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Ebira (also known to their Yoruba-speaking neighbors as Egbura or Igbira ) is a divergent Nupoid language spoken in the North Central region of Nigeria. Native speakers can be found in Kogi state, Nassarawa state, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kwara state, Niger State, Benue state, Edo state and Ondo State. Ebira people refer to speakers of their common language as, "Anebira."

Pronunciation guide

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  • Vowels

A - |ah|

E - roughly like |ei|, with less emphasis on the |I| sound

Ẹ - |eh| as in egg

I - as in issue

O - as in ocean

Ọ - |aw|

U - |oo|

  • Consonants

B

CH

D

G


H

J

K

M

N

NGW

NYH

P

R

S

Ṣ - as in shower

T

V

W

Y

Z

Zh - pronounced as in garage

All consonants are otherwise pronounced as they are in English.

Fun fact: the double consonant "gb", which is common to other Niger-Congo languages in the area, including Yoruba, does not exist in Ebira language. For this reason, native Ebira speakers with Yoruba as a second language tend to pronounce 'b' instead of 'gb' unless they consciously avoid doing so.

Phrase list

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Basics

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How are you?
Etemeya?
I am fine
Ma dahi
Hello
Ngwao
Hope you are fine?
Wadahi OR Avu dahi?: How is work?: Akoro yo?: How is your father?: Inda u yo? OR Ada u yo?:: How is your mother?: Inyha u yo? OR Onyha u yo?: He/she/it is fine.: O dahi
Long time no see
Anyari Ekuhi Eta
What is your name?
Ireha awu ri?
I thank God
Ma ku Ohomorihi Avo
Come and Eat
Ve Varisa
Please
Arihini
How much is this?
Oya Osoni vi?
Wait for me
Je zimi
Welcome
Nyhasẹ (from a journey), Anyharusẹ (from a short outing)
Good morning
Anyhene
Good afternoon
Anyhaọọdu
Good evening
Anyhaoruva
Goodbye
Adijọ
Goodnight
Aduhuọ : Since morning: Hurenene

Problems

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Come back
Vave
Leave me alone
Navomi he: To give a beating: Nyha-isa: Move out of the way: : Huroze:

Numbers

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1
Ọọnyi
2
Ẹẹva
3
Ẹẹta
4
Ẹẹna
5
Ẹẹhi
6
Ihinoyi
7
Ihimba
8
Ihinta
9
Ihina
10
Ẹẹwu
15
Ẹẹwu Ri Ẹẹhi
20
Oohu
25
Oohu Rẹhi
30
Oohu Rẹwu
35
Oohu Rẹwu Rẹhi
40
Ẹbẹẹva
50
Ẹbẹẹva Rẹwu
60
Ẹbẹẹta
70
Ẹtarẹwu
80
Ẹbẹẹna
90
Ẹẹna rẹwu
100
Ẹchẹhi
120
Ẹchi Hinonyi
140
Ẹchi Himba
160
Ẹchi Hinta
180
Ẹchi Hiina
200
Irẹka
300
Irẹka ri Ẹchẹhi
400
Akava
500
Akava ri Ẹchẹhi
600
Akata
700
Akata ri Ẹchẹhi
800
Akana
900
Akana ri Ẹchẹhi
1000
Akahi
2000
Akawu

Time (Úmé)

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Clock time

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Duration

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Year
Irayi
Month
Uhwẹ
Week
Ọsẹ
Morning
Ẹnẹnẹ
Afternoon
Ọọdu
Evening
Oruva
Night
Irahu

Days

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Monday
Osi’nyhima
Tuesday
Asuvuri
Wednesday
Ihiovi
Thursday
Asipita
Friday
Opotu
Saturday
Uhuotu
Sunday
Amoto

Months

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January
Etudaiye
February
Oyioji
March
Iruwa
April
Ireba
May
Orenyhi
June
Ori
July
Ageva
August
Engw’ome
September
Opisa
October
Okoruwa
November
Ododo
December
Obaji

Colors (Achẹrẹ)

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Ọvwọọvu
White.
Ojooji
Black.
Ovivi
Red.
Odozeyiri
Yellow.
Ọrẹ̀
Purple.
Ivuru
Blue.
Ọnidaadu
Brown.
Angẹrẹ
Green.
Ọnatiti
Pink.
Ọnakọkọ
Orange.
Ọnatitọ
Ash.

Transportation

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Musical Instruments (Enya Isohu)

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Agidibo
Slit Drum
Use
Metal Gong
Eze/Anuva
Pot Drum
Okokoro
Local Flute
Ugogonyi
Talking Drum
Okanga
Mambrane Drum
Ikakanchi
Trumpet
Ahihya
Gourd Rattle
Uhwere
Whistle
Ijabana
Tension Drum
Ichekene
Rattle
Izenyi
Small Bells
Okokoro Oyivo
Flute
Opanyi
Horn
Ireha
Big Local Bells

Part of the body

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Head
Iresu
Finger
Igege
Wrist
Eguvo
Hand
Uvo
Waist
Öte
Stomach
Ireka
Thigh
Usi
Knee
Idunku
Foot
Otutu-ahu
Toe
Igege-inàhu
Ankle
Ibezi-ahu
Leg
Aahu
Teeth
Anyi
Navel
Iraje
Elbow
Okuvo
Eye
Eyi
Nose
Aahi
Cheek
Abami
Chin
Irewa
Mouth
Irenu
Neck
Ororko
Nails
Apara-igege
Heel
Ege-ahu
Chest
Irachi
Hair
Éyi
Back
Irema
Shoulder
Oguza
Breast
Ireva
Eyebrow
Egorgor
Eyelids
Papame-eyi
Armpit
Arivava
Feet
Petahu

Family

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Father
Àdá
Mother
Onyi
Child
Ozi
Grandchild
A’azi

Food

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Pounded yam
Iya
Porridge Beans
Epete
Cassava/Yam Flour
Uka
Moi-Moi (steamed cake) from Water Yam
Ọve
Moi-Moi (steamed cake) from unpeeled beans
Àpápà
Maize
Àpáapà
Beans Soup
Epeza
Egg
Ajẹ
Meat
Uye
Fried bean cake
Akara
Garden Egg Soup
Ebatu Soup


Animal

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Fish
Ivovo
Chicken
Ahue
Snake
Ewu
Monkey
Anchere
Spider
Arahi
Lion
Udu
Ram
Ideba

Learning more

[edit]


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