If you’re learning Dholuo (Luo), understanding adjectives and adverbs will help you describe people, things, and actions more naturally.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What adjectives and adverbs are in Dholuo
- How they are used in sentences
- Common examples you’ll hear in everyday speech
This explanation is beginner-friendly and focuses on real usage, not heavy grammar theory.
Adjectives in Dholuo
What Are Adjectives?
Adjectives describe a noun. They tell us more about:
- Quality
- Quantity
- Size
- Age
- Demonstration (this / that)
In Dholuo, adjectives usually come after the noun, unlike in English.
Types of Adjectives in Dholuo
1. Adjectives of Quality
These describe what something is like.
Common examples:
- ber – good / nice
- rach – bad
- tek – strong / difficult
- pek – heavy
- yom – soft
- riek – clever
The ma- Prefix in Dholuo Adjectives
In Dholuo, adjectives are formed using the prefix ma-, and they come after the noun.
You can think of ma- as meaning:
“that is” or “which is”
So instead of saying “a good boy,” Dholuo literally says:
“a boy that is good.”
Example:
- wuoyi – boy
- ber – good
Combined:
- wuoyi maber – a good boy
(literally: a boy that is good)
More examples:
- dhako maber – a good woman
- chiemo maber – good food
- ot maber – a good house
The rule to remember
Noun + ma- + adjective root
You don’t place adjectives directly before nouns in Dholuo.
You first say the noun, then describe it using ma-.
Why this matters
Using ma- is what makes the sentence sound natural.
Without it, the sentence feels incomplete or incorrect to native speakers.
2. Quantitative Adjectives (How much or how many)
These describe amount or quantity.
Common examples:
- mathoth – many
- matin – few / little
- maduongʼ – big / much
- matindo – small / little
Examples:
- Ji mathoth. – Many people.
- Pi matin. – A little water.
3. Cardinal Numbers as Adjectives
Numbers are also used as adjectives in Dholuo.
Examples:
- achiel – one
- ariyo – two
- adek – three
- apar – four
- apar gi achiel – five
Examples:
- Buge ariyo. – Two books.
- Nyithindo adek. – Three children.
4. Demonstrative Adjectives (This / That)
These show which noun you’re talking about.
Common demonstratives:
- ni – this
- no – that
- gi – these
- go – those
Examples:
- Wuoyi ni. – This boy.
- Buge go. – Those books.
Adverbs in Dholuo
What Are Adverbs?
Adverbs describe:
- How something is done
- When it happens
- Where it happens
They usually describe verbs.
1. Adverbs of Manner (How?)
These describe how an action is done.
Examples:
- maber – well
- matek – hard
- malich – seriously
- mos mos – very quickly
Examples:
- Otimo tich maber. – He did the work well.
- Odhi mos. – He went quickly.
2. Adverbs of Time (When?)
These describe when something happens.
Examples:
- kawuono – today
- nyocha – yesterday
- kinde moko – sometimes
- sani – now
Examples:
- Abiro kawuono. – I will come today.
- Nyocha ne adhi. – Yesterday I went.
3. Adverbs of Place (Where?)
These describe where an action happens.
Examples:
- ka – here
- kanyo – there
- ei ot – in the house
- oko – outside
Examples:
- Bed ka. – Stay here.
- Odhi kanyo. – He went there.
Adjectives vs Adverbs in Dholuo (Key Difference)
| Function | Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|---|
| Describes | A noun | A verb |
| Example | wuoyi maber (good boy) | otimo maber (did well) |
Notice how maber can be both an adjective and an adverb depending on usage — this is very common in Dholuo.
Why This Matters for Learners
Understanding adjectives and adverbs helps you:
- Speak more naturally
- Avoid word-order mistakes
- Describe people, places, and actions clearly
If you want to practice these in real sentences, you can learn Dholuo online with structured lessons and audio examples designed for beginners.
Final Tip for Beginners
Don’t worry about memorizing grammar terms. Focus on:
- Listening
- Recognizing patterns
- Using common words like ber and rach correctly
Over time, the structure will start to feel natural.