Verb Names With i- or ị-

Level 1

Prefix + root: ị + ga, i + ri. The prefix follows vowel harmony.

How It Works

The name of a verb, its infinitive, begins with i- or ị-. It is also how you say “to go” or “going”. The prefix is chosen by the vowels of the root.

RootNameMeaning
gaịgato go
bịaịbịato come
gụịgụto read
riirito eat
meimeto do

In a sentence the verb usually appears as a root with endings (gara, riri) or after a helper such as na-. The word iri also means “ten”, so context decides.

Examples (5)

  1. ịga

    to go

    The root ga takes ị-.

  2. ịbịa

    to come

    Second-group root bịa takes ị-.

  3. iri

    to eat

    The first-group root ri takes i-.

  4. ịgụ akwụkwọ

    to read, to study

    The name works like a noun with its object.

  5. ime

    to do

    Me takes i-.

How It Connects

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

Verb Names With i- or ị-Level 1

Learn This First

The front vowel is chosen by harmony, so harmony comes first.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

gabịarigụi-