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Luganda phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

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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

    [edit]
    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

    [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

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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

    [edit]

    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

    [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?( )

    Learning more

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