nwanne m nwaanyị
The English phrase "my sister" is nwanne m nwaanyị in Igbo.
The phrase nwanne m nwaanyị is used to specifically denote a female sibling of the speaker. While this form is gender-specific, you may also encounter the shorter phrase nwanne m, which translates to "my sibling" and can be used to refer to both brothers and sisters informally.
Did you know?
- While nwanne m nwaanyị is grammatically precise, an Igbo speaker might simply call a sister ada if she is the firstborn daughter.
- In many Igbo dialects, the word for 'sibling' is nwanne, which literally combines the words for 'child' and 'together'.
- In traditional Igbo society, an older sister often holds a position of authority over younger siblings that is more formal than the English concept of 'big sister'.
Examples in context
- A bụ nwanne m nwaanyị.She is my sister.
Example conversation
Ifeanyi and Ifunanya are talking about their family members.
- IfeanyiIfunanya, nwanne m nwaanyị dị ebe a.Ifunanya, my sister is here.
- IfunanyaỌ bụ nwanne gị?Is she your sister?
- IfeanyiEe, ọ bụ nwanne m nwaanyị.Yes, she is my sister.
- IfunanyaỌ mara mma.She is beautiful.
