Nkọwa okwu · 512 entries

m

-maAV

1. know; be familiar with; know how (to do something)
2. jump
3. stab; throw; pierce; stick in
4. mould
5. Ọ māka! Good! It is very good, beautiful!
6. beat (of rain and sun)
7. wrap; tie
8. announce
9. rub; press
10. marks the future negative tenses yams (future progressive negative, used in main clauses, compare - ga 3.) (future perfect negative) buying yams/Chike can’t have been buying yams (future progressive perfect negative)

Àmà m? — Do I know?

Ì mà ebe o sì bịa? — Do you know where he comes from?

Ànyị amārọ ànì — We (as strangers) don’t know this place

Ọ mààlù anyà ụgbọ — He drives well

Ì mààlù àgụ akwụkwọ? — Can you read?

Ò marō ède ifē — He doesn’t know how to write

Ò marō ǹke bù aka nnī nà aka èkpè — He doesn’t know his left from his right

-màAV

measure (a quantity, e.g. salt or beans with cup, etc.)

-ma àbùbàAV

be fatty, plumpy, fat

Mkpi ǹkaà màlù àbùbà — This he-goat is fat, or, the meat of this he-goat is fatty

-ma akwàAV

1. wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper
2. wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper (compare -mà ògòdò)

-ma akwụkwọAV

1. (literally know book); be brainy
2. be literate, brainy

Ọ nà-èsilị ndị āmarō akwụkwọ ike inwēta ọlụ n’ọgè kịtaà — It is difficult for illiterates to secure employment nowadays

Rose mà akwụkwọ — Rose is brilliant (in studies)

-ma amaAV

hop

-ma amụmaAV

prophesy; foretell

-ma anyaAV

1. attract
2. be familiar with; attract; be good at doing something

Nni m mààlù anya yā bù ji — My usual food is yam

Ọ mààlù anya akwà — He's a good judge of cloth

-ma àrụAV

become customary

Ịtēta ụla n’elekele īse ụtụtù àmalụgo m#arụ — I have become used to waking up at five o'clock in the mọrning

-ma àtùAV

point at for illustration, as an example, a model; compare to

-ma èbùAV

1. grow mould
2. become mouldy

Utàlà e lōfùlù n’ime akpàtì nnī amago èbù — The pounded fufu forgotten in the food-box has gone mouldy

-ma ibēNNC

bet; stake

-ma ifeAV

have sense; be wise

-ma ikpeAV

1. condemn
2. condemn; be condemned

A màlù ya ikpe orī — He was found guilty of stealing

A màlù yà ikpe — He was condemned

-ma isìAV

smell

-mà ìwuNNC

make, enact law

-ma ìwuAV

make, enact law

-ma ìzùAV

be prudent

Ọ mààlù ìzù — He's prudent

-ma lìlìAV

shiver

-ma mkpūluAV

1. make an earthbed, mound
2. make a bed of earth, mound

-ma mmàAV

1. pierce, strike with sword, matchet; stab
2. pierce or strike with a sword or hatchet; stab

Màa yā mmà! — Stab him!

-ma mmāAV

1. be good; be beautiful, handsome
2. be beautiful

Nnwatà nwokē afù màlù oke mmā — The young man is very handsome

-ma mmilīAV

press sprain, etc., with cloth dipped in hot water

-ma mmụọNNC

1. be initiated into the masqueraders' cult (and learn its secrets)
2. (loosely) be initiated into secret cult
3. (loosely) be let into deep secret

-ma n’ọnyàAV

1. be caught in a trap
2. shake
3. be entrapped

Nkịtā m màlù n’ọnyà — My dog was caught in a trap

(fig.) Òbi àmago n’ọnyà — Obi has been entrapped. If a person is under suspicion of indulging in a crime, e.g. bribery, policemen in disguise are sometimes sent to the person with marked currency notes and if the person receives the notes and is arrested the above expression is used. Or if a person is suspected of stealing, money can be deliberately left where he can find it, and if he takes the money and is caught, the above expression is used

-ma nnwokēAV

not to be in state of virginity (of woman) (literally know a man)

Nwatà nwaànyì afù akā àmarọ nwokē — The young girl has not known a man

-ma nnwokeDEM

not to be in state of virginity (of woman) (literally know a man)

-ma obìAV

know one's own mind

Ò marō obì ya — He doesn’t know his own mind, or, He's fickle

-ma ògòAV

be grateful, polite, well-behaved, modest, courteous

Ọ dī àma ògò — He is not usually grateful

-ma ògòdòNNC

wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper

-ma ògòdò = -ma akwàAV

wear, tie wrapper, be dressed in wrapper

-ma òkpokōAV

1. mould large morsel of pounded food (idiomatic)
2. mould large morsel of pounded food

Mànye yā òkpokō — Mould him a large piece of pounded food

-ma òkpoko ụtàlàAV

mould large morsel of pounded fufu

-ma ọkwàAV

1. announce; give public notice
2. announce (e.g. in the church)

Amā m ọkwà — I announce (phrase used in calling banns)

-ma òlaAV

1. slap
2. slap on the face

Màa yā òla — Slap him

-ma osisiAV

plant a live stick, slip or cutting

-ma ọsòAV

suck the teeth (in contempt, etc.)

-ma ubèAV

pierce with a spear

-ma ùlaAValso òla

slap the face with the open hand

-ma ùmaAV

1. do on purpose; act wilfully, knowingly, deliberately
2. pretend; be useful; do with purpose; act wilfully, knowingly

Ọ mà ùma wèe me yā — She did it on purpose

-ma ùnòAV

be tame, domesticated (of animal)

-ma ụnòNNC

be tame, be domesticated (literally know the house)

-ma-jiAV

fold over; double

-machasịlịAV

know well

-madèAV

be beaten by rain to the skin (of humans); be beaten soggy by rain (of articles)

-madoAV

1. stick to
2. stick; be sticky

Ò gịnī màdò gì n’àgbà? — What is sticking to your jaw?

-mafèAV

leap over

-mafù obìAV

take the breath away

-maghalịAV

1. jump about
2. shake (a vessel containing liquid)
3. throw about

-magolu ànyìnyàAV

mount a horse

-makọAV

compress together

-makpùAV

lie on the stomach

-makùESUF

1. press to one's body; embrace
2. embrace
3. bring near

-makùdoAV

stick; stick to

-makùtaESUF

1. embrace completely
2. clasp to body

-makụta

know all

-makwụAV

tie

-malàAV

rub; stroke; soothe; massage

-malì àmalìAV

be drenched thoroughly

-malụ afàAV

be well-known, important

Nwoke afù bù onye a màlù afà ya — The man is well-known

-malụ akaAV

be friendly; be familiar with

-malù obìAV

soothe the heart

-mani enūAV

1. jump up
2. leap, jump

-manyeAV

attack with violence; force; persecute; assault

-mapuAV

pierce (with knife, spear, etc.)

-mapùAV

ostracise

-mapù imiAV

blow the nose

-marùbeAV

1. shake; move
2. shake thoroughly

-mataAV

understand

Ì màtàlù ife m kwùlù? — Do you understand what I said?

-màtaAV

buy (something measured)

-maziAV

direct; explain to (e.g. a way of doing something)

Anà m èje ịyō Ibè kà ọ mazielụ m#etu m gà-èsi je nnukwu ụnò ọgwū dī n’Ìbàdàn a nà-àkpọ UCH ghàlụ ifù ụzò — I am going to beg Ibe to direct me as to how to reach the big hospital at Ibadan called UCH without missing the way

-mazùAV

know all; understand fully

-meAV

do; act; make; happen; cause

-me agadīNNC

be old, decrepit; become old

-me àgadīAV

be old, decrepit

-me àgbọghòNNC

act as or be a young woman

-me àgbọòAV

do as, be a young woman

-me àghalāAV

be troublesome, rascally

-me aka ntụtùAV

be fond of pilfering, picking and stealing

Mụ nà onye nā-eme aka ntụtù adī ayì — I never walk in company of a person who is fond of picking and stealing

-me àkàjèAV

humiliate; disgrace

Ọ bụlụ nà nwokē afù àbịazie ebe à òzọ ànyị gà-ème yā àkàjè — If that man dares come here again we shall humiliate him

-me alūAV

commit abomination; break taboo; do something traditionally forbidden

-me ànwàǹsìAV

1. conjure; do wizardry
2. conjure; perform magic

-me anya ụlāAV

be drowsy

-me arìmaAV

make a sign, signal

-me àsalàAV

be polite

-me èbelèAV

have pity on; be sorry for; have mercy on

Èbelè yâ mèlù m — I am full of pity for him

-me èbùbèAV

beautify; decorate

O mèlù akwà afù èbùbè — He decorated the cloth

-me ifelēAV

put to shame

-me imēAV

be in labour; travail

-me isi ikēAV

be headstrong

-me kpukpulukpuAV

become stiff, firm

-me kwùlìkwùlìAV

behave like a harmless madman

-me mgbafùAV

be poured away, off, to waste

Ọgwù m nàtàlù n'ùtụtù mèlù mgbafù — The drug I received in the morning was spilt

-me mgbaghaAV

dispute

-me mgbagòAV

be bent, crooked, curved

Osisi ǹke à mèlù mgbagò — This stick is bent

-me mgbalìAV

be slender, slim

-me mgbanùAV

be in a hurry

Ọ nà-ème mgbanù — She is in a hurry

-me mgbanwèAV

be changed

Iru igwē nà-ème mgbanwè — The face of the sky is changing

-me mpàkoAV

be proud, pompous, arrogant, aloof

-me n’ikeAV

do violently, forcibly

-me n’ogèAV

be punctual; do something in good time

-me nkwàAV

keep, fulfil a promise

-me nniAV

be fertile (of land)

-me nsọAV

1. break a prohibition; do a forbidden thing
2. break a taboo; do a forbidden thing

Onye mē nsọ, ọ gà-èmegha nsō — Whoever commits a forbidden act must undo it

-me ntadoAV

be tight (e.g. as undersized shirt, etc.)

— This shirt is too tight for me

-me ntiwaAV

be broken

Afele ǹkaà mèlù ntiwa — This plate is broken

-me nzofùAV

hide away; become perpetually hidden

-me nzuzùAV

be foolish, stupid; act stupidly, foolishly

-me òfụmaNNC

do well

Mèe yā òfụma — Do it well

-me ògòAV

1. be kind to; do a kindness to
2. give a present; do a kindness

-me okènyèAV

be aged, elderly, old

-me okolobìàAV

do as, be a young man

-me òkolobìàNNC

act as, be, a young man

-me òzọAV

repeat; do again

-me ụŋàlàAV

make noise with mouth or horn (especially to attract attention)

-me ùtụtùNNC

take breakfast

-mebeAV

prepare; make (ready)

-mebìAV

keep in disorder; spoil

O mebì ife à nụnwà — He spoilt this very thing

Ajọ ūkpa nà-èmebì nnwatà — Bad influences spoil a child

-mebì ìwuAV

commit crime, offence; break law; sin

-mecha imiAV

wipe the nose

-mechiAV

shut, close (eye, mouth, window, door, book); close down

O mèchì ụzò — He shut the door

Àyị èmechigo òzụzụ afịa āyi — We have wound up our business

-mechi ọnūAV

hush; shut up

-mechiteAV

close door behind one

O mèchìtè ụzò — He shut the door behind himself

-mefìèAV

do wrong; sin

-mefùAV

spend lavishly; waste

-megbuAV

oppress; ill-treat

-meghalịAV

move round; stir; shake

-megheAV

open (eye, window, door) (compare -sàghe)

-meghèliAV

fool about

-meghèli anyaAV

confuse

O meghèlì m anya — He confused me

-meghepùAValso -mepù

undo; loose; unfasten; open

-megideESUFalso -mejide

act against

-megwaAV

revenge; avenge (literally do back)

Agà m èmegwa yā ịfe ọ mēlụ m — I will take vengeance for what he did to me

-megwalụAV

take revenge

-mejọAV

injure

-mejuAV

fill

-mekà àrụAV

trouble; bother

-mekàtaAValso -mekata

do for a long time

-mekọAV

act together; have intercourse with; fraternise with

-mekọtaAV

happen together

Ife naàbò afù mèkòtàlù — The two events were simultaneous

-mekwaADValso -mekwata

1. do again
2. repair; please by an action; give a tip, small present Ọ sì nà ya amā ana mà ọ bụlụ nà fa eme kwatarọ ya He said he would not go if he was not pleased (i.e. if something was not done to please him)

-mekwàsịESUF

1. do again
2. repeat (action)

-mekwọlụAV

take revenge

-mekwuluAV

return; do in return; take revenge

-meli

1. overcome
2. overcome (person); win

Ọō mụ nwà mèlìlì n’ọsọ afù — It was I that won the race

-melụAV

defile; do a forbidden thing

Fâ mèlùlù ụnò ụkà — They desecrated the church

-melụ àrụAV

hurt; wound

Emèlù m àrụ — I hurt myself

-meniAV

stir up

-menye ifelē n’iruAV

make ashamed of oneself (literally bring shame to one's face)

Ifelē mèlù onye àbànìdìegwu afù mgbè a kpùtàlù ya n’ụnò ikpē — The robber was ashamed of himself when he was brought before the court

-menye ifele n’iruNNC

abash (literally bring shame to one's face)

-menyụAV

extinguish

-mesìAV

counteract pain of

-mesịAV

finish

-mesi ikeAV

do energetically

Mèsie ife afù ị nà-ème ikē — Do that thing you are doing energetically

-mesì ọnyaAV

dress a fresh wound

-mesòAV

deal with; treat; do to

-metaAV

be exact; imitate correctly

-meteAV

1. rouse
2. waken; rouse

-mete n’ụlaAV

waken; rouse from sleep

Jèe mètee Ndù nụụla — Go and rouse Ndụ from sleep

-metòAV

spoil; defile

-metụAV

touch

-metụ akaAV

touch lightly

O mètù m~aka — He touched me (with the hand)

-meziAV

1. correct; repair
2. repair; rectify; correct

Mèzie ife m#mebìlù — Correct my mistakes!

-mìAV

1. be deep; be depressed inwards
2. suck

-mịAV

1. dry (usually over fire)
2. slip; move smoothly

-mị àmịAV

be slippery

Ọ nà-àmị āmị — It is slippery

-mị azùAV

dry fish

-mì èmìAV

be deep, skilled, mysterious

-mì mkpụlūAV

bear fruit

-mị mmàAV

1. draw sword, matchet
2. draw the sword or matchet

-mì òmìmìAV

dive

-mì ọnūAV

draw in the mouth; pout; be envious

-mịbàAV

plunge; sink in; enter stealthily

-mịghalịAV

loiter about; walk stealthily about

-mìkpọAV

burst out crying after suppressed sobbing

-mịkpọAV

dry (fish, corn, etc.)

-mìkpọ akwaAV

1. burst out crying
2. sob

-mìlịAV

suck

-mịnyeAV

sheathe (knife, etc.)

-mìriESUF

dive deep

-mùAV

1. learn; study
2. shine

-mụ

1. give birth to; beget
2. sharpen

-mù akwụkwọAV

study (literally study book)

Anà m èje Òbòdò Oyìbo ịmù etu esì ebì akwụkwọ — I am going to the United Kingdom to study printing

-mụ amụAV

laugh at

-mù àmùmàAV

lighten (of lightning)

-mù mbọAV

use nails on

-mụ mmàAV

sharpen a sword, knife, matchet

-mù ọkụAV

kindle light

-mụ-mùAValso -mu-mù

hum; murmur

Amārọ m ịfe nā-amụmù n’ime ụnò — I don’t know what is humming in the room

-mùgosiAV

teach

Ọ nà-amùgosi yā etu e sì egbē àkàmù — He is teaching him how liquid pap is prepared

-mụkwo

give birth prematurely

-mùkwùESUF

read more (of) Ọ chò ịmùkwù akwụkwọ She wants to study further

-mụlịalso -kpùmùlì

smile; laugh

-mùlụ ọkụAV

light from (fire, etc.)

-mùlù ọkụNNC

light from (fire, etc.)

-mùnyeAV

light (a lamp)

-mụpùta

bring forth; give birth to

-mùsịAV

glitter; shine

-mùtaAV

learn

(mmanya) -gbuAV

be intoxicated by alcohol

Mmanya nà-ègbu Ọjì — Ọjị is intoxicated

(mmanya) -tụNNC

be drunk

Mmanya nà-àtụ Ōfọ, nèe kà o sì adàjọlị — Ọfọ is drunk, see how he staggers

(mmilī) -gbaAV

flow (of water)

(mmilī) -gbafùsịAV

flow to waste (of water)

Èri ǹnyàafù pọmpù dī n’iru ụnō ānyị jìlì mebì kà mmilī ya jì àgbafùsị n'òkpọrọ — Since yesterday, when the tap in front of our house broke down, the water from it has been running to waste (ii) pour, run, exude (liquid as object); shed (tears); bleed, perspire, etc.

(mmilī) -gụAV

be thirsty

Mmilī nà-àgụ yā — She is thirsty

(mmilī) -kwòNNC

1. undergo a rush of people anxious to fetch water (of a stream)
2. rush, flow rapidly (of waterway, stream)

(mmilī) -liAV

(of water) drown

Ọ nà-àgbaku onye mmilī nà-àchọ ilī — He is running to a person about to drown

(mmilī) -maNNC

1. (literally) be beaten by rain if you leave now, i.e. You will be drenched if you leave now
2. (fig.) be in grave trouble; suffer grave loss kà m nwèlù n’ùwà ànwụa! My God! I am done for. The only helper I have in this world is dead!

Mmilī gà-àma gī ọ bụlụ nà ị nāba kịtāà — Rain will beat you if you leave now, i.e. You will be drenched if you leave now

Chinēkè m! Mmilī àmaa m. Onye ēnyemaka ọ bù sòọsò ya kà m nwèlù n’ùwà ànwụa — My God! I am done for. The only helper I have in this world is dead!

(mmiliì) -kwòAV

1. undergo a rush of people anxious to fetch water (of a stream)
2. rush, flow rapidly (of water-way, stream)

(motò) -kwọpìàNNC

1. be crushed (by lorry or any vehicle) Motò gà-àkwọpiCa giCisi otù ụbòsì màkà nà ị diCachàlụ motò òfụma A lorry will crush your head one day because you never give way properly to lorries
2. be crushed (by motor vehicle)

mPRN

(independent; 1st person singular; compare e-/a-...m) I; me; my

Ọ kpòlù m — He called me

màCJN

but; if; whether

Jùa nnwokē afù mà ò gà-àbịa echī — Ask the man whether he will come tomorrow

mà ... màCJN

both ... and

mà ji mà ọkàCJN

both yam and maize (= kà ... kà)

mà ǹchaCJN

not at all; none (used with negative)

Àrụ esògbugo m#ọnwa īsiì; kịtāà, ènwerō m egō mà ǹcha — I have been ill for six months; now, I have no money at all (implying 'not even a kobo')

mà ò bùCJN

either; or; neither - nor

Achòlù m onye ēnyemaka mà ò bù nwokē mà ò bù nwaànyì — I need a helper, man or woman

Zùta ewu mà ò bù atụlū — Buy a goat or a sheep

maàzịNNC

mister (of Ndizụògù origin)

madùNNC

three persons

Achò m mmadù ìtọ — I need three persons

màkà

see mà 1.

màkà gịnīCJN

why? because of what?

màkà gịnī?INTJ

for what? for what reason?

màkà ifìCJN

for the sake of; because of

màkà nàCJN

because; for; since

màkà yaCJN

therefore; consequently

màlàmàlàNNC

glittering quality

mangòlòNNC

mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) (< Hausa)

manụNNC

honey

manyaNNC

be intoxicated by alcohol

mbàNNC

1. nation; tribe; (another person’s) town
2. extreme tiredness; exhaustion; faintness

Òje mbà enwē ilo — A traveller rarely has enemies

ndị mbā ānyị

Kà m je mbà — Let me go to another town

mbaNNC

1. scolding; bluster; bitter complaining
2. cat

mbà!

no! (emphatic) (compare èe è)

mbachaNNC

peelings (of yam, etc.) (from -ba-cha peel)

mbadambaNNC

flatness

mbalaNNC

outside

Pùa mbala — Go outside

mbalāNNC

spaciousness; roominess; wideness

mbàlaNNC

kind of edible frog with long hind legs

mbala ēziNNC

compound inside walls (contrast ìlo)

mbàzùNNC

tool for digging

mbè

1. see mbèkwù
2. small calabash for measuring salt
3. used in

mbeNNC

1. pledge; security
2. Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides)

mbè aka nnīAV

handful of food (e.g. fufu)

mbè n’ukwùNNC

skirt; native skirt worn as underwear

mbèbèlèNNC

used in

mbèbèlè anyāNNC

eyelid

mbèkwùNNCalso mbè

tortoise (male)

mbèlèdeNNC

suddenness;

Ọ bìàkwùtè m nà mbèlède — He came to me suddenly

mbèmbèNNC

small black edible fruit of ilighìlì

mbìNNC

used in

mbìàmbịaNNC

stranger; squatter

mbìbìNNC

borrowing (-bì 3. borrow)

mbidoAV

beginning; starting

mbìdoNNC

pressing; repressing (-bìdo press)

mbido aròAV

beginning of the year

Ọ gà-àbịa na mbido arò — She will come at the beginning of the year

mbìgbọNNC

scolding; storming; uproar

mbikọAV

living together

mbìnite (n’ọnwụ)AV

resurrection; rising (from the dead)

mbọNNC

nail (of toe or finger); claw

mbòNNC

1. revenge
2. effort; struggle; industry; enterprise

mbòchaNNC

curiosity; inquisitiveness (-bòcha)

mbòsì

see ụbòsì

mbụNNC

one (in counting only); (the) first

Èkê bù onye ǹke mbụ — Eke is in the first place

mbùbòNNC

peel (of fruit)

mbùmbuNNC

bogeyman (a creature that will carry bad children away) (= ǹtaǹta)

Mèelụ ānyị èbelèNNC

Have mercy on us

mèlịmpụNNC

of no consequence

Onye à bù mèlịmpụ — This person is of no consequence

mfeNNC

lightness; ease

mfefèAV

flying across

mfeniAV

flying up; flight

mfịa ārụAV

adversity; distress; hardship; want; poverty

mfùNNC

loss (-fù lose)

mfụchataAV

curiosity; inquisitiveness

mfùkọNNC

used in

mfùkọ akwàNNC

crease

mgbaNNC

1. used in
2. wrestling (-gba 1.English wrestle)

mgbāNNC

wax; glue

mgbàNNC

used in

mgbà akāAValso mgba akā, mgba

ring

mgba akāNNCalso mgbà

ring

mgbà aròAV

1. a year (ago)
2. a year

mgbà arò naàbòAV

two years (ago)

Ọ dīgo mgbà arò naàbò alụ afū mèlù — It is now two years since the tragedy occurred

mgba n’ògùNNC

strife; conflict

mgbaàjàlàNNC

whip

mgbàchiNNC

stopping of a gap; blocking; counteracting; thwarting; interposition

mgbadàNNC

level ground, as opposed to a hill

mgbàdàNNC

Maxwell's duiker

mgbafịlịNNC

small type of yam which cannot be replanted but only eaten (= mkpụlù)

mgbaghàlụNNC

forgiveness

mgbagoAV

ascent

mgbagòNNC

state of being bent

mgbakaNNC

sour, tart taste (as of unripe fruit)

mgbakàNNC

used in

mgbakā ārụNNC

uneasiness of body; irritation

mgbàkalakòm

see mkpàkalakòm

mgbakọAV

gathering; meeting

mgbàkọAV

1. joining; seam; collection; joining together, gathering, flowing together (of liquids)
2. arithmetic; addition

mgbalùAV

pollution (of liquids)

mgbalụ ōtọAV

state of nakedness, nudity

mgbalụ òtọNNC

state of nakedness, nudity

Òbî nò nà mgbalụ ōtọ — Obi is nude

mgbanùAV

hurry; haste

mgbanwèAV

change; changing

mgbapùtaAV

ransom; redemption

mgbasàAV

dismissal; scattering; spreading; dispersal

mgbasịlịNNC

used in

mgbasịlị akā

finger-ring

mgbawaAV

1. running home, away
2. crack; cracking

mgbèNNC

time; period; when (compare ogè)

mgbè afù

then; at that time

mgbè dum$AV

always; at all times; in perpetuity (compare mgbè niīne)

mgbè efìfìèNNC

during the afternoon

mgbè ǹchaINTJ

always; at all times

mgbè niīneQTF

at all times; every time

mgbe ōbụnàNNC

any time; every time

Ị nwè ike ịbīa ebe à mgbe ōbụnà ị chòlù — You can come here any time you wish

mgbè ochīèNNC

1. olden days
2. in the olden days

mgbè ọkōchìAV

1. dry season
2. time of dry season

mgbèdèNNCalso mgbèdè

late afternoon; early evening (from when sun is getting low till dusk)

mgbèdè anyàsìNNC

late in the evening; evening

Ọ gà-àbịa ebe à na mgbèdè anyàsì — She will come here late in the evening

MgbeēkeNNC

female name (for child born on Èke)

mgbelèAV

stealthy walking; slow, snail-paced walk

mgbelēNNC

trading

mgbịlịmgbaNNC

bell

mgbōNNC

1. kind of shutter or door; plank used as kneading-board for clay
2. bullet

mgbòdoAV

protection; covering; shield

mgbòlòdịNNC

waterleaf (Talinum triangulare)

mgbọwaAV

crack; spliting

mgbuNNC

painfulness; pain

mgbụ ākwụkwọAV

1. (shed) leaves
2. fallen leaves

mgbụgbòNNC

covering; bark; skin

mgbụgbō ākwaNNC

eggshell

mgbụgbō ārụNNC

skin

mgbùlùgùdùNNC

abyss; place at bottom of a cliff or steep hill

mkpàNNC

1. need; difficulty; necessity (from -kpà 2. be needful)
2. used in
3. forceps; tongs
4. holding; captivity; restriction; imprisonment (from -kpà 1. grip)
5. one stake full of yams tied in a barn

mkpaNNC

1. scarcity; fewness (compare ùkọ)
2. used in

mkpà akāNNC

biceps

mkpa akāNNC

biceps

mkpa akūNNC

the search for kernels

mkpa ākwụkwọNNC

1. (shed) leaves
2. book; paper; letter
3. (shed) leaf, leaves

mkpà edèNNC

room where cocoyams are stored

mkpà n’akaNNC

1. walking-stick; staff
2. walking stick; staff (literally what is held in hand)

mkpà ǹsịkōNNC

1. cramp; pins-and-needles (= tịtaǹgwèlè)
2. cramp; pins and needles

mkpa ọ kụAValso mkpa nókụ -kpapù

1. matches
2. shove off; brush off; set aside (normally with instrument); pick out (with stick) and remove; push open by force, press open (e.g. burst door open); push off (e.g. three persons lying on a bed, one of them being pushed off as a result of the others being selfish. The pushing is not done by the hand but by the body) Bikō, kpapù alịlị afù ìlo Please take that millipede outside; (fig.) push out (e.g. if one person is forced to leave house where he was living with others)

mkpa ọkūNNC

matches

mkpaàkịlịkaNNC

small black millipede, usually seen on grass-thatched houses after rain

mkpafùliAV

negligence; going astray

mkpàgbuAV

tribulation; oppression; trouble

mkpàkalakòmNNC

centipede (smaller than esu/alịlị)

mkpàkànàNNC

steel trap (= ọnyà igwè)

mkpakọAV

intercourse

mkpàlaNNC

1. shelters
2. cane, e.g. midrib of mkpàla egbò, the boundary tree Dracaena fragrans (Linn.) Ker-Gawl.
3. (also ute mkpàla) type of mat which can be used for building ìgbùdù or as shelter (= ute Ādo)

mkpalịNNC

insult; abuse

mkpasuAV

excitement; provocation

mkpasu iwēNNC

spite; provocation

mkpasu iweAV

provocation

mkpatụAV

rustling

mkpèchaAV

slandering

mkpejideAV

injustice

mkpiNNC

he-goat

mkpìNNC

section (as of seed or nut)

mkpiliīteNNC

small wooden mortar used for grinding pepper

mkpìlìkpìNNC

fragment, small piece, stump (of something long, e.g. snake, yam, etc.)

mkpìlìsìNNC

shortness; broken portion

mkpìlìsì osisiNNC

stump of tree

mkpịsịNNCalso (mkpala) egbè

ramrod

mkpịsīNNC

any object shaped like a ramrod with pointed tip; spike

mkpịsị (nnī)NNC

spike used for bringing boiled pieces of yam or meat out of the pot

mkpịsị akāNNC

finger

mkpịsị igwèNNC

spoke (e.g. of bicycle)

mkpịsị ǹgùNNC

rib

mkpịsị ụkwūNNC

toe

mkpòNNC

small box; can

mkpọNNC

1. walking-stick
2. pole (= utum)

mkpọ àchàlàNNC

bamboo pole

Mkpọ afù èjigoAV

The walking-stick has broken

mkpọ ānwụAV

drought; extended dry season; severe dry season; long period without rain

mkpò anwūlùNNC

1. snuffbox
2. snuff-box

mkpò tanjeleNNC

special container for òtanjele

mkpō ūtabàNNC

snuff-box

mkpọchaAV

burning

mkpọchiNNC

1. locking
2. button (from -kpọchi lock)

mkpòchi n tìESUF

stubbornness; habitual disobedience (usually of young person)

mkpọchi n’iruNNC

1. anything fastened on forehead or in front
2. anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)

mkpọchi ǹtìNNC

stubbornness; habitual disobedience (usually of young person)

mkpòdùNNC

kind of shrub

mkpofùAV

throwing away

mkpogoNNC

steep place; cliff

mkpọlè

rolling

mkpòlịAV

reproach; abuse

mkpọlìAV

grinding

mkpọlōNNC

1. rod; bar
2. confinement; imprisonment

mkpòlògwùAV

take root

mkpòlògwùgwùAV

root

mkpomkpoNNC

rubbish-heap; rubbish

mkpọmkpọNNC

1. broken-down object; ruinous, ruined, waste (wall, house)
2. poor, despised, hopeless (of person)

Ǹkaà bù mkpọmkpọ ụnò — This is a dilapidated house

Oke mmàdù adīrọ èbi na mkpọmkpọ ụnò — A great man never lives in a dilapidated house

mkpọmkpọ mmadùNNC

a poor, despised, hopeless man

mkpọniiruNNC

anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)

mkpọtụAV

noise; uproar

mkpuNNC

1. loud cry; shout; call for help
2. ant-hill
3. termite
4. ceremonies performed for girls reaching puberty

mkpùNNC

1. small group (contrast ikpo)
2. carpenter's plane (-kpù 2. scrape)

Fâ kwù na mkpù na mkpù — They are standing about in little groups

mkpù ọfīaNNC

small patch of bush left in middle of cleared area

mkpùdoAV

covering

mkpukèNNC

woman’s house, contrasted with the òbi of a man (= ùsokwū)

mkpụkpọNNC

nail; peg (from -kpọ 3. nail)

mkpùkpòNNC

a ritual or dramatic chant or cry, especially in the contexts below

mkpukpuNNC

hunch (on back); lump

mkpūluNNC

mound of earth

mkpụlūNNC

seed; fruit

mkpùlùNNC

kind of bean - small and round. Unlike other beans, the plant is a shrub and not a creeping plant

mkpụlùNNC

something roundish and smooth, e.g. shot-putt

mkpụlụ akūNNC

palm kernel

mkpụlụ amūNNC

a smile

mkpụlụ amùNNC

1. testis
2. testicle

mkpụlụ anyāNNC

eyeball

mkpụlụ egōNNC

1. a cowrie, coin, shilling
2. cowrie; coin; shilling

mkpụlū jīNNC

1. small yam (see mkpụlù)
2. small yam, soft and roundish, usually eaten (= mgbafịlị)

mkpụlụ jīNNC

seed-yam

mkpụlụ mmadùNNC

few people

mkpụlụ mmīliNNC

hail; drops of rain

mkpụlụ obìNNC

1. heart; soul
2. heart

mkpụlụ ogèNNC

a few moments

mkpụlụ osèNNC

seed of pepper

mkpụlụ osisiNNC

fruit

mkpụlụ ụbòsìNNC

1. a day
2. (fig.) small number (out of large total number); handful

Ò bù gịnī kpàtàlù o jì wèe bụlụ sòọsò mkpụlụ mmādù ìtọ bìàlù ụkà n’ùtụtū à? — Why is it that only three persons attended the service this morning?

mkpumèNNC

stone; rock

mkpụmkpụNNC

1. shortness
2. a bare dry place

mkpụmkpụ mmadùNNC

a short person

mkpùnaNNC

hernia

mmāNNC

goodness; beauty; prosperity

mmàNNC

1. knife; sword; matchet
2. a measure (by container, of any size) (from -mà measure)

mma ārụNNC

physical beauty

mmà awụsaNNC

Hausa dagger

mmà ekwūNNC

small kitchen knife

mmà iru naàbòNNC

1. two-edged knife
2. unreliable person

mmā mmaNNC

1. well
2. go well! safe journey! (greeting to a person returning home)

mmà ọdūNNC

saw

mmā ògèNNC

matchet; cutlass

mmàdùNNC

Àdịrō m#àchọ kà mụ nà mkpọmkpọ mmàdù bìli n’òfu ụnò — I never want to live in the same house as a poor despised man

mmadùNNCalso mmadù

person; human being

mmadū nkịtịNNC

1. ordinary person; man in the street
2. a useless person

mmadū ōbụnàNNC

everybody; any person; every person

mmajiAV

folding; doubling

mmaji naàbòCD

two-fold

mmakwuNNC

loop

mmanụNNCalso mmanụ

oil, especially palm oil

mmanụ anwūNNC

honey

mmanụ òpàpaNNC

groundnut oil

mmanwụNNCalso mmanwụ, manwụ

1. masquerade
2. (at Nri) the highest women’s title, which elderly married women of exemplary character are allowed to take and in which the secret of the ritual mask is revealed (Onwuejeogwu 1974:177)

mmanyaNNCalso mmanya

wine, especially palmwine; any type of alcohol

mmanya nā-abà n’anyaNNC

(literally wine that enters the eyes - mostly used in Bible)

mmanya ngwòNNC

raphia palm wine

mmanya nkwūNNC

wine from palm oil

mmanya ōbubuNNC

intoxicant

mmanya ògòlòNNC

1. wine from raphia palm (ngwò)
2. raphia palm-wine

mmanya oyìboNNC

gin; imported wine or spirits

mmapùAV

ostracism

mmebìAV

mess; spoiling; ruin

mmebī īwuAV

crime

mmeēNNC

blood (compare òbàlà)

mmee mmeeNNC

red, reddish

Ò gịnī kpatalụ anya gī jì wèlụ àcha mmee mmee — Why are your eyes red?

Kpòọlụ m#nwatà nwokē yi àfè mmee mmee — Call me the boy in the red shirt

mmeē)AV

Ọ bụlụ nà i zèrò ndị òtu āyaka mà dabànye n'aka fā, fa tisịa ī fà àgbaa yī òbàlà tupu fà àrapū yī — If you do not dodge the gang of thugs but fall into their grip, they will beat and make you bleed before they leave you

mmefìèAV

crime; transgression; wrongdoing

mmegbuAV

oppression

mmejọAV

injury

mmekọAV

companionship; partnership; intercourse

mmeliAV

victory

mmetòAV

defilement; dishonour; disgrace

mmìkoloNNC

ferret

mmilīNNCalso mmilī, milī

water; rain

mmili alāNNC

1. milk
2. breast-milk

mmili ala efīNNC

1. cow’s milk
2. cow's milk

mmili mmiliNNC

wet; damp; watery

mmili nā-ekwō èkwòAV

1. tap or stream where there is a rush of people wishing to fetch water
2. fast-flowing stream, river, water-way

mmili ǹdà aròNNC

the first rain in the year

mmili ōluluAV

rising of water at flood-time

mmili òlùlùNNC

gathering of clouds before rain

mmili ōŋụŋụAV

drinking water

mmili osisiNNC

sap

mmili ōwụwaAV

1. coming out of underground water, flooding the land of that area. An example is what sometimes occurs in buildings in swampy areas, where water sometimes appears and floods the floors
2. coming out of underground water, flooding the land (e.g. when water seeps into buildings in swampy areas)
3. come out, rise, shine (of sun)

mmili oyīNNC

cold water

Kùtelụ m mmili oyī — Bring me cold water

mmili òzùzòAV

rain

mmìmìNNC

small peppery fruit used as alternative to kola; the tree itself

mmùmùNNC

used in

mmùmù ọnwaNNC

1. star
2. firefly

mmụōNNCalso mmụō, mmọō, mmọō, mụō, mọō

1. spirit of the dead; ghost. The spirits of the dead are divided
2. into good and evil
3. the first title, taken before ọzō

Ajō mmadù bù ajō mmụō — A wicked man makes a wicked spirit. The good ones are behind, subdivided into ìchìè ukwu, the great ancestors, who were ọzō titled men who founded the various hierarchies of the extant lineages, and ìchìè ntà, the small ancestors, dead lineage. All good ancestors reincarnate in their lineage. The evil ones are anything and die without having children; they cannot reincarnate in their lineage, roam wild in the spirit world and from time to time gain entry to the world of men to cause confusion accidental or premature deaths or suicide; such spirits cannot be reincarnated or reach the spirit land, but come back to earth to cause other bad deaths keep revisiting their mother's womb to repeatedly be reborn and die (Onwuejeogwu 1974:89-99)

mmụọ ebì ogwūNNC

a masquerade with porcupine quills on the body

mmụọ ijelèNNC

a graceful, elaborate masquerade

mmụō īkpoNNC

a masquerade covered with ìkpo-bells

mmụọ inyīNNC

bad, unclean spirit

mmụọ ogonogoNNC

'tall ghost', the most elderly and venerated form of the incarnate dead (= egwugwu)

motòNNC

motor vehicle (English motor)

mpàkoAV

haughtiness; pride; pomposity; aloofness

mpàlàNNC

measure of length; stride

mpanaakaNNC

small native hand-lamp

mpeNNC

used in

mpempeNNC

edge, hem (of cloth); pieces (of paper, cloth, etc.)

mpìNNC

horn

mpīaNNC

used in

mpioNNC

hole(s) through the compound wall used as passage for livestock, especially young ones, to and from the outside; or to let surface water escape from compound or house

mpòmàNNC

matchet (compare mmà)

mpūNNCalso mpu

hold (in a bag, etc.); outlet (-pu 2. be perforated, have hole(s) (compare oghēle)

mpụNNC

used in

mpùmAV

1. highway robbery
2. robbery with violence

mụPRN

I; me (independent, 1st pers. sg.)

mụ nà gịPRN

you and I

mụ nà isi m#PRN

I myself (emphatic)

mụ nwàPRN

1. I myself, me (emphatic)
2. I myself

mwèju akāAV

sufficiency; enough

mwepùAV

act of taking away, removing; subtraction

mwètaAV

bringing; rendering; producing

mwewụsa iwēAV

anger, vexation (with a person, etc.)

mwopū àfèAV

taking off of clothes

mwutaAV

grief; sorrow; pain (of mind)

myàtọ ọnūAV

1. opening of mouth forcibly, especially of another person or animal; (fig.) abusing someone by saying he is talking nonsense
2. hole; opening; cave; den
3. opening of mouth forcibly, especially of another person or animal (abusing the speaker)

Òkê nò n’ime ọnū — The rat is in the hole, or There is a rat in the hole

myigbuAV

1. slander; craftiness; evil
2. paddle (e.g. turn paddle in water)

myòNNC

sieve (-yò sieve)

Source: Igbo API (Nkọwa okwu), Apache-2.0 · Tier 3