Agụụ na-agụ m
The Igbo phrase for "I am hungry" is Agụụ na-agụ m.
Use this phrase to express a physical need for food.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression literally translates to "Hunger is biting me". Agụụ means hunger, and na-agụ is the continuous form of the verb agụ, which means to bite or to consume.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun m at the end of the phrase functions as "me" or "I", indicating that the hunger is the subject acting upon the speaker. To say "we are hungry" or to use a more respectful plural form, you can change the pronoun to anyị to say Agụụ na-agụ anyị.
Did you know?
- The verb agụ used for hunger is a multi-purpose word that can also mean 'to study' or 'to count' in other contexts.
- The pronoun m used for 'me' in this phrase has a linguistic relative in the Yoruba language, where a similar sound serves a similar grammatical purpose.
- The structure of the phrase makes 'hunger' the active subject, meaning you are the recipient of the hunger's actions.
Examples in context
- Agụụ na-agụ m ugbu a.I am hungry right now.
- Agụụ na-agụ m nke ukwu.I am very hungry.
- Maka na agụụ na-agụ m, m chọrọ nri.Because I am hungry, I want food.
Example conversation
Ifeanyi and Nneka are walking home from school.
- IfeanyiNneka, agụụ na-agụ m.Nneka, I am hungry.
- NnekaMụ na-agụ agụụ kwa.I am hungry too.
- IfeanyiKedu ihe anyị ga-eri?What should we eat?
- NnekaKa anyị rie ji na egbe.Let us eat yam and egg.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries m, CC BY-SA 4.0.
