The Acholi/Acoli language is spoken in Acholiland in Northern Uganda(Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum and Pader Districts). It is also spoken in South Sudan.
Acholi is closely related to Lango, Alur, Kumam and Padhola languages.
It is a tonal language. Therefore, two identical words can have different meanings depending on the tone of their vowels.
For example:
Bel - Corn
Bel - Wrinkled
The sounds f,q,h,s,v,x, and z do not exist in Acholi consonants. Confusion may arise as to why Acholi has the letter ‘h’ in it if it doesn't exist in the language alphabet. The correct way should be Acoli.
Greetings in Acholi
| English | Acholi |
| Good evening. | Otyeno tero wu maber? |
| Good morning. | Ibutu maber? |
| Good afternoon. | Irii nining? |
| Good night. | Obut maber |
| How are you? | Itye maber? |
| How are you today? | Itye nining inino matin |
| I am fine. | Atye maber |
| Have a good day. | Kat nino maber |
| I am doing great. | Atye maber |
| Hi/Hello. | Jal lok ngo ma tye? |
| Nice to meet you. | Iya yom me neni |
| See you soon. | Wanen oyot |
| See you later. | Wanen lacen |
Acholi love words and phrases
| English | Acholi |
| I love you in Acholi. | Amari |
| I miss you in acholi. | Apari |
| Love you so much | Amari totwal |
| I want to see you. | Amito neni |
| I love you with all my heart. | Amari gi cwinya weng |
| I love you too. | Amari bene |
| I want to see you. | Amito neni |
| I like you. | Amari |
| You are beautiful. | Nyako maber |
| My love. | Laber cwinya |
| You look beautiful. | I nen maber |
| My beautiful wife. | Dako na ber |
| I miss you so much, darling. | Apari totwal |
| I need you. | Amiti |
| You will miss me. | Ibi para |
| Goodbye, my love. | Pwod wanen |
| See you tomorrow. | Wanen didgi |
| I will marry you. | Abi nyomi |
| I want some space. | Amito kabedo |
| I need your love. | Amito mar mamegi |
| You are mine. | In mega |
Directions in Acholi
| n English | Acholi |
| Where are you? | Itye kwene? |
| Where did you go? | Iceto kwene? |
| Where do you live? | Ibedo kwene? |
| Where are you going? | Itye ka ceto kwene? |
| Where were you? | Onongo itye kwene? |
Common Questions in conversations in Acholi
| English | Acholi |
| How much? | Man wel ne adi? |
| How are you feeling? | Iwinjo nining? |
| How have you been? | Itye nining? |
| What is your name? | Nyingi anga? |
| What are you doing? | Itimo ang'o? |
| What are you cooking/eating? | Itye ka tedo ngo? |
| Are you okay, dear? | Itye maber? |
| When are you coming? | Ebi bino? |
| How was your night/day? | Irio maber? |
| How are you doing? | Itye maber? |
| How is your family? | Jo ma igang gi tye nining? |
| How was your day? | Nino okato nining? |
| What is wrong? | Ngo marac? |
| What do you mean? | Iwaco ango? |
| How's the weather over there? | Pol matin tye nining? |
| Have you gone to church? | Iwoto ka lega? |
| What is this? | Eni ngo? |
| What's going on? | Ngo matye? |
| Are you listening? | Itye ka winjo? |
| Have you heard? | Iwinjo? |
| Can I go home? | Aromo ceto gang? |
| Can I ask something? | Aromo penyo lapeny? |
| How is everything? | Jami weng tye nining? |
| What’s your phone number? | Wac nyig Cim agoya ma megi tye nining? |
Everyday conversations in Acholi
| English | Acholi |
| Happy birthday | Apwoyo kwero ceng nyodoni |
| Thank you | Apwoyo |
| I am sorry | Tima kica |
| You are welcome. | Apwoyo bino |
| Me too! | An bene |
| God bless you. | Lubanga obed kwedi |
| May god protect you. | Jok ogwog in |
| She is happy. | Iye yom |
| Please help me. | Alego kony |
| I don't know. | Pe angeyo |
| I will come tomorrow. | Abino digi |
| Come here! | Bin kany |
| Feel at home. | Bed maber |
| Be blessed. | Omini gum |
| I am coming soon. | Nino bino na cok |
| Excuse me. | I waci ngo? /Tima kica ngo? |
| Leave me alone. | Wek an abed mot |
| It is okay. | Ayela per |
| I am going home. | Aceto gang |
| I don't want. | Par amito |
| Love is a beautiful thing. | Mare ber |
| Let me try. | Wa tem |
| Welcome home. | Apwoyo bino gang |
| I reached home safely. | Awoto maber |
| God is good. | Maa par rubanga |
| I don't understand. | Par aniang |
| We are happy to see you. | Wa pwoyo nen |
| I have it. | Atye kwede |
| Rest in peace. | Ywer kabedo maber |
| I don't have money. | Cente per |
| I am done. | Agig kany |
| I am going to the shop. | Aceto I |
| Happy new year. | Kato mwaka |
| Bad manners. | Pwony marac |
| Stop using your phone. | Juk tic gi cim mamega |
| I need a favour, please. | Amito kony |
| Haven’t seen you for ages. | Irii ma pe inen |
| Great to see you again. | Apwoyo bino |
| I really appreciate it. | Apwoyo matek |
| You made my day. | Arii maber inino matin |
| No problem. | Ayela per? |
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