The Igbo Language Club December Newsletter

Ekeresimesi ọma! Merry Christmas! The holiday season is a special time to reconnect with family, especially when visiting elders and loved ones. In Igbo culture, our language is a powerful tool for connection. Greetings, in particular, carry deep meaning, and even a few spoken phrases can show respect and warmth. In this newsletter, we look at phrases that you can incorporate in daily conversations, especially with family and friends during the holidays.

🗣️ Useful Igbo Expressions During this Holiday Season

• I am greeting you all (Hello everyone) — Ana m ekele unu

• Long time no see (It’s been long)! — Ọ tekwaala/ Ọ teego!

• Are you well? (How is your body?) — Arụ/ahụ gị ọ dịkwa?

  • My body is well — Arụ/ahụ dị m

• How are you? — Kedu?

• How are you? — Kedu ka ị dị?

• What’s up? — Kedu kwanụ?

  • I am good — Adị m mma

• How is your day going? — Kedu ka ụbọsị/ụbọchị gị si aga?

• How was your day? — Kedu ka ụbọsị/ụbọchị gị dị?

  • It is going (well) — Ọ na-aga (nke ọma/ọfụma)

• I am tired — Ike gwụrụ/gwụlụ m

• I am hungry — Agụụ na-agụ m

  • What will you eat? — Gịnị ka ị ga-eri/eli?

    • I want to eat ____ .— Achọrọ m iri/ili ____.

• Where are you going? — Ebee ka ị na-aga/na-eje?

  • I am going to ____. — Ana m aga/eje ____.

• God bless you — Chukwu gozie gị

🎄 Enhance Your Vocabulary

Commit to learning the following Igbo words and practice using them with friends and family during this holiday season.

📅 January Virtual Igbo Language Club Meeting

The first virtual meeting of 2026 is approaching! All 18+ are welcome to join, and beginners are especially encouraged to join. Start the new year off right by joining this meeting, meeting other learners, and practicing speaking Igbo!

🗓 Date: January 18th at 2 PM US Eastern Time (11 AM–12 PM US PT, 7–8 PM GMT / 8–9 PM WAT)
💻 Format: Virtual on Zoom

2026 will be a year of growth in language learning, with even more virtual and in-person meetings to look forward to. Remember to make language learning a daily practice. Small, consistent efforts help keep this beautiful language alive. Ka ọ dị! (Let it be / goodbye)