Language/Igbo/Grammar/Future-Tense
Hi Igbo learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the future tense in Igbo language. Future tense refers to actions or events that will happen in the future. We will provide you with examples and cultural information that will help you understand this concept.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Pronouns & Adjectives.
The Future Tense[edit | edit source]
The future tense in Igbo is formed differently depending on the verb class. However, for most verbs, the future tense is formed by adding "ga" or "gba" before the verb root. For example:
Igbo | Pronunciation | English | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ga-adịghị | [ɡa a-di-ɡʱi] | will not come | gbanụ | [ɡba-nu] | will buy | ga-amụ | [ɡa a-mu] | will eat | gbanwee | [ɡban-we-e] | will speak |
It is important to note that not all verbs follow this pattern. Some verb classes use "kwuo" or "kwe" to form the future tense.
Examples[edit | edit source]
Let's see some examples of the future tense in use:
- Person 1: Kelechi, gbanụ anya ube n'ọkụ? ([kelechi, gba-nu anya ube n'o-ku?] - Kelechi, will you buy some oranges at the market?)
- Person 2: Ee, ga-abanụ. ([e: ga-a-ba-nu] - Yes, I will buy them.)
- Person 1: Maka ndị na-ekwu etiti ya anya, ị ga-agachị n'elu ugha. ([maka ndi na-ekwu e-titi ya a-n-ya, i ga-a-ga-chi n'elu u-gha] - Because those who speak the same language will meet at the marketplace.)
- Person 2: N'ezie, ga-anwụ. ([n-ezie, ga-a-nwu] - Okay, I will try to come.)
Cultural Information[edit | edit source]
In Igbo culture, individuals are expected to make plans for the future and set goals. Knowledge and wisdom are valued and shared from generation to generation, particularly through storytelling. It is common for families to gather in the evenings and listen to stories passed down from their ancestors.
In addition, traditional Igbo celebrations such as the new yam festivals and masquerade festivals are carefully planned in advance. These festivals attract people from all over the region and showcase traditional Igbo culture through dance, music and storytelling.
Practice Exercise[edit | edit source]
Conjugate the following verbs in the future tense:
1) jiri 2) dị 3) bịa 4) nwụ 5) nye
Solutions[edit | edit source]
Igbo | Pronunciation | English | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ga-jịrị | [ɡa d͡ʒi-ri] | will see | ga-adị | [ɡa a-di] | will be | ga-abịa | [ɡa a-bi-a] | will come | ga-anwụ | [ɡa a-nwu] | will wear | ga-anye | [ɡa a-nje] | will give |
To improve your Igbo Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Future Tense Verbs in Igbo Language – Ezinaụlọ
- Igbo Grammar - Future Tense
- Past Tense Verbs in Igbo Language – Ezinaụlọ
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Give your Opinion
- Conditional Mood
- Negation
- Plurals
- How to Use Have
- How to Use Be
- Questions
- Pronouns
- Adjectives