Table of contentsLEARN ACHOLI08 / 20

Intermediate · 70 minutes

Travel and directions

Navigate places, transport, distance, location, and conditional plans.

By the end of this chapter

  1. Ask where places are
  2. Understand basic directions
  3. Discuss transport and conditions
SPEAK

Acholi language in this chapter

Study the Acholi first, then read across for the meaning. Say every line aloud and use it in a complete exchange.

Going places

Icito kwene?Where are you going?
Acito i cuk.I am going to the market.
Atwero cito nining?How can I go?
Bac aa cawa adi?What time does the bus leave?
Waciti.Let us go.
Wot maber.Travel safely / safe journey.
Dwog odoco.Come back again.

Directions and landmarks

Nyutta yoo.Show me the way / give me directions.
Lub yoo eni.Follow this road.
dok tung lacamturn to the right
anyimin front / ahead
ingebehind
maloabove / up
pinybelow / down
coknear
borfar

Source: Peace Corps Acholi Language Manual. Short selections are organized here for study; use the full manual for audio-linked drills, grammar notes, and extended dialogues.

08.1

Where?—kwene

Practice asking where a place or person is, then learn location words through real routes that matter to you.

Kwene?Where?
In iaa ki kwene?Where do you come from?
Practice

Draw a simple neighborhood map and explain a route.

08.2

Transport conversations

Practice asking where a vehicle is going, when it leaves, what it costs, and where to get off.

Practice

Role-play a complete trip from asking for transport to arriving.

08.3

Conditions and possibilities

Travel creates natural opportunities to practice conditionals and modal ideas such as can, should, and might.

Practice

Explain what you will do if transport is late or weather changes.

Learn with care

These spellings follow the Peace Corps Acholi Language Manual. Pronunciation, spelling, and usage can vary by speaker and region, so confirm public-facing language with fluent Acholi speakers.

Open the full language manual