A collection of useful phrases in Dholuo (Luo), a Nilo-Saharan language spoken in Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania.
See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.
Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).
| Phrase | Dholuo |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Ajolo in (I welcome you - sg) Ajolo wu (pl) Wajolo in (We welcome you - sg) Wajolo wu |
| Hello (General greeting) | Misawa (frm) Misawa ahinya (reply) Ber (inf) Ber ahinya (reply) |
| Hello (on phone) | |
| How are you? | Nade? (How is it?) Ithi nade? (How are you doing?) Amosi? (I greet you) Ere wach? (Any news?) |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Ber ahinya, to in? (Very well, and you?) Adhi maber, to in? (I am doing well, and you?) Wach onge (There is no news) |
| Long time no see | |
| What's your name? | Nyingi nga? |
| My name is ... | Nyinga ... |
| Where are you from? | To ia kanye? |
| I'm from ... | Aa ki ... |
| Pleased to meet you | |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Ichiyo nade? (How is your morning?) Achiyo ma ber (My morning is going well - reply) Oyaore? (How is the morning?) Oyaore ahinya (The morning is going well - reply) Oyawore (It [the sky] has opened itself) (sg) Oyawore ahinya (It has opened itself indeed) - reply sg) Oyaworeuru (pl) Oyaworeuru ahinya (reply - pl) |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Irio nade? (How is your day?) Ario ma ber (My day is going well - reply) Osaore? (How is the day?) Osaore ahinya (The day is going well - reply) |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Idhi nade? (How is your evening?) Adhi ma ber (My evening is going well - reply) Owimore? (How is the evening?) Owimore ahinya (The evening is going well - reply) Oyimore (It [the sky] has closed itself -sg) Oyimore ahinya (reply - pl) |
| Good night | Goyo Oriti Oriti (May he protect you - sg) Oriti ahinya (sg - reply) Oriti uru (pl) Oriti ahinya (reply - pl) Oriti inind maber (Sleep well) |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Oriti (Goodbye) Wabironenore (We'll see each other [later]) Wanere kiny (Let's see each other tomorrow) Oriti idhi maber (Go well) Oriti idong’ maber (Stay well) |
| Good luck! | |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
|
| Have a nice day | Bed maber |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
|
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
Oriti idhi maber (safe journey) Oriti iwuoth maber |
| Yes | Ee Duoko |
| No | Dawe Tawe |
| Maybe | |
| I don't know | Ok ang'eyo |
| I understand | Aniang |
| I don't understand | Pe anyang |
| Please speak more slowly | Lok mot mot! |
| Please say that again | Nwo |
| Please write it down | |
| Do you speak English? | I loko leb muno? |
| Do you speak Dholuo? | |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
Aloko leb lwo maditi |
| Do you speak a language other than Dholuo? |
|
| Speak to me in Dholuo | |
| How do you say ... in Dholuo? | I waco ni ngo ileb ...? |
| Excuse me | Tima kica (to get attention) |
| How much is this? | Eni ciling adi? (How much is this?) Ca ni adi? (How much is that?) |
| Sorry | Mos (I'm sorry) Mos ahinya (I'm very sorry) |
| Please | Kiyie |
| Thank you | Erokamano Erokamano ahinya |
| Reply to thank you | |
| Where's the toilet / bathroom? | |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | |
| This lady will pay for everything | |
| Would you like to dance with me? | |
| Do you come here often? | |
| I miss you | |
| I love you | Aheri |
| Get well soon | |
| Go away! | Dek cen! Cet cen! |
| Leave me alone! | Wek an! |
| Help! | Konya ba! |
| Fire! | |
| Stop! | |
| Call the police! | |
| Christmas greetings | |
| New Year greetings | |
| Easter greetings | |
| Birthday greetings | |
| Congratulations! | |
| One language is never enough | |
| My hovercraft is full of eels |
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
Information about Dholuo | Luo Lakeside Script | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel
Other collections of Dholuo phrases
http://economics.ozier.com/language/dholuo.html
https://owlcation.com/humanities/Luo-language-of-Kenya-Conversation-Basics
http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11295/71359/Dholuo grammar for beginners.pdf
https://quizlet.com/8133495/luo-phrases-flash-cards/
http://home.btconnect.com/anyadwechildrensandfamilywelfareassociation.com/luo languages and phrases at anyadwe.html
http://dholuo.weebly.com
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