If you’re learning Luo (Dholuo), knowing a few common everyday words will help you understand conversations and start forming sentences quickly.
This guide covers essential Luo words that beginners hear all the time — greetings, verbs, nouns, question words, and expressions used in daily speech.
You don’t need to memorize everything at once. Think of this as a reference page you can return to as you learn.
Greetings & Polite Words in Luo
Greetings are often the first thing learners want to know — and for good reason. They’re used constantly.
Common examples:
- Idhi nade? – How are you?
- Amosi – Hello
- Erokamano – Thank you
- Erokamano ahinya – Thank you very much
- Oriti – Good bye.
👉 If you want a deeper breakdown, see: How to Say Hello in Luo (Dholuo Greetings Explained)
Common Verbs You’ll Hear Every Day
Verbs are the backbone of speaking. Once you know a few, you can already form simple sentences.
Essential Luo verbs:
- dhi – to go
- biro – to come
- timo – to do
- chamo – to eat something
- neno – to see
- wacho – to say
Examples:
- Abiro kawuono. – I am coming today.
- Achamo chiemo. – I am eating food.
Everyday Nouns in Luo
These are common nouns you’ll hear at home, work, or when traveling.
Useful nouns:
- chiemo – food
- pi – water
- ot – house
- tich – work
- wuoyi – boy
- nyako – girl
- dhako – woman
- nyathi – child
Examples:
- Chiemo ber. – The food is good.
- Ot maduongʼ. – A big house.
Common Describing Words (Adjectives)
Adjectives help you describe people and things more naturally.
Common adjectives in Dholuo:
- ber – good
- rach – bad
- tek – difficult / hard
- tin – small / little
- duongʼ – big
In Dholuo, adjectives usually come after the noun, using the ma- structure.
Examples:
- Wuoyi maber – a good boy
- Chiemo marach – bad food
👉 Learn more here: Adjectives and Adverbs in Dholuo
Question Words in Luo (Very Important)
Question words appear constantly in conversations. Many beginners recognize these first.
Common question words:
- angʼo? – what?
- nangʼo? – why?
- ngʼa? – who?
- nade? – how?
- kanye? – where?
- karangʼo? – when?
Examples:
- Angʼo ma itimo? – What are you doing?
- Mano ng’a? – Who is that?
👉 See also: Nangʼo Meaning in Luo (Dholuo)
Yes, No & Common Expressions
These words make your speech sound natural and relaxed.
Common expressions:
- ee – yes
- ooyo – no
- onge wach – no problem / it’s okay
- ber ahinya – very good
- ok ber – not good
Examples:
- Onge wach. – No problem.
- Ber ahinya! – Very good!
👉 Related guide: Onge Wach Meaning in Luo (Dholuo)
How to Practice These Words
A simple exercise:
- Pick 5 words from this list
- Try forming one sentence with each
- Say them out loud if possible
You don’t need perfect grammar — understanding and repetition matter more.
If you want structured lessons with examples and audio, you can learn Dholuo online using guided beginner-friendly lessons designed for real usage.
Final Tip for Beginners
Don’t try to memorize everything.
Focus on:
- Common words
- Listening for patterns
- Speaking often
With time, these words will start to feel natural.