/nʌ/
Definition:
NUH is a Nigerian Pidgin exclamation typically placed at the end of a question to emphasize curiosity, disbelief, suspicion, sarcasm, or rhetorical weight. Though short and simple, “NUH” plays a powerful role in conversation by adding an emotional charge. It’s not just a request for information—it reflects the speaker’s attitude toward the subject of the question.
For example, when someone says, “Na you chop all the food, NUH” the tone suggests more than a simple inquiry; it implies surprise or blame. Similarly, “You sabi wetin you dey do, NUH” can hint at suspicion or challenge. This small word gives listeners a cue about the speaker’s emotional stance and often determines how the question is interpreted.
Unlike English tag questions like “isn’t it?” or “don’t you?”, “NUH” is more fluid. It doesn’t require the sentence to be grammatically correct in English. It thrives in everyday street talk, social banter, and even dramatic moments in Nollywood films. Its informal nature keeps it grounded in spoken Pidgin rather than formal writing.
Listen to how NUH is pronounced in this short video below.
Usage Examples:
- Informal: “You wan comot wey you no wan tell person, NUH”
- Formal: “You’re only realizing this now, aren’t you?”
- Idiomatic: “The man just dey talk big big grammar, but he no know wetin he dey yarn, NUH”
Cultural Context:
Origin:
The origin of “NUH” is believed to stem from the British English tag “not so?” or “isn’t it?” that was creolized during colonial contact. Over time, as English blended with indigenous languages to form what we now call Nigerian Pidgin, many phrases were shortened, altered, and given local flavor.
“NUH” likely evolved as a clipped version of “not so?” or “is it not?”, adapted for quick speech and emotional expression. West African languages also influenced this transformation, especially Yoruba, where rhetorical question endings are common. In Yoruba, you might hear something like “abi?” or “se o ri e?” which also adds emotional tone to questions.
Because Pidgin is primarily spoken, not written, words like “NUH” develop more from usage than dictionaries. It’s the product of everyday interaction, urban slang, and cross-cultural blending. It survived generations and keeps adapting to new environments like online chats, skits, and music lyrics.
Regional Usage:
“NUH” is most commonly heard in Southern Nigeria, especially in states like Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa where Pidgin is widely spoken. In cities like Warri and Benin, “nuh” is almost second nature in daily conversations.
In these areas, it’s not just a question tag—it’s a tool of attitude. It appears in arguments, jokes, romantic banter, and social commentary. Youths use it freely on social media, particularly in tweets, memes, and skit captions.
Even though “NUH” is more prevalent in the South, it’s gaining national presence. Nollywood movies, Afrobeats lyrics, and comedy skits have helped spread it to Northern and Eastern Nigeria, where people might use it playfully or to mimic Southern expressions.
The beauty of “NUH” lies in its adaptability. Whether you’re in Port Harcourt or Onitsha, someone can use it to make a point more personal, emotional, or sarcastic.
Now it’s your turn! Can you use “NUH” in a sentence? Drop your sentences in the comments below. Make it funny, dramatic, or even romantic, anything goes! Let’s see how creative you can get with it.