KOLOPeople#
Bossman
The person in charge.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
Reference based · local review welcome
OUR WORDS. OUR STORIES. · STARTER EDITION
Kolo Book.
Learn it. Write it.
Keep it alive.
A place to explore Koloqua Liberian colloquial English and practise writing in your own voice.
LOOK IT UP. TRY IT OUT.
54 words and phrasesKoloqua for everyday life.
Showing all 54 entries.
Everyday#
Business
Someone’s matters or concerns.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
Reference based · local review welcome
Food#
Butter pear
Avocado.
Write a sentence about something you like to eat.
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Everyday#
Dear
Costly; expensive.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Everyday#
Different different
Several kinds; varied.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Food#
Dumboy
A dish of boiled, pounded cassava.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Feelings#
Fine
Good, pleasing or beautiful.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Conversation#
For true
Really; a question expressing surprise or seeking confirmation.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Food#
Fufu
Dough prepared from fermented cassava.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Food#
Ground pea
Peanut.
Name a food you prepare with ground peas.
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Conversation#
Hear
To understand, in some contexts.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Feelings#
Humbug
To bother or annoy; a nuisance.
Consider who is speaking and whether the tone is playful or serious.
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Time#
Just now
Immediately; right away.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Everyday#
Lappa
Cloth worn as a wrap.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Everyday#
One one
Individually; one at a time.
Try using it when describing people taking turns.
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Time#
One time
Immediately.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Everyday#
Palaver
An argument or troublesome matter.
Context helps you understand what the disagreement is about.
Reference based · local review welcome
Everyday#
Plenty
A large amount or number.
Plenty people here.
See the meaning
There are many people here.
An original practice sentence.
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Everyday#
Small small
A little; gradually.
We learning small small.
See the meaning
We are learning a little at a time.
An original practice sentence. Ask a speaker how they use this expression.
Reference based · local review welcome
People#
Stranger
A guest.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Everyday#
Susu
A cooperative arrangement for saving money.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Everyday#
Tote
To carry a load.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Feelings#
Trying
Getting along; managing.
Try this word in a sentence, then ask a Koloqua speaker how they would use it.
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Feelings#
Vexed
Angry.
Try describing a moment when someone felt angry.
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Time#
Again
Still, yet, or already, depending on the sentence.
She here again?
See the meaning
Has she arrived yet?
The meaning changes with the context and tense.
Reference based · local review welcome
Feelings#
Bad heart
Hateful or ill-intentioned.
That bad heart business can bring palaver.
See the meaning
Hateful behavior can cause trouble.
Ask a speaker about tone before using this description.
Reference based · local review welcome
Conversation#
Beg
To plead or make a request.
I beg you, wait small.
See the meaning
Please, wait a little.
Often used to make a request sound more earnest.
Reference based · local review welcome
Conversation#
Be so
Let it remain that way; it can also ask, “Is that so?”
Leave the matter; let it be so.
See the meaning
Leave the matter as it is.
Listen for whether the speaker is making a statement or asking a question.
Reference based · local review welcome
People#
Know book
To be literate or highly educated.
That woman know plenty book.
See the meaning
That woman is highly educated.
The amount of “book” can suggest a level of education.
Also search: Knows book
Reference based · local review welcome
Conversation#
Bot up with
To meet or run into someone.
I bot up with her to the market.
See the meaning
I ran into her at the market.
A useful expression for an unexpected meeting.
Also search: Bott up with
Reference based · local review welcome
Travel#
Carry
To take or convey someone somewhere.
Carry me to town.
See the meaning
Take me to town.
The destination gives the word its travel meaning.
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Conversation#
Chee-chee-polay
Gossip or the latest talk.
What the chee-chee-polay?
See the meaning
What is the latest gossip?
CCP is a common shortened form.
Also search: CCP, Chee chee polay
Reference based · local review welcome
Conversation#
Cold water
A peace offering or gift used to ask forgiveness.
He brought cold water to settle the palaver.
See the meaning
He brought a peace offering to settle the disagreement.
This expression carries cultural meaning beyond drinking water.
Reference based · local review welcome
Food#
Country chop
Indigenous Liberian or West African food.
We eating country chop today.
See the meaning
We are eating traditional food today.
Different communities may use this for different dishes.
Reference based · local review welcome
Conversation#
Da me
It is me.
Who there? Da me.
See the meaning
Who is there? It is me.
A short conversational response.
Also search: Da-me
Reference based · local review welcome
Everyday#
Dash
A tip or gift; also, to give someone something.
Bossman dash me small thing.
See the meaning
The boss gave me a small gift.
Meaning and expectations depend on the situation.
Reference based · local review welcome
Time#
Ever since
Some time ago or already.
I finish that ever since.
See the meaning
I finished that some time ago.
Used to place an action further back in time.
Reference based · local review welcome
Everyday#
Finish
Done, stopped, completed, or used up.
The meeting finish.
See the meaning
The meeting is over.
Context shows whether something ended, broke, or was used up.
Reference based · local review welcome
Questions#
For what reason
Why?
For what reason you vexed?
See the meaning
Why are you angry?
A direct way to ask why something happened.
Reference based · local review welcome
Feelings#
Fuss
Trouble, problems, or worry.
No fuss, we will do it small small.
See the meaning
Do not worry; we will do it gradually.
The expression “no fuss” can reassure someone.
Reference based · local review welcome
Food#
Gut full
To have a full stomach.
My gut full.
See the meaning
I am full.
Often said after eating enough.
Also search: Gut-full
Reference based · local review welcome
Everyday#
Hand inside
To be involved in a matter.
Your hand inside that business?
See the meaning
Are you involved in that matter?
This can be a serious question, depending on the context.
Also search: Hand-inside
Reference based · local review welcome
People#
Hang head
To meet or talk privately.
The family them hanging head.
See the meaning
The family members are meeting privately.
Often used for a discussion about an important matter.
Also search: Hanging head
Reference based · local review welcome
Conversation#
Let it stay
Forget it or leave the matter alone.
That old palaver—let it stay.
See the meaning
Leave that old disagreement alone.
Used to end or move away from a matter.
Reference based · local review welcome
Travel#
Money bus
A small passenger van or minibus.
We taking money bus to town.
See the meaning
We are taking a minibus to town.
The kind and size of vehicle may vary over time.
Also search: Money-bus
Reference based · local review welcome
Feelings#
N’mind ya
I am sorry; do not worry or fret.
N’mind ya, my friend.
See the meaning
I am sorry, my friend.
Often used to comfort someone or express sympathy.
Also search: N'mind ya, Never mind ya
Reference based · local review welcome
Conversation#
Nothing bad
Everything is well; there is no bad news.
What the news? Nothing bad.
See the meaning
What is happening? Everything is fine.
A common response to a greeting or request for news.
Also search: No bad news
Reference based · local review welcome
Time#
Quick quick
Immediately, on time, or in a hurry.
Come quick quick.
See the meaning
Come immediately.
Repetition adds urgency.
Also search: Quick-quick
Reference based · local review welcome
Travel#
Reach
To arrive; it can also mean that something is enough.
We reach Monrovia.
See the meaning
We arrived in Monrovia.
With money or supplies, “reach” can mean sufficient.
Reference based · local review welcome
Everyday#
So-so
Only, rather, or something like, depending on context.
So-so children in the yard.
See the meaning
There are only children in the yard.
Ask a speaker about the intended shade of meaning.
Also search: So so
Reference based · local review welcome
Places#
Stop
To stay overnight or live somewhere.
Where you stopping?
See the meaning
Where are you staying?
In this context, it asks about someone’s lodging or home.
Also search: Stopping
Reference based · local review welcome
Everyday#
Too much
Very; an intensifier.
That place fine too much.
See the meaning
That place is very beautiful.
Placed after a description to strengthen it.
Also search: Too
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Everyday#
Torch
A flashlight.
Bring the torch; the road dark.
See the meaning
Bring the flashlight; the road is dark.
A common everyday object word.
Reference based · local review welcome
Questions#
Who dat
Who is that?
Who dat to the door?
See the meaning
Who is that at the door?
Spelling reflects a common pronunciation.
Also search: Who-dat, Who that
Reference based · local review welcome
No entries match yet. Try another spelling or search by meaning.
SMALL STEPS
Make the words your own.
Read for meaning
Pick a word. Read its meaning, then think about a situation where you would hear it.
Write your version
Try one sentence. Add a plain English meaning beside it to show what you want to say.
Learn from a speaker
Ask someone who speaks Koloqua how they would say it. Note their spelling, context and tone.
A note on spelling and examples
This is a small learning collection, not a complete dictionary or a fixed spelling standard. Examples marked “original practice” were written for this page and still need local editorial review. The Book welcomes different ways people write and use Koloqua.
YOUR VOICE, ON THE PAGE
Private writing practiceYour Koloqua notebook.
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HEAR IT FROM A SPEAKER
Give the words a voice.
No pronunciation recordings have been published yet. Help us build a collection of real voices, with permission and credit for each speaker.
Choose one word
Say the word naturally, then use it in a short sentence. Record somewhere quiet using your phone’s voice recorder.
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Include the word, a written transcript, its meaning, and the name you want credited. You can also mention the community or county where you use it.
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HELP THE BOOK GROW
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A BOOK WE CAN GROW
Suggest a correction by email ↗Start small. Listen closely.
The starter meanings draw on Universal Outreach’s Liberian English reference. For more background, explore An Introduction to Liberian English by John Victor Singler and colleagues (1981).
Local examples, spelling variants and pronunciation recordings will help the Book grow. Pronunciation audio is not included yet. Word suggestions reach the team by email for review.