π
Greetings
Say hello at any time of day β locals love hearing visitors try.
Mα»kα»m
Hello / Greetings
π /mo-KOM/
π‘A respectful all-purpose greeting. Use it everywhere.
Mesiere
Good morning
π /meh-see-EH-reh/
Emesiere
Good morning (to elders or a group)
π /eh-meh-see-EH-reh/
π‘Show extra respect to elders β it's expected.
Mesiere uwemeyo
Good afternoon
π /meh-see-EH-reh oo-weh-MEH-yo/
Mesiere mbubreyo
Good evening
π /meh-see-EH-reh m-boo-BREH-yo/
Idarade
Good night
π /ee-dah-RAH-deh/
Sα»sα»ngα»
Welcome / Thank you
π /soh-SONG-oh/
π‘Used both as 'welcome' and 'thank you'.
π€
Introductions
Break the ice when meeting locals.
Enyα»Γ± mi ediβ¦
My name isβ¦
π /eh-nying mee EH-dee/
Enyα»Γ± fo edi se?
What is your name?
π /eh-nying foh EH-dee seh/
Nsα»Γ±α» ndikα»₯t fi
Nice to meet you
π /n-SONG-oh n-dee-KOOT fee/
Nto America
I am from America
π /n-toh ah-MEH-ree-kah/
π‘Swap 'America' for your country.
Afo oto m'mα»Γ±?
Where are you from?
π /ah-FOH oh-toh m-MONG/
Ndi onyong
I am a visitor / tourist
π /n-dee on-YONG/
π
Courtesy
Polite words that open doors anywhere in Calabar.
π§
Directions & getting around
Find your way around town, the market, or the hotel.
Ebiet ewe⦠odu?
Where is the�
π /eh-bee-ET eh-weh OH-doo/
π‘Add a place name after 'ewe', e.g. hotel, market.
Ebiet ewe hotel odu?
Where is the hotel?
π /eh-bee-ET eh-weh ho-TEL OH-doo/
Ebiet ewe urua odu?
Where is the market?
π /eh-bee-ET eh-weh oo-ROO-ah OH-doo/
Mmα»Γ± ke nsan?
Is it far?
π /m-MONG keh n-SAHN/
Owo nyene ndinam mi udα»Γ±α»
I need a taxi
π /OH-woh n-YEH-neh n-dee-nahm mee oo-DON-goh/
Da mi keβ¦
Take me toβ¦
π /dah mee keh/
π‘Follow with the place name.
Bere mi mi
Stop here
π /BEH-reh mee mee/
ποΈ
Shopping & money
Bargain at Watt Market or pay for souvenirs.
Adi okuk ifan?
How much is it?
π /AH-dee oh-KOOK ee-FAHN/
Akan mi okuk
It is too expensive
π /AH-kahn mee oh-KOOK/
Nim okuk emi
Reduce the price
π /nim oh-KOOK EH-mee/
π‘Bargaining is normal and expected.
Nyene ndep emi
I want to buy this
π /n-YEH-neh n-DEP EH-mee/
Inyene okuk
I have money / I'll pay
π /ee-n-YEH-neh oh-KOOK/
Nnyene okuk-nkpα»
I don't have change
π /n-n-YEH-neh oh-KOOK n-k-POH/
π²
Food & drink
Order Efik classics like edikang ikong, afang and palm wine.
Γkpα» udia
Food
π /n-k-POH oo-DEE-ah/
Mmα»Γ±
Water
π /m-MONG/
Nyene udia
I am hungry
π /n-YEH-neh oo-DEE-ah/
Nyene mmα»Γ±
I am thirsty
π /n-YEH-neh m-MONG/
Edikang ikong, mbα»k
Edikang ikong, please
π /eh-dee-KANG ee-KONG m-BOK/
π‘A famous Efik vegetable soup β try it!
Eyere ke nsek?
Is it spicy?
π /eh-YEH-reh keh n-SEK/
Edi unen / inem
It is delicious
π /eh-DEE OO-nen ee-NEM/
Nα» mi bill, mbα»k
The bill, please
π /noh mee bill m-BOK/
π¬
Small talk
Everyday back-and-forth with friendly locals.
Afo edi didie?
How are you?
π /ah-foh EH-dee dee-DEE-eh/
N'dα»kpα»
I am fine
π /n-DOK-poh/
Mma
I am well / good
π /mmah/
Nyene mfα»n
I am happy
π /n-YEH-neh m-FON/
Calabar α»fα»n
Calabar is beautiful
π /kah-lah-BAR oh-FON/
π‘Locals love hearing this.
N'fiokke Efik
I don't speak Efik (well)
π /n-fee-OK-keh EH-feek/
π
Help & emergencies
Phrases to keep handy if something goes wrong.
Nyom un'wam
I need help
π /n-YOM oon-WAHM/
Kot doctor, mbα»k
Call a doctor, please
π /KOT DOK-tah m-BOK/
Nyene udα»Γ±α»
I am sick
π /n-YEH-neh oo-DON-goh/
Ebiet ewe α»₯fα»k ibα»k odu?
Where is the hospital?
π /eh-bee-ET eh-weh OO-fok ee-BOK OH-doo/
Mmiyak usα»₯Γ±
I am lost
π /m-mee-YAK oo-SOONG/
Kot police
Call the police
π /KOT poh-LEES/
π
Farewells
Leave a warm impression.