nne nne
/ń̩né ń̩né/word by word
The Igbo word for grandmother is nne nne.
nne nne is used to refer to the mother of someone's parent.
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a reduplication of nne, which means 'mother'. Literally, it translates to 'mother mother'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my grandmother', you add the possessive pronoun m (my) to the end of the phrase, resulting in nne nne m.
How do you pronounce it?
/ń̩né ń̩né/
Did you know?
- In many Igbo cultures, children may use nne nne to address any elderly woman of a respected status, even if there is no biological relation.
- While nne nne means 'mother mother', the term for grandfather is nna nna, which literally means 'father father'.
- In some Igbo dialects, the role of the nne nne is seen as a primary source of oral history and folklore for grandchildren.
Examples in context
- Nne nne m dị mma.My grandmother is good.
- Nne nne ya na-esi nri.His grandmother cooks food.
- Obi chọrọ ịhụ nne nne ya.Obi wants to see his grandmother.
Example conversation
Chioma and Chidi are talking about their family visit.
- ChiomaỊ ga-ahụ nne nne m echi?Will you see my grandmother tomorrow?
- ChidiEe, m ga-aga leta ya.Yes, I will go visit her.
- ChiomaỌ ga-enwe obi ụtọ.She will be happy.
- ChidiM hụrụ nne nne gị n'anya.I love your grandmother.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (nne) and can differ in connected speech.
