Common Alur Phrases

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!

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