Luganda phrasebook

Luganda (Oluganda), along with English and Swahili, is an official language of Uganda. It is spoken primarily in Kampala and surrounding regions but may be understood in much of the country.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

Luganda has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u. pronounced the same as in Spanish:

A - ah (Like the "a" in "father")

E - eh (Like the "a" in "say")

I - ee (Like the "ee" in "see")

O - oh (Like the "o" in "cone")

U - oo (Like the "oo" in "doom")

Consonants

b

like in boy. (: b)

c

like in chalk. (: tʃ)

d

like in do. (: d̪)

f

like in foot. (: f)

g

like in go. (before "a", "o", "u"; : g), like sabotage (before "e" and "i"; : ʒ)

h

like in hi. (: h)

j

like in second pronunciation of g.

k

like in skit. (: k)

l

like in lion. (: l)

m

like in mother. (: m)

n

like in nose. (: n)

p

like in pawpaw. (: p)

r

like in rain. (: r)

s

like in sun. (: s)

t

like in television. (: t)

v

like in vision. (: v)

w

like in way. (: w)

y

like in yellow. (: y)

z

like in zebra. (: z)

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Basics

Hello.: (oli otya to one person, muli mutya to more)
Hello. (informal): Ki kati? ()
How are you?: oli otya ? ( ?)
Fine, thank you.: bulungi . ()
What is your name?: Erinnya lyo ggwe ani ? (? ?)
My name is ______ .: Erinnya lyange nze ______ . ( _____ .)
Nice to meet you.: Kirungi okukusisinkana. ()
Please.: Mwattu. ( )
Thank you (very much).: Webale (nyo).
You're welcome.: Kale. ()
Yes.: Yee. ()
No.: nedda. ( )
Excuse me. (getting attention): Owange. ()
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Wangi. ()
I'm sorry.: Nsonyiwa. ()
Goodbye: Weeraba. ()
Goodbye (informal): Mweraba. ()
I can't speak Luganda [well].: Silumanyi olungereza[ ]. ( [ ])
Do you speak English?: Omanyi olungereza ? ( ?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Wano waliwo amanyi olungereza ? ( ?)
Help!: Nnyamba ! ( !)
Look out!: Wegendereze ! ( !)
Good morning.: Wasuze otya. ( )
Good evening.: Osiibye otya nno. (? )
Good night.: Sula bulungi. ()
Good night (to sleep): Sula bulungi. ()
I don't understand.: Sitegera. ( )
Where is the toilet?: Buyonjo eri ludda wa ? ( ?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Mundeke nzekka. ( )
Don't touch me!: Tonkwatako ! ( )
I'll call the police.: Nja kukubira poliisi essimu.. ( )
Police!: polisi ! ( )
Stop! Thief!: mukomye omubbi ! ( )
I need your help.: Nneetaaga obuyambi bwammwe. ( )
It's an emergency.: Kiba kya mangu. ( )
I'm lost.: Nze mbuze. ( )
I lost my bag.: Nnabula ensawo yange. ( )
I lost my wallet.: Nnabula waleti yange. ( )
I'm sick.: Nze ndi mulwadde.. ( )
I've been injured.: Nze nfunye obuvune. ( )
I need a doctor.: Nneetaaga omusawo. ( )
Can I use your phone?: Nsobola okukozesa essimu yo? ( )

Numbers

0: zeero()
1: emu()
2: bbiri()
3: ssatu()
4: nnya()
5: ttaano()
6: mukaaga()
7: musanvu()
8: munaana()
9: mwenda()
10: kkumi()
11: kkumi n'emu()
12: kkumi na bbiri()
13: kkumi na ssatu()
14: kkumi na nnya()
15: kkumi na ttano()
16: kkumi na mukaaga()
17: kkumi na musanvu()
18: kkumi na munaana()
19: kkumi na mwenda()
20: amakumi abiri()
21: amakumi abiri mu emu()
22: amakumi abiri mu bbiri()
23: amakumi abiri mu ssatu()
30: amakumi asatu()
40: amakumi ana()
50: amakumi ataano()
60: nkaaga()
70: nsanvu()
80: kinaana()
90: kyenda()
100: kikumi()
200: bikumi bibiri()
300: bikumi bisatu()
1,000: lukumi()
2,000: nkumi bbiri()
1,000,000: kakadde kamu()
1,000,000,000: akawumbi kamu()

number (train, bus, etc.): Muwendo _____( )
half: Kimu kya kubiri( )
less: Bitono( )
more: Singako( )

Time

now: Kati( )
later: Oluvannyuma( )
before: Kusooka( )
morning: Makya( )
afternoon: Lwaggulo( )
evening: Kawungeezi( )
night: Kiro( )

Clock time

one o'clock AM: ssaawa emu ey'oku makya( )
two o'clock AM: Ssaawa munaana ey'okumakya( )
noon: Ttuntu( )
one o'clock PM: ssaawa emu ey'ekiro( )
two o'clock PM: Ssaawa munaana ez'ekiro( )
midnight: Ttumbi( )

Duration

_____ second(s): tikitiki_____( )
_____ minute(s): ddakiika_____( )
_____ hour(s): ssaawa_____( )
_____ day(s): lunaku_____( )
_____ week(s): sabbiiti_____( )
_____ month(s): Mwezi_____( )
_____ year(s): mwaka_____( )

_____ century: kyasa_____( )

Days

today: Leero( )
yesterday: Jjo( )
tomorrow: Enkya( )
this week: Wiiki eno/ sabbiti eno( )
last week: Sabbiiti ewedde( )
next week: Sabbiiti ejja( )

Sunday: Wangu/ Ssande( )
Monday: Kazooba/ Bbalaza( )
Tuesday: Walumbe/ Lwakubiri( )
Wednesday: Mukasa/ Lwakusatu( )
Thursday: Kiwanuka/ Lwakuna( )
Friday: Nnagawonye/ Lwakutaano( )
Saturday: Wamunyi/ Lwamukaaga( )

Months

January: Gatonnya( )
February: Mukutulansanja( )
March: Mugulansigo( )
April: Kafuumuulampawu( )
May: Muzigo( )
June: Sseebaaseka( )
July: Kasambula( )
August: Muwakanya( )
September: Mutunda( )
October: Mukulukusa( )
November: Museenene( )
December: Ntenvu( )

Writing time and date

Dates are given in the form dd/mm/yyyy

Colors

black: Nzirugavu( )
white: Njeru( )
red: Myufu( )
blue: Bululu( )
yellow: Kyenvu( )
green: Kiragala( )

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Tikiti ya mmeka e_____? ( _______?)
One ticket to _____, please.: tikiti emu e_____, mwattu( ______)
Where does this bus go?: Eno baasi egenda e? ( ?)
Where is the bus to _____?: Bbaasi egenda wa _____? ( ______?)
Does this bus stop in _____?: Bbaasi eno eyimirira mu_____? ( _____?)
When does the bus for _____ leave?: Bbaasi ya _____ esimbula ddi? ( _____ ?)
When will this bus arrive in _____?: Bbaasi eno egenda kutuuka ddi _____? ( ______?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Ngenda ntya okutuuka e _____ ?( _____ ?)
...the bus station?: ... Baasi paaka? ( ?)
...the airport?: ...Ekisaawe ky'ennyonyi ? ( ?)
...downtown?: ...mu kibuga wakati ? ( ?)
...the youth hostel?: ... ekisulo ky’abavubuka? ( ?)
...the _____ hotel?: ... woteeri_____ ? ( ________ ?)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ... ekitongole kya Amerika/Canada/Australia/Bungereza? (... ?)
Where are there a lot of...: Ebingi ebibeerawo... ...( ...)
...hotels?: ... wooteeri(... )
...restaurants?: ... ?(... )
...bars?: ...ebbaala ?(... )
...sites to see?: ...emikutu gy’olina okulaba ?(... ?)
Can you show me on the map?: Osobola okundaga ku maapu?( )
street: Luguudo ( )
Turn left.: Kyama ku kkono ( )
Turn right.: Kyama ku ddyo( )
left: kkono( )
right: ddyo( )
straight ahead: butereevu( )
towards the _____: nga boolekedde aba_____( )
past the _____: okuyita mu _____( )
before the _____: nga tebannaba _____( )
Watch for the _____.: Laba ku... _____.( )
intersection: nkulungo( )
north: amambuka( )
south: sawusi( )
east: ebuvanjuba( )
west: amaserengeta( )
uphill: okulinnya olusozi( )
downhill: okukka wansi( )

Taxi

Taxi!: Takisi( )
Take me to _____, please.: Ntwale ku _____, mwattu( _______)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Kigula ssente mmeka okutuuka _____?( _______?)
Take me there, please.: Ntwale eyo, mwattu( )

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Olina ebisenge byonna by'olina ?( ?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Ekisenge kya muntu omu/abantu babiri kiba kimeka?( ?)
Does the room come with...: Ekisenge kijja ne ...( ...)
...bedsheets?: ... ebitanda by’ekitanda?(.. ?)
...a bathroom?: ...ekinabiro ?(... )
...a telephone?: ...essimu (... )
...a TV?: ...ttivvi (... )
May I see the room first?: Nsooke ndabe ekisenge?( ?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Olina ekintu kyonna ekisirifu?( ?)
...bigger?: ... ebinene?(... ?)
...cleaner?: ... omuyonjo?(... )
...cheaper?: ... ku buseere?(... )
OK, I'll take it.: OK, nja kukitwala.( .)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Nja kusulayo ekiro _____.( )
Can you suggest another hotel?: Osobola okuteesa ku wooteeri endala( )
Is breakfast/supper included?: Ekyenkya/ekyeggulo kirimu?( )
What time is breakfast/supper?: Ekyenkya/ekyeggulo ssaawa mmeka?( )
Please clean my room.: Mwattu longoosa ekisenge kyange( )
Can you wake me at _____?: Osobola okunzuukusa ku ____?( ______?)
I want to check out.: Njagala okukebera .( .)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Okkiriza ddoola za Amerika/Australia/Canada?( ?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Okkiriza pawundi za Bungereza?( ?)
Do you accept euros?: Okkiriza Euro?( ?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Okkiriza kaadi z’okuwola?( ?)
Can you change money for me?: Osobola okunkyusa ssente?( ?)
Where can I get money changed?: Nsobola kuggya wa ssente ezikyusiddwa?( ?)
What is the exchange rate?: Omuwendo gw’ensimbi gwe guli gutya?( ?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Ekyuma ekikuba ssente mu ngeri ey’otoma (ATM) kiri ludda wa?( ?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Emmeeza y'omuntu omu/abantu babiri, nsaba.( )
Can I look at the menu, please?: Nsobola okutunuulira menu, nkwegayiridde?( )
Can I look in the kitchen?: Nsobola okutunula mu ffumbiro?( )
Is there a house specialty?: Waliwo eky’enjawulo eky’ennyumba?( )
Is there a local specialty?: Waliwo eky’enjawulo eky’omu kitundu?( )
I'm a vegetarian.: Nze ndi mulya enva endiirwa.( )
I don't eat pork.: Nze sirya nnyama ya mbizzi.( )
I don't eat beef.: Nze sirya nnyama ya nte. ( )
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Osobola okukifuula "ekitono", nsaba?( )
fixed-price meal: emmere ey’ebbeeyi enkalakkalira( )
a la carte: ku menu( )
breakfast: eky'enkya( )
lunch: eky'emisana( )
tea (meal): caayi( )
supper: eky'eggulo( )
I want _____.: Njagala ____.(______.)
I want a dish containing _____.: Njagala essowaani erimu _____.(_____)
chicken: enkoko( )
beef: ennyama ey'ente( )
fish: eky'enyanja( )
ham: ( )
sausage: soseji( )
cheese: ( )
eggs: amagi( )
salad: saladi ya saladi( )
(fresh) vegetables: enva endiirwa empya( )
(fresh) fruit: ebibala ebibisi( )
bread: omugaati( )
rice: omuceere( )
beans: ebijanjaalo( )
May I have a glass of _____?: Ka nfune egiraasi ya... ____?( ____?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Ka nfune ekikopo kya ____?( _____?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Ka nfune eccupa ya ____?( ______?)
coffee: emmwanyi( )
tea (drink): caayi( )
juice: juyisi( )
(bubbly) water: amazzi agabuguma( )
(still) water: amazzi gakyaliwo( )
beer: omwenge( )
red/white wine: wayini omumyufu/omweru( )
May I have some _____?: Ka nfuneko ebimu _____?( _____?)
salt: omunnyo( )
black pepper: entungo enjeru( )
butter: siyaagi( )
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Nsonyiwa, omuweereza?( )
I'm finished.: Nze mmaze.( )
It was delicious.: Kyabadde kiwooma nnyo.( )
Please clear the plates.: Nsaba olongoose ebipande.( )

biringania . aubergine

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Ogabula omwenge?( ?)
Is there table service?: Waliwo okuweereza ku mmeeza?( ?)
A beer/two beers, please.: Bbiya/bbiya bbiri, nsaba.( .)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: Egiraasi ya wayini omumyufu/omweru, nsaba.( .)
A pint, please.: Pinti emu, nkwegayiridde.( .)
A bottle, please.: Eccupa, nkwegayiridde.( .)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: _____ (omwenge omukalu) ne _____ (omutabula), nsaba. (______ ______ )
whiskey: wiisiki( )
vodka: walagi( )
rum: ramu( )
water: amazzi( )
club soda: sooda wa kiraabu( )
tonic water: amazzi aga tonic( )
orange juice: omubisi gw’emicungwa( )
Coke (soda): Soda wa Coke( )
Do you have any bar snacks?: Olina emmere yonna ey'akawoowo mu bbaala? ( ?)
One more, please.: Ekirala ekimu, nkwegayiridde( )
Another round, please.: Laawundi endala, nsaba.( )
When is closing time?: Obudde bw’okuggalawo bwe buba ddi?( )
Cheers!: Okuwagira!( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Kino olina mu sayizi yange?( ?)
How much is this?: Kino kibeera kya ssente mmeka?( ?)
That's too expensive.: Ekyo kya bbeeyi nnyo.( )
Would you take _____?: Wanditutte _____?( ______?)
expensive: omuwendo gwa waggulu( )
cheap: omuwendo ogwa wansi( )
I can't afford it.: Nze sisobola kukyesasulira.( )
I don't want it.: Nze saagala.( )
You're cheating me.: Ggwe onfera.( )
I'm not interested.: Nze sifaayo.( )
OK, I'll take it.: OK, nja kukitwala.( )
Can I have a bag?: Nsobola okuba n’ensawo?( ?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Osindika emmeeri?( ?)
I need...: Nze nneetaaga ...( ...)
...toothpaste.: ...eddagala ly’amannyo.( )
...a toothbrush.: ...bbulawuzi y’amannyo. ( )
...soap.: ...sabuuni.( )
...shampoo.: ...ssabbuuni.( )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...eddagala eriweweeza ku bulumi.( )
...cold medicine.: ...eddagala ly’ennyonta( )
...stomach medicine.: ...eddagala ly’olubuto. ( )
...a razor.: ...ekyuma ekisala enviiri. ( )
...an umbrella.: ... amaliba.( )
...sunblock lotion.: ...eddagala eriziyiza omusana. ( )
...batteries.: ...bbaatule ( )
...writing paper.: ...empapula z’okuwandiika. ( )
...a pen.: ... ekkalaamu.( )
...English-language books.: ... Ebitabo eby’olulimi Olungereza.( )
...English-language magazines.: ...Magazini ez’olulimi Olungereza. ( )
...an English-language newspaper.: ...olupapula lw’amawulire olw’Olungereza. ( )
...an English-English dictionary.: ...nkuluze y’Olungereza n’Olungereza. ( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Njagala kupangisa mmotoka.( )
Can I get insurance?: Nsobola okufuna yinsuwa?( )
stop (on a street sign): okulekera( )
one way: engeri emu( )
no parking: tewali paakingi( )
speed limit: ekkomo ku sipiidi( )
gas (petrol) station: Petulo sitenseni( )
petrol: Petulo( )
diesel: dizero( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Sirina kibi kye nkoze.( )
It was a misunderstanding.: Kyali butategeeragana.( )
Where are you taking me?: Onzigya wa?( )
Am I under arrest?: Ndi mu kukwatibwa? ( )
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Ndi munnansi wa Amerika/Australia/British/Canada. ( )
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Njagala kwogera n’ekitebe/ekitebe kya Amerika/Australia/British/Canada. ( )
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Njagala kwogera ne munnamateeka.( )
Can I just pay a fine now?: Nsobola okusasula engassi yokka kati?( )

Learning more

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