Language is the gateway to culture, identity, and connection. The Alur language, spoken by communities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is no exception. From heartfelt greetings to expressions of gratitude, Alur phrases carry the warmth and essence of its speakers. Whether you're looking to communicate, learn, or simply appreciate this rich language, here are some common Alur phrases to get you started on your journey!
Greetings in Alur
| English | Alur |
|---|---|
| Good evening. | Iriy nenedi? (literally: how did you spend the day?) Uriy nenedi? (literally: how did you (plural) spend the day?) |
| Good morning. | Iai nenedi? (literally: how did you wake up?) Uai nenedi? (literally: how did you (plural) wake up?) |
| Good afternoon. | Iriy nenedi?(Singular) Uriy nenedi?(Plural) |
| How are you? | Itiye nenedi? |
| How are you today? | Itiye nenedi tin? |
| I am fine. | Atiye maber |
| Have a good day. | Riy maber (literally: spend the day well) |
| I am doing great. | Atiye maber |
| Hi/Hello. Nice to meet you. | Amothi, atiye kud anyong'a ni rombu kudi (literally: I greet you, I'm happy to meet you) |
| See you soon. | Wabinen kawoni Wanen |
| See you later. | Wabinen yoki ngey kare Wanen |
Love Words in Alur
| English | Alur |
|---|---|
| Love Language | wec mi mar |
| I love you. | Ameri |
| I miss you. | Aveni benega |
| Love you so much | Ameri magwe |
| I want to see you. | Amitu neni |
| I love you with all my heart. | Ameri ku cwinya zo |
| I love you too. | In de, ameri Ameri bende |
| I like you. | Ameri |
| You are beautiful. | Ileng! |
| My love. | Nyaramara para (referring to a lady) Jalamara para (referring to a man) |
| You look beautiful. | Inen leng |
| My beautiful wife. | Dhaku para ma leng |
| I miss you so much, darling. | Aveni nega magwe, nyaramara/jalamara |
| I need you. | Amiti |
| You will miss me. | Avana bi negi |
| Goodbye, my love. | Woth maber, nyaramara/jalamara para Dong maber, nyaramara/jalamara para |
| See you tomorrow. | Wabinen urwo |
| I will marry you. | Abi gemi (a man telling a woman) Abi gyeri (a woman telling a man) |
| I want some space. | Amitu ake bed gira |
| I need your love. | Amitu mar peri |
| You are mine. | Itiye para |
Direction in Alur
| English | Alur |
|---|---|
| Directions | Yo |
| Where are you? | Ini kani? |
| Where did you go? | Icidhu kani? |
| Where do you live? | Ibe bedu kani? Ibedu kani? |
| Where are you going? | Ibe cidhu kani? Icidhu kani? |
| Where were you? | Ibedu kani? |
Common Questions in Conversation in Alur
| English | Alur |
|---|---|
| How much? | Rukani? (generally; referring to non-count quantity of things) Silingi adi? (often asked by Ugandan Alurs, referring to quantity of money, literally: How many shillings?) |
| How are you feeling? | Iwinjiri nenedi? |
| How have you been? | Ibedu nenedi? |
| What is your name? | Nyingi nga? |
| What are you doing? | Ibe timu ango? |
| What are you cooking? | Ibe tedu ango? |
| What are you eating? | Ibe camu ango? |
| Are you okay, dear? | Itiye maberi? |
| When are you coming? | Ibinu awene? |
| How was your night? | Dyewor peri ubedu nenedi? |
| How was your day? | Nindu peri ubedu nenedi? |
| How are you doing? | Itiye nenedi? |
| How is your family? | Pacu utiye nenedi? Juru ot peri gitiye nenedi? |
| What is wrong? | Ango ma rac? |
| What do you mean? | Thelembe ne ango? |
| How's the weather over there? | Yamu utiye nenedi yo kuca? |
| Have you gone to church? | Icidhu i kanisa/klezia? |
| What is this? | Ango eni? Eni ango? |
| What's going on? | Ango ma ube timire? |
| Are you listening? | Ibe winju? |
| Have you heard? | Iwinju? |
| Can I go home? | Acopu ka cidhu i pacu? |
| Can I ask something? | Acopu ka penju lembe moku? |
| How is everything? | Piny ceke utiye nenedi? |
| What’s your phone number? | Namba pa simu peri utiye ango? |
Everyday Conversation in Alur
| English | Alur |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Wafoyu nindu mi nyoliri |
| Thank you | Afoyu |
| I am sorry | Wek ira |
| You are welcome (response to 'thank you') | Lembe upe |
| You are welcome (welcoming someone home) | Itiye ajola |
| Me too! | An de |
| God bless you | Mungu umik iri mugisa |
| May God protect you | Wek Mungu ugwoki |
| She is happy | Anyong'a ube nege / Etiye kud anyong'a |
| Please help me | Ke konya |
| I don't know | Ang'eyu ungo |
| I will come tomorrow | Abi binu urwo |
| Come here! | Bin kai |
| Be blessed | Nwang mugisa |
| I am coming soon | Abinu kawoni |
| Leave me alone | Weka gira |
| It is okay | Lembe upe / ber! |
| I am going home | Abe cidhu i pacu |
| I don't want | Amitu ungo |
| Love is a beautiful thing | Mar/mer utiye piny ma leng' |
| Let me try | Ake temu / Ke wek atem |
| Welcome home | Itiye ajola i pacu |
| I reached home safely | Atuc i pacu maber |
| God is good | Mungu e ber |
| I don't understand | Abe nyang' ungo / Anyang' ungo |
| We are happy to see you | Watiye kud anyong'a mi neni |
| I have it | Atiye kude |
| Rest in peace | Yom i akwiyacwiny |
| I don't have money | Ape ku sende/lim |
| I am done | Adaru |
| I am going to the shop | Abe cidhu i dukani / Abe cidhu i odi lwor |
| Happy New Year | Cam oru manyen kud anyong'a |
| Bad manners | Kura ma recu |
| Stop using your phone | Jik ka tiyu ku simu peri |
| I need a favor, please | Amitu kony moku, akweyi |
| I haven’t seen you for ages | Aneni ungo pi oru ma pol |
| Great to see you again | Eber ni neni kendu |
| I really appreciate it | Atiye ku foc madwong' pire |
| You made my day | Ikethu nindu para ukadhu maber |
| No problem | Lembe upe |
| Have you eaten it yet? | Icame uromu? |
| Come let me take you home | Bin ateri i pacu |
| You are very drunk | Imer magwe |
| Can we have the meeting today? | Tin wacopu karombu? / Wacopu karombu tin eni? |
| Clean my shoes please | Akweyi ike duny wara para |
| The sun is scorching | Cieng' meni lieth magwe |
| I'm going | Abe cidhu |
| Don't disturb me | Kud i senda |
| I'm tired | Aol |
| I'm hungry | Kec ube nega |
| I'm thirsty | Ryeyu pii ube nega |
| I'm sleepy | Nindu ube nega |
| I'm sick | Kuma ube remu |
Learn five new Alur phrases daily with our Alur Dictionary. Your path to mastering the language starts here!
Join the Lughayangu Community!
