Looking for practical NKo to Kanuri phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Kanuri translation (Kanuri) — 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 Kanuri.
Tip: read the Kanuri line out loud three times, then cover the NKo side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Kanuri 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
Sannu(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Nagode(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Ina kwana(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Ina yamma(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Ina dare(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Sai da safe(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Zan ganka(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Sai anjima(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Menene sunanka?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Sunana John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Lafiya lau?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Na ji dadin haduwa da kai(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Kuna magana da Turanci?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ba na magana da Hindi sosai.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Ba na fahimta.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Don Allah, ku yi magana a hankali.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Za ku iya faɗin hakan sake?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ina wanka?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ta yaya zan isa tsakiyar birni?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Juya hagu.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Juya dama.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tafiya kai tsaye.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nawa ne farashin?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tiket ɗaya, don Allah.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Shin yana da nisa daga nan?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Na ɓace.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ina zan iya sayen kati na SIM?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Eey(ee-y)
𞤈𞤢𞤣
A'a(ah-ah)
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Wata(wah-tah)
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Na amu(nah ah-moo)
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Na a'a amu(nah ah-ah ah-moo)
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Iya na(ee-yah nah)
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Kaya ka yi tunani?(kah-yah kah yee too-nah-nee)
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Za ka iya taimaka min?(zah kah ee-yah tie-mah-kah meen)
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Na bukaci taimako(nah boo-kah-chee tie-mah-koh)
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Duba dan lokaci(doo-bah dahn loh-kah-chee)
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Na yi hakuri(nah yee hah-koo-ree)
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Babu matsala(bah-boo maht-sah-lah)
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Taya murna(tah-yah moor-nah)
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Barka da haihuwa(bar-kah dah hai-hoo-wah)
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ka yi tafiya lafiya(kah yee tah-fee-yah lah-fee-yah)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Nye boko na gari?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Nye boko na bas?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Wane boko na?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Wane lokaci ya tafi?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Shin wannan hanya ce?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Yana kusa da nan(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Yana nesa da nan(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Za ka iya nuna mini a taswirar?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Tsaida nan, don Allah(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Yaya tsawon lokaci?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Nayi na kudi?(Nayi na kudi?)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Wannan ya yi tsada sosai.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Shin kuna da wani abu mai rahusa?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Zan iya biyan kudi da kati?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ina so tebur don biyu.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Lissafi, don Allah.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Shin sabis ya haɗa?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ni mai ganyayyaki ne.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ba tare da zaki ba, don Allah.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Wannan yana da dadi.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Zan iya samun menu?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kofin ruwa, don Allah.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Dawari janga(Dawari janga)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Dawari ambulan(Dawari ambulan)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Ni na doctor(Ni na doctor)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Ni na jaga(Ni na jaga)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
Ni na haji goro(Ni na haji goro)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Ina asibiti na kusa?(Ina asibiti na kusa?)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Yana ciwo a nan(Yana ciwo a nan)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Ni na rasa passport na(Ni na rasa passport na)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Za ka iya dawari otel na?(Za ka iya dawari otel na?)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Taimako!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Nde gaishe(nde gaishe)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Mu gaishe taro(mu gaishe taro)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Wai gaishe lokaci?(wai gaishe lokaci)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Zan tura rahoto yau(zan tura rahoto yau)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Zamu iya magana gobe?(zamu iya magana gobe)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Don Allah ka sami fayil din da aka makala(don Allah ka sami fayil din da aka makala)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Na gode da lokacinka(na gode da lokacinka)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ina fatan aiki tare da kai(ina fatan aiki tare da kai)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Za ka iya fayyace wannan batu?(za ka iya fayyace wannan batu)