The Luhya tribe, also known as the Abaluyia, Baluhya or Abaluhya, is the second largest tribe in Kenya, living in the fertile western province of the country. The Luhya language has several dialects, the most common being Maragoli, Wanga, Bukusu, Abagisu and Marama. Below is a list of the most commonly used words in the Luhya language. Take a look!
- Mulembe – Peace/general greeting
- Bushire – Good morning
- Keshitare – Good afternoon
- Bwakhera – Good evening
- OIiomulamu – Are you fine?
- Oriena – How are you? (singular)
- Murieena – How are you? (plural)
- Ostitonga hena – Where are you going?
- Obulayi muno – Very good
- Mulembe muno – Peace Good – a general greeting in response to Mulembe
- Bushire muno – A very good morning to you
- Namalayi muno – Good afternoon / I’m fine
- Bwirire – evening greeting
- Bwirire muno – Good evening
- Endiomulamu – Yes, I’m fine
- Khukhani khandi – See you soon
- Khukhani mukumba – See you tomorrow
- Mwana – greeting used by people of similar ages who share a degree of Plural – bana, bane
- Abakuka – grandfathers
- Abana – children
- Kuka – grandfather
- Kukhu – grandmother
- Mbotso – sister/brother/sibling
- Mama – mother
- Papa – father
- Mao – your mother
- Senje – paternal aunt
- Khotsa – maternal uncle
- Mulamwa – sister or brother-in-law
- Abenyu – your (possessive)
- –enyu – your
- –ene – oneself
- Eshiefu – our
- Ababi – bad
- Muno – much, very much, good
- Amani – strength
- Amarwi/eshirwi/efirwi – ears
- Emikhono – hands
- Eshilemje – leg/foot
- Lisikamo – knee
- Eshikhumi – hundred
- Eshikhumira – thousand
- Amabeere – milk
- Ebilibwa – food
- Amatuma – maize
- Amahenjera – dry maize and beans boiled together
- Amatsi – water
- Eshiachi – granary, grain store
- Eshiamo – fruit
- Ingokho/eshiminywi – chicken
- Eshimuli – flower
- Ichai – tea
- Ingano – wheat
- Inyeni – fish
- Italanyi – lion
- Itwasi – cow
- Liyoni – bird
- Inyanya – tomato
- Inzofu – elephant
- Eshiroboto – flea
- Omutoka – car
- Eshifumbi – chair
- Isahani – plate
- Eshichiko – spoon
- Eshikombe – cup
- Indoo – bucket
- Injeso – knife
- Inyumba – house
- Ijikoni – kitchen
- Ichupa – bottle
- Eshiwo – glass
- Eshitanda – bed
- Ibirika – kettle/teapot
- Eshikapo – basket
- Eshisufulia – saucepan
- Ichoo – latrine/lavatory
- Idaraja – bridge
- Ifula – rain
- Eshiserero – wedding
- Eshiiro – market
- Eshifwalo – clothes/garment
- Ikanisa – church
- Isubutali – hospital
- Ikalamu yamare – pencil
- Ikalamu yobwino – pen
- Eliaro – boat/canoe
- Eshichanuwo – comb
- Eshifuli – padlock
- Ekulu – up, above
- Eliira – name
- Eshirima – darkness
- Eshiro – night
- Eshiro shino – last night
- Ewefu – at our home
- Ewenyu – at your home
- Okhufunga – lock
- Okhusaala – pray
- Amberi –first
- Eshikulu – hill
- Eliuba – sun
There you go! 100 common Luhya words to use in your next conversation! Go ahead and enjoy this beautiful Kenyan language!