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)

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.

Common signs OPEN Okuggula CLOSED Eggaddewo ENTRANCE W'oyingirira EXIT Fuluma PUSH Okusindika PULL Okusika TOILET Kabuyonjo MEN Abasajja WOMEN Abakazi FORBIDDEN Okuwera

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 ? ( ?)

Body parts head omutwe eyes amaso ears okutu nose ennyindo mouth omunwa throat eddookooli neck ensingo shoulders ekibegabega chest ekifuba waist ekisambi arms mukono fingers olugalo hands emikono elbow olukokola buttocks kabina thigh ekisambi knee evvivi legs ekigere foot kigere

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?( )