Ki?
What?
Usage
Point at the thing as you say it. It goes at the end of a question, as in "Olina ki?" (what do you have?).
Grammar Note
Evidence: dictionary (which: ki?); Tatoeba "Kino ki?", "Oyagala ki?", "Olya ki?".
Wa?
Where?
Usage
Placed after a verb to ask about a place, as in "Ogenda wa?" (where are you going?).
Grammar Note
Evidence: dictionary (where: wa?); Tatoeba "Ogenda wa?", "Oli wa?", "Wagenze wa?".
Ddi?
When?
Usage
For departure times and opening hours.
Grammar Note
The "dd" is a long consonant and part of the spelling. Evidence: Tatoeba "Ogenda ddi?", "Onaakomawo ddi?", "Tusisinkana ddi?".
Ani?
Who?
Usage
To ask who is in charge or whose something is.
Grammar Note
Also inside the name question "Erinnya lyo ggw'ani?". Evidence: Tatoeba "Ani anaatereeza ensi?" and "Erinnya lyo ggw'ani?".
Lwaki?
Why?
Usage
Asks for a reason; smile so it does not sound blunt.
Grammar Note
Evidence: Tatoeba "Lwaki?" and "Lwaki kikulu okuyiga Bayibuli?".
Nkola ntya?
How do I do it?
Usage
For asking how to do or use something.
Grammar Note
Composed from dictionary-verified words, on the pattern of Tatoeba "Nkuyambe ntya?" (how can I help you?). "Nkola" is from okukola "to work, do" (Tatoeba "Nsobola okola").
Abantu bameka?
How many people?
Usage
To ask a head count.
Grammar Note
"How many" agrees with the noun class, as in Tatoeba "Ebitabo bimeka by'olina?" and "Olina emyaka emeka?". The ba- form "bameka" is composed by the same rule.
Ssente mmeka?
How much is it?
Usage
The core shopping question. Prices are often answered in English numbers; ask to see the figure on a calculator.
Grammar Note
Literally "money how-much". Evidence: Tatoeba "Ssente mmeka?" (How much is it?).
Kya ssente mmeka?
How much does this cost?
Usage
Ask it while holding or pointing at the item.
Grammar Note
Literally "[it] of money, how much". Evidence: Tatoeba "Njagala kugula kitabo kino. Kya ssente mmeka?" (I want to buy this book. How much is it?).
Kino ki?
What is this?
Usage
Point at an unfamiliar item in a market or eatery.
Grammar Note
"What is that?" is "Ekyo kiki?". Evidence: Tatoeba "Kino ki?" (What is this?).
Kino kiyitibwa kitya?
What is this called?
Usage
To learn the name of an object.
Grammar Note
A passive verb ("is called"). Evidence: Tatoeba "Kino kiyitibwa kitya?".
Kabuyonjo eri ludda wa?
Where is the toilet?
Usage
One of the most-used travel questions; memorise it whole.
Grammar Note
Composed from two attested parts: "Kabuyonjo" is the sign word for toilet (Wikivoyage signs, lg.wikipedia) and "eri ludda wa?" is the attested way to ask where something is (Wikivoyage "Buyonjo eri ludda wa?", Tatoeba "Omusomewa ali ludda wa?").
Ssaawa mmeka?
What time is it?
Usage
Ask the time; having them show a clock avoids number confusion.
Grammar Note
Traditional time counts from dawn, so check whether the number you hear is on the Western clock. Evidence: Tatoeba "Saawa mmeka?" (spelled with one s) and "Ku ssaawa mmeka?"; ssaawa is the usual spelling elsewhere.
Olina amazzi?
Do you have water?
Usage
Asks about stock; swap "amazzi" for the item you want.
Grammar Note
"Olina" plus a noun means "do you have ...?". Composed on the attested pattern of Tatoeba "Olina ki?" and "Olina mmotoka."; "amazzi" from the dictionary.
Osobola?
Can you?
Usage
Checks whether a request is possible; also opens a negotiation.
Grammar Note
Add an infinitive to be specific, as in Tatoeba "Osobola okufumba?" (can you cook?) and "Osobola okukola?".
Kino kituufu?
Is this correct?
Usage
To check that a direction or an item is right.
Grammar Note
Answers are "Kituufu" (correct) or "Kikyamu" (wrong). Evidence: Tatoeba "Kino kituufu?", "Ekyo kituufu.", "Ekyo kikyamu.".
Oli bulungi?
Are you OK?
Usage
To check on someone who looks unwell.
Grammar Note
Composed from verified words: the "Oli otya?" pattern with "bulungi" (fine; Wikivoyage reply to "Oli otya") in place of "otya".
Owulira otya?
How do you feel?
Usage
Asks how someone feels; an answer is "Mpulira bulungi" (I feel fine).
Grammar Note
The same verb with "I" is "mpulira" (Tatoeba "Mpulira bulungi", "Mpulira otulo"). Evidence: Tatoeba "Owulira otya?".
Gwe okakasa?
Are you sure?
Usage
To reconfirm a fact.
Grammar Note
Evidence: Tatoeba "Gwe okakasa?" (Are you sure? Are you certain?).
Ova mu nsi ki?
Which country are you from?
Usage
A good opener. An answer has the form "Nva mu ..." (I come from ...).
Grammar Note
Tatoeba writes it "Ova munsi ki?"; here mu and nsi are written separately. The answer "Nva mu ..." follows the same verb and is composed.
Erinnya lyo ggw'ani?
What is your name?
Usage
Asks a name. The answer is "Erinnya lyange nze ..." (my name is ...).
Grammar Note
The final vowel of "ggwe" drops before "ani", written ggw'ani; the apostrophe marks elision, not a glottal stop. The "r" is the l-after-i spelling rule. Evidence: Tatoeba "Erinnya lyo ggw'ani?"; dictionary (name: erinnya).
Olina emyaka emeka?
How old are you?
Usage
Asking age can feel intrusive; save it for when you know the person better.
Grammar Note
Literally "you have how many years". Evidence: Tatoeba "Olina emyaka emeka?".
Ogenda wa?
Where are you going?
Usage
A very common question on the road. An answer is "Ngenda e ..." (I am going to ...).
Grammar Note
okugenda is "to go"; keep the "g" in the spelling. Evidence: Tatoeba "Ogenda wa?".
Obeera wano?
Do you live here?
Usage
A friendly conversation opener.
Grammar Note
Evidence: Tatoeba "Obeera wano?".
Buzibu ki?
What is the problem?
Usage
To ask what is wrong when someone is in trouble.
Grammar Note
Evidence: Tatoeba "Buzibu ki?" (What is the problem?).
Waliwo ekirala?
Is there another?
Usage
To ask for another item or option.
Grammar Note
Evidence: Tatoeba "Waliwo ekirala?" (Is there another?).
More Luganda phrases
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