Common Igbo proverbs and figurative idioms with their meanings explained, for an upper-level learner. Front: the Igbo idiom. Back: English meaning and usage note.
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- Onye aghala nwanne ya
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"Let no one abandon their kinsman." A well-known saying urging loyalty and solidarity among family and kin.- Egbe bere, ugo bere
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"Let the kite perch, let the eagle perch too." A famous proverb about live-and-let-live and mutual tolerance.- Aka nri kwọọ aka ekpe, aka ekpe akwọọ aka nri
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"The right hand washes the left, and the left washes the right." People must help each other in turn.- Mmadụ ka mma
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"A human being is more precious than things." A saying that values people above material wealth.- Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe
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"If a person agrees, their chi (personal god) agrees too." Success depends on one's own will as much as on fate.- Isi ike
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Literally "a hard head." Idiom for someone stubborn.- Obi ụtọ
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Literally "a sweet heart." Idiom for happiness, joy.- Obi ọma
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Literally "a good heart." Idiom for kindness, good-heartedness.- Obi ọjọọ
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Literally "a bad heart." Idiom for wickedness, malice.- Anya ukwu
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Literally "a big eye." Idiom for greed, covetousness.- Ihere na-eme m
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Literally "shame is happening to me." Idiom for "I am ashamed, embarrassed."- Ụjọ na-atụ m
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Literally "fear is fearing me." Idiom for "I am afraid."- Iwe na-ewe m
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Literally "anger is angering me." Idiom for "I am angry."- Chi ọma
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Literally "a good personal god." Idiom for good fortune, a good destiny.- Chi ọjọọ
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Literally "a bad personal god." Idiom for misfortune, a bad destiny.
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