Useful phrases in Dholuo

A collection of useful phrases in Dholuo (Luo), a Nilo-Saharan language spoken in Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania.

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See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).

Phrase Dholuo
Welcome Ajolo in (I welcome you - sg)
Ajolo wu (pl)
Wajolo in (We welcome you - sg)
Wajolo wu
Hello (General greeting) Misawa (frm)
Misawa ahinya (reply)
Ber (inf)
Ber ahinya (reply)
Hello (on phone)
How are you? Nade? (How is it?)
Ithi nade? (How are you doing?)
Amosi? (I greet you)
Ere wach? (Any news?)
Reply to 'How are you?' Ber ahinya, to in? (Very well, and you?)
Adhi maber, to in? (I am doing well, and you?)
Wach onge (There is no news)
Long time no see
What's your name? Nyingi nga?
My name is ... Nyinga ...
Where are you from? To ia kanye?
I'm from ... Aa ki ...
Pleased to meet you
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Ichiyo nade? (How is your morning?)
Achiyo ma ber (My morning is going well - reply)
Oyaore? (How is the morning?)
Oyaore ahinya (The morning is going well - reply)
Oyawore (It [the sky] has opened itself) (sg)
Oyawore ahinya (It has opened itself indeed) - reply sg) Oyaworeuru (pl)
Oyaworeuru ahinya (reply - pl)
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Irio nade? (How is your day?)
Ario ma ber (My day is going well - reply)
Osaore? (How is the day?)
Osaore ahinya (The day is going well - reply)
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Idhi nade? (How is your evening?)
Adhi ma ber (My evening is going well - reply)
Owimore? (How is the evening?)
Owimore ahinya (The evening is going well - reply)
Oyimore (It [the sky] has closed itself -sg)
Oyimore ahinya (reply - pl)
Good night Goyo Oriti
Oriti (May he protect you - sg)
Oriti ahinya (sg - reply) Oriti uru (pl)
Oriti ahinya (reply - pl)
Oriti inind maber (Sleep well)
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
Oriti (Goodbye)
Wabironenore (We'll see each other [later])
Wanere kiny (Let's see each other tomorrow)
Oriti idhi maber (Go well)
Oriti idong’ maber (Stay well)
Good luck!
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Have a nice day Bed maber
Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
Oriti idhi maber (safe journey)
Oriti iwuoth maber
Yes Ee
Duoko
No Dawe
Tawe
Maybe
I don't know Ok ang'eyo
I understand Aniang
I don't understand Pe anyang
Please speak more slowly Lok mot mot!
Please say that again Nwo
Please write it down
Do you speak English? I loko leb muno?
Do you speak Dholuo?
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
Aloko leb lwo maditi
Do you speak a language
other than
Dholuo?
Speak to me in Dholuo
How do you say ... in Dholuo? I waco ni ngo ileb ...?
Excuse me Tima kica (to get attention)
How much is this? Eni ciling adi? (How much is this?)
Ca ni adi? (How much is that?)
Sorry Mos (I'm sorry)
Mos ahinya (I'm very sorry)
Please Kiyie
Thank you Erokamano
Erokamano ahinya
Reply to thank you
Where's the toilet / bathroom?
This gentleman will pay for everything
This lady will pay for everything
Would you like to dance with me?
Do you come here often?
I miss you
I love you Aheri
Get well soon
Go away! Dek cen!
Cet cen!
Leave me alone! Wek an!
Help! Konya ba!
Fire!
Stop!
Call the police!
Christmas greetings
New Year greetings
Easter greetings
Birthday greetings
Congratulations!
One language is never enough
My hovercraft is full of eels

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