Luganda phrasebook

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

Common diphthongs

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.

Basics

Hello. 

(oli otya to one person, muli mutya to more)

Hello. (informal) 

. ( )

How are you? 

oli otya ? ( ?)

Fine, thank you. 

bulungi . ( )

What is your name? 

? (Erinnya lyo ggwe ani? ?)

My name is ______ . 

______ . ( _____ .)

Nice to meet you. 

. ( )

Please. 

. (Mwattu )

Thank you (very much). 

Webale (nyo).

You're welcome. 

. ( )

Yes. 

. ( )

No. 

. (nedda )

Excuse me. (getting attention) 

. ( )

Excuse me. (begging pardon) 

. ( )

I'm sorry. 

. ( )

Goodbye 

. ( )

Goodbye (informal) 

. ( )

I can't speak name of language [well]. 

[ ]. ( [ ])

Do you speak English? 

? (Omanyi olungereza ?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

? ( ?)

Help! 

! ( !)

Look out! 

! ( !)

Good morning. 

. (Wasuze otya )

Good evening. 

. (Osiibye otya nno? )

Good night. 

. ( )

Good night (to sleep) 

. ( )

I don't understand. 

. (Sitegera )

Where is the toilet? 

? ( ?)

Problems

Numbers

Time

Clock time

Duration

Days

Months

Writing time and date

Colors

Transportation

Bus and train

Directions

Taxi

Lodging

Money

Eating

biringania . aubergine

Bars

Shopping

Driving

Authority

Learning more