This is an introductory list of common words and phrases you’ll use in your daily activities. There are lots of websites to help you learn Kiswahili in more depth before you arrive, but most people in Kisumu speak Kijaluo.
| English | Kijaluo | Kiswahili |
| Good morning | Oyawore (oh-yeah-oar-ay) | Habari ya asubuhi (hab-are-ee ya ass-sue-booey) |
| Good evening | Oimore (oh-ee-more-ay) | Habari ya jioni (hab-are-ee ya jee-oh-knee) |
| General greeting | Nango (nyang-oh) or idhi nade (i-thee na-day) RESPONSE: maber (ma-bear) or adhi maber (ah-thee ma-bear) | Jambo (jam-bo) |
| See you tomorrow | Wanere kinye (wa-nair-eh kee-ny) | Tuonane kesho (too-oh-na-nay keh-sho) |
| Thank you | Erokamano (air-oh-kah-mah-no) | Asante (ah-sahn-tee) |
| Goodbye | Oriti (oh-ree-tee) | Kwaheri (kwa-hair-ee) |
| Water | Pi (pee) | Magi (ma-gee) |
| Help me with water | Konya gi pi (cone-ya ghee pee) | Unisaidia magi (oo-ni-sigh-ih-dee-ya ma-gee) |
| I want bread | Adwaro mocate (ah-dwa-ro mow-ka-tay) | Nataka mocate (nah-tah-ka mow-ka-tay) |
| How much? | Pesa adi (pay-sa ah-dee) | Pesa ngapi (pay-sa n-gah-pee) |
| Am coming | Abiro (ah- be- row) | Nakuja ( Nah-koo-jah) |
| Bring it for me | Kelna (Keh-l-nah) | Niletee ( Nee- lay-teh) |
| Am busy | Adich ( ah-dee-ch ) | Niko na shughuli ( nee-koh ne sh-uh-g-hu-lee) |
| Where are you | In kanye ? (ee-n ka-n-y-eh) | Uko wapi (Uh-k-oh w-ah-pee) |
| What is the time? | Saa adi? ( sir ah-dee) | Saa ngapi (sir n-gah-pee) |
| Something wrong? | Gimoro rach ? (g-ee-morrow rh-ah-ch ) | Kuna kitu mbaya (k-uh-n-ah k-ee-too m-bah-yeah) |
Kisumu Children's Rescue Center 