nwanne nwaanyị
The English word "sister" is translated to Igbo as nwanne nwaanyị.
nwanne nwaanyị refers to a woman or girl having the same parents.
Meaning: woman or girl having the same parents (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of nwanne (sibling) and nwaanyị (woman).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase nwanne nwaanyị is used as a singular noun.
Did you know?
- The term nwanne is derived from nwa meaning 'child' and anne meaning 'mother'. This means the Igbo word for 'sibling' literally translates to 'mother's child'.
- While nwanne nwaanyị is the literal term for sister, it is common to address an older sister as Ada if she is the first daughter of the family.
- While English uses 'sister' for both biological and religious contexts, using nwanne nwaanyị for a nun or a religious sister would sound strictly biological to an Igbo ear.
Examples in context
- Nwanne nwaanyị m dị mara mma.My sister is beautiful.
- Ọ bụ nwanne nwaanyị m.She is my sister.
Example conversation
Ifunanya and Emeka are talking about their family members.
- IfunanyaEmeka, nwanne nwaanyị gị ebe ka ọ nọ?Emeka, where is your sister?
- EmekaỌ nọ n'ụlọ akwụkwọ Ifunanya.She is at school, Ifunanya.
- IfunanyaỌ bụ nwanne nwaanyị gị kacha nwee akọla.Your sister is the most hardworking.
- EmekaEziokwu bụ na ọ sịrị m ya na-arụ ọrụ.It is true that she told me she is working.
