Looking for practical NKo to Dinka phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Dinka translation (Dinka) — 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 Dinka.
Tip: pick five Dinka phrases from the greetings section and use them in a real message today. Small daily practice beats cramming before a trip.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Dinka 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
Yaaŋ(yaaŋ)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Ajak(ajak)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Bäny äyö(bäny äyö)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Bäny kɛ̈l(bäny kɛ̈l)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Bäny nyin(bäny nyin)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Bäny kɛ̈l(bäny kɛ̈l)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Yin kɛ̈l(yin kɛ̈l)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Yin kɛ̈l(yin kɛ̈l)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Nin kɛ̈l yïn?(nin kɛ̈l yïn?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Nin yïn John(nin yïn John)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Kɛ̈l yïn?(kɛ̈l yïn?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Bäny kɛ̈l yïn(bäny kɛ̈l yïn)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nyaac ke wic ku English?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Aye nyin wic Hindi kɔc.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Aye nyin kɔc.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Yin kɔc ke nyin.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Yin wic ke nyin?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Cɔl kɛ thon?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nyaac kɛ jɛt ke cɛl?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Yin tɛŋ ke thok.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Yin tɛŋ ke kɛl.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Yin tɛŋ ke cɛl.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Cɔl kɛ thon?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kɛl thok, yin.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Cɔl kɛ jɔk ke cɛl?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Aye nyin thok.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Cɔl kɛ jɛt ke SIM?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Aye
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Naa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Cok
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Aye nyin
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Naa nyin
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Käth aŋöör
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Käŋ aŋöör?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Nyaŋ aŋöör?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Aye bɛ̈t aŋöör
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Käŋ aŋöör
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Aye kɛ̈l
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Naa kɛ̈l
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Bɛ̈t aŋöör
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Bɛ̈t aŋöör kuɔr
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Käth aŋöör kuɔr
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Cïïr yïnë kël?(Cii r yin e kel)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Cïïr yïnë kël jëŋ?(Cii r yin e kel jeng)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Këc yïnë kël?(Kec yin e kel)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Këc kël yïnë?(Kec kel yin e)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Këc yïnë kël wël?(Kec yin e kel wel)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Këc yïnë kël jëŋ?(Kec yin e kel jeng)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Këc yïnë kël wël?(Kec yin e kel wel)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Aŋë yïnë kël kɔc?(Ang e yin e kel koc)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Nye kël jëŋ, jëŋ?(Nye kel jeng jeng)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Këc yïnë kël jëŋ?(Kec yin e kel jeng)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Kuoth ke nyin?(kuoth ke nyin)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Nyaak ke thok kɛ̈r(nyaak ke thok kɛ̈r)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Aye ke nyin kɛ̈r?(aye ke nyin kɛ̈r)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Aye ke nyin kɛ̈r kɔc?(aye ke nyin kɛ̈r kɔc)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Aye ke nyin a tɛ́bɛl kɛ̈r duɔŋ(aye ke nyin a tɛ́bɛl kɛ̈r duɔŋ)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kɛ́l, please(kɛ́l, please)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Aye ke nyin kɛ̈r kɛ́l?(aye ke nyin kɛ̈r kɛ́l)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Aye ke nyin a kɔc(aye ke nyin a kɔc)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Aye ke nyin kɛ̈r aŋɔr, please(aye ke nyin kɛ̈r aŋɔr, please)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Nyaak ke aŋɔr(nyaak ke aŋɔr)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Aye ke nyin kɛ̈r a menu?(aye ke nyin kɛ̈r a menu)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Aye ke nyin a kɔl aŋɔr, please(aye ke nyin a kɔl aŋɔr, please)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Bɛɛr kɔl pɔlɪs(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Bɛɛr kɔl ambʊlɛns(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
A pɛɛr dɔkta(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
A jɛt kɔc(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
A kɛl kɔc bɛɛr pɛɛnʊt(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Cɛɛr kɛ bɛɛr hɔspɪtɔl?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Kɔc kɛ tɛŋ(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
A lɔst pɑspɔt(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Kɛl bɛɛr kɔl hɔtɛl a?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Yɛɛr!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Yin ke nyin(Yin ke nyin)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Nyaak ke nyin ke jieng(Nyaak ke nyin ke jieng)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Cieng nyin ke jieng?(Cieng nyin ke jieng?)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Aye ke cïe report kɛ̈t(Aye ke cïe report kɛ̈t)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nyaak ke jieng kɛ̈t?(Nyaak ke jieng kɛ̈t?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nyaak ke cïe file kɛ̈t(Nyaak ke cïe file kɛ̈t)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ayiir ke nyin kɛ̈t(Ayiir ke nyin kɛ̈t)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Aye ke nyin kɛ̈t jieng(Aye ke nyin kɛ̈t jieng)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nyaak ke cïe kɛ̈t?(Nyaak ke cïe kɛ̈t?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nyaak ke cïe nyin kɛ̈t(Nyaak ke cïe nyin kɛ̈t)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Cieng kɛ̈t ke Friday(Cieng kɛ̈t ke Friday)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.