Looking for practical NKo to Luo phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo 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: when a Luo phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the NKo wording — noticing word order differences helps you understand grammar naturally.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo 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.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Naki(Naki)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Asante(Asante)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Naki chuo(Naki chuo)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Naki ng'ato(Naki ng'ato)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Naki owadgi(Naki owadgi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Naki buya(Naki buya)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Ting' kendo(Ting' kendo)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Naki(Naki)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Ine ng'ama in?(Ine ng'ama in?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Inyalo John(Inyalo John)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Okwere?(Okwere?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Naki konyo(Naki konyo)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Naki konyo English?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Naki konyo Hindi mako.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Nyingi.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tende konyo chalo.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Naki konyo to?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ith gi toilet?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ning'eyo konyo city center?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Konyo chike.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Konyo duto.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Yie chalo.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ning'eyo koro?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ticket moko, ndalo.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nia ng'ato kendo?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Nin gi chalo.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ith gi SIM card?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ee
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ayi
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Kaka
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Akwong'
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ayi Akwong'
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ong'eyo
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ine owuon?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Naki gi chalo?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Nind gi chalo
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Chakre
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Naki
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ayi koro
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Naki chalo
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Naki buo
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Naki chalo gi chalo
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Naki yieng' ma train?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Naki yieng' ma bus?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Naki platform ng'eyo?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Naki koro ng'ato?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ning'eyo ni ng'ato?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Niko neno.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Niko piny.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Okwong' ni on map?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Dhi here, please.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Naki koro ng'ato?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Nia ni?(aɡa fɔtɔ?)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Owino ni gi chalo.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
I konyo kanyo?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Inyalo nind gi kad?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Nin gi chula mar duong'.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Chakruok, plis.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Isango ni gi?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Nin gi vegeterian.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Naki chalo chalo, plis.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Owino ni gi dho.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Inyalo nind gi menu?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Gik konyo mar maji, plis.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Nedhi polisi(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Nedhi ambulance(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Aneedo daktari(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Akwong' gi chalo(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
An gi allergy kuom peanuts(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Naki hospital mar koro?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Okwong' mana(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Nying' my passport(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Inyalo nedhi hotel ang'wen?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Konyo!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Naki konyo(Naki konyo)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Nying' konyo joma(Nying' konyo joma)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Naki konyo nigi?(Naki konyo nigi?)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Ng'ato nind gi report nyaka(Ng'ato nind gi report nyaka)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ning'eyo konyo nyaka?(Ning'eyo konyo nyaka?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Chieng' ni file ni(Chieng' ni file ni)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Asante gi chako(Asante gi chako)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nying' konyo gi nyaka(Nying' konyo gi nyaka)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ning'eyo konyo ni?(Ning'eyo konyo ni?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ning'eyo konyo nind gi(Ning'eyo konyo nind gi)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Dede ni Friday(Dede ni Friday)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.