Vocabulary
Weye
"Weye" can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, functioning as a translation for 'let' or 'leave,' and is treated as a past tense marker.
using weye"" at the beginning of a sentence
Dholuo | English |
Weye | leave it |
weye odhi | Let him/her go |
weye onyier | let him laugh |
"Weye" in the middle of a sentence
Dholuo | English |
Awacho ni weye otime | I said let it be done |
Dak i weye odhi | Why don't let him/her go? |
"Weye" at the end of a sentence. Weye at the end of a sentence becomes past tense and leave is used..
Dholuo | English |
Awacho ni we. | I've said leave |
Kik Iweye odhi sani | Don't let him/her leave now . |
"Ok" is translated as not in English. It can be used with cannot, should not, have not, has not etc.
When ok is used at the start of a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
Ok idhi | You are not going. |
Ok wadhi | We are not going. |
Ok gidhi | They are not going. |
Okelo ok nitie kanyo | Okelo is not there |
Rech ok nitie kanyo | Fish is not there. |
Kado ok nitie kanyo | Salt is not there |
“Ok” at the beginning of a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ok onyal time. | He/she cannot do it. |
Ok iwachi. | You are not saying . |
Ok iwuogi | You are not leaving. |
Ok gidhi. | They are not going |
Ok wan jok ma richo. | We are not bad people. |
"OK" in the middle of a sentence
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Wan ok wadhi. | We are not going |
Maka ok gin joma beyo. | Those are not good people |
Un ne ok un kanyo | You guys were not there |
Okello ok nikanyo. | Okello is not there. |
Ji ok ni kanyo | People are not there. |
"Ma" is translated as the in English.
Dholuo | English |
Ma chon. | The Old. |
Ma nyien. | The new. |
Ma oroch. | The renewed. |
Ma riek | The Clever. |
Ma okwok. | The rotten. |
Ma welo. | The visitor. |
Ma orumo. | The finished. |
Ma ogik. | The end. |
Ma ber. | The good. |
Ma rach. | The bad. |
Ja is translated to a or an in English
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ja kwo. | A thief. |
Ja rieko. | A smart/clever person. |
Ja chode. | A harlot. |
Ja chan. | A deprive person. |
Ja wuoro | A glutton person. |
Ja mrima. | An impulsive person. |
Ja athuwe. | An instigator. |
Ja telo. | A leader. |
Ja rieko | An intelligent person. |
Mar is translated to for in English.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Mar rweko. | for coronation |
Mar kadho. | for passing |
Mar kelo. | for bringing |
Mar somo | for studying |
Mar otieno. | for evening |
Mar okinyi. | for morning |
mar otieno. | for night |
Mar odiochieng' | for afternoon |
Mar odiwuor | for midnight |
Di is however translated to quantifiers or predeterminers if used with numbers
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Di chiel | once |
Di riyo | twice |
Di dek | thrice |
Di ng'wen | four times. |
Di bich | five times |
Di uchiel | six times |
Di biriyo | seven times |
Di boro | eigh times |
Di ochiko | nine times |
Di par | ten times |
“Kende” is translated in English as only
English | Dholuo |
---|---|
Only you | In kende |
Only us | Wan kende |
only them | Gin kende |
Kende use for counting
English | Dholuo |
---|---|
Only one tribe | Jo dhoot achiel kende |
Only one cup of water | Okombe mar pi achiel kende. |
"Kata" is translated as or in Luo.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Otim kata Anyango | Otim or Anyango |
Gin kata wan | Them or us |
Weye gwuok kata tweyo | Leaving dog or tying |
Gi is translated as and in English
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Gin gi wan | them and us |
un gi gin | you and them |
Min yawuoyi gi nyiri | mother of boys and girls |
Gi is translated in English as with
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Apiyo gi Ochieng' | Apiyo with Ochieng' |
Riyo gi Pi | Thirst with water |
Atum gi asero | Bow with arrow |
Polo gi piny | heaven with earth |
Apuoyo gi oyieyo | A hare and a rat |
Kaka is translated as like in English.
English | Dholuo |
---|---|
Like that | Kaka macha |
Like this | Kaka mani |
Like these | Kaka magi |
Like those | Kaka maka |
Kido is character
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Kite ber | His/her character is good |
Kite rach | He/she character is bad |
Plural
kit has a word "gi" which is a pronoun.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Kit gi ber | Their character is good |
Kit gi richo | Their character is bad |
Ok is translated as cannot in English.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ok ginyal bibiro | they cannot come. |
Ok gi ginyal timo. | They cannot do it. |
Ok ginyal tieko nikech Nyasaye nitiere kodgi. | They cannot finish because God is with them. |
Ok wanyal dhi. | We cannot go. |
Wacho means tell.
"Wach" at the beginning of a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Wach na | Tell me. |
Wach ne gin. | Tell them. |
Wach nwa . | Tell us. |
Wach ne | Tell him, her or it. |
Wachne Okello. | Tell Okello. |
"Wach" is used with "gi". If "gi" is used, it means them.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Wach ne gi ni wasechako wuoth | Tell them that we have started the journey. |
Wach ne gi ni ok ginyal timo. | Tell them that they cannot do it. |
Wach ne gi ni wan jopur. | Tell them that we are farmers. |
Wach ne gi ni gitem. | Tell them to try. |
Wach ne gi ni onge tugo | Tell them that there is no joke. |
'Wach' can also be used with 'na/ne' which means to.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Wach na | Tell me. |
Wach ne gin | Tell them. |
Wach ne Olum. | Tell Olum. |
Wach ne mariek cha | Tell the smart ones. |
Wach ne jorieko ni piny okbi rumo. | Tell the scientist that the world will never finish. |
Wach can also be used with ne which means she, him, it.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Wach ne. | Tell him. |
Wach ne ni orumo | Tell him or her that it is finished. |
Wach ne ni wa biro. | Tell him/her that we are coming. |
Wach ne ni yiero chiegni . | Tell him or her that election is near. |
Wach ne ni ondik oboke. | Tell him or her to write a letter. |
Kata is translated as even if in English.
English | Dholuo |
---|---|
I will go even if it is late. | Abiro dhi kata ka oselewo. |
I will remove his coat even if it is wet. | Abiro golo kode kata ka ongi'ch |
I will go to the garden to dig even if there is no rain. | Obiro dhi e puodho puro kata ka koth onge. |
I will hire employees even if there is no money. | Abiro ndiko jotich kata ka aonge pesa |
Language school is a good school even if there is no audiences yet. | Skul mar pwuonjo dhok ber kata ka onge ji |
Use of kata with and(if).
English | Dholuo |
---|---|
We need seven teachers even if we will get them South Sudan and Ethiopia. | Wadwaro jopuonj abiriyo kata ka wabiro yudogi Sudan ma Milambo gi Ethiopia |
We are going to play soccer even with Ochieng and Opiyo. | Wabiro tugo adhula kata gi Ochieng gi Opiyo |
Our sweet potatoes is ripe even if there is no rain and water. | Rabuond wa ochiek kata ka koth gi pii onge |
We were hunters even if we didn't learn from our father and uncles. | Wan jodwar kata ka ne ok wapwonjore koa kwom wuonewa gi nerewa. |
We are weak even if we have soul and spirit. | Ne wajony kata ka wan gi chuny gi roho . |
Use of kata (even) and ki(if).
English | Dholuo |
---|---|
Even if I don't have my eyes, I will go. | Kata ka go aonge wengena, abiro dhi. |
Even if the sun will not be there, moon will help us light. | Kata ka chieng' biro bedo maongo, dwe biro konyowa e ler |
Even if its cold, its midday. | Kata ka piny ngich, en odiochieng' |
Use of the word “bende”
"Bende" is a Luo term that translates to "also." Typically employed within the middle of a sentence, it occasionally finds its place at the end of a statement
Using the word “bende” in the middle of a sentence
English | Dholuo |
I am also going | An bende adhi |
We are also going | Wan bende wadhi |
You are also goi | In bende idhi |
Are you also a Luo | In bende ijaluo |
He is also one of us | En bebde en achiel kodwa |
Using the word “bende” at the end of a sentence
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
In bende | you also |
wan bende | we also |
gin bende | them also |
Akawe bende? | should I take also? |
Awiro mo e wang'a bende | I put lotion on my face also |
Ket kado bende | put in salt also |
Weye okwa ng'wono bende | Let him/her apologise also |
"Bathe" is translated to English as side.
Yo at the beginning of sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Bathe nyime | forward side |
Bathe chien | Backward side |
Bathe acham | Left side |
Bathe achwich | Right side |
Bath aora | River side |
Bathe okinyi | Morning side |
Bathe odhiambo | evening side |
Bathe odiwor | Night side |
Bathe odiochieng' | Midday side |
Ewi also means on in English.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ewi dhogi | on your mouth |
Ewi tiendi | On your leg |
Ewi onding'i | On your back |
Ewi koki | on your nail |
E wiyi | on your head |
Ewi lweti | on your hand |
Yo in the middle of sentence
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Adogi yo ka pur | Let me return to the digging side |
Wa dogi yo ka lwok | let us turn to the bathing side |
Gi biro yo ka kwang | They are coming to the swimming side |
Un umako rech yo aora | You(pl) catch fish on the river side |
Chendo is translated to English as disturbance or Nuisance.
a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
I chendo | your nuisance |
Gi chendo | They are nuisance |
Wa chendo | We are nuisance |
Ji chendo | people are nuisance |
Chendo at the end of a sentence
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
We chendo | leave nuisance |
Itiyo tij chendo | Doing nuisance |
wacho nono | talking nonsense/nuisance |
kelo chendo | Bringing nuisance |
Fuwo is translated to english as stupid/ nonsense.
Fuwo at the beginning of a sentence
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
fupi | your nonsense/stupidity |
Fupgi | their nonsense/stupidity |
Fupwa | our nonsense/stupidity |
Fuwo mar adier. | truly nonsense |
Fuwo at the end of a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
We fuwo | leave nonsense |
wachi fuwo | talking nonsense |
Timo fuwo | Doing nonsense |
Otimo fuwo | he/she is doing nonsense |
Kanyakla is translated to english as accumulative.
Kanyakla at the beginning of a sentence
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Kanyakla marii | your accumulative |
Kanyakla margi | their accumulative |
kanyakla marwa | our accumulative |
Kanyakla mare | His/her accumulative |
Cumulatively at the end of a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
We kanyakla | leave cumulative |
Wacho kanyakla | talking cumulatively |
timo kanyakla | Doing cumulatively |
Otimo kanyakla | he/she is doing cumulatively |
Apoya is translated in English as suddenly.
Apoya at the end of sentence.
English | Dholuo |
---|---|
he/she comes suddenly | Obiro apoya nono |
he/she arrives suddenly | Ochopo apoya |
he/she walks suddenly | Owoto atura |
he/she loves suddenly | Onyero atura |
Apoya with Ang'o
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ang'o ma okeli apoya? | what brings you suddenly? |
Ang'o momiyo ibiro apoya? | Why makes you come suddenly? |
Ang'o momiyo idhi apoya? | whay have you gone suddenly? |
Ang'o ma ibiro godo apoya? | what did you come with suddenly |
Apoya with Ng'a
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ng'a ma omiyo ibiro apoya? | who makes you comes suddenly? |
Ng'a ma owacho ni ibi apoya? | Who told you to come suddenly? |
Nga ma o oro in atura? | Who told you to come suddenly? |
Ng'a mane ibiro go apoya? | Who did you come with suddenly? |
Apoya with ang'o
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ang'o momiyo ibiro apoya | why did you come suddenly? |
Ang'o momiyo iwuok oko apoya | Why did you get out suddenly? |
Dak ne iwinje apoya? | Why didn't you listen to him/her suddenly? |
Nonro is translated as research in English.
Nonro at the end of a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Tich mar nonro | Research work |
Bech nonro | research price |
Nonro mar somo | Educational research |
Twak mar nonro | research talk |
Nonro mar goyo thum | Music playing research |
Nonro mar lamo | Preaching research |
Ng'erruok mar nonro | research popularity |
Nonro and Interrogatives
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Nonro en ang'o? | what is a research? |
Ja nonro en ng'a? | who is a researcher? |
Nonro mane? | which research? |
Ang'o momiyo en ja nonro? | Why is he/she a researcher? |
Ng'erre is translated as popularity in English.
Ng'erruok at the beginning of sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ng'erruok mar oganda cha | The popularity of that tribe |
Ng'erruok marwa | our popularity |
Ng'erruok mara | my popularity |
Ngerruok mar jatich | employee's popularity |
Ngerre with interrogatives
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
ang'o ma ong'ere? | What is popular? |
Ng'ano maong'ere? | Who is popular? |
Ang'o momiyo gi ng'ere? | why are they popular? |
Mane ma ong'ere? | which one is popular? |
Wichkuot mean shame in English.
Wichkuot (shame)
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Wiya okuot | I am ashamed |
Chandore gi wichkuot | struggling with shame |
Mano ne tim mar wichkuot | That was a shameful act |
Ng'at cha ne wiye okuot | That person was ashamed |
Jatelo (A leader)
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Jatelo mar ji | leader of people |
Jatelo mar tedo | leader of cook |
Jatendwa | our leader |
Jatelo mar chwo | leader of men |
Jatelo and interrogatives
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Jatelo ma | What leader |
Jatend ng'a? | whose leader? |
Ang'o ma omiyo jatelo | why a leader? |
Jatelo mar ji | The people's leader |
Apoya is translated as abruptly in English.
Apoya at the beginning of a sentence.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Ochopo apoya | He/she came abruptly |
Ne owacho wachno apoya | he/she said that word accidently |
Nene apo kanene | I saw him abruptly |
Pore with interrogatives
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Gino ne opore | That thing was abruptly |
Ne en apoya? | Was it abruptly? |
Mane ma opore? | Which one was abrupt? |
Ang'o momiyo opore? | why it is is abruptly? |
Yudo is translated as found in English.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Oyuda | he/she has found me |
Oyudowa | he/she has found us |
Oyudo gi | he/she has found them |
oyudo u | he/she has found you(pl) |
Yudo past tense.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Uyudo wa | You have found us |
Inyalo yudgi | they can be found |
Inyalo yudwa | we can be found |
Inyalo yuda | I can be found |
Yudo and interrogatives.
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
nga ma oyudi? | who found you? |
Ang'o ma oyudi? | What has been found? |
Dak iyudo | why couldn't find? |
Mane ma inyalo yudi? | which one can be found? |
Sigana(story)
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Goyo sigana | Telling story |
Wacho sigana | saying story |
Somo sigana | studying a story |
puonjo sigana | teaching a story |
Nyamo (chewing)
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
nyamo kambula | Chewing cud |
nyamo alot | chewing vegetable |
nyamo ringo | chewing meat |
Choko (gather/fetch)
Choko | English |
---|---|
Choko lum | fetch/ gather grass |
Choko bede yien | Fetching tree branches |
Choko yugi | gather litters |
Mako (trapping/catching)
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Mako rech | trapping fishes |
Mako lee | trapping animals |
Mako winyo | trapping birds |
Ng'eny (many)
Dholuo | English |
---|---|
Weche mang'eny | many issues/ conversations |
Paro mang'eny | A lot of thinking |
Ngima mang'eny | many lives |
Tije mang'eny | many jobs |