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This Basic Igbo Words Series is designed to help modern Igbo learners build confidence from the ground up by focusing on the most essential vocabulary used in everyday communication.

This frequency list offers a practical, accessible starting point for improving comprehension, speech, and overall fluency with descriptors and connectors, each supported with pronunciation guides.

We recommend using good-quality headphones to get the most out of the pronunciation guides.

English: Weekly

Igbo: Kwá ìzù

English: Monthly

Igbo: Kwá ọ́nwá

English: Yearly

Igbo: Kwá áfọ̀

English: Lifetime

Igbo: N’ògè ndụ́

English: Forever

Igbo: Ébíhíébí

English: Temporary

Igbo: Nwā ògè

English: Permanent

Igbo: Ná-àdị́gị̀dē

English: Flexible

Igbo: Ná-àgbánwē

English: Fixed

Igbo: Nọ̀gídé

English: Optional

Igbo: Nhọ́rọ́

English: Required

Igbo: Chọ́rọ́

English: Allowed

Igbo: Kwéré

English: Forbidden

Igbo: Jụ́rụ́ ajụ

English: Safe

Igbo: Ọ́ dị́ mmá

English: Dangerous

Igbo: Ìzé ndụ́

English: Serious

Igbo: Ímésí íké

English: Funny

Igbo: Ị́tọ́ ọ́chị́

English: Boring

Igbo: Ị́gwụ́ íké

English: Interesting

Igbo: Ị́dọ́rọ́ mmásị́

English: Exciting

Igbo: Ị́kpá áṅụ̀rị̀

English: Surprising

Igbo: Ị́tụ́ ányá

English: Disappointing

Igbo: gbárị́pụ́

English: Satisfying

Igbo: Íjú àfọ̀

English: Stressful

Igbo: Nrụ́gídé

English: Relaxing

Igbo: Ízīké

English: Tiring

Igbo: Ị́gwụ́ íké

English: Healthy

Igbo: Áhụ́íké

English: Sick

Igbo: Ọ́rị́a

English: Alive

Igbo: Ndụ́

English: Dead

Igbo: Nwụ́rụ́

English: Free

Igbo: nwéré ónwé

English: Busy

Igbo: Ọ́nọ̀ ọ́rụ́

English: Ready

Igbo: Njìkéré

English: Tired

Igbo: Ìké gwụ́rụ́

English: Hungry

Igbo: Ágụ́ụ́

English: Thirsty

Igbo: Ákpị̀rị̀ ị́kpọ́ nkụ́

English: Calm

Igbo: Jụ́ụ́

English: Nervous

Igbo: Ị́māririri

English: Confident

Igbo: Òbí íké

English: Unsure

Igbo: Éjíghi áká

English: Proud

Igbo: Mpákó

English: Ashamed

Igbo: Íhéré

English: Grateful

Igbo: Ékélé

English: Angry

Igbo: Íwé

English: Happy

Igbo: Òbí ụ́tọ́

English: Sad

Igbo: Mwùté

English: Lonely

Igbo: Áhụ́ọ́wụ̄

English: Loved

Igbo: Áhụ́rụ́ ná ányá

English: Respected

Igbo: Ásọ́pụ̀rụ́

English: Accepted

Igbo: Ánábátárá

English: Rejected

Igbo: Jụ́rụ́

English: Supported

Igbo: Kwádóró

English: Ignored

Igbo: eléghárá ányá

English: Trusted

Igbo: Ntụ́kwàsị́ òbí

English: Doubted

Igbo: Òbì àbụ́ọ́

English: Known

Igbo: Ámā

English: Unknown

Igbo: Ámághị́

English: Visible

Igbo: Ánā áhụ́ ányá

English: Invisible

Igbo: Ádị́ghị́ áhụ́ ányá

English: Audible

Igbo: ánụ́

English: Silent

Igbo: Ówū

English: Bright

Igbo: Ncháké

English: Dark

Igbo: Njī

English: Warm

Igbo: Ṅàràṅàrà

English: Cold

Igbo: Oyī

English: Hot

Igbo: Ọ́kụ́

English: Cool

Igbo: Jụ́ụ́

English: Wet

Igbo: Déré mmìrì

English: Dry

Igbo: Kpọ́rọ́ nkụ́

English: Smooth

Igbo: Mụ́rụ́mụ́rụ́

English: Rough

Igbo: Nkị̀rị̀kā

English: Soft

Igbo: Nrò

English: Hard

Igbo: Sírí íké

English: Light

Igbo: Mfé

English: Heavy

Igbo: Árọ́

English: Sharp

Igbo: Nkọ́

English: Dull

Igbo: Ọ́dị́ghị́ nkọ́

English: Fresh

Igbo: Ndụ́

English: Stale

Igbo: Ábọ́ọ́lá

English: Sweet

Igbo: Ụ́tọ́

English: Sour

Igbo: Ụ́kā

English: Bitter

Igbo: Ìlū

English: Salty

Igbo: Nnú nnú

English: Spicy

Igbo: Ọ́tọ́rị́rị́

English: Plain

Igbo: làrị̀

English: Mixed

Igbo: Ngwákọ́

English: Whole

Igbo: Zúrúókē

English: Broken

Igbo: Gbájírí

English: Fixed

Igbo: Émèzígō

English: Ready

Igbo: Njìkéré

English: Finished

Igbo: Ágwụ́gō

English: Ongoing

Igbo: Ọ́ nā-ágā

English: Complete

Igbo: Ézúgo

English: Incomplete

Igbo: Ózúghí

English: Active

Igbo: Ọ́nọ̀ ọ́rụ́

English: Inactive

Igbo: Ánọ̀ghị́ ọ́rụ́

English: Available

Igbo: Dị́

English: Unavailable

Igbo: Adị́ghị́

English: Possible

Igbo: kwéré ómùmè

English: Impossible

Igbo: kwéghi ómùmè

Learning Tip: Review and listen to this frequency word list multiple times, across different occasions, to get the most out of it as a learning resource for Igbo language.

FAQ

A frequency list is a ranked list of words based on how often they are used in a particular language. The words are typically ordered from most common to least common, using data gathered from spoken conversations, media, or other real-life language sources.
Because learning the most frequently used words first is the most efficient way to build practical vocabulary. You can quickly gain the ability to understand and communicate in everyday situations, by focusing on high-frequency words, making your learning process faster and more effective.
Yes. We’re actively working on making a physical workbook for the Basic Igbo Words study available in the near future.
You can use the Igbo Words Matcher game we’re developing on KWUO to practice what you learn. Keep an eye on OMS Labs releases for updates on the game.