ụtụtụ ọma, ọfụma m
The English phrase "good morning, my love" is translated into Igbo as ụtụtụ ọma, ọfụma m.
This is a romantic greeting used to wish a partner a good start to the day.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ọma means "good".
Which one should you use?
You can also use the alternative ụtụtụ ọma, nkem. The term nkem is a romantic way to say "my love" and literally translates to "my own".
Did you know?
- Igbo is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch used to say ụtụtụ can change the meaning of the word entirely if mispronounced.
- The pronoun m used in ọfụma m is a cognate of the word n̄ found in the Yoruba language.
- While ụtụtụ ọma is the literal translation for 'good morning', a typical greeting in many Igbo communities is considered incomplete without asking the other person how they slept.
Example conversation
Ada wakes up next to Emeka in their bedroom.
- AdaỤtụtụ ọma, ọfụma m.Good morning, my love.
- EmekaỤtụtụ ọma, Ada m.Good morning, my Ada.
- AdaKedu ka ị sịrị anọ?How was your sleep?
- EmekaỌ dị mma, nwunye m.It was good, my wife.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries m, CC BY-SA 4.0.
