Gịnị ka ị na-eme?
Gịnị ka ị na-eme? is the Igbo phrase for "what are you doing?"
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their current activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to "What is it that you are doing?" The word ka acts as a relative pronoun or linker in this sentence structure, connecting the question word to the subject.
Which one should you use?
To ask the same question to a group of people, replace the singular pronoun ị with the plural pronoun unu in Gịnị ka unu na-eme?
Did you know?
- In many Igbo cultures, asking Gịnị ka ị na-eme? to an elder can be seen as too direct. It is often more polite to first ask about their health or the day before inquiring about their activity.
- In many Igbo dialects, if you are asking a person of higher social status or an elder, you would not use ị but would replace it with the respectful plural pronoun unu even if speaking to only one person.
- Because Igbo is a tonal language, the meaning of the words within the question can shift entirely if the pitch is raised or lowered incorrectly, potentially changing the subject of the sentence.
Example conversation
Obinna calls Ifunanya on the phone.
- ObinnaNdewo Ifunanya, gịnị ka ị na-eme?Hello Ifunanya, what are you doing?
- IfunanyaObinna, m na-agụ akwụkwọ m.Obinna, I am reading my book.
- ObinnaỊ nwere oge ka anyị gaa n'etiti?Do you have time for us to go outside?
- IfunanyaEe, m ga-abịa ugbu a.Yes, I will come now.
