Looking for practical Wolof to Luo phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Wolof 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 Wolof 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.
Nanga def
Naki(Naki)
Jërëjëf
Asante(Asante)
Ba beneen yoon
Naki chuo(Naki chuo)
Ba pare
Naki ng'ato(Naki ng'ato)
Ba suuf
Naki owadgi(Naki owadgi)
Ba ci kanam
Naki buya(Naki buya)
Naka la
Ting' kendo(Ting' kendo)
Ba beneen
Naki(Naki)
Naka sa tur?
Ine ng'ama in?(Ine ng'ama in?)
Sa tur mooy John
Inyalo John(Inyalo John)
Naka nga def?
Okwere?(Okwere?)
Nuyoo na la
Naki konyo(Naki konyo)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Naka la jàngi anglé?
Naki konyo English?
Maanu jàngi Hindi bu baax.
Naki konyo Hindi mako.
Dama xamul.
Nyingi.
S'il vous plaît, jàngi bu wéy.
Tende konyo chalo.
Naka la waxe ko jëkk?
Naki konyo to?
Fàww la bathroom?
Ith gi toilet?
Naka la jëm ci centre ville?
Ning'eyo konyo city center?
Jàpp ci jàmm.
Konyo chike.
Jàpp ci nguur.
Konyo duto.
Jëm ci géej.
Yie chalo.
Naka la mbir mi?
Ning'eyo koro?
Benn ticket, s'il vous plaît.
Ticket moko, ndalo.
Ndax am na loolu ci biir?
Nia ng'ato kendo?
Dama jàpp.
Nin gi chalo.
Fàww laa jënd SIM card?
Ith gi SIM card?
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Waaw
Ee
Déedéet
Ayi
Moom
Kaka
Maa ngi ci kanam
Akwong'
Maa ngi ci biir
Ayi Akwong'
Loolu dafa am jamm
Ong'eyo
Lu tax nga?
Ine owuon?
Ndax nga ma jëfandikoo?
Naki gi chalo?
Maa ngi bëgg jëfandikoo
Nind gi chalo
Teg a jàmm
Chakre
Naka la?
Naki
Dama jàmm
Ayi koro
Jamm rekk
Naki chalo
Bés bu nekk yaakaar
Naki buo
Dama la jàmm ci yoon
Naki chalo gi chalo
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Fekk na ciy tànk?
Naki yieng' ma train?(fekk na chee tânk)
Fekk na ciy bus?
Naki yieng' ma bus?(fekk na chee boos)
Naka platform bi?
Naki platform ng'eyo?(naka platform bee)
Naka at la mu jàpp?
Naki koro ng'ato?(naka at la moo jàpp)
Ndax loolu mooy way bi?
Ning'eyo ni ng'ato?(ndax loolu mooy wee bi)
Dafa jàmm ci biir
Niko neno.(dafa jàmm chee beer)
Dafa jàmm ci kaw
Niko piny.(dafa jàmm chee kaw)
Ndax nga ma jox ci carte bi?
Okwong' ni on map?(ndax nga ma jox chee kart bee)
Soppi ci bi, ndax jëf?
Dhi here, please.(soppi chee bee, ndax jëf)
Naka waxtaan la?
Naki koro ng'ato?(naka waxtaan la)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
Naka la cost bi?
Nia ni?(naka la cost bi)
Loolu am na jafe-jafe
Owino ni gi chalo.(loolu am na jafe-jafe)
Ndax am nga lu jàpp?
I konyo kanyo?(ndax am nga lu jàpp)
Ndax mën naa jox kaar?
Inyalo nind gi kad?(ndax mën naa jox kaar)
Maa ngi bëgg table bu jëkk
Nin gi chula mar duong'.(maa ngi bëgg table bu jëkk)