Looking for practical NKo to Acholi phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Acholi translation (Acholi) — 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 Acholi.
Tip: focus on one section per day (travel Monday, dining Tuesday, and so on) if you are preparing for a Acholi-speaking trip in a few weeks.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Acholi 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.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Ayo(ah-yo)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Naki(nah-kee)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Bok moti(bok mo-tee)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Bok nongo(bok non-go)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Bok obedo(bok oh-beh-do)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Bok ngat(bok ngat)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Tye kany(tye kan-yee)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Itye(ee-tye)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Iti ma ineno?(ee-tee mah ee-neh-no)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Ineno John(ee-neh-no John)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Iti ma inyo?(ee-tee mah een-yo)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Gat ma inyo(gaht mah een-yo)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Itye konyo English?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Nye konyo Hindi kanyim.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Nye neno.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Nye konyo tye kanyim.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Itye konyo tye kanyim?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Iti kanyim ngat?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nye konyo kanyim ku city center?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Konyo kuc.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Konyo kuc.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tye kanyim.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Iti kanyim ngat?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
One ticket, please.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Iti kanyim kanyim?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Nye konyo.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Iti kanyim ngat SIM card?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Aye
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Bila
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Kweyo
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Ng'ato konyo
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ng'ato konyo ni
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Okwero kany
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ika kany?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ikwok kany?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ng'ato konyo kany
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Tye kany
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ng'ato konyo
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Bila kany
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Tye kany
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Aye konyo
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Tye kany ma ng'ato
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Atye kany kwo?(Atye kany kwo?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Atye kany bura?(Atye kany bura?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Kati onyo kwo?(Kati onyo kwo?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Nye kwo nongo?(Nye kwo nongo?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Kik kwo gwen?(Kik kwo gwen?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Okwang kany ici(Okwang kany ici)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Okwang kany piny(Okwang kany piny)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Nye konyo i map?(Nye konyo i map?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Doko ici, pe?(Doko ici, pe?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Nye kwo ngat?(Nye kwo ngat?)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Nye keken me?(Nye keken me?)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Okwero keken(Okwero keken)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Itye keken me?(Itye keken me?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Nye konyo kadi?(Nye konyo kadi?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Nye tye kany kwo(Nye tye kany kwo)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kaka, nyinga(Kaka, nyinga)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Kati kany me?(Kati kany me?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Nye konyo wot(Nye konyo wot)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kati wot kany, nyinga(Kati wot kany, nyinga)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Iti kany(Iti kany)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Nye konyo kadi me?(Nye konyo kadi me?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kadi me kic, nyinga(Kadi me kic, nyinga)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Yat ma police(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Yat ma ambulance(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Nye konyo doctor(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Nye konyo wot(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
Nye konyo kany kic(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Kati ki hospital ma kany?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Okwero ineno(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Nye tye konyo passport(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Okwero yat ma hotel amoni?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Yat!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Nye kany me(Nye kany me)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Dano kany oting(Dano kany oting)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nye kany ma kany?(Nye kany ma kany?)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Ngatye kany report kany(Ngatye kany report kany)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nye kany ma kany tye?(Nye kany ma kany tye?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nye kany ma file kany(Nye kany ma file kany)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Atye kany ma kany(Atye kany ma kany)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nye kany ma kany kany(Nye kany ma kany kany)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nye kany ma kany tye?(Nye kany ma kany tye?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Dano kany ma kany(Dano kany ma kany)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Kany kany Friday(Kany kany Friday)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.