Kedu ka i mere?
In Igbo, "how are you?" is said as Kedu ka i mere?
The phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being. In casual settings, you can shorten the phrase to Kedu? to mean "How are you?" or "What's up?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Kedu ka i mere? breaks down literally as Kedu (How), ka (that/as), i (you) and mere (did/happened).
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person or to show respect to an elder, replace the singular pronoun i with the plural/formal unu, resulting in Kedu ka unu mere?
When do people say it?
When someone asks Kedu ka i mere?, a common response is Ọ dị mma, which literally means "It is good" and is used to say "I am fine" or "It is well".
Did you know?
- Igbo is a tonal language, meaning that changing the pitch of your voice when saying Kedu can change the word's meaning entirely.
- In many Igbo communities, it is customary to greet elders with a slight bow or a gesture of respect before asking Kedu ka unu mere?
- When responding to Kedu ka i mere?, some speakers may add Chi fo to indicate that the well-being they feel is a gift from the divine.
Examples in context
- Kedu ka i mere?How are you?
- Nwanne m, kedu ka i mere?My sibling, how are you?
