kedu ihe na-eme gị?
The English phrase "what is wrong with you?" is translated into Igbo as kedu ihe na-eme gị?
kedu ihe na-eme gị? is a question used to ask someone what is bothering them or what is causing them distress. Depending on your tone, it can be used to express genuine concern for someone's well-being or it can be used rhetorically to express frustration or annoyance at someone's behavior, much like the English phrase.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kedu (how/what), ihe (thing), na-eme (is happening/doing) and gị (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb eme is in the continuous aspect using the marker na-, which indicates an ongoing state or situation. The word gị serves as the second person singular possessive pronoun meaning "your".
Did you know?
- The word eme is a root that connects to the concept of 'doing' or 'making', meaning the phrase literally asks what is 'doing' you, treating the problem as an active force.
- In Igbo culture, if you use this phrase with an elder, it might be perceived as an aggressive challenge to their authority rather than a show of concern.
- Igbo is a tonal language, meaning that changing the pitch of the syllables in kedu ihe na-eme gị? can completely change the emotional urgency of the question.
Example conversation
Chidi notices Nneka looking very sad in the living room.
- ChidiNneka, kedu ihe na-eme gị?Nneka, what is wrong with you?
- NnekaAnọ m na-eche maka nwanne m.I am thinking about my sibling.
- ChidiỌ dịbeghị mma?Is everything not okay?
- NnekaỌ dịghị mma, ọ na-arịa ọrịa.It is not okay, they are sick.
