The Luo community is the third largest ethnic group in Kenya. The Luo language has two known dialects, the Trans-Yala Lou dialect spoken in central Nyanza, and the South Nyanza Luo dialect spoken in parts of Central Nyanza and other parts of Nyanza. Below are some of the most common Luo words and their translations.
- Oyawore – morning greeting
- Misawa – afternoon greeting
- Oriti – goodbye
- Ber – hi
- Ero kamano – thank you
- Mos – I’m sorry
- Mos ahinya – I’m very sorry
- Ee – yes
- Ooyo – no
- Dichuo – man
- Dhako – woman
- Wuowi – boy
- Nyako – girl
- Dhano – human being
- Nyathi – child
- Nyamin – sister
- Wuon – father
- Min – mother
- Mikayi – first wife
- Nyachira – second wife
- Dayo – grandmother
- Migosi – mister
- Nyadendi – miss
- Ruoth – chief
- Jaduong’ – elder
- Jatelo – leader
- Jakom – chairperson
- Jakuath – shepherd/pastor
- Achiel – one
- Ariyo – two
- Adek – three
- Angwen – four
- Abich – five
- Auchiel – six
- Abiriyo – seven
- Aboro – eight
- Ongachiel – nine
- Apar – ten
- Ndara – road
- Dhiang’ – cow
- Rombo – sheep
- Nyuok – billy-goat
- Omera – informal way of addressing a friend
- Agulu – cooking pot
- Ajuoga – medicine man/witchdoctor
- Alot – vegetables
- Bando/odum – maize
- Biya – termites
- Cham – cereals/grains
- Chogo – bone
- Chuogo – mud
- Dala – home/homestead
- Dero – granary
- Kendo – fireplace
- Joot – family
- Lak – tooth
- Lé – animal
- Luth – walking stick
- Ng’ango – bed
- Nyasaye – God
- Olemo – fruit
- Otieno – night
- Pacho – home
- Pi – water
- Piny –earth
- Rabuon – potato
- Thuol – snake
- Wendo – visitor
- Yie – boat
- Yier – hair
- Tung’ – horn
- Ogwal – frog-toad
- An – I am
- Ne an – I was
- Abiro bet – I will be
- In – you are
- Wan – we are
- Ne wan – we are
- Ne in – you were
- N’gi – look
- Chik iti – listen
- Winjo – hear
- Mul – touch
- Yom – soft
- Tek – hard
- Wi – head
- Lep – tongue
- Tik – chin
- Kor – chest
- Ich – stomach
- Tielo – leg
- Wuoch – shoes
- Buonjo – smile
- Ringo – run
- Wuotho – walk
- Mbura – out
- Guok – dog
- Chieng – sun
- Ber – good
- Rach – bad
There you are – 100 words to get you speaking the beautiful Western Kenya lakeside language, Luo! Have fun!