onye ohi
The Igbo word for "thief" is onye ohi.
onye ohi is used to describe a person who carries out theft.
Meaning: one who carries out theft (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of onye, meaning "person" and ohi, meaning "theft" or "stealing".
Did you know?
- In some traditional Igbo contexts, an onye ohi is not only someone who steals physical objects but can also be a person who steals a secret or a spiritual power.
- In traditional Igbo justice, someone accused of being an onye ohi might have faced a trial by oath or a specific ordeal to prove their innocence.
- The Igbo word onye shares a common ancestor with the Yoruba word ẹni, both of which mean 'person'.
Examples in context
- Onye ohi ahụ gbara ọsọ.That thief ran away.
- Onye ohi kpọrọ ego m.A thief took my money.
Example conversation
Chidi and Nneka are talking about a missing phone.
- ChidiNneka, agbaala m efu ekwentị m.Nneka, I cannot find my phone.
- NnekaỊ chere na onye ohi ewepụrụ ya?Do you think a thief took it?
- ChidiEe, onye ohi nwere ike ịbịa ebe a.Yes, a thief might have come here.
- NnekaKa anyị gaa gwa ndị uche.Let us go tell the authorities.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries onye, CC BY-SA 4.0.
