Olutsotso also known as Tsotso or Batsktso or Abatsotso is a language spoken in Kenya.
It belongs to the Luhya group of languages which also includes Bukusu, Kimaragoli, Abanyala, Abakhayo, Abamarachi, Abanyole, Abasamia, Abawanga, Abamarama, Abakabras, Abatiriki, Tachoni, Abisukha and Kisa languages.
Olutsotso is a tonal language, meaning that the tone or pitch of a word can change its meaning.
Check out a few examples of pronoun usage in the table below
| FIRST-PERSON | SECOND - PERSON | THIRD - PERSON | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SINGULAR | PLURAL | SINGULAR | PLURAL | SINGULAR | PLURAL |
| Nda | Khu | O | Mu | A | Va |
| Ndaletsa mukamba | Khuletsa mukamba | Oletsa mukamba | Muletsa mukamba | Aletsa mukamba | Valetsa mukamba |
| I will come tomorrow | We will come tomorrow | You will come tomorrow | You will come tomorrow | He or she will come tomorrow | They will come tomorrow |
If you’re just starting to learn Olutsotso, I have compiled a list of frequently used words with their English translations. The aim is to make learning the language a seamless process. I hope this resource will be a valuable asset on your language learning journey.
GREETINGS IN OLUTSOTSO
| ENGLISH | OLUTSOTSO |
|---|---|
| Good afternoon | Keshitere |
| Good afternoon too | Namalayi |
| How are you today? | Oli endiena lero? |
|
How are you doing? Reply: I'm fine |
Otsiriranga endiena?
Reply: Endi omulamu |
| Have a good day | Vaa nende inyanga indayi |
| Have a good day too | Vaa nende inyanga indayi khandi wesi |
| Hi/hello | Orie |
| See you soon | Khulolane nunu |
| Nice to meet you | Nobulayi okhubukana ninawe |
| See you later | Kholane badaye |
| Good morning | Vushiere |
| Good morning too | Vushiereno |
| Good evening | Vuirire |
| Good evening too | Vuirire |
| How are you feeling ? | Ouliriranga endiena? |
| Goodnight | Eshiro eshilayi |
| Sleep well | Okone obulayi |
| How are you? | Ori endiena? |
| How was your day? | Inyanga yiyo ivere indiena |
DIRECTIONS IN OLUTSOTSO
| ENGLISH | OLUTSOTSO |
|---|---|
| Where are you?
Reply: I'm in the house |
Oli yena?
Reply: Ihouse-endi munzu |
| Where did you go?
Reply: I went to work |
Watsire yena?
Reply: Ndatsire khukasi |
| Where do you live?
Reply: I live in Kakamega |
Omenyanga yena?
Reply: Enyanga kakamega |
| Where were you?
Reply:I was in the house |
Wabere yena?
Reply:-Ndabere munzu |
| Go there | Tsia eyo |
COMMON QUESTIONS IN A CONVERSATION IN OLUTSOTSO
| ENGLISH | OLUTSOTSO |
|---|---|
| How much? | Tsianga? |
| How are you feeling? | Ouliriranga endiena? |
| How have you been? | Wakhabetsanga endien? |
| What is your name? | Elira lilio ni wina? |
| How are you doing? | Otsiriranga endiena? |
| What are you cooking? | Otekhanga shina? |
| What are you eating? | Olitsanga shina? |
| Are you okay dear? | Ori sawa? |
| When are you coming?
Reply: I'm coming tomorrow |
Witsanga lini?
Reply: Nditsanga mukamba |
| How was your ningt? | Eshiro shishio shivere shiriena? |
| My night was good | Eshiro shianje shiabele eshilayi |
| How was your day? | Inyanga yiyo ivere iriena? |
| My day is good | Inyanga ibere indai |
| How are you doing?
Reply : I'm fine |
Otsiriranga endiena?
Reply: Endi omulamu |
| How is your family?
Reply:My family is doing well |
Ifamilia yoyo ili iriena?
Reply: Ifamilia yanje ili obulayi. |
| What is wrong?
Reply: nothing is wrong |
Shina shibi?
Reply: Shindu ta |
| How is the weather over there?
Reply: It's about to rain |
Eshibala shili endiena eyoo?
Reply: Ifula yenyanga okhukwa. |
| Have you gone to church?
Reply: I did not go or I went |
Watsire mukanisa?
Reply: Ndatsire tawe/Ndatsire. |
| What's going on?
Reply: Nothing. |
Shina shitsiriranga?
Reply: Shindu ta. |
| Are you Listening ?
Reply: Yes I'm listening |
Ouriranga?
Reply: Eeh ouliranga. |
LOVE WORDS IN OLUTSOTSO
| ENGLISH | OLUTSOTSO |
|---|---|
| I love you | Ndakhuchama/Ndakhuyanza |
| I miss you | Ndakhumisa |
| Love you so much | Ndakhuchama sana |
| I like you | Ndakhuyanza |
| My love | Omwitsa wanje |
| You're beautiful | Oli omurembo |
| You look beautiful | Ololekhananga omurembo |
| My beautiful | Omukhasi wanje omurembo |
| I miss you so much, darling | Ekhumisire omwitsa wanje |
| I want you /I need you | Ekhwenyanga |
| You will miss me | Olamisa |
| Goodbye my love | Kwaheri omwitsai wanje |
| We will see each other | Khulalolana |
| We will meet | Khulabukana |
| See you tomorrow | Khulolane mukamba |
| I will marry you | Ndalakhuteshia |
| I want some space | Ndenyanga obwiyangu vutiti. |
| Getting married | Okhutekha |
| I need your love | Ndenyanga obuyanzi bwobo |
EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS IN OLUTSOTSO
| ENGLISH | OLUTSOTSO |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Inyanga indayi yokhwibulwa. |
| Thank you | Orio muno |
| I am sorry | Mbera |
| You're welcome | Karipu sana |
| Me too | Khandi siesi |
| God bless you | Nyasaye akhumete tsikhavi |
| May God protect you | Nyasaye akhulinde |
| She is unwell | Shauliranga obulayi tawe |
| She is happy | Ayanzire |
| Please help me | Tafadhali khonya |
| I don't know | Shemanyire tawe |
| I will come tomorrow | Ndaletsa mukamba. |
| Come here | Itsa anoo |
| I'm coming | Nditsanga |
| Go there | Tsia eyo |
| I'm going | Enzitsanga |
| Feel at home | Oulire oli ingo |
| Be blessed | Obe nende tsikhabi |
| I am coming soon | Nditsanga nunu |
| Leave me alone | Lekhana ninasi embe |
| It is okay | Iri sawa |
| I am going home | Thitsanga ingo |
What next?
Keep going! Learning a language takes consistent practice, but it doesn't have to be difficult. A useful tip is to learn five Olutsotso words every day from the Olutsotso dictionary to improve your skills.
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