Looking for practical Malagasy to Luo phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Malagasy phrase first, then the Luo translation (Luo) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Luo.
Tip: focus on one section per day (travel Monday, dining Tuesday, and so on) if you are preparing for a Luo-speaking trip in a few weeks.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Malagasy to Luo translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Salama
Naki(Naki)
Misaotra
Asante(Asante)
Salama maraina
Naki chuo(Naki chuo)
Salama tolakandro
Naki ng'ato(Naki ng'ato)
Salama hariva
Naki owadgi(Naki owadgi)
Alina tsara
Naki buya(Naki buya)
Hizara indray
Ting' kendo(Ting' kendo)
Veloma
Naki(Naki)
Inona no anaranao?
Ine ng'ama in?(Ine ng'ama in?)
Ny anarako dia John
Inyalo John(Inyalo John)
Inona ny vaovao?
Okwere?(Okwere?)
Faly mihaona aminao
Naki konyo(Naki konyo)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Miteny anglisy ve ianao?
Naki konyo English?(Miteny anglisy ve ianao?)
Tsy mahay tsara Hindi aho
Naki konyo Hindi mako.(Tsy mahay tsara Hindi aho)
Tsy azoko
Nyingi.(Tsy azoko)
Azafady, miteny moramora
Tende konyo chalo.
Azonao averina ve izany?
Naki konyo to?
Aiza ny trano fidiovana?
Ith gi toilet?
Ahoana no ahatongavako any amin'ny foibe?
Ning'eyo konyo city center?
Mivadika ankavia
Konyo chike.
Mivadika ankavanana
Konyo duto.
Mandehana mivantana
Yie chalo.
Ohatrinona ny saran-dalana?
Ning'eyo koro?
Tapakila iray, azafady
Ticket moko, ndalo.
Lavitra ve izany avy eto?
Nia ng'ato kendo?
Very very
Nin gi chalo.
Aiza no ahafahako mividy SIM card?
Ith gi SIM card?
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Eny
Ee
Tsia
Ayi
Angamba
Kaka
Manaiky aho
Akwong'
Tsy manaiky aho
Ayi Akwong'
Tsara izany
Ong'eyo
Inona ny hevitrao?
Ine owuon?
Afaka manampy ahy ve ianao?
Naki gi chalo?
Mila fanampiana aho
Nind gi chalo
Miandrasa kely
Chakre
Miala tsiny aho
Naki
Tsy olana
Ayi koro
Arahabaina
Naki chalo
Tratry ny tsingerintaona nahaterahana
Naki buo
Mandehana soa aman-tsara
Naki chalo gi chalo
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Aiza ny gara?
Naki yieng' ma train?
Aiza ny fiantsonan'ny bus?
Naki yieng' ma bus?
Iza ny sehatra?
Naki platform ng'eyo?
Amin'ny firy no miala izy?
Naki koro ng'ato?
Ity ve ny làlana marina?
Ning'eyo ni ng'ato?
Eto akaiky izy.
Niko neno.
Lavitra eto izy.
Niko piny.
Afaka mampiseho ahy ve ianao amin'ny sarintany?
Okwong' ni on map?
Mijanona eto, azafady.
Dhi here, please.
Mandra-pahoviana no maharitra?
Naki koro ng'ato?
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
Ohatrinona ity?
Nia ni?(ohatrinona ity)
Maharitra be loatra izany
Owino ni gi chalo.(maharitra be loatra izany)
Manana zavatra mora ve ianao?
I konyo kanyo?(manana zavatra mora ve ianao)
Afaka mandoa amin'ny karatra ve aho?
Inyalo nind gi kad?(afaka mandoa amin'ny karatra ve aho)
Te-hanana latabatra ho an'ny roa aho
Nin gi chula mar duong'.(te-hanana latabatra ho an'ny roa aho)