Telling the Time

Level 2

elekere + number: o'clock.

How It Works

Elekere is an Igbo word for “hour” or “clock”, and a number word follows it.

SayMeaning
elekere abụọtwo o'clock
Ọ bụ elekere atọ.It is three o'clock.
Elekere ole ka ọ bụ?What time is it?

Add a time of day to be clear: elekere ise n'ụtụtụ “five in the morning”. To say when something happens, use elekere and the number after the verb: Aga m abịa elekere ise. “I will come at five.”

Examples (4)

  1. elekere abụọ

    two o'clock

    The number follows.

  2. Ọ bụ elekere atọ.

    It is three o'clock.

    Ọ bụ names the time.

  3. Elekere ole ka ọ bụ?

    What time is it?

    A question; ole follows elekere.

  4. Aga m abịa elekere ise.

    I will come at five o'clock.

    A time of an event.

How It Connects

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

Telling the TimeLevel 2

Learn This First

The hour is a number and the time uses the parts of the day, so both come first.

Words in This Pattern

elekereabụọ