First, Second, Third
Nke + mbụ, abụọ, atọ, ikpeazụ.
How It Works
Order words use nke “the one” plus a number.
| Order | Igbo |
|---|---|
| first | nke mbụ |
| second | nke abụọ |
| third | nke atọ |
| last | nke ikpeazụ |
With a noun: ụbọchị nke abụọ “the second day”. Without tone marks, “two” and “second” look the same (abụọ), and the word nke tells them apart.
As with nke a, the word nke stands for a noun already named, so nke atọ is “the third one”. Higher numbers follow the same pattern, such as nke anọ “the fourth”.
Examples (4)
- Nke mbụ dị mma.
The first one is good.
Nke mbụ stands for a noun.
- Nke abụọ dị ọhụrụ.
The second one is new.
Nke abụọ is second.
- Nke atọ bụ nke m.
The third one is mine.
Nke atọ with bụ.
- Nke ikpeazụ dị ebe a.
The last one is here.
Ikpeazụ is last.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The order words are built from the numbers and use nke, so both come first.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
mbụnke abụọnke atọ
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