Useful Phrases
- Hi – Ki Kati
- Good morning (literally, How was your night?) – Wasuze otya?
- Good afternoon or
- Good evening (literally, How was your day?) – Osiibye otya?
- How are you? – Oli Otya
- I am ok – Gyendi
- My name is… – Nze…
- Goodbye (to one person) – Weeraba
- Goodbye (to more than one person) – Mweraba
- Please – Mwattu
- Thank you – Weebale
- Sir – Ssebo
- Madam – Nnyabo
- Excuse me (to get someone’s attention) – Owange
- Ok – Kale
- No thanks – Nedda
- I don’t know – Simanyi
- How much money is it? – Ssente mmekka?
- Do you speak English? – Omanyi luzungu?
- I understand – Ntegeera
- I do not understand – Sitegeera
- I want – Njagala
Pronunciation:
Luganda is phonetically similar to Spanish – so “i” is pronounced like the “ee” in “see”, and the “e” at the end of a word is pronounced similar to the “ay” in “say” or the “e” in “wet”, and not left silent as in English.
Thus, “weebale” (thank you) is pronounced “way-ba-lay”.
Using Luganda
Ugandans are generally very friendly and extremely polite – saying “weebale Ssebo” will be much appreciated by your waiter, guide or driver.