nwoke mara mma
The English phrase "handsome man" is translated into Igbo as nwoke mara mma.
The phrase is used to describe a man who is physically attractive.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase nwoke mara mma, nwoke (man) serves as the subject while mara mma (is beautiful) functions as the descriptive predicate.
Did you know?
- Igbo is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used to say nwoke mara mma can change the meaning of the individual words. A slight shift in tone on mma could change the phrase from describing beauty to talking about a 'knife'.
- Because mma can also mean 'goodness' or 'virtue', calling a man 'handsome' can subtly imply he possesses a good character or heart.
- The word nwoke for 'man' is built from the components for 'child' and 'male', suggesting a man is seen as the grown version of a male offspring.
Examples in context
- Ọ bụ nwoke mara mma.He is a handsome man.
- Nke a bụ nwoke mara mma.This one is a handsome man.
- Nwa nwoke mara mma dị n'ime foto.A handsome man is in the photo.
Example conversation
Ada and Obinna are talking about a guest at a party.
- AdaObinna, lee nwoke mara mma ahụ!Obinna, look at that handsome man!
- ObinnaEe, ahụrụ m ya.Yes, I saw him.
- AdaỌ na-atọ ụtọ n'anya.He is pleasing to the eye.
- ObinnaỌ bụ ezigbo nwoke mara mma.He is a truly handsome man.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nwoke, CC BY-SA 4.0.
