gịnị mere
The Igbo phrase for "why" is gịnị mere.
gịnị mere is used as an interrogative adverb when you want to ask for the reason or cause of something.
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, gịnị mere translates to "what happened" or "what occurred" to express the concept of why.
How does it change in a sentence?
gịnị mere functions as an interrogative adverb to ask for a reason.
Did you know?
- If you want to ask 'why' regarding a person's character or a permanent state, you would use different words entirely rather than the 'event-based' gịnị mere.
- In some Igbo communities, asking gịnị mere too abruptly can be seen as confrontational. It is often softened with introductory particles to avoid sounding like an accusation.
- While gịnị mere is standard, the tone of your voice is vital because Igbo is a tonal language. A slight shift in pitch can change a question into a statement about a 'thing' that happened.
Examples in context
- Gịnị mere ị na-agba?Why are you running?
- Gịnị mere i ji aga ebe ahụ?Why are you going there?
- Gịnị mere ọ na-atọ ụra?Why is he sleeping?
Example conversation
Ada and Chidi are talking about a missed meeting.
- AdaChidi, gịnị mere i ji abịa n'oge?Chidi, why didn't you come on time?
- ChidiỤzọ ahụ juju nwere traffic.The road had traffic.
- AdaGịnị mere i ji agwa m ugbu a?Why are you telling me now?
- ChidiIhe ahụ mere m nwee nsogbe.That is why I had a problem.
