n'ihi na: Because

Level 2

Result + n'ihi na + reason.

How It Works

The phrase n'ihi na means “because”.

ExampleMeaning
Emeka anọghị n'ụlọ n'ihi na ọ gara ahịa.Emeka is not at home because he went to the market.
Ana m amụ Igbo n'ihi na nne m bụ onye Igbo.I am learning Igbo because my mother is Igbo.

The apostrophe is the usual n' before a vowel (ihi). The reason clause has its own subject and verb. To ask for the reason, use gịnị mere.

Examples (4)

  1. Emeka anọghị n'ụlọ n'ihi na ọ gara ahịa.

    Emeka is not at home because he went to the market.

    N'ihi na starts the reason.

  2. Ana m amụ Igbo n'ihi na nne m bụ onye Igbo.

    I am learning Igbo because my mother is Igbo.

    The reason is a full clause.

  3. Anaghị m aga ahịa n'ihi na enweghi m ego.

    I do not go to the market because I have no money.

    A habit as the result.

  4. Ọ gara ahịa n'ihi na ọ chọrọ anụ.

    He or she went to the market because he or she wanted meat.

    A past result.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

n'ihi na: BecauseLevel 2

Learn This First

N'ihi na is na shortened before ihi, so the row on dropping a vowel comes first.

Words in This Pattern

n'ihi nan'ihi