ole
OH-leh
How to say it
SwahilioleOH-lehsoon
Englishwoe, alassoon
Frenchmalheur (à), hélassoon
Meaning
A word of lament or warning that says grief or punishment is coming to someone, as in ole wako, woe to you.
Good to know
Nearly always followed by a possessive: ole wangu, ole wako, ole wake, ole wetu, ole wenu, ole wao. Formal or biblical in tone. In Maasai names such as Ole Sendeka it is a different word, meaning son of.
Examples
- Ole wako ukirudia kosa hilo tena!Woe to you if you repeat that mistake again!
- Ole wao wanaowadhulumu maskini.Woe to those who oppress the poor.
- Ole wangu, nimepoteza kila kitu!Woe is me, I have lost everything!
Forms
Not yet checked by a native speaker.