Luganda Greetings and Responses

Oli otya?

How are you? (singular)

Gye ndi

I am fine / I am well

Muli mutya?

How are you? (plural)

Gye tuli

We are fine / We are well

Wasuze otya?

Good morning / How did you sleep?

Nasuze bulungi

Good morning (reply) / I slept well

Mwasuze mutya?

Good morning (to many)

Twasuze bulungi

Good morning (reply from many) / We slept well

Osiibye otya?

Good afternoon / How has your day been?

Nsiibye bulungi

Good afternoon (reply) / My day has been good

Musiibye mutya?

Good afternoon / evening (to many)

Tusiibye bulungi

Good afternoon / evening (reply from many)

Sula bulungi

Good night / Sleep well (singular)

Musule bulungi

Good night / Sleep well (plural)

Weebale emirimu

Thank you for the work / Well done

Awo

Thank you / Right there (reply to well done)

Nnyabo

Madam / Mother / Title of respect for a woman

Ssebo

Sir / Father / Title of respect for a man

Bukulimba

How are things? (Slang/Informal)

Bulungi

Fine / Well

Kulika

Welcome back / Congratulations

Nzize

I have returned / I am back (reply to kulika)

Mukulike

Welcome back (to many)

Ayi

Yes / Ah (acknowledgement)

Twaniriziddwa

We are welcomed (reply from many to welcome)

Weeraba

Goodbye

Mweraba

Goodbye (to many)

Tujja kulabagana

We will see each other later

Siiba bulungi

Have a good day

Musiibe bulungi

Have a good day (to many)

Nsanyuse okukulaba

I am happy to see you / Nice to meet you

Nsanyuse okubalaba

I am happy to see you all

Agafaayo?

What is the news?

Nnungi

Good (news) / Fine

Tewali mabi

No bad news

Eka bali batya?

How is everyone at home?

Eka balungi

They are fine at home

Abaana bali batya?

How are the children?

Abaana balungi

The children are fine

Balamu

They are well / Alive

Mpaayo omukono

Give me your hand (shake hands)

Tumulamusizza

We greet him/her

Kulaikako

Welcome to you (casual format)

Ab'eka babakulamusizza

The people at home greet you

Ate ggwe?

And you?

Mpozi ewammwe?

How about at your place?

Obulamu buli butya?

How is life?

Bulungi

Life is good / It is well

Gyebale ko

Well done (Greeting for someone working)

Bale nno

Thank you indeed / Yes indeed

Emirembe

Peace (Greeting)

Nnyabo ssebo

Ladies and gentlemen

Batuusizza?

Have they arrived safely?

Yee, batuusizza

Yes, they have arrived safely

Wasuze otya gwe?

How did you sleep? (informal/friendly)

Tugambewo

Tell us / What's up?

Nyiga obulamu

Enjoy life (Informal farewell)

Katonda akuume

May God protect you

Mwebale kujja

Thank you for coming

Kasita oba mulamu

As long as you are alive (It is well)

Amazima?

Is it true? / Really?

Ng'oludde!

Long time no see!

Ndudde ddala

I have indeed been away a long time

Ebisanja bitya?

How are the terms/times?

Gye biri

They are there (reply to how are things)

Okola ki?

What are you doing?

Sirina kye nkola

I am doing nothing

Ofuze omulabe?

Have you defeated the enemy? (Jokingly)

Ekimbe?

What's the vibe? (Slang)

Vvaayo

Come out (Slang for tell me)

Amazalibwa malungi

Happy birthday

Omwaka omuggya omulungi

Happy new year

Sekukkulu enungi

Merry Christmas

Amazaalibwa ga Yesu

The birth of Jesus (Christmas greeting)

Eidd murungi

Happy Eid

Mukama akubeere

May God be with you

Okuddamu

To repeat / Answer

Sanyuka

Be happy / Rejoice

Bwe kityo

That is how it is

Tukutendereza

We praise you (Addressing God/Elder)

Oli mulwadde?

Are you sick?

Mpulira bulungi

I feel good / healthy

Omubiri gukosebwa

The body is aching (I am unwell)

Ngoja otya?

How are you treating (illness)?

Afudde

He/She has died (Condolences)

Kitalo

What a tragedy (Condolences)

Ngabye

I accept (the condolences)

Mugume

Be strong (to the bereaved)

Musanyuse?

Are you happy?

Tusanyuse nnyo

We are very happy

Mubeere balungi

Be good / Stay well

Weeyagale

Enjoy yourself

Nsaba kusiibula

I ask to take leave

Siibula bulungi

Take leave well

Katonda akubeere

May God be with you

Tambula bulungi

Walk/Travel well

Tujja kubalinda

We will wait for you

Olwaleero

Today is the day

Mbagaliza ebirungi

I wish you the best

Weeraba nnyo

Goodbye totally / Catch you later