ị ghọtara?
To say "do you understand?" in Igbo, use ị ghọtara?
This phrase is used to ask a question to determine if someone has comprehended the information you have provided.
Did you know?
- There is a subtle social nuance where asking ị ghọtara? too frequently to an elder can be perceived as patronizing, as if you are questioning their intelligence rather than your own clarity.
- Igbo is a tonal language, meaning that changing the pitch of the vowels in ị ghọtara? can change the meaning or turn the statement into a different part of speech.
- When speaking to an elder or a person of high status, the phrase changes to unu ghọtara?, using the plural form as a mark of respect even though only one person is being addressed.
Examples in context
- Ị ghọtara?Do you understand?
- Mkpụrụ okwu m, ị ghọtara?My words, do you understand?
- Ihe m kwuru, ị ghọtara?What I said, do you understand?
Example conversation
A teacher is explaining a lesson to a student.
- IfunanyaIhe m kọrọ gị, ị ghọtara?What I explained to you, do you understand?
- ObinnaEe, m ghọtara ihe ị kwuru.Yes, I understand what you said.
- IfunanyaỌ dị mma, Obinna.That is good, Obinna.
- ObinnaImeela, Ifunanya.Thank you, Ifunanya.
