Shopping

1. Kino kya ssente mmeka?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask a price; point at the item.

   Grammar Note

   The connective "-a" agrees with the thing asked about (kino), giving "kya"; literally "this is of how-much money". Evidence: Tatoeba "Kya ssente mmeka?" and "Ssente mmeka?".

2. Kendeeza ku muwendo, mwattu

   Please lower the price

   Usage

   For haggling at a market stall. Greet first, then ask.

   Grammar Note

   A command form of okukendeeza "to reduce" plus "ku muwendo" (as for the price). Composed from dictionary-verified words (reduce, price); "mwattu" as in Tatoeba and Wikivoyage.

3. Nja kugula kino

   I will buy this

   Usage

   Say it once you agree on the price and decide to buy.

   Grammar Note

   "Nja ku- + verb" expresses a near future or intention, like Tatoeba "Nja kutambula" (I will travel). "Tom ajja kugula ekitabu" gives the same pattern with "buy".

4. Mpa ensawo, mwattu

   Please give me a bag

   Usage

   To ask for a bag for what you bought.

   Grammar Note

   "Mpa" is the command form of okuwa "to give" with the "me" marker n-. The dictionary gives ensawo as bag. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

5. Osobola okuvunja ssente?

   Can you give me change?

   Usage

   To ask for small notes or coins when you only have a large note.

   Grammar Note

   "Osobola okuvunja" = "can you ...?" (Tatoeba "Osobola okunyamba?"). The dictionary lists okuvunja under "change (money)". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

6. Olugoye luno lwa ssente mmeka?

   How much is this cloth?

   Usage

   At a cloth or clothes stall. Olugoye means both cloth and a garment.

   Grammar Note

   Olugoye belongs to the olu- class, so "this" is luno and "of" is lwa. Composed from dictionary-verified words (cloth) and the pattern of Tatoeba "Kya ssente mmeka?".

7. Njagala okugula emiyembe

   I want to buy mangoes

   Usage

   For buying fruit at a market; swap emiyembe for another item.

   Grammar Note

   "Njagala" + an infinitive (oku-) means "I want to ...". Emiyembe is the plural of the emi- class. Evidence: Tatoeba "Njagala kulya emiyembe" (I want to eat mango) and the dictionary okugula.

8. Akatale kali ludda wa?

   Where is the market?

   Usage

   Asking for the market. "Ludda wa" (which side) is the usual way to ask where something is.

   Grammar Note

   Akatale is in the aka- class, so "is" is kali. The frame "X eri ludda wa?" follows Tatoeba "Ennyumba ya Tom eri ludda wa?". Dictionary: market akatale.

9. Edduuka liri ludda wa?

   Where is the shop?

   Usage

   For finding a nearby shop.

   Grammar Note

   Edduuka takes li-, so "is" is liri. The word is confirmed in the dictionary (shop: edduuka) and Tatoeba "Ngenda ku dduuka". Composed from the frame of Tatoeba "Ennyumba ya Tom eri ludda wa?".

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