100 Most Commonly Used Maasai Words and their Translations

The Maasai language is spoken by at least 5 million people in East Africa. It is spoken by the Maasai community, a predominantly pastoralist people who traverse the semi-arid regions of Kenya and Tanzania in search of pasture and water for their flocks.

Here are 100 of the most commonly used words in the Maasai language.

1. Nabo – One
2. Are – Two
3. Uni – Three
4. Ogúan – Four
5. Emiet – Five
6. Eele – Six
7. Napishana – Seven
8. Esiet – Eight
9. Naudo – Nine
10. Tomon – Ten
11. Olayieni – boy
12. Engayeni – son
13. Olalashe – brother
14. Olee – man
15. Papa – father
16. Nkakuyiaa – grandfather
17. Endito – girl/daughter
18. Enkanashe – sister
19. Engitok – woman
20. Yeyo/entasat – mother
21. Kokai/enkoko – grandmother
22. Enkerai – child
23. Orpayian – old man
24. Enkerai oonkera – grandchild
25. Olchere – friend
26. Tataji – today
27. Kewarrie – tonight
28. Ng’ole – yesterday
29. Taisere – tomorrow
30. Sopa – hello
31. Ole sere – goodbye
32. Ayeh – yes
33. Ah ah – no
34. Kaomon – please
35. Mmape – let’s go
36. Wou! – come
37. Inchoki – give me
38. Enkakenya – morning
39. Dama – noon/afternoon
40. Kewarie – night
41. Teipa – evening
42. Engaik – hand
43. Engogu – eye
44. Engutuk – mouth
45. Engume – nose
46. Elpapit – hair
47. Elukunya – head
48. Empurria – cat
49. Oldia – dog
50. Ederoni – mouse
51. Emotonyi – bird
52. Engiteng – cow
53. Olparasi – horse
54. Olshati – shirt
55. Enamuka – shoes
56. Esokis – socks
57. Eseeta – sweater
58. Esupaleni – trousers
59. Olkoti – coat
60. Edaa – food
61. Shumbi – salt
62. Esukari – sugar
63. Shai – tea
64. Inkiri – meat
65. Enkare – water
66. Ermariko – bananas
67. Ermurungu – potatoes
68. Arkahawa – coffee
69. Kule – milk
70. Olmukate – bread
71. Orng’anayioi – fruits
72. Ermachungwa – oranges
73. Enyanya – tomatoes
74. Edaa e tedekanya – breakfast
75. Edaa e dama – lunch
76. Edaa e airraje – dinner
77. Osaani – plate
78. Orbakuli – bowl
79. Enkikombe – cup
80. Enkijiko – spoon’
81. Enkalem – knife
82. Emesa – table
83. Oladakitarie – doctor
84. Olaiteng’enani – teacher
85. Engera eshule – student
86. Elpolisi – police
87. Sipitari – hospital
88. Engitabu – books
89. Alkalamu – pen
90. Hoteli – hotel
91. Ebasi – bus
92. Engari – car
93. Engaji – house/room
94. Enjoo – toilet
95. Erruat – bedroom
96. Eweji neyerihoreki – kitchen
97. Kanisa – church
98. Mpisai – money
99. Sukul – school
100. Entila – bicycle

Good luck as you learn and practise the Maasai language!