The language of the Wayuu is called Wayuunaiki. It is part of the Arawak language family, whose speakers spread across the Amazon, Guianas, and the Caribbean. They share a common root in the same way Latin connects Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French.

Many of these terms appear in Candelier's 1893 travel report, where he documented Wayuu daily life, material culture, and customs in remarkable detail.

amushiterracotta jar
arijunastranger — non-Wayuu
até hunting arrow used for rabbits and birds
chichafermented maize drink
chichamayatraditional dance
eirajushimilk gruel
guanetouopen rancho
guaralarge, golden doll; talisman
guarirajao west coast of the Guajira peninsula
hayococa
Ioruadead enemies
itabowl of calabash
jamatauréwoven cotton hammock
jepirachi wind from the northeast; the trade winds
jiralaearthenware ladle
kactonlarge net
kapanasacrown of woven material
kiaracrown made from tiger claws
korsucrown or diadem woven of straw
kurara"corral" — enclosure
laniaamulet with spiritual power
loitobacco
parainsishiforeign noble person
posho small rounded spoon made from calabash
posoearthenware dish
sa'wa roasted and ground corn mixed with sugar
siira woven multicoloured man's belt (wide)
sorirope hammock
suicheundergarment
tairiana necklace made from beads (tumas)
tashegarment
tinajaurn
tuma round/oblong beads made from jasper or red agate
turusmall bench
uorocrushed soaked maize
urraicheGoajiro bow
ushilarge pan
weirafriend
yorujaevil spirit