nnọọ
In Igbo, the English phrase welcome is expressed as nnọọ. Wiktionary also lists nno̱.
Meaning: greeting given upon someone's arrival (intj)
Ways to say it
| Igbo |
|---|
| nnọọ |
| nno̱ |
The phrase is used specifically to acknowledge someone's arrival at a place or event.
Which one should you use?
While nnọọ is a standard form, the variant nno̱ is also common in spoken or written Igbo, distinguished by slight tonal or orthographic variations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form nno̱ is a common variant used in both written and spoken Igbo.
When do people say it?
In traditional settings or cultural events, the phrase Igbo kwenu is used as a call-and-response greeting.
Did you know?
- The greeting nnọọ is fundamentally tied to the idea of 'staying' or 'remaining' rather than just arriving. It functions as an invitation for the visitor to feel settled and at home.
- Traditional Igbo hospitality often dictates that a 'welcome' is incomplete without the immediate offering of water or a kola nut to the visitor.
- Beyond greeting people, nnọọ can be used as an exclamation of relief when a long-awaited event or object finally arrives.
Examples in context
- Nnọọ nụ.Welcome (to more than one person).
Example conversation
Obinna greets Ifunanya as she arrives at his home.
- ObinnaNnọọ, Ifunanya!Welcome, Ifunanya!
- IfunanyaDaalụ, Obinna.Thank you, Obinna.
- ObinnaKedu ka ị mere?How are you doing?
- IfunanyaỌ dị m mma, imela.I am fine, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “welcome” translations and entries nnọọ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
