If you want to learn Luganda, here are a few lessons for you. We have also provided other resources compiled throughout the years. It’s always great to at least know the general terms of a language if you plan to interact with local Ugandans and/or plan to visit for a long stay. We highlighted the most important ones in green. Happy travels!
Oh if you want this in a printable PDF version request access to it by clicking on this Google Drive link.
The Ganda language or Luganda is a Bantu language spoken in the African Great Lakes region. It is one of the major languages in Uganda and is spoken by more than 10 million Baganda and other people principally in central Uganda including the capital Kampala of Uganda. Buganda (which means bundles) is the largest sub-national kingdom in present-day Uganda.
The name Uganda is a Swahili word meaning “Land of the Ganda” which was first used by the Arab and Swahili traders on the East African coast to refer to the Bugandan Kingdom.
A note on pronunciation: most words are pronounced phonetically
- “ki” and “ky” make a “chi” sound
- “oo” makes an “oh” sound
- “ee” makes an “ay” sound
- “ii” makes an “ee” sounds
- “l” and “r” are often interchanged, “play” becomes “pray”
- “g” makes the “j” sound in many instances
Salutations
- Madam = Nyabo
- Sir = Ssebo
- Ok / You’re welcome = Kale
- I am = Nze (followed by your name)
- Good afternoon/evening = Osiibye otya nno
- Good morning = Wasuze otya nno?
- Good night = Sula bulungi
- Have a nice day = Siiba bulungi
- How are you? = Oli Otya
- I am okay = Gyendi
- Mr. = Mwami
- Mrs. = Mukyala
- My friend / My love = Mukwano
- See you later = Tunaalabagana
- Farewell (to many people) = Mweraba
- Farewell (to one person) = Weeraba
Food Related
- I am hungry = Enjala enuma
- I’m thirsty = Ennyonta ennuma
- Come eat = Jangu tulye
- Water = Amazzi
- Restaurant = Wooteri
- Breakfast = Ekyenkya
- Lunch = Ekyemisana
- Dinner = Ekyegulo
- Banana (ripe) = Menvu
- Bananas (green) = Matooke
- Beans = Bijanjaalo
- Carrot = Kalati
- Coffee = Kaawa
- Eggs = Magi
- Food = Mere
- Juice = Mubisi
- Lemon = Nniimu
- Meat = Nnyama
- Milk = Mata
- Onion = Katungulu
- Orange = Mucungwa
- Pineapple = Nnaanansi
- Pork = Mbizzi
- Potato = Lumonde
- Rice = Muceere
- Street Food = Emere yatonyira
- Salt = Munnyo
- Sugar = Sukaali
- Tea = Caayi
- Tomato = Nnyaanya
Clothes
- Cardigan = Sweta
- Clothing = Ngoye
- Dress (female) = Kateteyi
- Hat = Nkoffira
- Jacket = Kooti
- Shirt = Saati
- Shoes = Ngatto
- Shorts = Mpale nnyimpi
- Skirt = Sikaati
- Socks = Sitokisi
- T-shirt = Tisaati
Animals
- Bird = Kinyonyi
- Cat = Kapa
- Chicken = Nkoko
- Cow = Nte
- Dog = Mbwa
- Fish = Kyenyanja
- Goat = Mbuzi
- Pig = Mbizzi
- Sheep = Ndiga
Relationships
- Child = Mwana
- Daughter = Muwala
- Father = Taata
- Father-in-law = Ssezzala
- Grandchild = Muzzukulu
- Grandparent = Jjajja
- Husband = Mwami
- Mother = Maama
- Mother-in-law = Nnyazaala
- Nephew / Niece = Kizibwe
- Son = Mutabani
- Wife = Mukyala
If you want to learn Luganda, here are some of the resources I have compiled throughout the years. It’s always great to at least know the general terms of a language if you plan to interact with local Ugandans. The list below are of free resources. And the Youtube video and channel listed to the right are all in association.
- Luganda Grammar (redirect)
- Luganda Phrasebook (redirect)
- Luganda Dictionary (redirect)
Commonly Used
- A foreigner is called = Muzungu
- Come here = Jangu wano
- Currency exchange = Kuchusa sente
- Don’t cheat me = Tonziba
- Excuse me, can you repeat that = Owange
- Help = Buyambi
- Lets go = Tugende
- No/No thanks / No I don’t = Nedda
- Please = Mwattu
- Thank you = Weebale
- Thank you very much = Weebale = nnyo
- Thanks for the work = Jebale ko
- With you (an appeal) = Nawe
- Yes = Yee
- I am hurt = Numizidwa
- I am angry = Ndi munyiivu
- I don’t have money = Sirina sente
- I don’t have = Silina
- I have = Nina
- I don’t know = Simanyi
- I know = Mmanyi
- I don’t understand = Sitegeera
- I understand = Ntegeera
- I don’t want = Saagala
- I want = Njagala
- I’m tired = Nkooye
- I love you = Nkwagala
Questions & Statements
- Can I make a phone call = Nkube esimu?
- Can you help me = Oyinzakunyqmba
- Can you take me too…? = Ntwala eri?
- Clean my room = Longosa kisenge cyange
- Do not disturb = Totawanya
- Do you have…? = Olina?
- How do I get to…? = Ntunka ntya?
- How much is it? = Sente mmeka
- I am sorry / Forgive me = Nsonyiwa
- I need help = Netaga obuyambi
- Pardon me / What did you say? = Wangi or Ogamba Ki
- What time is it? = Sawa mmeka
- What time will you be here? = Oja sawa meka
Places
- ATM machine = Ekyuma kyassente
- Bank = Banka
- Church = Kkanisa
- Clinic = Cliniki
- Hospital = Dwaliro
- House / home = Waka
- Mosque = Muzigiti
- Orphanage = Bamulewa
- School = Somero
- Shop = Duuka
Objects
- Car / Vehicle = Motoka
- Mirror = Ndabirwamu
- Mosquito net = Kayumba kensiri
- Motorcycle taxi = Boda boda
- Phone = Simu
- Toilet paper = Kikoma
- Toothbrush = Muswaki
- Toothpaste = Alagala lyamanyo
- Towel = Tawulo
People roles
- Clerk = Kalaani
- Doctor = Musawo
- Driver = Dereeva
- Farmer = Mulimi
- Musician = Muyimbi
- Nurse = Naasi
- Student = Muyizi
- Teacher = Musomesa
Numbers
- One = emu
- Two = bbiri
- Three = ssatu
- Four = nnya
- Five = ttaano
- Six = mukaaga
- Seven = musanvu
- Eight = munaana
- Nine = mwenda
- Ten = kkumi
- 20 = Abiri
- 30 = Asatu
- 100 = Kikumi
- 200 = Bibiri
- 300 = Bisatu
- 1,000 = Lukumi
- 3,000 = Nkumi satu
- 30,000 = Mitwalyo esatu
- 40 = Ana
- 400 = Bina
- 2,000 = Nkumi biri
- 4,000 = Enkumi nya
- 10,000 = Mutwalo gumu
- 40,000 = Mitwalo ena
- 50 = Atano
- 500 = Bitano
- 5,000 = Nkumi tano
- 20,000 = Mitwalyo ebiri
- 50,000 = Mitwalo etano
- 100,000 = Mitwalo limo
- 1 million = Kawumbi
Even if you don’t learn the numbers you should be familiar with their sounds if you plan to shop or use transportation in Uganda.
