Lots of you loved my previous article on common Luganda phrases, so I decided to create another one that is more conversational.
In this article, I have created a conversation between Lamek and Martha that will not only make learning fun but will also help you understand the appropriate use of certain words in a conversation.
| ENGLISH | LUGANDA |
|---|---|
| Lamek: Happy new year. | Lamek: Omwaka omulungi. |
| Martha: Happy new year to you too. | Martha: Nawe kulika omwaka. |
| Lamek: Have not seen you for ages. | Lamek: Ebanga ddene nga tetulabagana. |
| Martha: It has been really a long time I agree. | Martha: Nzikiliziganya nawe ebanga libade gwanvu nyo. |
| Lamek: Great to see you again my dear. | Lamek: Kilungi okudamu okulabako mukwano. |
| Martha: I am glad to see you too. | Martha: Nange ndi musanyufu nyo okulabko. |
| Lamek: I even forgot to greet you | Lamek: Nelabidde n’okubuza |
| Good morning dear. | Wasuze otya mukwano. |
| Martha: Good morning to you sir. | Martha: Bulungi wasuze otya sebo. |
| Lamek: How are you today princess? | Lamek: Ogamba otya leero omunbejja? |
| Martha: I am quite fine, how are you doing? | Martha: Ndi bulungi, gwe ogamba otya? |
| Lamek: I am also doing great. | Lamek: Nange ndi bulungi. |
| How is everything? | Bitambula bitya? |
| Martha: Everything is good. | Martha: Byona biri malidadi/bulungi. |
| Lamek: What is your phone number if you don’t mind me asking for it | Lamek: Esimu yo eri Ki bwoba tofayo bwe mbuza. |
| Martha: It’s okay, don’t worry. | Martha: Tewali buzibu, tewalalikirila. |
| It’s 0770……... | Eri 0770…… |
| Lamek: Thanks you so much. | Lamek: Webale nyo… |
| Martha: Your welcome. | Martha: Kale sebo. |
| Lamek: Can I ask you something? | Lamek: Mbeeko kye nkubuza? |
| Martha: Go ahead | Martha: Genda masso. |
| Lamek: What is your name? I forgot it. | Lamek: Elinya lyo pozi gwe ani? Nalyelabila. |
| Martha: At least I still remember yours. | Martha: Kasita nze nkyajukila elilyo |
| Lamek: Please remind me. | Lamek: Bambi nzijukiza. |
| Martha: Okay I am Martha: | Martha: Kale nze Martha: |
| Lamek: Ooooh Martha, where do you live? | Lamek: Ooooh Martha, obera wa? |
| Martha: You’re asking too many questions. | Martha: Ebibuzo nga obuza bingi nyo. |
| Lamek: Because I want to get to know you better. | Lamek: Kubanga njagala kukumanya bulungi ddala. |
| Please tell me. | Bambi nawe, mbulilira. |
| Martha: I stay in Kampala. | Martha: Mbera Kampala. |
| Lamek: I want to see you. | Lamek: Njagala kulaba ko. |
| Martha: Excuse me. | Martha: Ddamu mpulire. |
| Lamek: I like you | Lamek: Nkwaagala |
| I love you. | Nkwaagala. |
| Martha: Bad manners | Martha: Mpisa mbi ezzo. |
| How do you like and love someone you don’t know. | Oyiiza otya okwaagala omuntu gwotamanyi. |
| Lamek: I have always had a crush on you since | Lamek: Nakwegomba dda okuva nga tukyali ku |
| High school though I didn’t say it. | Somero lwakuba sakyogeera. |
| Martha: Hahaha, and you think am going to | Martha: Hahahah olowoza ngenda kukiliriza mu |
| believe what your telling me. | byo ngamba gwe. |
| Lamek: You look beautiful | Lamek: Olabika bulungi |
| You are beautiful. | Oli mulungi/ mubalagaavu. |
| Martha: See you later. | Martha: Tulabagane edda. |
| Lamek: Please don’t leave | Lamek: Bambi togenda |
| I still want to talk to you dear | Nkyayagala okwogera ko nawe mukwano. |
| Martha: Have a good day. | Martha: Siba bulungi. |
| Lamek: Good day to you too darling. | Lamek: Olunaku olulungi nawe mukwano. |
| Lamek: Hi/hello | Lamek: Oweyo |
| Good evening. | Osibye otya. |
| Martha: Good evening how are you? | Martha: Nsibye bulungi, gwe osibye otya eyo? |
| Lamek: I am doing fine | Lamek: Ndi bulungi |
| I want to see you, will it be possible? | Njagala kulaba ko, kinasoboka? |
| Martha: I don’t think it will be possible | Martha: Silowoza nti kinasoboka kubanga |
| because I am quite busy. | ebyokola nina bingi. |
| Lamek: What are you doing? | Lamek: Okola ki? |
| Martha: I am doing work. | Martha: Nkola milimu. |
| May be I will see you tomorrow but | Oba nakulaaba enkya naye silina sente |
| I don’t have money for transport. | za kuntambuza kujja. |
| Lamek: I have it, I will fund you the transport | Lamek: Nze nja kusasula sente ezikutabuuza |
| don’t worry. | tewalarikilira. |
| I will really appreciate it dear if you | Nja kusiima nyo mukwano nga okiliza |
| come to meet me. | okujja okunsisikana. |
| Martha: Okay, I will see how happy you will | Martha: Nakuulaba esanyuka bwenaaba |
| be if at all I make it there. | nsobodde okujja. |
| Lamek: What do you mean? | Lamek: Otegeza ki? |
| Martha: I don’t know either but I will try my | Martha: Nange simanyi naye njakugeza okola |
| best to be there sir. | Kyona ekisooboka nzijje sebo. |
| Lamek: I don’t understand you dear but I pray | Lamek: Sikuteegera mukwano naye kansabe |
| you come. | mukama ojje. |
| I love you so much. | Nkwagala nyo nyo |
| Martha: How do you love someone so much | Martha: Oyagala otya omuntu gwotamanyi |
| that you barely know? | bwotyo. |
| Are you okay? | Oli bulungi? |
| Lamek: I am very okay my beautiful wife. | Lamek: Ndi bulungi mukyala wange omubalagavu |
| When are you coming? | Ojja ddi? |
| Martha: I am coming soon. | Martha: Nzijja, mu banga elitali lyawala. |
| Lamek: Now you're sounding like Jesus. | Lamek: Kati ante oyogera nga Yesu. |
| Martha: See you soon. | Martha: Tulabagane. |
| Lamek: I miss you so much my darling. | Lamek: Nkusubwa nyo owomukwano. |
| Martha: How much do you miss me? | Martha: Osubwa kyenkana ki? |
| Lamek: Its unexplainable but what I know | Lamek: Tekinyonyolekeka naye kyemanyi era |
| and I am sure of is that I need your | kyenenkakasa nti nentaga omukwano |
| love. | gwo. |
| Martha: I have heard you but I don’t think | Martha: Nkuwulide naye silowoza nti njagala |
| I want to listen to those love things. | Okuwuliliza ebintu byomuhabati/ Omukwano ebyo. |
| Lamek: Why not, love is a beautiful thing. | Lamek: Lwaki nedda, omukwano kintu kilungi. |
| I need a favour. | Nsaba kunyamba. |
| Martha: Say it I am listening. | Martha: Yogera mpulira. |
| Lamek: Give me a chance and I try, please. | Lamek: Mpa omukisa ngezeko bambi. |
| Martha: Leave me alone. | Martha: Nvanko nze. |
| Lamek: Please help me. | Lamek: Bambi nyamba. |
| Martha: With what? | Martha: Ne kii? |
| Lamek: With giving me a chance to love you. | Lamek: N’okumpa omukisa okukwagala. |
| Martha: It’s okay. | Martha: Tewali buzibu. |
| Lamek: God bless you. | Lamek: Mukama akuwe omukisa. |
| Martha: How are you feeling? | Martha: Owulira otya? |
| Are you happy? | Osanyuse? |
| Lamek: Yes, I am very happy, you have made | Lamek: Yee, ndi musanyufu nyo. Okoledde |
| my day wonderful. | olunaku olusuffu. |
| Martha: Have a good night. | Martha: Sula bulungi. |
| Lamek: Good night to you too love. | Lamek: Nawe sula bulungi mukwano. |
| Lamek: How was your night? | Lamek: Ekilo kyo kyabade kitya? |
| How have you been today? | Ogamba otya leero? |
| Martha: My night was wonderful and | Martha: Ekilo kyange kyabade kilungi era |
| I have been good. | Ndi bulungi. |
| Lamek: Where are you? | Lamek: Oli luda wa? |
| Martha: I am home. | Martha: Ndi waka. |
| Lamek: Come here. | Lamek: Jangu eno. |
| Martha: I can’t, I am heading back home. | Martha: Sisobola, nzilayo waka. |
| Lamek: My love. | Lamek: Owumukwano. |
| I need you | Nkwetaga. |
| Your hurting me. | Onumya omutima. |
| Martha: What is wrong? | Martha: Kikyamu/buzibu ki? |
| Lamek: Nothing is wrong but I am longing to | Lamek: Tewali buzibu naye njagala kulaba ko |
| See you, my dear. | bulabi mukwano nzikakane omwoyo. |
| Martha: What is going on? | Martha: Kiki ekigenda/equities wo? |
| Lamek: I also don’t understand. | Lamek: Nange sikitegera. |
| Martha: What is this? | Martha: Kiki kino? |
| Lamek: It’s a package for you. | Lamek: Elyo ttu lyo. |
| Martha: What is it for | Martha: Lya ki oba |
| Lamek: Just open it, please. | Lamek: Kisumulure bambi. |
| Happy birthday love. | Amazalibwa amalungi owomukwano. |
| Martha: Ooooh my God, | Martha: Katonda wange, |
| This is lovely | Kino nga kisuffu |
| I had forgotten that today is my | Mbade nelabidde nti leero mazalibwa |
| birthday, thank you so much. | gange, webale nyo nyo, nsimye. |
| Lamek: Have you liked it? | Lamek: Okyagadde? |
| Martha: Yes, so much and I am grateful. | Martha: Ye, nkyagadde nyo nyo era nsimye. |
| You have made my day my dear. | Okoledde olunaku olulungi mukwano. |
| Lamek: Is she happy? | Lamek: Musanyuffu? |
| Martha: Who? | Martha: Ani? |
| Lamek: Obviously you, who else could I be | Lamek: Ngwe nawe okilaba bulabi, ani omulala |
| be asking about apart from the baby | gwe nandibade mbuzza okujjako gwe |
| of the day. | omwana w’olunaku. |
| If she is happy, I am happy. | Bwaba musanyufu nange mba musanyufu |
| Martha: Thank you so much | Martha: Webale nyo nyo |
| May God bless and protect you. | Mukama akuwe omukisa era akukume. |
| Lamek: I take it in God’s might name | Lamek: Nkitwala mulinya lya yesu etukuvvu |
| Amen. | Amiina. |
| Lamek: I think I am done here for today. | Lamek: Ndowoza olwaleero ndumaliliza. |
| Martha: Be blessed. | Martha: Emikisa jibere nawe. |
| Lamek: I take it whole heartedly. | Lamek: Njitwala n’omutima gwange gwona. |
| Martha: God is good. | Martha: Mukama mulungi. |
| Lamek: All the time. | Lamek: Obudde bwona. |
| Martha: And all the time? | Martha: Obudde bwona? |
| Lamek: God is good and that is his nature | Lamek: Mukama mulungi era z’ebeera ze Weewawo |
| Martha: Safe journey back home. | Martha: Tuuka bulungi. |
| Lamek: I reached safely. | Lamek: Natuse bulungi. |
| Martha: That is good. | Martha: Ekyo kilungi. |
| Lamek: Good afternoon my dear. | Lamek: Osibye otya mukwano. |
| How are you doing? | Ogamba otya eyo? |
| Martha: Good afternoon to you | Martha: Nsibye bulungi |
| I am doing great; I am here cooking. | Ndi bulungi era ndi wano nfumba. |
| Lamek: What are you cooking? | Lamek: Ofumba ki? |
| Martha: I am cooking rice and fish. | Martha: Nfumba muceere ne ekyenyanja. |
| How is your family? | Abekika kyo bali batya? |
| Lamek: They are all fine. | Lamek: Bona bali bulungi. |
| How is the weather over there? | Ebeera y’obudde elyetya eyo? |
| Martha: Its cloudy here. | Martha: Obudde bwa kidde dedde |
| Have you gone to church? | Ogenze mu kanisa? |
| Lamek: Yes, I did. | Lamek: Yee, nagenze. |
| Martha: Well be back. | Martha: Kulika yo. |
| Lamek: Thank you. | Lamek: Webale. |
| Martha: After here I am coming to see you. | Martha: Bwemaliliza wano nzija kulaba. |
| Lamek: I will be waiting. | Lamek: Nja kuba nkulize. |
| We are happy to see you. | Tusanyuse okulaba |
| Martha: “we”, I thought you were alone. | Martha: “tu” nabadde ndowoza oli weka(bwomu) |
| Lamek: I invited my sister to come and meet you. | Lamek: Nayise ne mwanyinaze ajje akusisinkane. |
| Martha: Nice to meet you. | Martha: Nsanyuse okusisinkana. |
| Lamek: Welcome home. | Lamek: Nsanyuse okulaba |
| Feel at home. | Wegazanye. |
| Where have you been all this time? | Obade nga wa ebanga lino lyona? |
| Martha: I have been around town. | Martha: Mbade nga wo mukibugga. |
| But I want to get out of it now. | Naye njagala ku kiva mu kati. |
| Lamek: Where are you going? | Lamek: Olaga wa? |
| We just met and now you want to | Twakasisinkana ante kati oyagala |
| Leave. Please don’t go. | Kugenda. Bambi togenda. |
| Martha: I need to leave for a while. | Martha: Netanga okuva wo akaseera. |
| Lamek: You are mine. | Lamek: Oli wange. |
| Martha: What? | Martha: Ekiki? |
| We don’t even know each other. | Tetwemanyi na kwemanya. |
| Lamek: I will marry you. | Lamek: Nja kuwasa. |
| Martha: It’s not possible. | Martha: Tekisobooka. |
| Lamek: Why not? | Lamek: Lwaki nedda? |
| Martha: I need some space. | Martha: Nentaga obude. |
| Lamek: Why do you want space? | Lamek: Lwaki wetaga obude? |
| Martha: I just got out of a bad relationship. | Martha: Nakanva mu mukwano omubi. |
| Lamek: Running doesn’t help. | Lamek: Okuduka tekiyamba. |
| Martha: Now what do you want me to do? | Martha: Kati oyagala nkole ntya? |
| Lamek: Stay around as I help you heal | Lamek: Bera/sigara wo nga bwenkuyamba ko okuwona. |
| I will miss you so I won’t let you go. | Nja kusubwa era sigenda kukuleka genda |
| Are you listening? | Owulira? |
| Martha: Yes | Martha: Wangi |
| Lamek: Have you heard dear? | Lamek: Owulide mwatu? |
| Martha: Yes, I have heard you well. | Martha: Yee nkuwulidde bulungi. |
| Can I go home now? | Nsobola okuda ewaka kati? |
| Lamek: Not so early, you have just come. | Lamek: Si mubwangu bwotyo, wakatuka wano. |
| Martha: I have to go and think about what | Martha: Netanga ogenda ndowonze ku |
| You have told me. | Kyongabye. |
| Lamek: I love you. | Lamek: Nkwagala. |
| Martha: Me too. | Martha: Nange ntyo. |
| Lamek: Stop using your phone and give me a hug. | Lamek: Lekera aw’okozeesa esimu yo ongwe Mukifuba |
| Is it okay if I hug you tight? | Okilina ko obuzibu singa nkugwa ko Mukifuba nenkunyweza? |
| Martha: It’s okay. | Martha: Tewali buzibu. |
| Lamek: Take care of yourself my dear, I shall keep in touch until you’re ready to be with me. | Lamek: Beera bulungi mukwano, nja kubunza nga okutusa nga oli mwetegefu okubera nange. |
| Martha: I will make sure I am well taken care Of don’t worry. | Martha: Nja kwelabirira bulungi teweralikirira Kwenkyo |
| Lamek: See you though I don’t know when. | Lamek: Tunadamu wade simanyi ddi. |
| Martha: Okay, let me leave you rest in peace. | Martha: Kankuleke owumule mu mirembe. |
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