For context, Kipsigis (or Kipsikii, Kipsikiis) is part of the Kenyan Kalenjin dialect cluster. The Kipsigis people are the most populous tribe of the Kalenjin in Kenya, accounting for around 60% of all Kalenjin speakers.
This is a basic introduction to common words and phrases used in the Kipsigis language. The translation is in the simplest form and grammatically correct, enabling anyone yearning to learn Kipsigis to find it very easy to consume.
Unlike English, the language doesn’t have gender-defining pronouns such as she or he. To start you off, here are examples of pronoun usage in the table below.
| First Person | Second Person | Third person | ||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |
| English | I | We | You | You | He/She/It | They |
| Word | Ane | Echek | Inye | Okwek | Ine | Ichek |
| In a sentence | Ane newendi | Echek chependi | Inye newendi | Okwek chependi | Ine newendi | Ichek chependi |
| Translation | I’m the one going | We are the ones going | You are the one going | You are the ones going | He/She is the one going | They are the ones going |
Table 1: Pronoun usage in Kipsigis and their English translations
Greetings in Kipsigis (Kalenjin)
The following are common greetings in Kipsigis:
| In Kipsigis | In English |
| Chamgei | Hello |
| Chamgei mising | Hello (a response to Chamgei) |
| Yamonei | How are you? |
| Achamgei | I am fine (a response to Yamonei) |
| Betut nemie | Have a good day |
| Betut nemie akinye | Have a good day too |
| Si ru komie | Sleep well |
| Si ru komie akinye | Sleep well too |
| Siketuyen | Till we meet again |
| Siketuyen saishek alak | See you some other time |
| Kongoi | Thank you |
| Seiseri | Goodbye |
| Less common salutations | |
| Amune subuhi? | How is your Morning? |
| Amune langat? | How is your Evening? |
Table 2: Common greetings in Kipsigis and their English Translations
Note
For the sake of this article, I have added the translations of the greetings less commonly used among the Kipsigis. However, these greetings or salutations are hardly used among the Kipsigis community.
Kipsigis(Kalenjin) Love words
Love in Kipsigis is Chamyet. It is a word commonly used when families and loved ones interact and communicate.
| In Kipsigis | In English |
| Achamin | I love you |
| Achamin Akinye | I love you too |
| Achamin mising | I love you so much |
| Chamanenyun | My love |
| Achamin ak muguldenanyun tugul | I love you with all my heart |
| Amochin | I need you |
| Atunin | I will marry you |
| Inenyun | You are mine |
| Seiseri Chamanenyun | Goodbye, my love |
| Kipur Kipagenge | Let's live in unity |
| Kipur en Kalyet | Let's live in peace |
| Amache atorochin | I want to hug you |
Table 3: Love language in Kipsigis and their English translations
Directions in Kipsigis (Kalenjin)
In case you happen to get lost or are looking for someone in the heartland of Kericho and Bomet counties, the following phrases can help get you back on track;
| In Kipsigis | In English |
| Imeano? | Where are you? |
| Kewano? | Where did you go? |
| Imenye ano? | Where do you live? |
| Iwendi ano? | Where are you going? |
| Kemiano? | Where were you? |
| Keyapu ano? | Where are you coming from? |
| Ipano? | Where are you from? |
| Takolo panda? | How far along are we? |
| Inekit? | Are you close by? |
| Wi eut ap katam | Go to the left |
| Wi eut ap taai | Go to the right |
| Awendi Kongasis | I’m headed East |
| Awendi cherongo | I’m headed West |
| Awendi murot katam | I’m headed North |
| Awendi murot taai | I’m headed South |
Table 4: Directions in Kipsigis and their English translations
Common Questions in Conversations
The following are some of the common questions in conversations among the Kipsigis.
| In Kipsigis | In English |
| Ata? | How much? |
| Ikastotoi ano? | How are you feeling? |
| Iune? | How have you been? |
| Kikurenin ngo? | What is your name? |
| Ilioynen? | What are you doing? |
| Iyame ne? | What are you cooking/eating? |
| Inyonen au? | When are you coming? |
| Kaune Petut? | How was your day? |
| Amunee Tupchoshek? | How is your family? |
| Kelene | What are you saying? |
| Roponi olon? | Is it raining over there? |
| Kewe kanisa? | Have you gone to church? |
| Ne ni? | What is this? |
| Ne netestai? | What's going on? |
| Ikose? | Are you listening? |
| kegas? | Have you heard? |
| Keyepiit? | Did you listen? |
| Amunee Chitugul? | How is everyone? |
| Amunee Mungaret? | How's work? |
| Nambaishek ap simet nengung kwata? | What’s your phone number? |
Table 5: Common Questions in Kipsigis and their English translations
Everyday Conversations
You find yourself in a marketplace, school, homestead or even church thronging with Kipsigis speakers. These are some of the words that can get you through your interactions with them.
| In Kipsigis | In English |
| Amoche Awo gaa | I want to go home |
| Atinye teputyet | I have a question |
| Kongoi | Thank you |
| Mutyo - This can be used while consoling people who have recently lost loved ones or when somebody is injured, or when empathizing with anyone who has experienced some kind of loss | I am Sorry |
| Itakaat | You are welcome |
| Sikoberurin Kiptayat/Kamuktaindet | God bless you. |
| Sikoripin Kiptayat/Kamuktaindet | May God protect you. |
| Lakwet nebaibai | Happy child |
| Toreton | Help me |
| Mongen | I don’t know |
| Sonyo koron | I will come tomorrow |
| Ngepe | Let us go |
| Nyon | Come |
| Anyonen | I am coming |
| Kanget | I am Tired |
| Akane | Me too! |
| Iluu asista | It is sunny |
| Roponi | It is rainy |
| Atinye nego | I have a sheep and goats |
| Luu cheko | Drink milk |
| Ye pek - In the Kipsigis dialect, The act of consuming milk or water is not the same. To drink milk is Luu, and to drink water is Ye. | Drink water |
| Wi Sukul | Go to school |
| Nebo konyit | Guest of honour |
| Mieno Kanisa? | Where is the church? |
| Ataachin en Konyun | I welcome you to my home. |
Table 6: Everyday conversations in Kipsigis and their English translation
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