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
- "Let no one abandon their kinsman." A well-known saying urging loyalty and solidarity among family and kin.
- Egbe bere, ugo bere
- "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
- "The right hand washes the left, and the left washes the right." People must help each other in turn.
- Mmadụ ka mma
- "A human being is more precious than things." A saying that values people above material wealth.
- Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe
- "If a person agrees, their chi (personal god) agrees too." Success depends on one's own will as much as on fate.
- Isi ike
- Literally "a hard head." Idiom for someone stubborn.
- Obi ụtọ
- Literally "a sweet heart." Idiom for happiness, joy.
- Obi ọma
- Literally "a good heart." Idiom for kindness, good-heartedness.
- Obi ọjọọ
- Literally "a bad heart." Idiom for wickedness, malice.
- Anya ukwu
- Literally "a big eye." Idiom for greed, covetousness.
- Ihere na-eme m
- Literally "shame is happening to me." Idiom for "I am ashamed, embarrassed."
- Ụjọ na-atụ m
- Literally "fear is fearing me." Idiom for "I am afraid."
- Iwe na-ewe m
- Literally "anger is angering me." Idiom for "I am angry."
- Chi ọma
- Literally "a good personal god." Idiom for good fortune, a good destiny.
- Chi ọjọọ
- Literally "a bad personal god." Idiom for misfortune, a bad destiny.
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