Greetings

1. Oli otya?

   How are you? (to one person)

   Usage

   The general greeting. To several people say "Muli mutya?". A reply is "Bulungi" (fine).

   Grammar Note

   The subject prefix and the verb form one word: o- for one "you", mu- for several. A plural can be used to one respected person. Evidence: Wikivoyage "oli otya / muli mutya"; dictionary (how: tya); lg.wikipedia has the phrase once.

2. Muli mutya?

   How are you? (to several people, or politely)

   Usage

   For several people, or for one person you want to show respect to.

   Grammar Note

   mu- is the plural "you" prefix. Evidence: Wikivoyage "muli mutya" (to more than one).

3. Wasuze otya?

   Good morning (How did you sleep?)

   Usage

   A morning greeting; literally "how did you spend the night". In the afternoon use "Osiibye otya?".

   Grammar Note

   A past form of okusula "to spend the night". Luganda has a different greeting for each part of the day. Evidence: Wikivoyage "Wasuze otya"; dictionary (sleep: okusula); lg.wikipedia 1 hit. The exact verb form is single-source: native review advisable.

4. Osiibye otya?

   Good afternoon (How have you spent the day?)

   Usage

   A greeting for the afternoon and evening; literally "how have you spent the day".

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary gives "osiibye otyanno?" for "good day"; Wikivoyage has "Osiibye otya nno" for good evening. The short form here is composed from the same parts; native review advisable.

5. Bulungi, weebale

   Fine, thank you

   Usage

   A reply to "Oli otya?". Adding "weebale" makes it politer.

   Grammar Note

   Wikivoyage gives "bulungi" as the reply to "Oli otya?" (Fine, thank you). "Mpulira bulungi" (I feel fine) is attested in Tatoeba. The combination with weebale is composed.

6. Weebale nnyo

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Thanks. To several people or a respected elder say "Mwebale nnyo".

   Grammar Note

   The double letters "ee" and "nn" are part of the spelling (long vowel, long consonant). Evidence: dictionary (thank: weebale! pl. mwebale!; much: nnyo); Tatoeba "Weebale!".

7. Mwebale

   Thank you (to several people, or politely)

   Usage

   Thanks to several people or to a respected elder.

   Grammar Note

   The plural of Weebale. Evidence: dictionary (thank: weebale! pl. mwebale!).

8. Weebale okujja

   Thanks for coming

   Usage

   A thank-you to a visitor.

   Grammar Note

   Evidence: Tatoeba "Weebale okujja." (Thanks for coming). "Weebale okumpita" is thanks for inviting me.

9. Gyebale ko

   Well done / Hello

   Usage

   Said to someone working or travelling; it also works as a greeting.

   Grammar Note

   The traditional sense is "well done / thanks for your work". Tatoeba glosses it "Hello!", and has "Gyebale ko Ssebo!" for a man to be respected.

10. Weeraba

    Goodbye

    Usage

    Parting greeting to one person. To several people: "Mweraba".

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary also lists it for "goodnight". Evidence: dictionary (goodbye, farewell, goodnight: weeraba); Tatoeba "Weeraba!"; Wikivoyage.

11. Mweraba

    Goodbye (to several people, or politely)

    Usage

    Parting greeting to several people or a respected person.

    Grammar Note

    The plural of Weeraba (Wikivoyage labels it "informal", but it is the plural). Evidence: Wikivoyage "Mweraba"; dictionary (pl. forms).

12. Tunaalabagana!

    See you later

    Usage

    A casual goodbye.

    Grammar Note

    tu- is "we" and -gana is "each other". Evidence: Tatoeba "Tunaalabagana!" and "Tulabagane edda!" (see you later).

13. Sula bulungi

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed. "Weeraba" can also mean goodnight.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "spend the night well". Single source (Wikivoyage "Good night: Sula bulungi"), but the verb okusula is in the dictionary; native review advisable.

14. Beera bulungi!

    Stay well

    Usage

    A parting wish for someone's well-being.

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Beera bulungi!" (Stay well!).

15. Tuuka bulungi

    Safe journey

    Usage

    Said to someone setting out on a journey.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "arrive well". Evidence: Tatoeba "Tuuka bulungi." (Safe journey).

16. Siiba bulungi

    Have a good day

    Usage

    When parting, or after a morning greeting.

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Siiba bulungi." (Have a good day). "Funa olunaku olulungi" is another attested wording.

17. Funa olunaku olulungi

    Have a nice day

    Usage

    Another way to say "Siiba bulungi".

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Funa olunaku olulungi." (Have a nice day).

18. Erinnya lyange nze …

    My name is …

    Usage

    Self-introduction; put your name in the gap. The question is "Erinnya lyo ggw'ani?".

    Grammar Note

    Literally "my name, I am ...". People also say "Bampita ..." (they call me ...). Evidence: Tatoeba "Erinnya lyange nze Jack." and "Bampita Jack.".

19. Kirungi okukusisinkana

    Nice to meet you

    Usage

    A first-meeting greeting.

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba and Wikivoyage "Kirungi okukusisinkana". Tatoeba also has "Nsanyuse okukulaba." (glad to see you).

20. Nsanyuse okukulaba

    Glad to see you

    Usage

    A greeting when you are happy to meet someone.

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Nsanyuse okukulaba." (Nice to meet you).

21. Tukusanyukidde

    Welcome

    Usage

    When greeting a guest. To invite someone in, say "Yingira".

    Grammar Note

    Roughly "we are glad about you". Evidence: Tatoeba "Tukusanyukidde." (Welcome!) and "Yingira." (Come in!).

22. Kuli kayo

    Welcome back

    Usage

    Said to someone who has come back.

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Kuli kayo." (Welcome back).

23. Nkwagaliza mikisa

    Good luck

    Usage

    To wish someone success.

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Nkwagaliza mikisa." (Good luck).

24. Amazaalibwa amalungi!

    Happy birthday

    Usage

    A birthday greeting.

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Amazaalibwa amalungi!".

25. Ssekukkulu Ennungi!

    Merry Christmas

    Usage

    A Christmas greeting. For New Year say "Omwaka Omulungi!".

    Grammar Note

    Evidence: Tatoeba "Ssekukkulu Ennungi!" (Merry Christmas) and "Omwaka Omulungi!" (Happy New Year).

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