Learn Lusoga
Kodh'eyo — what's the news? Words and phrases from the language of Busoga, taken from the books themselves.
The Lusoga is the author's. The English beside it is a working translation, not yet signed off by a second speaker — so treat it as a guide, and the books as the reference.
The starter list uses dictionary spelling; the books use the author's dh and nh spelling. Neither has been changed to match the other.
Lessons
Four short sets. Look at the words, then answer a question about each — it takes about two minutes.
Greetings
0/8How a conversation starts in Busoga.
Family & home
0/8The people and the rooms a child knows first.
The royal horns
0/7Words from Walugembe, at the Kyabazinga's palace.
Draft — not signed off.
Cleanliness at home
0/8Words from Obuyondho, where Nambi learns her room.
Draft — not signed off.
The full word list
20 starter words and 17 from the stories, for when you want to look something up.
Starter phrases (20)
Greetings
Kodh'eyo
What's the news? (Busoga)
KODH eh-yo
Wasuze otya eyo?
How did you spend the night?
wa-SOO-zeh OT-ya EH-yo
Osiibye otya?
How did you spend the day?
oh-SEE-byeh OT-ya
Oli otya eyo?
How are you?
OH-lee OT-ya EH-yo
Bulungi
Well / I am fine
boo-LOON-gee
Webale
Thank you
weh-BAH-leh
Webale emirimo
Thank you for the work
weh-BAH-leh eh-MEE-ree-mo
Isebo / Inyabo
Sir / Madam
ee-SEH-bo / ee-NYA-bo
Family Words
Taata
Father
TAA-ta
Maama
Mother
MAA-ma
Omwaana
Child
om-WAA-na
Ab'eka
People at home
ah-BEH-ka
Mukwano gwange
My friend
moo-KWA-no GWAN-geh
Omusaadha
Man
oh-moo-SAA-dha
Omukazi
Woman
oh-moo-KA-zee
Home & River
Amaadhi
Water
ah-MAA-dhi
Omugga
River
oh-MOO-ga
Kiira
The Nile
KEE-rra
Enyumba
House
eh-NYOOM-ba
Omuliro
Fire
oh-moo-LEE-ro
Words from the books (17) — draft
Walugembe
Read it free →ebigwala
the royal horns of Busoga (side-blown, not a drum)
eh-bee-GWA-la
Kyabazinga
the cultural king of Busoga
chaa-ba-ZIN-ga
matiikira
the palace / royal court
ma-tii-KI-ra
okufuuwa
to blow (a horn)
oh-koo-FOO-wa
badhadha
grandfathers
ba-DHA-dha
ekyalo
village
eh-CHAA-lo
akatambi
a small recording / cassette (as drawn in this story)
a-ka-TAM-bi
Obuyondho
Read it free →obuyondho
cleanliness
oh-boo-YON-dho
ekisenge
room
eh-ki-SEN-ge
ekitiibwa
respect / honour
eh-ki-TII-bwa
kunkyo
in the morning
KOON-kyo
omusana
the sun
oh-moo-SA-na
saawa ibiri
two hours
SAA-wa ee-BEE-ri
omukyala
a woman
oh-moo-CHAA-la
okukyuusa
to change (clothes, after bathing)
oh-koo-choo-SA
ekitanda
bed
eh-ki-TAN-da
engoye
clothes
en-GO-ye
Busoga okwisania na maaniUnity is strength