Pronunciation guide
[edit]Vowels
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Phrase list
[edit]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
|
Basics
[edit]- 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
|
Problems
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- now
- Kati( )
- later
- Oluvannyuma( )
- before
- Kusooka( )
- morning
- Makya( )
- afternoon
- Lwaggulo( )
- evening
- Kawungeezi( )
- night
- Kiro( )
Clock time
[edit]- 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
[edit]- _____ second(s)
- tikitiki_____( )
- _____ minute(s)
- ddakiika_____( )
- _____ hour(s)
- ssaawa_____( )
- _____ day(s)
- lunaku_____( )
- _____ week(s)
- sabbiiti_____( )
- _____ month(s)
- Mwezi_____( )
- _____ year(s)
- mwaka_____( )
- _____ century
- kyasa_____( )
Days
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]Dates are given in the form dd/mm/yyyy
Colors
[edit]- black
- Nzirugavu( )
- white
- Njeru( )
- red
- Myufu( )
- blue
- Bululu( )
- yellow
- Kyenvu( )
- green
- Kiragala( )
Transportation
[edit]Bus and train
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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?( )