Luganda Phrasebook
Small Talk

Outline

Greetings
Meeting People
Nationalities
Occupations
Religion
Family
Feelings
Language Problems
Interests
Useful Phrases

Greetings & Civilities


Good morning ...................Wasuze otya nno? (literally 'how was your night?')
Good afternoon..................Osiibye otya nno? (literally, 'how was your day?')
Good evening.................... Osiibye otya nno?
[The one asked responds with "Bulungi" (i.e. 'fine') and repeats the inquiry]

 Hi? (informal)..............................................Ki kati?
How are you?...............................................Oli otya?
I am OK.......................................................Gyendi
Have a nice day............................................Siiba bulungi
Good night....................................................Sula bulungi (on retiring)
Farewell (to one person)...............................Weeraba
Farewell (to several people).......................... Mweraba
Welcome (to one person)..............................Tukusanyukidde
Welcome (to several people).........................Tubasanyukidde
See you later.................................................Tunaalabagana
Please............................................................Mwattu
Please shut the door.......................................Mwattu ggalawo oluggi
Please clean my room.....................................Mwattu longoosa ekisenge kyange
Please come in................................................Mwattu yingira
Please sit down...............................................Mwattu tuula wansi
Thank you......................................................Weebale
You are welcome........................................... Kale
Excuse me (to get attention)............................Owange
Pardon? (What did you say?)..........................Wangi? / Ogambye ki?
I'm sorry (apology)..........................................Nsonyiwa

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Meeting People

What is your name....................Erinnya lyo ggwe ani?
My name is...............................Erinnya lyange nze....

Forms of Address

It is considered polite to show respect to older people regardless of their station in life. Respectful forms of address should be used when addressing superiors.

Sir.............................................Ssebo
Madam......................................Nnyabo
Mr.............................................Mwami
Mrs............................................Mukyala

Age

How old are you?.................................Olina emyaka emeka?
I am...............................................Nina......

Body Language

Shaking hands in Buganda/Uganda is a common practice for both men and women. It is appropriate to shake hands when being introduced to somebody, when visiting somebody in their house, or when you haven't seen somebody for a while. Hugging is also common for both men and women. It is appropriate to hug if you haven't seen a friend for a while. Kissing in public is frowned upon.

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Nationalities

Where are you from?.................Ova ludda wa?
I am from...........................................Nva....

I am a/an..............................................Ndi

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Occupations

What is your occupation?................Okola mulimu ki?
I am a/an.........................................Ndi....

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Religion

What is your religion?.............................Oli wa ddiini ki?
I am ......................................................Ndi

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Family

This is my.........................................Ono ye...


Do you have any brothers or sisters......Olina bagandabo oba bannyoko?
Are you married?................................Oli mufumbo?
I am not married..................................Siri mufumbo
I am married........................................Ndi mufumbo
Do you have any children?...................Olina abaana?
I don't have any children.......................Sirina baana
I don't have any children yet..................Sinnafuna baana
I have...................................................Nina..

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Feelings

I am...........................................

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Language Problems

Do you speak English?............................Omanyi olungereza?
Yes, I do................................................Weewawo
No, I do not............................................Nedda
I can only speak a little Luganda...............Oluganda mmanyi lutonotono
Does any one here speak english?............Wano waliwo amanyi olungereza?
Do you understand?.................................Otegeera?
I understand.............................................Ntegeera
I don't understand....................................Sitegeera
How do you say "...." in Luganda?.. ........Mu Luganda ogamba otya nti "...."?
What does this mean?..............................Kino kitegeeza ki?
Please speak slowly!................................Mwattu yogera mpolampola
Write that word down for me...................Ekigambo ekyo kimpandiikire
Please repeat it........................................Mwattu kiddemu
Please translate for me.............................Mwattu nzivuunulira

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Interests

What are your hobbies?...................... Biki by'oyagala okukola?
I like....................................................Njagala.....
I do not like.........................................Saagala....

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Some Useful Phrases

Look!....................................................Laba!
Listen!...................................................Wulira!
I am ready.............................................Nneetegese
Slow down!...........................................Genda mpola!
Hurry up!..............................................Yanguwa!
Come here.............................................Jangu wano
Go away!..............................................Genda eri!
Watch out!............................................Wegendereze!
Help me ................................................Nnyamba
It is possible...........................................Kisoboka
It is not possible.....................................Tekisoboka
I forgot...................................................Neerabidde
It is important..........................................Kikulu
It is not important....................................Si kikulu
What is the time?.....................................Saawa mmeka?
Where are you going?..............................Ogenda wa?
What is this called?..................................Kino kiyitibwa kitya?
What is that?...........................................Ekyo kiki?
Can I take a photo (of you)?....................Nsobola okukuba ekifananyi?
Can I take a photo (of that)?....................Ekyo nsobola okukikuba ekifananyi?
Do you live here?.....................................Obeera wano?
It doesn't matter.......................................Ssi kigambo / Tofaayo

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