daalụ
/dàá.lʊ́/
The English phrase "thank you" is said in Igbo as daalụ.
daalụ is an expression used to show gratitude.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /dàá.lʊ́/.
Did you know?
- When receiving a gift, an Igbo speaker might use daalụ alongside a gesture of using both hands to accept the item, as using one hand can be seen as impolite.
- The word daalụ is often repeated twice as daalụ daalụ to emphasize deep sincerity or a higher level of appreciation.
- While daalụ is the standard way to say 'thank you', in some Igbo dialects, people might say imela to express gratitude. imela literally translates to 'you have done well'.
Examples in context
- Enyi m, imeelaMy friend, thank you
- Nwanne m, imeelaMy sibling, thank you
- Daalụ maka nri a.Thank you for this food.
- Imeela, daalụ.Well done, thank you.
- Daalụ nke ukwuu.Thank you very much.
Example conversation
Ada gives Emeka a book.
- AdaEmeka, lee ihe a.Emeka, look at this.
- EmekaỌ bụ akwụkwọ ọkọwa asụsụ!It is a dictionary!
- EmekaDaalụ, Ada.Thank you, Ada.
- AdaỌ dị mma.You are welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries daalụ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
