Basic Verbs

1. Okugenda

   To go

   Usage

   The infinitive form. "Ngenda" means "I go".

   Grammar Note

   Infinitives start with oku-; keep the "g" in okugenda. Evidence: dictionary (go: okugenda); Tatoeba "Ngenda okulya!", "Ogenda ddi?".

2. Okujja

   To come

   Usage

   "Jangu" means "come!", and "Jangu wano" means "come here".

   Grammar Note

   Evidence: dictionary (come: okujja; come here: jangu); Tatoeba "Jangu wano.", "Tom ajja leero.".

3. Okulya

   To eat

   Usage

   "Njagala kulya" means "I want to eat".

   Grammar Note

   After njagala the oku- often shortens to ku- (kulya). Evidence: dictionary (eat: okulya); Tatoeba "Ngenda okulya!".

4. Okunywa

   To drink

   Usage

   "Onywa ki?" means "what are you drinking?".

   Grammar Note

   Evidence: dictionary (drink v.: okunywa); Tatoeba "Onywa ki?", "Tom anywa amazzi.".

5. Okugula

   To buy

   Usage

   "Oyagala kugula ki?" means "what do you want to buy?".

   Grammar Note

   Evidence: dictionary (buy: okugula); Tatoeba "Oyagala kugula ki?", "Tom ajja kugula ekitabo.".

6. Okulaba

   To see

   Usage

   "Laba!" means "look!".

   Grammar Note

   The stem -laba keeps its l; l only becomes r after i or e. Evidence: dictionary (see: okulaba); Tatoeba "Laba!", "Njagala okukulaba kati.".

7. Okulinda

   To wait

   Usage

   "Lindako" means "wait a bit".

   Grammar Note

   Evidence: dictionary (wait: okulinda); Tatoeba "Nalinda ekitundu ky'essaawa." (I waited half an hour).

8. Njagala kulya

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Works with other verbs too, e.g. "Njagala kunywa caayi" (I want to drink tea).

   Grammar Note

   Okwagala covers "want, like, love". Evidence: Tatoeba "Njagala kulya." (glossed there as "I like to eat"), "Njagala kunywa caayi.", "Njagala kulya ebijanjaalo.".

9. Njagala kugenda

   I want to go

   Usage

   Follow with the place to say where.

   Grammar Note

   Evidence: Tatoeba "Njagala kugenda mu ddwaaliro." (I want to go to the hospital); this card is that pattern without the destination.

10. Njagala kino

    I want this

    Usage

    Point at the item as you say it.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from verified parts: "Njagala" plus the demonstrative "kino" (Tatoeba "Njagala oluyimba olwo" is the same pattern with a noun).

11. Saagala

    I don't want it

    Usage

    To turn down an offer or a vendor.

    Grammar Note

    Negative of okwagala; an infinitive can follow, as in Tatoeba "Saagala kugenda ku ssomero." Evidence: Tatoeba "Saagala kuyiga Oluzungu.". "Sikyagala" (I don't like it) is a separate Tatoeba phrase.

12. Nnoonya

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    Follow with what you are looking for, e.g. "Nnoonya wooteeri".

    Grammar Note

    Tatoeba has "Noonya wooteli elya layisi" (I'm looking for a cheap hotel); here the geminate spelling is used, as with Nnyamba. Dictionary: okunoonya "to look for". lg.wikipedia: nnoonya 1 hit, noonya 14.

13. Nnina

    I have it

    Usage

    As in "Nnina ekibuuzo" (I have a question).

    Grammar Note

    "Have" is expressed as "be with". The negative is "Sirina". Evidence: Tatoeba "Nnina omusujja.", "Nnina ekibuuzo.".

14. Sirina

    I don't have it

    Usage

    As in "Sirina obudde" (I have no time).

    Grammar Note

    The negative of Nnina. Evidence: Tatoeba "Sirina obudde.", "Sirina baana.", "Sirina kirowoozo.".

15. Njagala okusasula

    I want to pay

    Usage

    To ask for the bill at a restaurant or shop.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from verified words: dictionary (pay: okusasula); 77 hits on lg.wikipedia; Tatoeba "Bansasula enkya." (I get paid tomorrow).

16. Mbuulira

    Tell me

    Usage

    Put "Mwattu" in front to be politer.

    Grammar Note

    Imperative of okubuulira "to tell" with "me" built in. Evidence: Tatoeba "Mbuulira kintu." (Tell me something) and "Bambi mbuulira erinnya lyo.".

17. Tugende

    Let's go

    Usage

    To set off together; "Tugende kati" means "let's go now".

    Grammar Note

    tu- is the "we" prefix. Evidence: Tatoeba "Yee, tugende!" and "Tugende kati.".

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