Efik phrasebook

Efik (Usem Efịk) is the indigenous language of the efik people which spread across Cross River and Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria. The language became officially written in 1812 which was possible as a result of the effort of the local chief Eyo Nsa.

Pronunciation guide

  • Vowels

A a

E e

I i

O o

Ọ ọ

U u

  • Double Vowels (Diagraphs)

ai - akai (forest or jungle)

ia - ifia (firewood)

iọ - ebiọ (folly)

ọi - fọi (nudge)

ie - ebiet (place)

ei - dei (lick with the tongue)

io - obio (town)

oi - koi (dip and fill cup with liquid etc)

ua - urua (market)

ue - due (err)

uo - ibuot (head)

uọ - ebuọt (loan)

  • Cosonants

B b

D d

F f

G g

H h

K k

M m

N n

Ñ ñ

P p

R r

S s

T t

W w

Y y

  • Double Consonants (Diagraphs)

gh: tigha (kick)

kp: kpi (cut)

kw: kwat (scrape)

ny: nyam (sell)

ñw: ñwan (woman or wife)

Phrase list

Basics

Welcome
Emedi
How are you
Idem fo?
What’s your name?
Nso ke Ekot fi?
My name is Edet
Ekot mi Edet.
Good morning
Emesiere
Good afternoon
Mokom
Good night
Esiere
Goodbye
Ka di
How much is this?
Okuk ifang?
Please
Mbok
Sorry
Kpe
Safe Journey
Saña suñ
Thank you
Sosongo eti eti
Do you understand
Anwaña fi?
Sit down
Suk tie
Ufan
Friend
Where are you from?
Oto mmọñ?

Problem/Emergency

Go away!
Daga!
Leave me alone!
Sana mi yak!
Help!
Mbọk nwam mi!
Fire!
Ikañ!
Stop!
Tre!
Call the police!
Kot borisi!

Numbers

1
Kiet
2
Iba
3
Ita
4
Inaŋ
5
Ition
6
Itiokiet
7
Itiaba
8
Itiaita
9
Usukkiet
10
Duop
11
Duopekiet
12
Duopeba
13
Duopeta
14
Duopenaŋ
15
Efut
16
Efutkiet
17
Efureba
18
Efureta
19
Efurenaŋ
20
Edip
21
Edip Ye Kiet
22
Edip Ye Iba
23
Edip Ye Ita
24
Edip Ye Inaŋ
25
Edip Ye Ition
26
Edip Ye Itiokiet
27
Edip Ye Itiaba
28
Edip Ye Itiaita
29
Edip Ye Inaŋ
30
Edip Ye Duop
31
Edip Ye Duopkiet
32
Edip Ye Duopeba
33
Edip Ye Duopeta
34
Edip Ye Duopenaŋ
35
Edip Ye Efut
36
Edip Ye Efutkiet
37
Edip Ye Efureba
38
Edip Ye Efureta
39
Edip Ye Efurenaŋ
40
Aba
50
Aba Ye Duop
60
Ata
70
Ata Ye Duop
80
Anaŋ
90
Anaŋ Ye Duop
100
Ikie
101
Ikie Ye Kiet
110
Ikie Ye Duop
112
Ikie Ye Duopeba
120
Ikie Ye Edip
150
Ikie Ye Aba Ye Duop
200
Ikie Iba
300
Ikie Ita
400
Ikie Inaŋ
500
Ikie Ition
600
Ikie Itiokiet
700
Ikie Itiaba
800
Ikie Itiaita
900
Ikie Usukiet
1000
Tɔsin

Days

Sunday
Akwa Ederi
Monday
Akwa Eyibio
Tuesday
Ekpri Ikwọ
Wednesday
Ekpri Ọfiọñ
Thursday
Ekpri Ederi
Friday
Ekpri Eyibio
Saturday
Akwa Ikwọ

Months

January
Offiong Kiet
February
Offiong Iba
March
Offiong Ita
April
Offiong Inang
May
akeme inam
June
Offiong itiokeed
July
Offiong Itiaba
August
offiong itia- ita
September
Offiong usukkiet
October
Offiong duop
November
Offiong duopkiet
December
Offiong duopeba

Colors

Orange
sokoro
White
afia
Black
abubit
Yellow
jellow
Green
awawa
Red
idaidat

Part of the body

Breast
ɛ́ba
Brain
m̀frɛ̌
Head
ibuot
Nose
ibuo
Hand
ubok
Tongue
edeme
Leg
ukot
Lip
mkpok inua
Mouth
inua
Stomach
idip
Heart
esit

Family

Grandfather
etebom
Grandmother
ekam
Eldest daughter
àdj͡àɣá
Child
eyen
Father
ette
Mother
ama
Uncle
ayeneka ete
Cousin
ayen eyeneka ete(eka)
Nephew
ayen awoden ayeneka ete,eka

Food

Rice
edesi
Yam
bia
Cocoyam, wateryam or cassava porridge
Ekpañ Ñkukwọ
Corn pudding
Ekoki
Meat
unam
  • Soup

Edikang ikong Soup, Afang Soup (Vegetable Soup)

Ọtọñ soup (Okra Soup)

Abak Atama Soup (Palm nut Soup)

Iwuk efere (Fisherman Soup)

Afia efere (White Soup)

Learning more


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