onye nzuzu
The Igbo word for stupid is onye nzuzu.
In Igbo you express this concept by using a noun phrase that refers to a person. You use onye nzuzu to describe someone who is lacking in intelligence.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of onye, meaning person and nzuzu, meaning stupidity or foolishness. Literally, it means 'a person of foolishness'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Igbo, the adjective 'stupid' is often expressed as a noun phrase referring to a person rather than a standalone adjective. To say 'stupid' as an adjective describing a person, you use the noun phrase onye nzuzu.
Did you know?
- While onye nzuzu means 'stupid person', Igbo speakers may use complementary phrases involving the head isi to describe specific types of mental lapses.
- In many dialects of Igbo, calling someone onye nzuzu is a much heavier social insult than simply calling someone 'stupid' in English.
- The word onye is a linguistic relative to the Yoruba word ọni and the Igala word ẹnẹ̀.
Examples in context
- Ọ bụ onye nzuzu.He is a stupid person.
- Onye nzuzu na-eme ihe na-enweghị echeuzo.A stupid person acts without thinking.
Example conversation
Ada and Obinna are arguing about a mistake Obinna made.
- AdaObinna, gịnị mere i ji mee ihe a?Obinna, why did you do this?
- ObinnaAnaghị m ama ihe merenụ.I don't know what happened.
- AdaI nwere obi onye nzuzu!You have the heart of a stupid person!
- ObinnaBiko, gbaghara m.Please, forgive me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries onye, CC BY-SA 4.0.
