The language of the Wayuu is called Wayuunaiki. Wayuunaiki is part of the Arawak language family. Amerindians belonging to the Arawak spread over the Amazon, Guyanas, and the Caribbean. They share a common root of their languages (e.g. like Latin for Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French).
This page provides a basic Wayuunaiki dictionary:
| Wayuunaiki | English |
| amushi | terracotta jar |
| arijuna | stranger – non-Wayuu |
| até | hunting arrow used for rabbits and birds |
| chicha | fermented maize drink |
| chichamaya | traditional dance |
| eirajushi | milk gruel |
| guanetou | open rancho |
| guara | large, golden doll; talisman |
| guarirajao | west coast of the Guajira peninsula |
| hayo | coca |
| Iorua | dead enemies |
| ita | bowl of calabash |
| jamatauré | woven cotton hammock |
| jepirachi | wind from the northeast; it refers to the trade winds |
| jirala | earthernware ladle |
| kacton | large net |
| kapanasa | crown of woven material |
| kiara | crown made from tiger-claws |
| korsu | crown or diadem woven of straw |
| kurara | “corral” – enclosure |
| lania | amulet that has spiritual power. |
| loi, loi | tobacco |
| parainsishi | foreign noble person |
| posho | small rounded spoon made from calabash |
| poso | earthernware dish |
| sa’wa | roasted and grinded corn mixed with sugar |
| siira | woven multi-coloured man belt (wide) |
| sori | rope hammock |
| suiche | undergarment |
| tairiana | necklace made of coco beads |
| tairiana | necklace made from beads (tumas) |
| tashe | garment |
| tinaja | urn |
| tuma | round/oblong beads mad from jasper or red agate |
| turu | small bench |
| uoro | crushed soaked maize |
| urraiche | Goajiro bow |
| ushi | large pan |
| weira | friend |
| yoruja | evil spirit |