Hey there, language enthusiasts!
Are you ready to spice up your linguistic skills with some Luganda? This vibrant language is one of the main tongues spoken in Uganda.
As a proud Luganda speaker, I'm excited to share with you a guide to the most commonly used Luganda phrases. From casual chitchat with friends to making new connections, these phrases will help you communicate like a local in no time.
So, are you ready to impress your Ugandan friends and embrace a new culture?
Let's dive in!
Greetings in Luganda
| ENGLISH | LUGANDA |
| Good evening. | Osibye otya |
| Good morning. | Amakya amalungi/wasuze otya. |
| Good afternoon. | Osibye otya. |
| How are you? | Ogamba otya/oli otya? |
| How are you today? | Ogamba otya leero? |
| I am fine. | Ndi bulungi. |
| Have a good day. | Siiba bulungi/olunaku olulungi. |
| I am doing great | Ndi bulungi. |
| Hi/hello. | Abeyo. |
| Nice to meet you. | Kilungi okusisinkana. |
| See you soon. | Tunaalabagana/tulabagane. |
| See you later. | Tulabagane edda. |
Love words in Luganda
| ENGLISH | LUGANDA |
| I love you. | Nkwagala. |
| I miss you. | Nkusubwa. |
| Love you much. | Nkwagala nyo nyo. |
| I want to see you. | Njagala kulaba. |
| I love you with all my heart. | Nkwagala n’omutima gwange gwona. |
| I love you too. | Nange nkwagala. |
| I like you. | Nkwagala. |
| You are beautiful. | Oli mubalagavu/mulungi. |
| My love. | Omwaagalwa/ow’omukwano. |
| You look beautiful. | Olabika bulungi/oli musuffu. |
| My beautiful wife. | Mukyala wange omulungi. |
| I miss you so much darling. | Nkusubwa nyo ow’omukwano. |
| I need you. | Nkwetaga. |
| You will miss me. | Oja ku nsubwa. |
| Goodbye my love. | Weelaba mukwano. |
| See you tomorrow. | Tulabagane enkya. |
| I will marry you. | Nja kuwasa. |
| I want some space. | Mpamu omwaganya. |
| I need your love. | Neetanga omukwano gwo. |
| You are mine. | Oli wange. |
Directions In Laganda
| ENGLISH | LUGANDA |
| Where are you? | Oli wa? |
| Where did you go? | Wagenze wa? |
| Where are you going? | Ogenda wa? |
| Where do you live? | Obera wa? |
| Where were you? | Wabade wa? |
Common Questions in Conversations
| ENGLISH | LUGANDA |
| How much? (this is used when inquiring the price of an item) | Mekka? (kikozesebwa nga obuza omuwendo gw’ebintu) |
| How are you feeling? | Owulira otya? |
| How have you been? | Obade otya/obulamu bubade butya? |
| What is your name? | Elinya lyo gwe ani? |
| What are you doing? | Okola ki? |
| What are you cooking? | ofumba ki? |
| What are you eating? | Olya ki? |
| Are you okay dear? | Oli bulungi mukwano? |
| When are you coming? | Ojja ddi? |
| How was your night? | Ekilo kyo kyaabade kitya? |
| How was your day? | Olunaku lwo lwaabade lutya? |
| How is your family? | Abekika kyo bali batya? |
| How are you doing? | Ogamba otya? |
| How was your day? | Olunaku lwo lubade lutya? |
| What is wrong? | Kikyamu ki? |
| What do you mean? | Otegeza ki? |
| How is the weather over there? | Embera y’obude elyetya eyo? |
| Have you gone to church? | Ogenze mu kanisa? |
| What is this? | Kiki kino? |
| What is going on? | Kiki ekigenda mumaaso? |
| Are you listening? | Owuliliza? |
| Have you heard? | Owulinde? |
| Can I go home? | Nsobola ogenda ewaka? |
| Can I ask something? | Nkubuze eyo ekibuuzo? |
| How is everything? | Bitambula bitya? |
| What is your phone number? | Esimu yo eli ki? |
Everyday Conversations in Luganda
| ENGLISH | LUGANDA |
| Happy birthday. | Amazalibwa amalungi. |
| Thank you. | Webale. |
| I am sorry. | Nsonyiwa. |
| You are welcome. | Tukusanyukide. |
| Me too. | Nange. |
| God bless you. | Mukama akuwe omukisa. |
| May God protect you. | Mukama akukume. |
| She is happy. | Muwala musanyufu. |
| Please help me. | Bambi nyamba. |
| I do not know. | Simanyi. |
| I will come tomorrow. | Nja kujja enkya. |
| Come here. | Jangu wano. |
| Feel at home. | Wegazanye. |
| Be blessed. | Bera n’omukisa. |
| I am coming soon. | Nzijja mu banga elitali lyawala. |
| Excuse me. | Damu mpulire. |
| Leave me alone. | Ndeka nze. |
| It is okay. | Tewali buzibu/kili bulungi. |
| I am going home. | Ngenda waka. |
| I don’t want. | Saagala. |
| Love is a beautiful thing. | Omukwano kintu kilungi. |
| Let me try. | Ka ngeze ko. |
| Welcome home. | Tusanyuse okulaba. |
| I reached home safely. | Natuse bulungi ewaka |
| God is good. | Mukama mulungi. |
| I don’t understand. | Sitegende/sikitegende. |
| We are happy to see you. | Tusanyuse okulaba. |
| I have it. | Nkilina. |
| Rest in peace. | Wumula mirembe. |
| I don’t have money. | Silina sente. |
| I am done. | Nkitade/ mbimaze. |
| I am going to the shop. | Ngenda ku duka. |
| Happy new year. | Omwaka omulungi. |
| Bad manners. | Mpiisa mbi. |
| Stop using your phone. | Lekera awo okozeesa esimu yo. |
| I need a favour please | Nsaba kunyamba. |
| Haven’t seen you for ages. | Ebanga ddene nga sikulaba. |
| Great to see you again. | Kilungi okudamu okulaba ko. |
| I really appreciate it. | Nsiima nyo/ nja kusiima nyo. |
| You made my day. | Wankolede olunaku. |
| No problem. | Tewali buzibu. |
Next step?
You've already taken your first steps towards learning the amazing Luganda language, but are you ready for more?
If you want to unlock the full potential of this beautiful language, then you can't miss out on the Luganda dictionary. You can quickly and easily expand your Luganda vocabulary and master the nuances of the language.
Don't be intimidated by the challenge of learning a new language - take it one day at a time and learn just five new Luganda words per day. Before you know it, you'll be a fluent speaker and able to communicate with Luganda speakers around the world!
Join the Lughayangu Community!
