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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

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Vowels

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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

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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

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Phrase list

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

Clock time

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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

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

Days

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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

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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

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Dates are given in the form dd/mm/yyyy

Colors

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

Transportation

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Bus and train

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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This Luganda phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!