̄-dị́ à lè-é kà hà sì dị̀ ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́. “Yes, take these fish, see how fresh they are.”
47.30 Daalụ nne. M ga-ewere ihe ndị a niile gaa ụlọ ugbu a. Dà-á-lụ́ n̄-né. M̀ gà-è-wè-ré í-hé n̄-dị́ à nì-í-lé gà-á ụ̀-lọ́ ù-gbú à. “Thank you, mother. I will take all these things and go home now.”
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47.16 Nnọọ n’ahịa anyị. Gịnị ka ị chọrọ iwere taa? N̄-nọ́-ọ́ n’à-hị́-à à-nyị́. Gị́-nị́ kà ị́ chọ̀-rọ́ ì-wè-ré tà-á?
47.17 Achọrọ m iwere ọkụkọ abụọ na ji atọ. À-chọ̀-rọ́ m̀ ì-wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ à-bụ́-ọ́ nà jì à-tọ́.
47.18 Ọ dị mma. Were ọkụkọ ndị a lee ha nke ọma. Ɔ̀ dị̀ m̄-má. Wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ n̄-dị́ à lè-é hà n̄-ké ọ̀-má.
47.19 Ego ole ka m ga-ewere nye gị maka ọkụkọ ndị a? É-gó ò-lé kà m̀ gà-è-wè-ré ǹ-yé gị́ mà-ká ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ n̄-dị́ à?
47.20 Were naira puku abụọ maka otu ọkụkọ. Wè-ré nái-rà pù-kú à-bụ́-ọ́ mà-ká ò-tú ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́.
47.21 Ọ dị oke. Biko, were puku otu na narị ise. Ɔ̀ dị̀ ò-ké. Bí-kó, wè-ré pù-kú ò-tú nà nà-rị́ ì-sé.
47.22 Mba, enwere m ike inye gị ya n’ego ahụ. Were puku otu na narị asaa. M̀-bá, è-n̄-wè-ré m̀ ì-ké ì-nyé gị́ yà n’é-gó à-hụ́. Wè-ré pù-kú ò-tú nà nà-rị́ à-sá-á.
47.23 Ọ dị mma. M ga-ewere ọkụkọ abụọ. Ugbu a nye m ji ndị ahụ. Ɔ̀ dị̀ m̄-má. M̀ gà-è-wè-ré ọ̀-kụ́-kọ́ à-bụ́-ọ́. Ù-gbú à ǹ-yé m̀ jì n̄-dị́ à-hụ́.
47.24 Ji ndị a dị nnukwu. Were narị anọ maka otu. Jì n̄-dị́ à dị̀ n̄-nú-kwú. Wè-ré nà-rị́ à-nọ́ mà-ká ò-tú.
47.25 M ga-ewere ji atọ. Were ego niile dị ebe a. M̀ gà-è-wè-ré jì à-tọ́. Wè-ré é-gó nì-í-lé dị̀ è-bé à.
47.26 Daalụ nwanne. Were akpa a tinye ihe ndị a n’ime ya. Dà-á-lụ́ n̄-wán-né. Wè-ré à-kpá à tì-nyé í-hé n̄-dị́ à n’ì-mé yà.
47.27 Ị nwere ike iwere nsogbu ọ bụla bịakwute m ma ọ dị. Ị́ n̄-wè-ré ì-ké ì-wè-ré n̄-sò-gbú ɔ̀ bụ́-là bì-à-kwù-té m̀ mà ɔ̀ dị̀.
47.28 M na-eche iwere azụ, ma ị nwere azụ ọhụrụ? M̀ nà-è-ché ì-wè-ré à-zụ́, mà ị́ n̄-wè-ré à-zụ́ ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́?
47.29 Ee, were azụ ndị a lee ka ha si dị ọhụrụ. È-é, wè-ré à-zụ́ n̄-dị́ à lè-é kà hà sì dị̀ ọ̀-hụ́-rụ́.
47.30 Daalụ nne. M ga-ewere ihe ndị a niile gaa ụlọ ugbu a. Dà-á-lụ́ n̄-né. M̀ gà-è-wè-ré í-hé n̄-dị́ à nì-í-lé gà-á ụ̀-lọ́ ù-gbú à.
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Market Language Features
The dialogue illustrates several grammatical patterns common in market transactions.
Pricing Expressions: The construction Were + amount + maka + item (Take X amount for Y item) is the standard way to state prices. Example: Were narị anọ maka otu (Take four hundred for one).
Bargaining Patterns: The phrase Ọ dị oke (It is too much) introduces counter-offers. The polite particle biko (please) softens requests: Biko, were puku otu (Please, take one thousand).
Serial Verb Constructions: Igbo frequently chains verbs. In Were akpa a tinye ihe ndị a n’ime ya (Take this bag, put these things inside it), the verbs were and tinye form a serial construction describing sequential actions.
Demonstratives: The demonstrative ndị a (these, plural) and ahụ (that) frequently accompany nouns in market talk to specify particular items being discussed.
Respectful Address: The term nwanne (sibling) is used as a friendly market address regardless of actual kinship. Similarly, nne (mother) addresses older women respectfully.
Question Formation: Gịnị ka ị chọrọ? (What do you want?) uses the interrogative gịnị (what) with the complementizer ka. Similarly, Ego ole? (How much money?) uses ole (how much/how many).
Ability/Possibility: The construction nwere ike (have ability) + infinitive expresses capability: Ị nwere ike iwere (You can take / You are able to take).
Temporal Markers: Ugbu a (now, this moment) and taa (today) provide temporal context common in transactional speech.
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Igbo Vowel System
Igbo has eight vowels in two harmony groups.
Light vowels (ATR+): i /i/, e /e/, u /u/, o /o/ Heavy vowels (ATR−): ị /ɪ/, a /a/, ụ /ʊ/, ọ /ɔ/
The dotted vowels (ị, ụ, ọ) are pronounced with a more retracted tongue position.
Tone
Igbo is a register tone language with two basic tones: high (´) and low (`). Tone distinguishes meaning: àkwá (cloth) vs. ákwà (crying/egg, depending on dialect).
For were: wè-ré carries low-high tone pattern.
Consonant Notes
The consonant cluster kw represents a labialized velar: /kʷ/ The nasal ṅ or syllabic n before consonants forms its own syllable. gb represents a labial-velar plosive /ɡ͡b/, pronounced with simultaneous bilabial and velar closure.
Common Pronunciation Errors
English speakers should avoid pronouncing the dotted vowels (ị, ụ, ọ) identically to their undotted counterparts. Practice distinguishing /i/ from /ɪ/, /u/ from /ʊ/, and /o/ from /ɔ/.
Tone errors are common. Listen to native speakers and note that Igbo tones are lexical, meaning they change word meaning.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006. This Igbo course follows the proven interlinear method that has helped thousands of autodidact learners master classical and modern languages.
The construed text approach, where each word is glossed individually in sequence, allows learners to parse sentences without constant dictionary consultation. By presenting the same sentences in multiple formats—interlinear, natural translation, and target language only—the course builds recognition and eventually productive competence.
This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Modern Language Course series, designed for independent learners. The frequency-based vocabulary progression ensures that you learn the most useful words first, building toward full comprehension of authentic texts.
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✓ Lesson 47 Igbo complete
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