onye: Who
Onye + bụ + noun, or onye + verb.
How It Works
Onye also means “person”, which is why it appears in many job words such as onye nkuzi “teacher”. As a question word it comes first.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Onye bụ nwoke ahụ? | Who is that man? |
| Onye bịara? | Who came? |
| Onye bụ nne gị? | Who is your mother? |
The answer uses the same pattern as a statement: Ọ bụ Obi “It is Obi”.
When onye asks who did something, the verb follows it directly: Onye bịara? There is no bụ in that pattern.
Examples (4)
- Onye bụ nwoke ahụ?
Who is that man?
Bụ links onye and the noun.
- Onye bịara?
Who came?
Onye takes the place of the subject.
- Onye na-agụ akwụkwọ?
Who is reading?
Onye with na-.
- Onye bụ nne gị?
Who is your mother?
A family question.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Onye takes the place of the person after bụ, so bụ comes first.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
onye
Practice onye: Who in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Igbo lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
