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| Lugbara Translate (2019 Logo by Aiko)... |
Do you want to translate Lugbara Language to English? Then read this Simplified Lugbara Dictionary (Wordbook) or contact Aiko (Email: aikoug@gmail.com; MTN Mobile Money/ WhatsApp: +256-781-345712; Airtel: +256-751-650276) for more inquiries, suggestions plus corrections (I'm only human)! Created painstakingly with gritty nerves of graphine on the 3rd Agofe's 90th birthday (Saturday 26th November 2016) and updated constantly, this digital Lu-di [Lugbara dictionary] is where the Old and New meet. For easy navigation on a computer, use the "Ctrl + F" key combination to find exact words quickly. Every Lugbara word ends with one of the five vowels eg nyanya = tomato; karoti = carrot; mucele = rice; ovakedo = avocado; osu = bean; mawa = flower; mbasala = onion. Letters Q [Kya] and X [Eksa] are not used but four new glottal stops with an apostrophe are added ie 'B, 'D, 'W and 'Y (which all sound like putting H after them) making a total of 28 letters in the Lugbara Alphabet: Ah, Bha, Ba, Cha, Dha, Da, Eh, Fa, Ga, Ha, Ii (as in Inn), Ja, Ka, La, Ma, Na, Oh, Pa, Ra, Sa, Ta, Uw (as in You), Va, Wha, Wa, Yha, Ya, Za. The original Vocabulary was short because some words have multiple meanings based on three major tones, pronunciation or context eg ai can mean salt (high tone); accept, pray (mid tone); ask (low tone)/ ti can mean cow; to drip; mouth, language; to produce/ etc. However, new words keep being added to the existing language eg indaneti = internet. A noun can denote both singular and plural. Lugbara sentences in past tense are structured using the Subject-Verb-Object arrangement like in English, but present and future tenses follow S-O-V though nga [will, shall] is added after the Subject to mark the difference eg YESU ni (nga) 'ba onzi pa [JESUS (will) save sinners]...
Pronunciation Guide [Lugbara Phonology]
Some words are borrowed or modified from English and other languages like Swahili and Lingala. Lugbara has diphthong clusters and other noteworthy phonetics including the following:
a as in rat, for example leta-a
c as in church, for example Candiru (though can also be spelt Chandiru)
dj (letter D is silent) as in jilt, for example odji (is pronounced oji)
ee (preferably single E) as in emblem, for example Andree (also Andre)
gb (letter G is silent) as in bend, for example gbe. Lugbara is pronounced Lubara.
i as in inn, for example 'di-i (also sometimes written as 'di'i though archaic)
kp (letter K is silent) as in pen, for example okpo (is pronounced opo)
mv as in converse, for example omve (is pronounced onve)
oa as in soar, for example ADROA
oo as in hold, for example ocoo (also oco), rarely oo as in food, for example ‘doo [(also 'du, dhu) pick eg sugar using tongue]
u as in food, for example o'du
uu as in chew, for example cuu
z as in jean after n, for example onzi (is pronouncenced onji). Otherwise, most times remains z as in zebra, for example ozu and when the first letter of a word.
Aa
a (n) stomach, belly; [(prep, suffix) at, (is) in, on, to; (pron) I; we (also Ama)] eg A ga si = I have refused
a a (adj) not true, not at all, no (also yo); [(prep) across]
a'balao (n) dove (also a'buo)
a'be (n) wrestling, axe
a'bi (n) grandfather (also a'bipi, abhi, jaj[j]a), ancestors, omugurusi, kwaro, Papa Kus; [destiny (also a'bii, pari asizuri)] eg Ma a'bi dra ki iritro 'bo (Dobo azini Banito). = My grandfathers are both dead already (Dobo and Banito).
a'bianzi (n) descendants, generation(s)
a'bi'ba (n) ancestral ghost spirits eg Luka esu a'bi'ba Goli-a. = Luke found spirits in Goli.
a'bici (n) heartburn
a'bimva (n) descendant
a'bu (n) valley (also e'bu & i'bu); [fatness; covering; (v) cover; fatten] eg Amina a'bu ima dribi. = Amina covered her hair.
a'bu mile (n) swamp
a'bua (n) banana, plantain (also a’bugo) eg Munguleni sa a'bua Osu-a. = Munguleni planted bananas in Osu.
a'buo (n) dove
a'buza (adj) fat, obese (also mere mere) eg Silasi ni a'buza. = Silas is fat.
a'da (v) insult, abuse, point out (an issue)
a'data (n) insult, abuse
a'danga (n) criticism
a'di (n) war, battle, fight, bon fire eg during e'yo o'beza (also koyi koyi); [(v) cook] eg Mi a'di mani mutere! = Cook for me mutere!
a'di-i? (interj, pron) who? (also a'di?) eg 'Da a'di-i? = Who is that?/ A'di kini 'ba odra ni? = Who said people should die?
a'dia (pron) so and so, who and who
a'diko (n) riddle (also adhiko) eg A'diko ti si: Baka fi ni, nyondo ni ti ma mulokoni. = According to the language of riddles: A rope is offals, a hammer is a cow's hoof.
a'diza (n) cooked, boiled
a'du (interj, pre-determiner, pron) what; [(n) silver] eg A'du ei Mande be ni? = What happened to Monday?
a'duko (n) story
a'dukule (adj, adv) alone (also a'dule)
a'dungare? (adv) when? (also a'dungari) eg YESU ni imvi a'dungare? = When is JESUS returning?
a'duni? (adj, adv, pron) what?
a'dusi? (adv) why?
a'ya (n) envy, jealousy
a'yaru (adj) envious, jealous
A'yaru (n) female-given name
a'yoroo (n) squirrel (also a'yaro, ayharo)
aa (v) stay, reside (also oa) eg Toro Suru ma Opi ni aa Fort Portal-a. = Toro Kingdom's King stays in Fort Portal.
aba (adj) many, (v) stray
ababa (n) madness, craziness
Abairo (n) waterfalls in Kamikua Village, Wandi Parish, about 100 metres beyond Oluko Subcounty Headquarters on the Arua-Ocodri Road (also Whaa Falls)
abala (n) competition, betting (also betingi) eg 'Ba ode le abala betingi ni. = Youth love betting.
Abataki Geri (n) Abataki Road (also Mustafa Abataki Road), road in Anyafio that starts from the junction between Mt. Wati Road - Mvara SS Crescent perpendicular to Osu River and joins Oda Road eg Horizon Nursery ni Abataki Geri-a. = Horizon Nursery is on Abataki Road.
abaza (n) confusion, doubt (also abata)
abebe (n) dumb person
Abedju-Azaki (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo
abefe (n) bridge (also alofe, olufe)
abi (n) wall eg Sakaya, Bosiko, Azita azini Hamoni abi si. = Sakaya, Bosco, Azita and Harmony are building a wall.
Abi Farm (n) Abi Agricultural Research Development Centre on Rhino Camp Road after Ombaci Satellite Station
Abidrabo (n) male-given name meaning "Grandfather is dead"
abiri (n) hunger, famine, sorrow (also chandi), suffering (also abiriga)
Abiria (n) female-given name meaning "(conceived or born) in famine" (male version is Abiriga), village in Arivu (Oluko Subcounty)
abirisi (adj) hungry
abirisi tu (adv) very hungry, hungrily
Abiricaku (n) place south of Mvara Trading Centre before Ushindi Primary School meaning "Hunger is not enough" eg St. Mark Kanisa ni Abiricaku-a. = St. Mark's Church is in Abiricaku.
abo (v) bark eg Ocogo ni abo. = A dog barks.
aboku (n) type of fish, abok
aboloto (n) obese, fat person, fat bombola
abudira (n) catapult, Y-shaped slingshot for hitting birds with stones or small rocks (also abidira) eg Dramu ni aria ogbi abudira si. = Dramu shoots birds with a catapult.
Abutze (n) mountain in Moyo
Aca (n) place near Rhino Camp
acalaka (n) basket eg Tutu 'ba bongo acalaka-a. = Tutu put clothes in the basket.
ace (v) remain; tear
acepiri (n) remainder
aceta (n) remaining (also aceza)
aci (n) fire, light, electricity, energy, WENRECo's Diza, Umeme's Yaka, heat; [journey, trip, safari, movement, walk; (v) crush with teeth] eg Etu ni aci ede. = The sun creates (solar) electricity.
aci aci (v) share; walked
Aci Injini (n) Electricity Engine, fuel power plant in Osu Village run by WENRECo (West Nile Rural Electrification Company) since the early 2000s supplying electricity to Arua Town before the anticipated Nyagak Dams were finally switched on, the second fuel-powered station was built in Ewuata
Aci inyupiku ri (n) Hell, eternal fire eg Dimitri Azzakov eri o'duko engazu Aci inyupiku ri. = Dimitri Azzakov heard sounds from Hell.
aci ma baka (n) cable, electricity wire (also kebo)
aci waya siri (n) electricity (also aci waya ma-a ri)
acia (adj) in fire; [(adv) on a journey]
aciaci (adj) hot
acibe (adj) with fire, hot; with a journey, with a trip, with safari
Acidri (n) male-given name meaning "I suffered"
acife (n) witchcraft, practice of magic, use of spells, invocation of spirits, necromancy, sorcery, shamanism, possession, occult, divination, rituals, incantation, vodou, voodoo, vudu (also enata, jadu, ondrita) eg Haiti nde acife si. = Haiti wins in witchcraft.
acika (n) smoke
acikulu (n) charcoal
acita (n) movement (also aciza)
aco (n) hoe (also e'bu, i'bu); [fight, battle, break eg eggs, become lame]
Acoli (n) Luo tribe east of Lugbara and northwest of Langi, Acholi people
Acoliti (n) Acholi language eg Bongomin ni Acoliti nze. = Bongomin is speaking Acholi language.
acoza (n) lameness (also acota)
acozaru (adj) lame
ada (adj) true (also adaada, tandi); [(v) pour] eg Putin ma leta ada! = Putin's love is true!
Adada (n) rock, hill in Tara
Adalafu (n) village near Arua City separated from Jiako by Oli River
adaza (adj) feeble, malnourished; [(n) chaff]
adi (n) legend, function where multiple generations of Lugbara in a particular clan gather to hear their origin stories plus share meat; [(v) abandon, desert; choke] eg Martinelli ni adi. = Martinelli is a legend.
adisi (n) humour, comedy, chat, fun talk (also adu, andru) eg Tobi Tobias "High Voltage" Dingilikudingili ni adisi gba redio-a. = Tobi Tobias "High Voltage" Dingilikudingili is chatting on radio.
Adjumani (n) district east of Moyo across the Albert Nile (also East Moyo)
ADLG (abbr) Arua District Local Government
adre (v) be, is, was
adreni (phr v) is not (plu. adrekini) eg Iwa adreni muke ku 'ba andrale eli 120 (turu alu kali iri) pini. = Alcohol is not good for persons under the age of 120.
adri (n) brother (also adrii), means rock in Hindi eg Yuda ni Yema ma adri. = Yuda is Yema's brother.
adriza (n) behaviour
adra (n) fetish (also uri, yakani), violence, anger
adro (n) uncle; spirit placed in a body by Divine Spirit and stands for the individuality of its possessor (one of the elements of a human while others include body, breath, soul [orindi] and tali)
ADROA (n) the Creator; sky GOD in Lugbara mythology appears in both good and evil aspects though a single Deity, appeared on earth as a very tall white man near death with only one half of the body, missing one eye, one leg, etc; Divine Absolute Spirit, his children were adroanzi (also ADRO, ADRONGA in Aringa, ADROO, ADROU) eg ADROA 'ba o'bapiri = GOD who created people
adroanzi (n) children of ADROA; nature gods of specific rivers, trees and other sacred wild areas, protect people but can also kill and eat them if they look behind while being followed in the dark, sometimes known as water snakes, bloodline of the Nosferatu Clan, originating in the Lugbara Culture of Central Africa, protectors of the local tribe in exchange for blood
adrogo (n) idol, false god eg Muhamadi nze adrogo karakara Kaba ma ageia Mecca-a. = Muhammad removed many idols near the Kaaba in Mecca.
adromva (n) nephew, niece
adropi (n) paternal uncle eg Kefa ni ma adropi. = Kefa is my paternal uncle.
adroyi (n) maternal uncle eg Jad ni ma adroyi. = Jad is my maternal uncle.
adu (n) humour
adui (n) rebel, enemy eg Sanbalati ni Nehemia ma adui! = Sanballat is Nehemiah's enemy!
Adumi (n) subcounty west of Arua Municipality and near the DR Congo Border, north of Pajulu, south of Oluva
adungu (n) multi-stringed and bow-arched wooden instrument that is usually covered with animal hide at the base and made in various sizes, the smaller ones are handheld while the bigger ones rest on the ground or floor for easy play eg Godia ni adungu avi. = Godia is playing the adungu.
afa (n) property, riches, wealth, thing
afa azi (n) something (also pronounced afazi)
afa eti onda (v) (do) research eg GeoPoll ni afa eti onda. = GeoPoll does research.
afa eti ondaza (n) research work
afa feza (n) thanksgiving (also awa'difo feza)
afa idri koko (n) non-living thing eg Mutuka 'ba olipiri ni afa idri koko. = A taxi is a non-living thing.
afa ofuza (n) production
Afayo (n) male-given name meaning "No wealth" (also Afayoa)
afazi (n) something
afazi yo (n) nothing, without something, there is nothing
afazu (n) utensils, container (also afajo) eg Eunice ni afazu oji. = Eunice is washing the utensils.
afi (v) burst eg Mupira afi. = The tyre burst.
afimaniru (adj) selfish, self-centred
Afrika (n) Africa eg Adam Kiira ni aa Afrika-a i-ma oku Eve Victoria be. = Adam Kiira stays in Africa with his wife Eve Victoria.
afu (v) compete, break something fragile; (n) pride; [fight]
afu 'ba (phr v) put on airs
afuru (v) proud eg Baganda ki afuru eyi ma suru si. = Baganda are proud of their culture.
aga (adv) beyond; [(v) pass] eg YESU le ma aga. = JESUS loves me beyond.
agaa (adv) halfway (also otru)
agara'ba (n) whiteman (also ogara'ba), sb with axe
agata (n) passing, exceeding; [refusal to do sth when asked]
agati (n) chest
agaza (n) victory, triumph, success (also ndeza) eg Agaza ni mini afa (mini) leri isuzu. = Success is getting what you want.
agba (v) hit, split rocks
agbatara (n) debate, discussion eg Noeli ni agbatara-a. = Noel is at the debate.
Agbinika Falls (n) waterfalls on River Koch granitic rockbed of about 30 meters with natural trees and forest reserve suitable for picnic activities located in Romogi (Yumbe)
ageia (n) in sb or sth's proximity eg Remi ri eri ma ageia. = Remy sat next to him.
ageini (n) the neighbouring area (also ageyini)
agele (n) penis, cock, dick (also rua agupini, anja)
agele dri (n) penis foreskin
agele dri edeza (n) circumcision (agele dri liza)
ageyi te (v) take care, wait on, watch over sb or sth
ageyitema (n) watch, watchfulness, security (also ageitema, ageyiteza, agei teza, sekuriko)
agi (n) friend (also agyi, alipi) eg Abu Bakari ni andra Muhammadi ma Agi Ndeni. = Abu Bakr was Muhammad's Best Friend.
ago (n) male animal, husband, boyfriend; [pumpkin (also nzu)] (totem for Logiri) eg Mao ni eri ma ago. = Mao is her husband.
agobi (n) pumpkin leaves eg Aparaka ma tibi agobi. = Carelessness feeds on pumpkin leaves. [Lugbara Proverb]
agofe (n) pillar, post, in charge
agofuku (n) love potion, sth a Lugbara woman does to keep her husband safe from being snatched by another woman like cooking her man's favourite food, spices, smelling nice, dressing enticingly, sex, submission, respect or peaceful disposition
agolirua (n) evening star
agopa (n) pumpkin stem
agrikeca (n) agriculture (also azi amvu ni, amvu 'yaza)
agu (n) person; [(v) bend (also avu)] eg Mi agu eri Beckham le! = Bend it like Beckham!
agu a'di 'dipi driwala ijizu (n) freedom fighter
agu aci osupi (n) electrician eg Judi ni agu aci osupi nda. = Judi is looking for an electrician.
agu afa jepiri (n) buyer
agu angu onepi (n) tourist
agu azoru (n) patient
agu 'ba ni oni tu (n) famous person/ people, celebrity
agu blogu sipiri (n) blogger
agu e'bi okupi (n) fisherman eg Yekini ni agu e'bi okupi. = Yekini is a fisherman.
agu e'yo dapiri (n) moderator, presenter (also agu odapiri)
agu motoka onzupi (n) driver (also dere'ba, dereva)
agu mupira tupi (n) footballer eg Lugemwa ni agu mupira tupi Block Owners ni. = Lugemwa is a footballer for Block Owners.
agu mupira vupi (n) football referee
agule (n) transmasculine
agupi (n) male, husband, man; [men] eg Kintu ni Nambi ma agupi. = Kintu is Nambi's husband.
agupia (adv) (of women) married to a man
agupianzi (n) boys, male children eg Agupianzi mu ki Wobulenzi-a. = The boys went to Wobulenzi.
Aguta (n) male-given name
agwara (n) dance by the Lugbara and Kebu
Agwoko (n) Agwok, trading centre after Nebbi on the Pakwach Highway
ai (n) salt; [(v) trap with rope or string, get caught, accept, welcome, respond, admit, affirm, pray; ask] (archaic a'i) eg Rubeni ni mu MUNGU ai Dominion Theata-a. = Reuben is going to pray to GOD at the Dominion Theatre.
Aiivu (n) subcounty near Maracha, south of Yivu and Omugo, north of Katrini
agule (n) transmasculine
agupi (n) male, husband, man; [men] eg Kintu ni Nambi ma agupi. = Kintu is Nambi's husband.
agupia (adv) (of women) married to a man
agupianzi (n) boys, male children eg Agupianzi mu ki Wobulenzi-a. = The boys went to Wobulenzi.
Aguta (n) male-given name
agwara (n) dance by the Lugbara and Kebu
Agwoko (n) Agwok, trading centre after Nebbi on the Pakwach Highway
ai (n) salt; [(v) trap with rope or string, get caught, accept, welcome, respond, admit, affirm, pray; ask] (archaic a'i) eg Rubeni ni mu MUNGU ai Dominion Theata-a. = Reuben is going to pray to GOD at the Dominion Theatre.
Aiivu (n) subcounty near Maracha, south of Yivu and Omugo, north of Katrini
Aiko (n) penname of a committed Ugandan artist who dropped out the letter Y from his surname at 6 years of age, shortened from Ayiko, Scandinavian male-given name also used in Northern Germany, Chinese boy-name, Japanese female-given name meaning "Love child"
aise (n) grass
aise geri (n) anus (also ezele, ojuu)
aisu (n) sauce
aita (n) faith (sometimes aitaa though might mean sth else) eg Aita ma mba oni le, ma mba kongolo. Ka mba oni le, ATA ni ovu ayikosi! = Faith should harden like a stone. If it's hard like a stone, then FATHER will be happy!
aitipa (n) sun-wivered salty leaves burnt to create salt after mixing the ash with water and sieving through a container
aiza (n) prayers, fellowship
aizu (v) beseech
Ajai (n) game reserve towards eastern Arua on Rhino Camp Road, used to be famous for the endangered white rhino, Most Powerful Chief in Madi Okollo history who had 100 wives
Ajara (n) suburb or parish in Ayivu north of Manibe on Koboko Highway after Enyau River, near Omi
aje (n) buying, cost, price; [traditional marriage where a groom pays a cow for the bride plus extra cows depending on number of children born, give away, kwanjula] eg Ndri ma aje Uganda ma Silingi 50,000. = The price of a goat is 50,000 Uganda Shillings.
aje koko (adj) free, priceless, cheap eg buku aje koko = free book
aje manyaka (n) small price (also o'boloko aje)
ajee (adv) yesterday
Ajeku(ru) (n) female-given name meaning "They have not paid anything for me"
ajeru (n) expensive eg E nga azi pere afa ajeru ni ecazu ajekoko. = Work until expensive things become cheap.
aji (n) taste, flavour; blessing (drileba), luck
aji di (v) defame, cause to lose interest, dilute taste, spoil name or reputation, pour mud on, scorn
Ajia (n) subcounty south of Oluko, north of Arivu eg Allan ni 'ba sa Ajia-a. = Allan was buried in Ajia.
ajiko (n) pot for preparing millet flour; [tastelessness (also ajiyo)]
Ajikoro (n) place in Maracha
ajira (n) beans with skin removed and mixed with groundnut paste plus mundrokole greens (also loperete), almost like firinda from western Uganda
Ajira (n) marketplace in northern Maracha, subcounty that was formed from Tara
ajiru (adj) tasty, flavoured; blessed (also drilebaru), lucky eg Harieti ni ajiru. = Harriet is blessed.
aju (n) spear; [(v) insult using obscene words]
Ajua (n) great grandfather of the seven true Tara parishes in Maracha named after his seven grandchildren through Opodria (whose mother was given to him in Onduparaka) then Naye. In Ovisoni during his quest to find the source of Enyau River, Ajua paid brideprice for another wife who gave birth to Otu, the father of Vurra after whom a clan and county are named in western Arua District eg Ajua ni a'bi mba Tara ni woro. = Ajua is the real ancestor for the whole of Tara.
aka (adv) deliberately
akaaka (adj) soft
akanya (n) ass, horse
akanyamva (n) colt, young donkey
akaza (v) soft, weak, moulten, molted
aise (n) grass
aise geri (n) anus (also ezele, ojuu)
aisu (n) sauce
aita (n) faith (sometimes aitaa though might mean sth else) eg Aita ma mba oni le, ma mba kongolo. Ka mba oni le, ATA ni ovu ayikosi! = Faith should harden like a stone. If it's hard like a stone, then FATHER will be happy!
aitipa (n) sun-wivered salty leaves burnt to create salt after mixing the ash with water and sieving through a container
aiza (n) prayers, fellowship
aizu (v) beseech
Ajai (n) game reserve towards eastern Arua on Rhino Camp Road, used to be famous for the endangered white rhino, Most Powerful Chief in Madi Okollo history who had 100 wives
Ajara (n) suburb or parish in Ayivu north of Manibe on Koboko Highway after Enyau River, near Omi
aje (n) buying, cost, price; [traditional marriage where a groom pays a cow for the bride plus extra cows depending on number of children born, give away, kwanjula] eg Ndri ma aje Uganda ma Silingi 50,000. = The price of a goat is 50,000 Uganda Shillings.
aje koko (adj) free, priceless, cheap eg buku aje koko = free book
aje manyaka (n) small price (also o'boloko aje)
ajee (adv) yesterday
Ajeku(ru) (n) female-given name meaning "They have not paid anything for me"
ajeru (n) expensive eg E nga azi pere afa ajeru ni ecazu ajekoko. = Work until expensive things become cheap.
aji (n) taste, flavour; blessing (drileba), luck
aji di (v) defame, cause to lose interest, dilute taste, spoil name or reputation, pour mud on, scorn
Ajia (n) subcounty south of Oluko, north of Arivu eg Allan ni 'ba sa Ajia-a. = Allan was buried in Ajia.
ajiko (n) pot for preparing millet flour; [tastelessness (also ajiyo)]
Ajikoro (n) place in Maracha
ajira (n) beans with skin removed and mixed with groundnut paste plus mundrokole greens (also loperete), almost like firinda from western Uganda
Ajira (n) marketplace in northern Maracha, subcounty that was formed from Tara
ajiru (adj) tasty, flavoured; blessed (also drilebaru), lucky eg Harieti ni ajiru. = Harriet is blessed.
aju (n) spear; [(v) insult using obscene words]
Ajua (n) great grandfather of the seven true Tara parishes in Maracha named after his seven grandchildren through Opodria (whose mother was given to him in Onduparaka) then Naye. In Ovisoni during his quest to find the source of Enyau River, Ajua paid brideprice for another wife who gave birth to Otu, the father of Vurra after whom a clan and county are named in western Arua District eg Ajua ni a'bi mba Tara ni woro. = Ajua is the real ancestor for the whole of Tara.
aka (adv) deliberately
akaaka (adj) soft
akanya (n) ass, horse
akanyamva (n) colt, young donkey
akaza (v) soft, weak, moulten, molted
akiki (n) pimple eg Stela ma akiki yo. = Stela has no pimple.
akiri (n) skill, trick, innovation, technique, maneouvre
ako (prep) without
akpa (v) combine, add to, mix
akpaakpa (adv) combined, (n) mixture, combination
akpaku (n) chin
akiri (n) skill, trick, innovation, technique, maneouvre
ako (prep) without
akpa (v) combine, add to, mix
akpaakpa (adv) combined, (n) mixture, combination
akpaku (n) chin
aksidenti (n) accident
aku (n) home; [(v) cover, close usually from above]
aku ambo (n) city (literally big home), headquarters, place with over 500,000 dwellers and bigger than a municipality that has a lower limit of 100,000 inhabitants eg Kristof mu aku ambo Kinshasa-a! = Kristof has gone to Kinshasa City.
akua (adv) at home eg Azi ma vutia, Boyka ni mvi akua. = After work, Boyka goes home.
akufi (n) yeast (also aku fi) eg Mukati 'ba ede akufi si. = Bread is made using yeast.
akuku (n) rainstorm
aku (n) home; [(v) cover, close usually from above]
aku ambo (n) city (literally big home), headquarters, place with over 500,000 dwellers and bigger than a municipality that has a lower limit of 100,000 inhabitants eg Kristof mu aku ambo Kinshasa-a! = Kristof has gone to Kinshasa City.
akua (adv) at home eg Azi ma vutia, Boyka ni mvi akua. = After work, Boyka goes home.
akufi (n) yeast (also aku fi) eg Mukati 'ba ede akufi si. = Bread is made using yeast.
akuku (n) rainstorm
akuma (n) whiteants you drum for before they come out from the ground
akumanikuye (n, informal) generosity, selfless charity, givers never lack because karma comes back around
akuruma (n) bread made from smashed whiteants eg Disimasi ni akuruma nya. = Dismas is eating akuruma bread.
ala (adj) clean, neat, smart, good, fine (maganda in Filipino); [(n) paste from groundnuts or simsim (also odi); (v) put across, season food] eg Hosa ala i'bi odi si. = Hosa seasoned the fish with groundnut paste.
ala pititi (adj) very good
alaka (n) kind of grass used to make fire to catch or collect white ants (also galaka)
alakalaka (n) type of mushroom (also ngu idrika)
alanda (n) bread made from small white ants (also amboroko)
alapapa (n) butterfly
alata (n) health
alatararu (adj) healthy, holy eg Opi ADROU okpo dria beri, alatararu, alatararu, alatararu, ERI ndra indi ERI curu'do ci, vini ngapi emupiri-i! = Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD Almighty WHO was and is and is to come!
ale (n) love, liking (also leta); [stomach, belly, inside (also aleni)] eg A'duni nga ama awa ale MUNGU ni be ni? = What will separate us from the love of GOD?
ale azoza (n) stomach ache, stomach pain
ale ngurufu (n) potbelly
akumanikuye (n, informal) generosity, selfless charity, givers never lack because karma comes back around
akuruma (n) bread made from smashed whiteants eg Disimasi ni akuruma nya. = Dismas is eating akuruma bread.
ala (adj) clean, neat, smart, good, fine (maganda in Filipino); [(n) paste from groundnuts or simsim (also odi); (v) put across, season food] eg Hosa ala i'bi odi si. = Hosa seasoned the fish with groundnut paste.
ala pititi (adj) very good
alaka (n) kind of grass used to make fire to catch or collect white ants (also galaka)
alakalaka (n) type of mushroom (also ngu idrika)
alanda (n) bread made from small white ants (also amboroko)
alapapa (n) butterfly
alata (n) health
alatararu (adj) healthy, holy eg Opi ADROU okpo dria beri, alatararu, alatararu, alatararu, ERI ndra indi ERI curu'do ci, vini ngapi emupiri-i! = Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD Almighty WHO was and is and is to come!
ale (n) love, liking (also leta); [stomach, belly, inside (also aleni)] eg A'duni nga ama awa ale MUNGU ni be ni? = What will separate us from the love of GOD?
ale azoza (n) stomach ache, stomach pain
ale ngurufu (n) potbelly
Alemani (n) Germany (also Girimani)
ali (adj) short (also alia), (adv) far away; (v) pass by, cut [(n) adultery (also ali'baza), crime]
aliasi (adv) in short
Aliba (n) ward or parish of Aroi Subcounty in Ayivu County of Arua District
Alifa azini Omega (n) Alpha & Omega
alifu (n) thousand
Alikua (n) place in Maracha where Belgians built a small pyramid in the 1920s, two Belgian officers Captain Von Kirkhoven and M. de Laages are buried under the fort somewhere next to the road between Nyadri and Katrini
alimva (v) bastard, illegitimate child
alio (n) poverty eg Alio le ma nde. = Poverty wants to defeat me.
Alioma (n) name given when family is in poverty or groom's family is poor (also Alioru, Alio)
alipi (n) friend (also agoyi) eg Cecilia ni ma alipi! = Cecilia is my friend!
aliria (n) virgin eg YESU ma andri ni andra aliria. = JESUS's mother was (sometime back) a virgin.
alitara (n) altar
aliza (n) cut (something)
alo (n) peg for tethering animals
aloalo (adj) loose, not tightly fixed
alofe (n) bridge (also olufe)
alota (n) loosening
aloza (adj) loosened
alu (n) one, singular; [mole, grasscutter; taste, sweetness (also aluta); (v) peep]
alu alu (adj) tasty; [one by one]
alugbe (n) unhatched egg
aluma (n) curse
Alungaru (n) old woman in Lugbara mythology who helped Oli trace Kibira's spear
Alur (n) Luo tribe south of Lugbara
Aluru (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo
aluruga (n) south direction, because of proximity to Alur People (also baria)
Aluruti (n) Alur language
alutukubi (n) creeping greens
aluza (adj) tasty eg Olanya kini: Rolleksi ni aluza! = Olanya said: Rollex chapati is tasty!
ama (pron) we, us; [(v) assess, judge, feel]
ali (adj) short (also alia), (adv) far away; (v) pass by, cut [(n) adultery (also ali'baza), crime]
aliasi (adv) in short
Aliba (n) ward or parish of Aroi Subcounty in Ayivu County of Arua District
Alifa azini Omega (n) Alpha & Omega
alifu (n) thousand
Alikua (n) place in Maracha where Belgians built a small pyramid in the 1920s, two Belgian officers Captain Von Kirkhoven and M. de Laages are buried under the fort somewhere next to the road between Nyadri and Katrini
alimva (v) bastard, illegitimate child
alio (n) poverty eg Alio le ma nde. = Poverty wants to defeat me.
Alioma (n) name given when family is in poverty or groom's family is poor (also Alioru, Alio)
alipi (n) friend (also agoyi) eg Cecilia ni ma alipi! = Cecilia is my friend!
aliria (n) virgin eg YESU ma andri ni andra aliria. = JESUS's mother was (sometime back) a virgin.
alitara (n) altar
aliza (n) cut (something)
alo (n) peg for tethering animals
aloalo (adj) loose, not tightly fixed
alofe (n) bridge (also olufe)
alota (n) loosening
aloza (adj) loosened
alu (n) one, singular; [mole, grasscutter; taste, sweetness (also aluta); (v) peep]
alu alu (adj) tasty; [one by one]
alugbe (n) unhatched egg
aluma (n) curse
Alungaru (n) old woman in Lugbara mythology who helped Oli trace Kibira's spear
Alur (n) Luo tribe south of Lugbara
Aluru (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo
aluruga (n) south direction, because of proximity to Alur People (also baria)
Aluruti (n) Alur language
alutukubi (n) creeping greens
aluza (adj) tasty eg Olanya kini: Rolleksi ni aluza! = Olanya said: Rollex chapati is tasty!
ama (pron) we, us; [(v) assess, judge, feel]
Amadingo (n) welfare system where rich Lugbara take care of poor relatives
amamu (n) pigeon
amba (adj) old eg Oripa dra eli 2008 desi eri amba. = My grandmother died in 2008 when she was old.
ambasada (n) ambassador
Ambeko (n) place between Mvara and Muni
ambiambi (adj) cold eg Angu ambiambi Kigezi-a! = The place is cold in Kigezi!
Ambo 5 (n) the Big 5 eg Ambo 5 mi isu woro suru were ma-a ekile Uganda; eyi: ewa, odru, obirio, kami azini o'du! = All the Big 5 can be found in few countries like Uganda; they are: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard!
ambo (adj) great, big, huge (also amboo, ambooru, ambu, ambo, amboru) (n) master, boss, supervisor, respected person; [stubbornness (also drionzi, agadri)]
amboroko (n) flat grassless mass of soil, hard like an anthill
amboru (adj) stubborn eg Alio ni amboru! = Poverty is stubborn!
AMC (abbr) Arua Municipal Council
Amerika (n) America, United States eg Awinda ni mu Amerika-a. = Awinda is going to America.
amuro (n) bride, newly wed (also amuroo, 'ba mini jeri, oku 'bani jeri)
Amuru (n) district east of Pakwach, formerly part of Gulu
amuti (n) agency
Amuti Amvu'yaza E'yo ma Eti ondapi Suru-a (n) National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
Amuti Aro E'yo Onepi (n) National Drug Authority
Amuti Kaluluni (n) Electoral Commission (also Elekitoro Komisoni) eg Ghana ma Amuti Kaluluni - Ghana's Electoral Commission
Amuti Mupira Onepi Afrika-a (n) CAF
Amuti Mupira Onepi Wudrukuru-a (n) FIFA
amve (prep) out, outside, abroad, overseas
amvi (n) sister (also amvii, sisi), touch (also olo) eg Ketra ni Fiona ma amvii. = Ketra is Fiona's sister.
amvu (n) garden; [(v) embrace]
amvu 'yaza (n) farming, agriculture (also azi amvu ni, informal agrikeca)
ana (n) weed
analogu (n) analog
ande (n) tiredness, fatigue
amamu (n) pigeon
amba (adj) old eg Oripa dra eli 2008 desi eri amba. = My grandmother died in 2008 when she was old.
ambasada (n) ambassador
Ambeko (n) place between Mvara and Muni
ambiambi (adj) cold eg Angu ambiambi Kigezi-a! = The place is cold in Kigezi!
Ambo 5 (n) the Big 5 eg Ambo 5 mi isu woro suru were ma-a ekile Uganda; eyi: ewa, odru, obirio, kami azini o'du! = All the Big 5 can be found in few countries like Uganda; they are: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard!
ambo (adj) great, big, huge (also amboo, ambooru, ambu, ambo, amboru) (n) master, boss, supervisor, respected person; [stubbornness (also drionzi, agadri)]
amboroko (n) flat grassless mass of soil, hard like an anthill
amboru (adj) stubborn eg Alio ni amboru! = Poverty is stubborn!
AMC (abbr) Arua Municipal Council
Amerika (n) America, United States eg Awinda ni mu Amerika-a. = Awinda is going to America.
amuro (n) bride, newly wed (also amuroo, 'ba mini jeri, oku 'bani jeri)
Amuru (n) district east of Pakwach, formerly part of Gulu
amuti (n) agency
Amuti Amvu'yaza E'yo ma Eti ondapi Suru-a (n) National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
Amuti Aro E'yo Onepi (n) National Drug Authority
Amuti Kaluluni (n) Electoral Commission (also Elekitoro Komisoni) eg Ghana ma Amuti Kaluluni - Ghana's Electoral Commission
Amuti Mupira Onepi Afrika-a (n) CAF
Amuti Mupira Onepi Wudrukuru-a (n) FIFA
amve (prep) out, outside, abroad, overseas
amvi (n) sister (also amvii, sisi), touch (also olo) eg Ketra ni Fiona ma amvii. = Ketra is Fiona's sister.
amvu (n) garden; [(v) embrace]
amvu 'yaza (n) farming, agriculture (also azi amvu ni, informal agrikeca)
ana (n) weed
analogu (n) analog
ande (n) tiredness, fatigue
anderiku (n) chiefly stool
andesoma (n) reward (also orodri)
andra (adv, prep) down below, down the slope, beneath
andraa (adv) sometime ago (also andra) eg Idi Amin ni andraa Uganda ma Prezidenti. = Idi Amin was sometime ago President of Uganda.
andrale (n) east direction (also etu ni efuria)
Andrale'ba (n) lowland people, a section of Lugbara, the Lugbara of the East, Easterners
andrapuru (n) aunt
andre (n) tongue (also edre), mother (also andree, andri)
andreli (n) dew
andreti (n) face (also mileti) eg Asinduru isu coki i-ma andreti-a. = Asinduru found chalk on her face.
andri (n) mother (also andrii, andre, andree, ayia, ma, mama, mami); [(v) visit (also andri), supervise, regulate, check] eg Ndezo ni ma andri. = Ndezo is my mother.
andrike (n) witchcraft (also acife, enata)
androndro (n) gossip (also songi songi, kimbelembele, lugambo)
andru (adv) today; [(n) humour, abandoned home, deserted place]
Andruvu (n) suburb northeast of Arua City before Manibe and Ombaci
angara (n) flat, bony and salty fish found mainly in Pakwach from the Albert Nile eg Saa azia eca 'bo, anya enyasa angara si. = 12 o' clock has arrived already, we ate staple food with angara fish. [Nursery Rhyme]
angarawa (n) skinless cowpeas or beans, slightly fried or cooked and mixed with groundnut paste [in Terego dialect] (also angaraba)
angiri (n) a lot
angu (n) place, plot of land eg Seroma je angu Arua Premari vu. = Seroma bought land near Arua Primary.
angu biza (n) darkness, night
angu dali (n) low place, valley eg Majidu sa maaku angu dali-a. = Majid planted potatoes in a valley.
angu driza (n) heat
angu edezu (n) cleansing the land, for preparing the place
angu eii (n) landlord, land owner
angu ezoza (n) development
angu mile (n) weather
angu ndriza (n) peace
angu nguru (n) plateau
angu nya (v) enjoy life
angu oneza (n) tourism (maybe also turismo) eg Wekesa ni angu oneza icu. = Wekesa promotes tourism.
angu patiru (n) forest (also oce, obibi)
angu yikoko (n) desert (also angu yikoko azini cinyaki ru ni, nyamuko)
Angundru (n) great grandfather of the Terego and Andrale'ba
andesoma (n) reward (also orodri)
andra (adv, prep) down below, down the slope, beneath
andraa (adv) sometime ago (also andra) eg Idi Amin ni andraa Uganda ma Prezidenti. = Idi Amin was sometime ago President of Uganda.
andrale (n) east direction (also etu ni efuria)
Andrale'ba (n) lowland people, a section of Lugbara, the Lugbara of the East, Easterners
andrapuru (n) aunt
andre (n) tongue (also edre), mother (also andree, andri)
andreli (n) dew
andreti (n) face (also mileti) eg Asinduru isu coki i-ma andreti-a. = Asinduru found chalk on her face.
andri (n) mother (also andrii, andre, andree, ayia, ma, mama, mami); [(v) visit (also andri), supervise, regulate, check] eg Ndezo ni ma andri. = Ndezo is my mother.
andrike (n) witchcraft (also acife, enata)
androndro (n) gossip (also songi songi, kimbelembele, lugambo)
andru (adv) today; [(n) humour, abandoned home, deserted place]
Andruvu (n) suburb northeast of Arua City before Manibe and Ombaci
angara (n) flat, bony and salty fish found mainly in Pakwach from the Albert Nile eg Saa azia eca 'bo, anya enyasa angara si. = 12 o' clock has arrived already, we ate staple food with angara fish. [Nursery Rhyme]
angarawa (n) skinless cowpeas or beans, slightly fried or cooked and mixed with groundnut paste [in Terego dialect] (also angaraba)
angiri (n) a lot
angu (n) place, plot of land eg Seroma je angu Arua Premari vu. = Seroma bought land near Arua Primary.
angu biza (n) darkness, night
angu dali (n) low place, valley eg Majidu sa maaku angu dali-a. = Majid planted potatoes in a valley.
angu driza (n) heat
angu edezu (n) cleansing the land, for preparing the place
angu eii (n) landlord, land owner
angu ezoza (n) development
angu mile (n) weather
angu ndriza (n) peace
angu nguru (n) plateau
angu nya (v) enjoy life
angu oneza (n) tourism (maybe also turismo) eg Wekesa ni angu oneza icu. = Wekesa promotes tourism.
angu patiru (n) forest (also oce, obibi)
angu yikoko (n) desert (also angu yikoko azini cinyaki ru ni, nyamuko)
Angundru (n) great grandfather of the Terego and Andrale'ba
Angundru Geri (n) Angundru Lane, off Mvara SS Crescent, road where Welthungerhilfe and World Food Programme were located in 2022
angusara (n) dawn, daybreak
Angusara (n) ancestor in Baria Village, Ojapi Parish, Tara
aniaka (n) mudfish
anibo (n) refugee, foreigner, asylum seeker (also emunyale)
angusara (n) dawn, daybreak
Angusara (n) ancestor in Baria Village, Ojapi Parish, Tara
aniaka (n) mudfish
anibo (n) refugee, foreigner, asylum seeker (also emunyale)
Ankole (n) Ankole Kingdom found in Southwest UG originally comprising 10 mashazas including Ibanda and others, east of Lake Edward eg Ainembabazi enga Ankole-a. = Ainembabazi is from Ankole.
anya (n) millet, cereals (also ana in some dialects)
Anyafio (n) suburb in Arua City east of Osu River and near the Arua Golf Course, originally for white colonialists, "anya fi yo" means "no millet seeds" eg Twinoburyo ni Anyafio-a. = Twinoburyo is in Anyafio.
Anyafio Close (n) road that cuts southwards from Mvara SS Crescent behind Heritage Park eg WFP ni Anyafio Close-a. - World Food Programme is on Anyafio Close.
anyafura (n) flour
anyajo (n) stomach, belly
anyamgbolo (n) corruption, enjoying alone (also anyambolo)
Anyanya (n) soldiers from Sudan used by Idi Amin in his army during the 1970s
anyapa (n) animal, bride price
anyapa tambaza (n) animal rearing
Anyara (n) community known to be stupid (Wajinga in Swahili)
anyawio (n) Adam's apple
anyi (n) irony, sarcasm
Anyiribu (n) place and subcounty in Arua District near Ewanga
anyoya (n) boiled maize seeds and beans plus fried onions for breakfast or a meal (also called mix in Arua Town, githeri in Kikuyu), staple food of the Japadhola who are Luo like Alur and Kenyans, means "fermented" in Alur and is usually prepared at night to be consumed in the morning
anyu (n) bee, honey; [simsim; (v) switch off] eg 'Ba azi alupi anyu le ni yo! = There is noone as sweet as honey! [Lugbara Proverb]
anyu oso (n) honey syrup (literally honey fats)
anzi (n) children eg Nabatanzi osi anzi 44 agupi alu be. = Nabatanzi produced 44 children with one man.
anzi anzi (adj, adv) heavy, bulky (also anziza, anzizaru)
anzinyiri (n) small children
anzoroko (n) chain
anzu (n) separate, put asunder eg MUNGU ka di (imi) ici 'bo, 'ba azi ma anzu (emi) ku. = When GOD has joined (you) together, noone should put (you) asunder.
aoko (n) anger (also awoko)
apa (v) run away, escape (also apa te) eg Kunta Kinte apa. = Kunta Kinte escaped.
aparaka (n) carelessness, unseriousness, frivolousness eg Gbaraspoken kini: Aparaka yo! = Gbaraspoken said: No joking/ carelessness!
apata (n) loins
ape ti (v) comment
api (v) get satisfied; [(n) white ants collected in the middle of the night around 11pm to midnight (also inia)]
apife (n) role model, prime minister (Katukiro in Busoga, Katikiro in Buganda) eg Ismail Tuku ni Apife. = Ismail Tuku is Prime Minister.
apinaka (n) hedgehog
apipi (n) boil (also opipia)
apiza (n) satisfaction
apu (n) mobile application
apusimu (n) app phone
apu stowa (n) app store
Apurutandi (n) Protestant (also Purukati)
ara (n) python, cover
Arabiti (n) Arabic language, Most Spoken Language from outside Africa
arakala (n) branch eg Crane Bank ma arakala Arua ri andraa Arua Public Primary School mupira pari ma drile-a. = Crane Bank's branch in Arua was sometime back infront of the Arua Public Primary School football field.
aramu (n) fraud (also aramu nyaza)
arau (n) monkey
archi (n) arch
are (v) stuck in the throat, choke
ari (n) blood; [drum; (v) scramble, hurry] eg YESU ma ari ni ama pa ni. = The blood of JESUS saves us.
ari aci (n) cheekiness, adrenaline, literally hot blood (also fujo)
ari adaza (n) bloodshed
ari coza (n) drumming
ari obiza (n) blood test
Ari Tuza (n) High Blood Pressure (also Aria Tuza 'Bua)
ari'bo (n) enemy, foe, rival eg Sitani ni ama ari'bo. = Satan is our enemy.
aria (n) bird eg Aria driori ni o'bu alari nyani. = The early bird eats the good worm. [Lugbara Proverb]
aria anya (n) rice (also mucele, {In Filipino, kanin means cooked rice, sinangag is fried rice, lugaw is rice porridge, puto is steamed rice cake})
arika (n) dysentry
arikari (adj) delicious
Aringa (n) Lugbara clan and dialect, area northeast of Ayivu and Maracha covering the District of Yumbe, north of Terego
Arinze (n) name meaning "Removing blood", name shared by Lugbara and Nigerians though with different meanings, others include Bayo, Obi, Okudili, Awuzu, Atiku, etc
anya (n) millet, cereals (also ana in some dialects)
Anyafio (n) suburb in Arua City east of Osu River and near the Arua Golf Course, originally for white colonialists, "anya fi yo" means "no millet seeds" eg Twinoburyo ni Anyafio-a. = Twinoburyo is in Anyafio.
Anyafio Close (n) road that cuts southwards from Mvara SS Crescent behind Heritage Park eg WFP ni Anyafio Close-a. - World Food Programme is on Anyafio Close.
anyafura (n) flour
anyajo (n) stomach, belly
anyamgbolo (n) corruption, enjoying alone (also anyambolo)
Anyanya (n) soldiers from Sudan used by Idi Amin in his army during the 1970s
anyapa (n) animal, bride price
anyapa tambaza (n) animal rearing
Anyara (n) community known to be stupid (Wajinga in Swahili)
anyawio (n) Adam's apple
anyi (n) irony, sarcasm
Anyiribu (n) place and subcounty in Arua District near Ewanga
anyoya (n) boiled maize seeds and beans plus fried onions for breakfast or a meal (also called mix in Arua Town, githeri in Kikuyu), staple food of the Japadhola who are Luo like Alur and Kenyans, means "fermented" in Alur and is usually prepared at night to be consumed in the morning
anyu (n) bee, honey; [simsim; (v) switch off] eg 'Ba azi alupi anyu le ni yo! = There is noone as sweet as honey! [Lugbara Proverb]
anyu oso (n) honey syrup (literally honey fats)
anzi (n) children eg Nabatanzi osi anzi 44 agupi alu be. = Nabatanzi produced 44 children with one man.
anzi anzi (adj, adv) heavy, bulky (also anziza, anzizaru)
anzinyiri (n) small children
anzoroko (n) chain
anzu (n) separate, put asunder eg MUNGU ka di (imi) ici 'bo, 'ba azi ma anzu (emi) ku. = When GOD has joined (you) together, noone should put (you) asunder.
aoko (n) anger (also awoko)
apa (v) run away, escape (also apa te) eg Kunta Kinte apa. = Kunta Kinte escaped.
aparaka (n) carelessness, unseriousness, frivolousness eg Gbaraspoken kini: Aparaka yo! = Gbaraspoken said: No joking/ carelessness!
apata (n) loins
ape ti (v) comment
api (v) get satisfied; [(n) white ants collected in the middle of the night around 11pm to midnight (also inia)]
apife (n) role model, prime minister (Katukiro in Busoga, Katikiro in Buganda) eg Ismail Tuku ni Apife. = Ismail Tuku is Prime Minister.
apinaka (n) hedgehog
apipi (n) boil (also opipia)
apiza (n) satisfaction
apu (n) mobile application
apusimu (n) app phone
apu stowa (n) app store
Apurutandi (n) Protestant (also Purukati)
ara (n) python, cover
Arabiti (n) Arabic language, Most Spoken Language from outside Africa
arakala (n) branch eg Crane Bank ma arakala Arua ri andraa Arua Public Primary School mupira pari ma drile-a. = Crane Bank's branch in Arua was sometime back infront of the Arua Public Primary School football field.
aramu (n) fraud (also aramu nyaza)
arau (n) monkey
archi (n) arch
are (v) stuck in the throat, choke
ari (n) blood; [drum; (v) scramble, hurry] eg YESU ma ari ni ama pa ni. = The blood of JESUS saves us.
ari aci (n) cheekiness, adrenaline, literally hot blood (also fujo)
ari adaza (n) bloodshed
ari coza (n) drumming
ari obiza (n) blood test
Ari Tuza (n) High Blood Pressure (also Aria Tuza 'Bua)
ari'bo (n) enemy, foe, rival eg Sitani ni ama ari'bo. = Satan is our enemy.
aria (n) bird eg Aria driori ni o'bu alari nyani. = The early bird eats the good worm. [Lugbara Proverb]
aria anya (n) rice (also mucele, {In Filipino, kanin means cooked rice, sinangag is fried rice, lugaw is rice porridge, puto is steamed rice cake})
arika (n) dysentry
arikari (adj) delicious
Aringa (n) Lugbara clan and dialect, area northeast of Ayivu and Maracha covering the District of Yumbe, north of Terego
Arinze (n) name meaning "Removing blood", name shared by Lugbara and Nigerians though with different meanings, others include Bayo, Obi, Okudili, Awuzu, Atiku, etc
Arinzoro (n) place East of Muni University
Ariwara (n) trading town in northeastern DR Congo, place near Ociba and Orawa in Arua, means "the blood dried" in Lugbara
aro (n) eight; [medicine (also dawa)] eg Musi ma andri fe mani aro ale azoza ni. = Musi's mother gave me medicine for stomachache.
aro anzi tizu anyia ku (n) contraceptive (also aro anzi tizu anyia anyia ku, aro anzi tiza awazu)
aro azo ogapi (n) vaccine
aro jo (n) medicine house, drug house, drugshop, pharmacy, health centre, hospital (also hospito) eg Paratra ku aro jo ra. = Paratra left the hospital.
aro nyakuni (n) herbalist medicine, herbalism
aroni (n) female (said of animals)
Arseno (n) Arsenal Football Club (also Aseno, Asno, Arsenali, Arsenalu, Arsenolu, Ass Na - said by Nigerians) eg Arseno nde Ulaya ma Inter-Cities Fairs Cup eli 1970 si. = Arsenal won the European Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970.
aru (n) prison (also aru jo), prisoner, sprain eg Nelson Mandela aa aru-a eli 27. = Nelson Mandela stayed in prison for 27 years.
Aru (n) place in Congo west of Vurra
Arua (n) town or city in northwestern Uganda, second Busiest Airfield (RUA) in the Republic, 13 km east of the DR Congo borderline, established on 14th June 1914, one of the Best Medium-size Cities in Africa during 2015, ancient Capital of West Nile Province, Area Code 0476 from Madi Okollo to Koboko, Business and humanitarian hub for neighbouring countries (Congo/ Sudan and Central African Republic), Idi Amin's hometown, about 1,310 metres above sea level, means "in prison" and was named after a hill where Belgian colonialists imprisoned people directly southwards from Arua Avenue, Ugandan district and City-state from Madi Okollo to South Sudan border
Arua Hill (n) hill that inspired the name Arua [because of the Belgian colonial prison (Aru in Lugbara) that used to be on it] found directly southwards from Arua Avenue with a 360-degree-panoramic view of the entire municipality; city division comprising 22 cells in 2018, subcounty in Arua District - others include Adumi, Ajia, Arivu, Aroi, Dadamu, Logiri, Manibe, Offaka, Ogoko, Okollo, Oli River, Oluko, Pajulu, Rhino Camp, Rigbo, Uleppi and Vurra; football club formed in 2010 as Doves FC but bought and rebranded 100 percent by Joel Aita in 2020 before qualifying (as invincible 2021 Big League Champions) for their maiden 2022 Ugandan Premier League
Arua Lugbara (n) most used Lugbara dialect (also High Lugbara, Lugbarati, Lubarati, Logbara)
aruba (n) Lugbara justice process that cleanses families and emanates from a taboo which bars close relations from reporting each other to formal courts of law, two conflicting family members are brought to a round table and share their pains through truth-telling and forgiveness, both parties bring one goat each which are slaughtered and cooked in one pot to show total reconciliation
ARUDIFA (abbr) Arua District Farmers Association
arumadri (n) policewoman eg Jeni ni arumadri. = Jenny is a policewoman.
arusu (n) bride (also amuroo, mugole)
Aruu (n) place in Uganda eg Otto ni mu Aruu-a. = Otto is going to Aruu.
Asa (n) river in the valley north of Muni University, at the end of Barifa Forest
ase (n) eel, grass, bush; type of fish
ase ibiru (n) wet grass, plant(s)
aseti (n) asset
asi (n) heart; [end, cease; tear] eg Ayiko amani ri, ayiko YESU alia; e'yo onzi nyaku-a ri nga asi ra! = Our happiness, is happiness in JESUS; the evil issues on Earth will cease.
asi 'ba (phr v) hope, trust eg Eri aluzaru tu asi 'bazu YESU dria! = 'Tis so sweet to trust in JESUS!
asialuza (n) sweetheart eg Ajuru edri simu waraga aliaru i-ma asialuza vu. = Ajuru sent an SMS to her sweetheart.
asianzu (n) peace, mercy (also asianzuru)
asi'baza (n) hope
asi'daza (n) commitment
asi'duza (n) forgetting
asiliza (n) stomach pain
asindriza (n) mercy, peace eg Asindriza Kristo dri 'ba woro ni! = Peace of Christ for all!
asinyoza (n) heartbreak, heartwreck eg Toni ma asinyoza ati ra. = Toni's heartbreak healed.
asiomiza (n) counselling
asionzi (n) malice (also malaja) eg Asionzi adreni muke ku. = Malice is not good.
asiotiza (n) worry eg Nyege Nyege ni Ata Lokodo ni asiotiza fe. Nyege Nyege worries Father Lokodo.
asisile (n) reason, purpose, interest, company mission eg Butele (engazu Prim and Propa) kini afa dria ma asisile ci. = Butele (from Prim and Propa) said everything has a reason.
asiteza (n) patience, tolerance, endurance
asiza (n) ending eg Asiza eca ra! = The End has arrived.
asizu (adv) finally; (n) last, bottom, end, stop, for stoppage eg Nalubega ai adui ma "ni pari eyi ni asizu ri". = Nalubega begged enemies to "know where they stop".
Asizuru (n) female-given name meaning "Last born"
askari (n) soldier eg Buga ni askari UPDF-a. = Buga is a soldier in the UPDF.
asoso (n) gifts (also feta, fetaa)
asu (n) report (also repoti) eg Angela si asu. = Angela wrote a report.
ata (adv) even; [(n) father] eg Ata dra econi ama awa ku! = Even death cannot separate us!
atalau (n) reverend, clergy (also atalo)
Atamva (n) Mister, Mr., used to address a man you do not know too eg Atamva Gugo Culu! = Mr. Google Sir!
Ataza (n) Miss, Ms. eg Ataza Kawino = Miss Kawino
ati (v) support, cure, heal eg Nanyombi ni Liverpool FC ati. = Nanyombi supports Liverpool FC.
ati'ba (n) supporter
ati'boo (n) servant
atiati (adj) drunk
Ariwara (n) trading town in northeastern DR Congo, place near Ociba and Orawa in Arua, means "the blood dried" in Lugbara
aro (n) eight; [medicine (also dawa)] eg Musi ma andri fe mani aro ale azoza ni. = Musi's mother gave me medicine for stomachache.
aro anzi tizu anyia ku (n) contraceptive (also aro anzi tizu anyia anyia ku, aro anzi tiza awazu)
aro azo ogapi (n) vaccine
aro jo (n) medicine house, drug house, drugshop, pharmacy, health centre, hospital (also hospito) eg Paratra ku aro jo ra. = Paratra left the hospital.
aro nyakuni (n) herbalist medicine, herbalism
aroni (n) female (said of animals)
Arseno (n) Arsenal Football Club (also Aseno, Asno, Arsenali, Arsenalu, Arsenolu, Ass Na - said by Nigerians) eg Arseno nde Ulaya ma Inter-Cities Fairs Cup eli 1970 si. = Arsenal won the European Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970.
aru (n) prison (also aru jo), prisoner, sprain eg Nelson Mandela aa aru-a eli 27. = Nelson Mandela stayed in prison for 27 years.
Aru (n) place in Congo west of Vurra
Arua Hill (n) hill that inspired the name Arua [because of the Belgian colonial prison (Aru in Lugbara) that used to be on it] found directly southwards from Arua Avenue with a 360-degree-panoramic view of the entire municipality; city division comprising 22 cells in 2018, subcounty in Arua District - others include Adumi, Ajia, Arivu, Aroi, Dadamu, Logiri, Manibe, Offaka, Ogoko, Okollo, Oli River, Oluko, Pajulu, Rhino Camp, Rigbo, Uleppi and Vurra; football club formed in 2010 as Doves FC but bought and rebranded 100 percent by Joel Aita in 2020 before qualifying (as invincible 2021 Big League Champions) for their maiden 2022 Ugandan Premier League
Arua Lugbara (n) most used Lugbara dialect (also High Lugbara, Lugbarati, Lubarati, Logbara)
aruba (n) Lugbara justice process that cleanses families and emanates from a taboo which bars close relations from reporting each other to formal courts of law, two conflicting family members are brought to a round table and share their pains through truth-telling and forgiveness, both parties bring one goat each which are slaughtered and cooked in one pot to show total reconciliation
ARUDIFA (abbr) Arua District Farmers Association
arumadri (n) policewoman eg Jeni ni arumadri. = Jenny is a policewoman.
arusu (n) bride (also amuroo, mugole)
Aruu (n) place in Uganda eg Otto ni mu Aruu-a. = Otto is going to Aruu.
Asa (n) river in the valley north of Muni University, at the end of Barifa Forest
ase (n) eel, grass, bush; type of fish
ase ibiru (n) wet grass, plant(s)
aseti (n) asset
asi (n) heart; [end, cease; tear] eg Ayiko amani ri, ayiko YESU alia; e'yo onzi nyaku-a ri nga asi ra! = Our happiness, is happiness in JESUS; the evil issues on Earth will cease.
asi 'ba (phr v) hope, trust eg Eri aluzaru tu asi 'bazu YESU dria! = 'Tis so sweet to trust in JESUS!
asialuza (n) sweetheart eg Ajuru edri simu waraga aliaru i-ma asialuza vu. = Ajuru sent an SMS to her sweetheart.
asianzu (n) peace, mercy (also asianzuru)
asi'baza (n) hope
asi'daza (n) commitment
asi'duza (n) forgetting
asiliza (n) stomach pain
asinyoza (n) heartbreak, heartwreck eg Toni ma asinyoza ati ra. = Toni's heartbreak healed.
asiomiza (n) counselling
asionzi (n) malice (also malaja) eg Asionzi adreni muke ku. = Malice is not good.
asiotiza (n) worry eg Nyege Nyege ni Ata Lokodo ni asiotiza fe. Nyege Nyege worries Father Lokodo.
asisile (n) reason, purpose, interest, company mission eg Butele (engazu Prim and Propa) kini afa dria ma asisile ci. = Butele (from Prim and Propa) said everything has a reason.
asiteza (n) patience, tolerance, endurance
asiza (n) ending eg Asiza eca ra! = The End has arrived.
asizu (adv) finally; (n) last, bottom, end, stop, for stoppage eg Nalubega ai adui ma "ni pari eyi ni asizu ri". = Nalubega begged enemies to "know where they stop".
Asizuru (n) female-given name meaning "Last born"
askari (n) soldier eg Buga ni askari UPDF-a. = Buga is a soldier in the UPDF.
asoso (n) gifts (also feta, fetaa)
asu (n) report (also repoti) eg Angela si asu. = Angela wrote a report.
ata (adv) even; [(n) father] eg Ata dra econi ama awa ku! = Even death cannot separate us!
atalau (n) reverend, clergy (also atalo)
Atamva (n) Mister, Mr., used to address a man you do not know too eg Atamva Gugo Culu! = Mr. Google Sir!
Ataza (n) Miss, Ms. eg Ataza Kawino = Miss Kawino
ati (v) support, cure, heal eg Nanyombi ni Liverpool FC ati. = Nanyombi supports Liverpool FC.
ati'ba (n) supporter
ati'boo (n) servant
atiati (adj) drunk
Atifiso Intelijensi (n) AI, Artificial Intelligence, Ondua Idezaru
atii (n) father
Atiku (n) male given name meaning "I do not conceive" or "He does not get drunk" eg Atiku ni Naijeria ma Prezidenti. = Atiku is the President of Nigeria.
atiliko (n) fireplace eg Atiliko aci ni 'ba ve ni. = The heat of the fireplace is the one that burns.
atita (n) support (also atitanga)
atri (v) stop, block
atu (v) kick; [squat]
atuluku (n) fireplace
au (n) chicken eg Rita ni Arua Au Osiza nya. = Rita is eating Arua Fried Chicken.
atii (n) father
Atiku (n) male given name meaning "I do not conceive" or "He does not get drunk" eg Atiku ni Naijeria ma Prezidenti. = Atiku is the President of Nigeria.
atiliko (n) fireplace eg Atiliko aci ni 'ba ve ni. = The heat of the fireplace is the one that burns.
atita (n) support (also atitanga)
atri (v) stop, block
atu (v) kick; [squat]
atuluku (n) fireplace
au (n) chicken eg Rita ni Arua Au Osiza nya. = Rita is eating Arua Fried Chicken.
au logo (n) white cock, rooster, totem of the Ma'di people
auaroni (n) hen (also auandri)
auata (n) cock (also auago) (totem for Adjumani Madi Clan)
augbe (n) chicken egg (also au gbe)
Aupi (n) place north of Omugo
ava (n) breath, fondness, interest eg Mi ava fu ma! = Your interest killed me/ I missed you!
ava efi (n) manure, fertiliser
ava liza (n) rest, retirement, relaxation
ava liza isupi'bo (adj) retired (also ava liza isupira) eg Imbapi ava liza isupi'bo ri taya. = The retired teacher sat leaning (back).
avata (n) avatar
avi (v) get lost; [play] eg Mva avi Odramacako-a Krismasi si. = A child got lost in Odramacako during Christmas.
avita (n) play, drama, game, sports eg Miedema ma avita ala! = Miedema's game is good!
avivi (n) flavour, odour, stench
avizaru (adj) lost
avu (n) deadbody, corpse, carcass; (v) bend; [drown]
avunga (n) squeezing a male's testicles (balls); bendover
avuri (adj) late (n) deceased
avuta (n) things given to wipe away the tears of the bereaved
a'wia (n) brown grasshopper (also 'wia)
awa (v) quarrel; [divide, separate, share]
awa'difo (n) thanks, gratitude, appreciation, tithe, church tax, religious gift, offering
auaroni (n) hen (also auandri)
auata (n) cock (also auago) (totem for Adjumani Madi Clan)
augbe (n) chicken egg (also au gbe)
Aupi (n) place north of Omugo
ava (n) breath, fondness, interest eg Mi ava fu ma! = Your interest killed me/ I missed you!
ava efi (n) manure, fertiliser
ava liza (n) rest, retirement, relaxation
ava liza isupi'bo (adj) retired (also ava liza isupira) eg Imbapi ava liza isupi'bo ri taya. = The retired teacher sat leaning (back).
avata (n) avatar
avi (v) get lost; [play] eg Mva avi Odramacako-a Krismasi si. = A child got lost in Odramacako during Christmas.
avita (n) play, drama, game, sports eg Miedema ma avita ala! = Miedema's game is good!
avivi (n) flavour, odour, stench
avizaru (adj) lost
avu (n) deadbody, corpse, carcass; (v) bend; [drown]
avunga (n) squeezing a male's testicles (balls); bendover
avuri (adj) late (n) deceased
avuta (n) things given to wipe away the tears of the bereaved
a'wia (n) brown grasshopper (also 'wia)
awa (v) quarrel; [divide, separate, share]
awa'difo (n) thanks, gratitude, appreciation, tithe, church tax, religious gift, offering
Awa'difo (interj) Thank you (also Awania used in Moyo), Sankyu, 39, TQ, Ty, Gracias, Danke, Merci, Spasibo, Grazie, Xiexie, Arigato(gozaimasu), Gamsahamnida, Webale, Yebare, Yalama, Asante, Melesi, תודה [Toda], E dupe, Daalu, Na gode, Shukraan, Murakoze, Ngiyabonga, Jerejef, Medaase, Dhanyavaad, Teşekkür ederim, Danki, Dankie, Dank je, Obrigado, Tack, Takk skal du ha, Kiitos, Terima kasih, Salamat eg Awa'difo, MUNGU! = Thank YOU, GOD!
awa'difo feza (n) thanksgiving (also inzita awa'difo fezuri), worship (also MUNGU inzita)
awata (n) quarrel, separation, division
Awata (n) name given by Kebu during their migration to a place currently called Ewuata, means "Let us separate or depart"
awi (n) heritage; [(v) remain] eg McAllister ma mva asizuri awi akua a'dule. = McAllister's last child stayed home alone.
awita (n) things the deceased leaves behind, staying back
Awindiri (n) suburb on Nebbi Highway south of Arua City immediately after Sambya, name given by Kebu during their migration meaning "Let us unite, stay harmonised"
awoko (n) anger
awoko fefe (adj) offensive
awoko i'daza (n) demonstration to express anger or disagreement
awokoru (adj) angry, irritable
awu (n) cry, pity, sorrow; [(v) peel off skin, burn outer part quickly] eg Lazaro ka andraa e'yo eri ra fo, ta 'di we 'do, awu azi ta 'do yo. = If Lazarus had sometime ago listened to advice, then, there wouldn't be any cry here.
awupi (n) paternal aunt eg Dina ni ma awupi. = Dina is my paternal aunt.
awuzi (n) widow
awuzio (n) widower
aya (exclamation) okay, informal farewell, (n) Koranic verse; [iron bar, wire (also waya), iron, metal; copper coins, money payment; (v) shake, tremble, frighten]
ayaka (n) shopping basket made of twigs and smeared with cow dung, used for collection of valued items and a measure, fish is always put in head first so that the tail shows
ayi (n) wet season
Ayi (n) river in Maracha
ayia (n) mother; [wilderness; west direction, because it was believed that the west was a wilderness with few people and unknown things (also etu ni 'deria, orule)] eg Ayia ma ndu yo! = There is no other mother! [Lugbara Proverb]
awa'difo feza (n) thanksgiving (also inzita awa'difo fezuri), worship (also MUNGU inzita)
awata (n) quarrel, separation, division
Awata (n) name given by Kebu during their migration to a place currently called Ewuata, means "Let us separate or depart"
awi (n) heritage; [(v) remain] eg McAllister ma mva asizuri awi akua a'dule. = McAllister's last child stayed home alone.
awita (n) things the deceased leaves behind, staying back
Awindiri (n) suburb on Nebbi Highway south of Arua City immediately after Sambya, name given by Kebu during their migration meaning "Let us unite, stay harmonised"
awoko (n) anger
awoko fefe (adj) offensive
awoko i'daza (n) demonstration to express anger or disagreement
awokoru (adj) angry, irritable
awu (n) cry, pity, sorrow; [(v) peel off skin, burn outer part quickly] eg Lazaro ka andraa e'yo eri ra fo, ta 'di we 'do, awu azi ta 'do yo. = If Lazarus had sometime ago listened to advice, then, there wouldn't be any cry here.
awupi (n) paternal aunt eg Dina ni ma awupi. = Dina is my paternal aunt.
awuzi (n) widow
awuzio (n) widower
aya (exclamation) okay, informal farewell, (n) Koranic verse; [iron bar, wire (also waya), iron, metal; copper coins, money payment; (v) shake, tremble, frighten]
ayaka (n) shopping basket made of twigs and smeared with cow dung, used for collection of valued items and a measure, fish is always put in head first so that the tail shows
ayi (n) wet season
Ayi (n) river in Maracha
ayia (n) mother; [wilderness; west direction, because it was believed that the west was a wilderness with few people and unknown things (also etu ni 'deria, orule)] eg Ayia ma ndu yo! = There is no other mother! [Lugbara Proverb]
Ayibiri (n) village in Oluko Subcounty near Muni University
ayikayi (n) small white insect that moves on the body like a flea
ayiko (n) happiness, happyness, happy-iness (Where I come from, happy-iness is spelt with letter Y), the Y Corner, joy(fulness), celebration, partying, cloud nine, contentment, cheer(fulness), felicity, blessedness, beautitude, tranquility, good fortune, bliss, gladness, good life, rejoicing, well adapted state, condition of supreme wellbeing, good high spirits, eerieness, uplifted spirits, pleasure, delight, welfare, fair weather, good times, satisfaction, enthusiasm, prosperity, progress, prudence, ecstasy, enjoyment, exuberance, elation, jubilation, euphoria, gaiety, merriment, radiance, light-heartedness, joviality, jocundity, eudemonics, belonging, ataraxia (freedom from emotional disturbance), alegria, furaha, xingfu, Glueck, shiawase, (e)sanyu, bonheur (good humour), felicidad, injabulo, o butseme/ ebitsange, iykke, sukha, stesti, onnellisuus/ onni, saeada, sonas, felicita, beatitudinem, fahasambarana, az jargal, schast'ye, thabo, farxad, kabungahan, khwam sukh, mutluluk, su hanh phuc, hapusrwydd, idunu, glik eg Ayiko ni ma fu! = Happiness is killing me/ I'm happy!
Ayiko (n) male-given name (also Aiko which might mean no salt or trapping salt, rarely Aiiko, direct opposite of C[h]andi), place in the south of Maracha eg Ayiko ni Osubo ma mvi. = Ayiko is Osubo's son.
Ayikobua (n) male-given name meaning "Happiness is in Heaven (in the grave or up)"
ayikoru (adj) happy eg E ka aa ayikoru azini e ni ci, e sa mi dri! = If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
Ayikoru (n) female-given name (direct opposite of C[h]andiru)
ayikayi (n) small white insect that moves on the body like a flea
ayiko (n) happiness, happyness, happy-iness (Where I come from, happy-iness is spelt with letter Y), the Y Corner, joy(fulness), celebration, partying, cloud nine, contentment, cheer(fulness), felicity, blessedness, beautitude, tranquility, good fortune, bliss, gladness, good life, rejoicing, well adapted state, condition of supreme wellbeing, good high spirits, eerieness, uplifted spirits, pleasure, delight, welfare, fair weather, good times, satisfaction, enthusiasm, prosperity, progress, prudence, ecstasy, enjoyment, exuberance, elation, jubilation, euphoria, gaiety, merriment, radiance, light-heartedness, joviality, jocundity, eudemonics, belonging, ataraxia (freedom from emotional disturbance), alegria, furaha, xingfu, Glueck, shiawase, (e)sanyu, bonheur (good humour), felicidad, injabulo, o butseme/ ebitsange, iykke, sukha, stesti, onnellisuus/ onni, saeada, sonas, felicita, beatitudinem, fahasambarana, az jargal, schast'ye, thabo, farxad, kabungahan, khwam sukh, mutluluk, su hanh phuc, hapusrwydd, idunu, glik eg Ayiko ni ma fu! = Happiness is killing me/ I'm happy!
Ayiko (n) male-given name (also Aiko which might mean no salt or trapping salt, rarely Aiiko, direct opposite of C[h]andi), place in the south of Maracha eg Ayiko ni Osubo ma mvi. = Ayiko is Osubo's son.
Ayikobua (n) male-given name meaning "Happiness is in Heaven (in the grave or up)"
ayikoru (adj) happy eg E ka aa ayikoru azini e ni ci, e sa mi dri! = If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
Ayikoru (n) female-given name (direct opposite of C[h]andiru)
ayini nyiri ri (n) verse
ayiringongo (n) commonest small black ant(s)
ayiru (adj) jocular
ayisi (n) ice (also yi ombapi, yi ombaza) ayisi (n) ice eg Jamiroquai aci ayisi dria. = Jamiroquai walked on ice.
ayisi krimu (n) ice cream eg Agu ayisi krimu ozipiri ni mi te! = The ice cream seller is waiting for you!
ayisiru (adj) frozen
Ayivu (n) Lugbara clan, territory in which colonialists set up Arua Town, county north of the Municipality in Arua District
ayota (n) rule, regulation, policy, terms, conditions (also azita) eg Ayota azini azita ma vuti ni nga ovu obizaru/ Ayota azini azita nga pa so eyi ma pari-a/ Ayota azini azita ma so pa eyi ma pari-a! = Terms and conditions will be followed/ Terms and conditions will stand in their place/ Terms and conditions should stand intheir place (Terms and conditions apply/ T & C apply)! [fig.]
ayu (v) loosen, untie; [use; (n) yam (also gurunya, likinya)] eg 'Ba nya sende ku, 'ba ayu ayu! = People do not eat money, people use it!
ayuku (n) orange substance scrapped off fermenting cassava
azakoma (n) help
azakoza (n) faeces, excrement, (rarely help)
azangi (n) drugs in Congo (also pagara)
azi (n) work; [(v) announce, say goodbye, woo, vibe] eg Gadfix Ruakoa ni azi nga UBC Radio-a. = Gadfix Ruakoa works at UBC Radio.
azi amvu ni (n) agriculture, farming (also amvu 'yaza, informal agrikeca)
azi carani sozuri (n) tailoring (also carani sota, carani soza)
Azi mi ava amboru si! (phr) I greet you with huge interest!/ (fig) You are most welcome!
azi ngaza tualu (n) collaboration (also ongo ngoza tualu), development cooperation/ zusammenarbeit
azi'ba (n) worker(s), personnel
azia (adv) (n) six eg Agupi azia! = Six men! (shouldn't be confused with Agupi azi-a! = Men at work!) eg Tom Brady nde Super Bowl azia. = Tom Brady won six Super Bowls.
azibe (adj) busy eg Kokas ni azibe. = Kokas is busy.
azini (adj) another (also azi), (conj) and eg Gaetano mvu rawundi azini. = Gaetano drank another round.
aziri (adj) the other; [(n) seven] eg Opi Sulemani ma oku andraa turu aziri (pere alifu alu). = King Solomon had 700 (to 1,000) wives.
azita (n) rule, regulation, policy (also ayota)
azitani (adj) legal
azo (n) sickness; [(v) pain] eg Kadingo ma ale ni azo. = Kadingo's stomach is paining.
Azo ondrindria niri (n) AIDS (also Silimu)
azoru (adj) sick, ill, diseased, in pain, painful eg Rukundo eca azoru. = Rukundo became sick.
azu (v) block
'B'b [Bha, sounds like gb] & Bb
'ba (n) human, people; [(v) put] (also bha)
'ba 'ba papiri (n) saviour
'ba 'bani oni tu (n) celebrity
'Ba 'bea (n) people of the northern mountains, a section of Lugbara
'ba aapi suru amveleru (n) diaspora
'ba abala 'bapi miberi (n) rival, competitor
'ba afa eti ondapiri (n) researcher, investigator
'ba agati otipi (n) competitor(s)
'ba ambo (n) big person, boss, Sir, Madam
'ba amvipiri (n) editor, reviewer, taster (also 'ba 'bipiri), proofreader (also agu amvipiri)
'ba azaza (n) lunatic, idiot, mad person
'ba aciza (n) wanderer
'ba anyapa asea ogbipiri (n) poacher
ayiringongo (n) commonest small black ant(s)
ayiru (adj) jocular
ayisi (n) ice (also yi ombapi, yi ombaza) ayisi (n) ice eg Jamiroquai aci ayisi dria. = Jamiroquai walked on ice.
ayisi krimu (n) ice cream eg Agu ayisi krimu ozipiri ni mi te! = The ice cream seller is waiting for you!
ayisiru (adj) frozen
Ayivu (n) Lugbara clan, territory in which colonialists set up Arua Town, county north of the Municipality in Arua District
ayota (n) rule, regulation, policy, terms, conditions (also azita) eg Ayota azini azita ma vuti ni nga ovu obizaru/ Ayota azini azita nga pa so eyi ma pari-a/ Ayota azini azita ma so pa eyi ma pari-a! = Terms and conditions will be followed/ Terms and conditions will stand in their place/ Terms and conditions should stand intheir place (Terms and conditions apply/ T & C apply)! [fig.]
ayu (v) loosen, untie; [use; (n) yam (also gurunya, likinya)] eg 'Ba nya sende ku, 'ba ayu ayu! = People do not eat money, people use it!
ayuku (n) orange substance scrapped off fermenting cassava
azakoma (n) help
azakoza (n) faeces, excrement, (rarely help)
azangi (n) drugs in Congo (also pagara)
azi (n) work; [(v) announce, say goodbye, woo, vibe] eg Gadfix Ruakoa ni azi nga UBC Radio-a. = Gadfix Ruakoa works at UBC Radio.
azi amvu ni (n) agriculture, farming (also amvu 'yaza, informal agrikeca)
azi carani sozuri (n) tailoring (also carani sota, carani soza)
Azi mi ava amboru si! (phr) I greet you with huge interest!/ (fig) You are most welcome!
azi ngaza tualu (n) collaboration (also ongo ngoza tualu), development cooperation/ zusammenarbeit
azi'ba (n) worker(s), personnel
azia (adv) (n) six eg Agupi azia! = Six men! (shouldn't be confused with Agupi azi-a! = Men at work!) eg Tom Brady nde Super Bowl azia. = Tom Brady won six Super Bowls.
azibe (adj) busy eg Kokas ni azibe. = Kokas is busy.
azini (adj) another (also azi), (conj) and eg Gaetano mvu rawundi azini. = Gaetano drank another round.
aziri (adj) the other; [(n) seven] eg Opi Sulemani ma oku andraa turu aziri (pere alifu alu). = King Solomon had 700 (to 1,000) wives.
azita (n) rule, regulation, policy (also ayota)
azitani (adj) legal
azo (n) sickness; [(v) pain] eg Kadingo ma ale ni azo. = Kadingo's stomach is paining.
Azo ondrindria niri (n) AIDS (also Silimu)
azoru (adj) sick, ill, diseased, in pain, painful eg Rukundo eca azoru. = Rukundo became sick.
azu (v) block
'B'b [Bha, sounds like gb] & Bb
'ba (n) human, people; [(v) put] (also bha)
'ba 'ba papiri (n) saviour
'ba 'bani oni tu (n) celebrity
'Ba 'bea (n) people of the northern mountains, a section of Lugbara
'ba aapi suru amveleru (n) diaspora
'ba abala 'bapi miberi (n) rival, competitor
'ba afa eti ondapiri (n) researcher, investigator
'ba agati otipi (n) competitor(s)
'ba ambo (n) big person, boss, Sir, Madam
'ba amvipiri (n) editor, reviewer, taster (also 'ba 'bipiri), proofreader (also agu amvipiri)
'ba azaza (n) lunatic, idiot, mad person
'ba aciza (n) wanderer
'ba anyapa asea ogbipiri (n) poacher
'ba avipi (n) player(s)
'Ba ayia (n) western people, a section of Lugbara
'ba e'yo liba (n) court
'ba e'yo nepi milesi (n) witness eg 'Ba e'yo nepi milesi andraa 200 "St. Francis" Kanisa Makerere-a ci. = There were 200 witnesses at St. Francis Church Makerere.
'ba e'yo ondripi (n) prophet
'ba imbale (n) disciples
'ba jo si'ba (n) builders, constructors, architects
'ba kabilo ocepi (n) shepherd
'ba kalulu 'bepi (n) voter (also agu kalulu 'bepi)
'ba kalulu 'beba (n) voters
'ba matiba (n) my parents
'ba mitiba (n) your parents
'ba mupira bipi (n) goalkeeper
'ba mva ma ta mbapi(ri) (n) guardian (plu. 'ba anzi ma ta mbaba)
'Ba ayia (n) western people, a section of Lugbara
'ba e'yo liba (n) court
'ba e'yo nepi milesi (n) witness eg 'Ba e'yo nepi milesi andraa 200 "St. Francis" Kanisa Makerere-a ci. = There were 200 witnesses at St. Francis Church Makerere.
'ba e'yo ondripi (n) prophet
'ba imbale (n) disciples
'ba jo si'ba (n) builders, constructors, architects
'ba kabilo ocepi (n) shepherd
'ba kalulu 'bepi (n) voter (also agu kalulu 'bepi)
'ba kalulu 'beba (n) voters
'ba matiba (n) my parents
'ba mitiba (n) your parents
'ba mupira bipi (n) goalkeeper
'ba mva ma ta mbapi(ri) (n) guardian (plu. 'ba anzi ma ta mbaba)
'ba nepi (n) spectator(s) (also 'ba avita nepi), viewer(s), spotter(s), watcher(s)
'ba o'bipiri (n) tester
'ba ode (n) youth (also yuthu, karile, ezoanzi, anzi zoba zozo)
'ba odrapi 'bo engazu idriru dika (n) resurrection
'ba onduaru diyi (n) wise men from the East, Magi, three kings from the Orient
'ba o'bipiri (n) tester
'ba ode (n) youth (also yuthu, karile, ezoanzi, anzi zoba zozo)
'ba odrapi 'bo engazu idriru dika (n) resurrection
'ba onduaru diyi (n) wise men from the East, Magi, three kings from the Orient
'ba onita kokori (n) uneducated, ignorant, unlearned people
'ba opele (n) chosen, elected people
'ba rua acobe (n) person with disability
'ba saa ta mbapiri (n) timekeeper
'Ba YEHOVA ma E'yo eti nzepi (n) JEHOVAH's witness (plu. 'Ba YEHOVA ma E'yo eti nzepi 'diyi)
'baako (n) loneliness, destitution
'bakalafe (n) population
'bako (n) without people
'bakoko (adj) lonely
'bata (n) placement
'be (n) mountain, hill, rock; [(v) throw] eg Stefano Maria Crocelli ni mupira 'be 'bua. = Stefano Maria Crocelli is throwing the ball up.
'be wereari (n) hill (colloquially hilu)
'be ambo(ri) (n) mountain
'bea (n) north direction, because the northern part of Lugbaraland is full of big hills
'bi (v) taste
'bi'bia (n) bat; [umbrella]
'bi'bio (n) star
'biko (n) feather, body hair, insect wing(s), fruit or tuber skincover
'bile (n) hole, pit (also 'bule) eg Tabi kini agupi 'bile gapi ecoki mi 'be aleni-a. = Tabi says the men digging a pit may throw you in.
'bo (adv) already eg Unai Emery nde Europa Ligi 'bo. = Unai Emery has won the Europa League already.
'bu (n) grave (also nyadri); [sky, heavens, Heaven, Paradise, Janna, Himmel, Tiantang, Egulu] eg YESU ni 'ba ji 'Bu-a ni. = JESUS is the One who takes people to Heaven.
'bua (adj, adv, prep) up, high, in Heaven, in the sky, in the grave (also 'bu-a)
'bua tu (v) advanced, elevated (literally very high) eg Saa 'di 'bua tu! = This moment is elevated.
ba (adj) OK, okay, good, alright, fine, well (also baba, muke, ala); [(n) breast]
baasa (n) envelope eg Ssali ayu baasa. = Ssali used an envelope.
baba (n) father, papa, paps (also ati), good, fine, well
bada (adj) anyhow
badabada (adv) randomly
badaka (adj) many, plenty, big
bafu (n) bathroom, washbasin
baka (n) rope
baka se (phr v) compete
baketi (n) bucket
bako (n) basketball (also acalaka mupira, basiketibolu), B-Ball, netball (also netibolo) eg Ray Allen azini Stephen Curry ki bako avi. = Ray Allen and Stephen Curry play basketball.
bakoko (adj) no relative, no friend (also bakoru)
Bakoko (n) female-given name (also Bako)
bakule (n) bowl, satellite dish (also bakuli) eg Startimes ma bakule = Startimes satellite dish
balangiti (n) blanket (also blangiti)
balibali (adj, adv) aimlessly, confused, madly (also badaru, sakaru) eg Odota aci balibali. = Odota walked aimlessly.
balubu (n) bulb eg Folo su balubu o'di. = Flo fixed a new bulb.
bamia (n) okra
'ba opele (n) chosen, elected people
'ba rua acobe (n) person with disability
'ba saa ta mbapiri (n) timekeeper
'Ba YEHOVA ma E'yo eti nzepi (n) JEHOVAH's witness (plu. 'Ba YEHOVA ma E'yo eti nzepi 'diyi)
'baako (n) loneliness, destitution
'bakalafe (n) population
'bako (n) without people
'bakoko (adj) lonely
'bata (n) placement
'be (n) mountain, hill, rock; [(v) throw] eg Stefano Maria Crocelli ni mupira 'be 'bua. = Stefano Maria Crocelli is throwing the ball up.
'be wereari (n) hill (colloquially hilu)
'be ambo(ri) (n) mountain
'bea (n) north direction, because the northern part of Lugbaraland is full of big hills
'bi (v) taste
'bi'bia (n) bat; [umbrella]
'bi'bio (n) star
'biko (n) feather, body hair, insect wing(s), fruit or tuber skincover
'bile (n) hole, pit (also 'bule) eg Tabi kini agupi 'bile gapi ecoki mi 'be aleni-a. = Tabi says the men digging a pit may throw you in.
'bo (adv) already eg Unai Emery nde Europa Ligi 'bo. = Unai Emery has won the Europa League already.
'bu (n) grave (also nyadri); [sky, heavens, Heaven, Paradise, Janna, Himmel, Tiantang, Egulu] eg YESU ni 'ba ji 'Bu-a ni. = JESUS is the One who takes people to Heaven.
'bua (adj, adv, prep) up, high, in Heaven, in the sky, in the grave (also 'bu-a)
'bua tu (v) advanced, elevated (literally very high) eg Saa 'di 'bua tu! = This moment is elevated.
ba (adj) OK, okay, good, alright, fine, well (also baba, muke, ala); [(n) breast]
baasa (n) envelope eg Ssali ayu baasa. = Ssali used an envelope.
baba (n) father, papa, paps (also ati), good, fine, well
bada (adj) anyhow
badabada (adv) randomly
badaka (adj) many, plenty, big
bafu (n) bathroom, washbasin
baka (n) rope
baka se (phr v) compete
baketi (n) bucket
bako (n) basketball (also acalaka mupira, basiketibolu), B-Ball, netball (also netibolo) eg Ray Allen azini Stephen Curry ki bako avi. = Ray Allen and Stephen Curry play basketball.
bakoko (adj) no relative, no friend (also bakoru)
Bakoko (n) female-given name (also Bako)
bakule (n) bowl, satellite dish (also bakuli) eg Startimes ma bakule = Startimes satellite dish
balangiti (n) blanket (also blangiti)
balibali (adj, adv) aimlessly, confused, madly (also badaru, sakaru) eg Odota aci balibali. = Odota walked aimlessly.
balubu (n) bulb eg Folo su balubu o'di. = Flo fixed a new bulb.
bamia (n) okra
banda (n) cassava eg Viola oli banda gutiya si. = Viola ferried cassava using a sack.
bandolu (n) airtime or internet bundle (also bando)
Bangala (n) Bangala language, dialect of Lingala spoken in the Orientale Province of DRC
bangi (n) marijuana, prohibited weed that is smoked
bangiri (n) jaw
Bangiriyo (n) the first trading centre or T-Junction (diversion) after River Asa and just before Muni University eg Oryema ni aa Bangiriyo-a. = Oryema stays in Bangiriyo.
banja (n) loan, debt (also deni, deno)
banki (n) bank (also benki) eg Wadrile ni azi nga banki-a. = Wadrile works in a bank.
Banyale (n) first son of Dribidu and Ofunyaru in Lugbara mythology
bari (adj) good, proper
Bangala (n) Bangala language, dialect of Lingala spoken in the Orientale Province of DRC
bangi (n) marijuana, prohibited weed that is smoked
bangiri (n) jaw
Bangiriyo (n) the first trading centre or T-Junction (diversion) after River Asa and just before Muni University eg Oryema ni aa Bangiriyo-a. = Oryema stays in Bangiriyo.
banja (n) loan, debt (also deni, deno)
banki (n) bank (also benki) eg Wadrile ni azi nga banki-a. = Wadrile works in a bank.
Banyale (n) first son of Dribidu and Ofunyaru in Lugbara mythology
bari (adj) good, proper
Baria (n) village in Ojapi Parish, Ajira Subcounty, (Tara) Maracha
Barifa (n) Biggest Forest near Arua City, found east of Arua Hill, gazetted in 1948, bordered by Weatherhead Park Lane, Oluko Road and Muni
Baruku (n) road northwards off Wadriff Road from opposite Aci Engine
basi (n) bus
baskili (n) bicycle (also gari, karia, keria, keringa [in deep Aringa dialect], diringili, kinga [in Lingala], velo [in French])
bati (n) corrugated iron or metallic sheet
batri (n) battery eg Timoteo ni batri ozi. = Timothy is selling batteries.
batisimu (n) baptism (also ru biza)
Bayo (n) male-given name, similar to Bakoko
be (prep) with eg "Gone With The Wind (film)" was released in 1939. = "Mu Oli Be (filimu)" ifu eli 1939.
Beliji (n) Belgium (also Beluji)
bendera (n) flag, presidential standard eg Romario enga Brazilu ma bendera 'bua. = Romario raised Brazil's flag up.
beseni (n) basin (also bafu)
Betelemu (n) Bethlehem eg Maria osi YESU-i Betelemu-a. = Mary gave birth to JESUS in Bethlehem.
beti (n) bet
betingi (n) betting eg Betingi ni ‘ba ma dri susu! = Betting is very addictive!
bi (n) ear; [(v) mud (eg a hut), hold, catch, arrest]
bi edu (n) ear lobe (also bi edo)
biabia (n) earrings, earphones
biasara (n) business (also bizinesi, negosiyo) eg Rokoni ni biasara azi nga. = Rokoni does business work.
bibi (adj) dark; [(n) lollipop]
bibia (n) (ear)phone (also yakani, simu)
Bibia (n) place near Osu
Biblia (n) Bible (also Bibilia) eg Patience ma Biblia okazaru. = Patience's Bible is brown.
bidi (n) sharp pointed long metal tool attached to a wooden pole
Bidi Bidi (n) place in Yumbe used as a Refugee Resettlement Camp
bikini (n) female swimsuit, bathing suit, bikini eg Keyna su bikini. = Keyna wore a bikini.
bikoko (n) deaf-mute, dumb person (also abebe)
bile (n) wound (also ibi, ibile)
bile ako (n) refusal to listen
Bileafe (n) subcounty in Terego where the agofe system was tried
bilekoko (n) deaf person
bilendu liza (n) warning
Biliafe (n) place 23 km east from Mvara reachable via Oluko Road
biringanya (n) eggplant eg Tikvah ni biringanya a'di. = Tikvah is cooking eggplants.
birisi (n) mat (also mukeka)
bishopu (n) bishop
biskiti (n) biscuit (also bisikiti) eg Munchies ki biskiti. = Munchies are biscuits.
bitkoini (n) bitcoin eg Nakamoto ni bitkoini ayu. = Nakamoto uses bitcoin.
bizua (n) small basket container with handle for carrying bean and millet seedlings
blogu (n) blog
boda (n) boda boda rider (also 'ba bodaboda ti odropi, 'ba bodaboda onzupi), motorbike taxi, okada, bodaboda
bofulo (n) boflo-shaped bread
bogoya (n) bananas eg Bogoya ni 'bo! = The bananas have ripened.
Barifa (n) Biggest Forest near Arua City, found east of Arua Hill, gazetted in 1948, bordered by Weatherhead Park Lane, Oluko Road and Muni
Baruku (n) road northwards off Wadriff Road from opposite Aci Engine
basi (n) bus
baskili (n) bicycle (also gari, karia, keria, keringa [in deep Aringa dialect], diringili, kinga [in Lingala], velo [in French])
bati (n) corrugated iron or metallic sheet
batri (n) battery eg Timoteo ni batri ozi. = Timothy is selling batteries.
batisimu (n) baptism (also ru biza)
Bayo (n) male-given name, similar to Bakoko
be (prep) with eg "Gone With The Wind (film)" was released in 1939. = "Mu Oli Be (filimu)" ifu eli 1939.
Beliji (n) Belgium (also Beluji)
bendera (n) flag, presidential standard eg Romario enga Brazilu ma bendera 'bua. = Romario raised Brazil's flag up.
beseni (n) basin (also bafu)
Betelemu (n) Bethlehem eg Maria osi YESU-i Betelemu-a. = Mary gave birth to JESUS in Bethlehem.
beti (n) bet
betingi (n) betting eg Betingi ni ‘ba ma dri susu! = Betting is very addictive!
bi (n) ear; [(v) mud (eg a hut), hold, catch, arrest]
bi edu (n) ear lobe (also bi edo)
biabia (n) earrings, earphones
biasara (n) business (also bizinesi, negosiyo) eg Rokoni ni biasara azi nga. = Rokoni does business work.
bibi (adj) dark; [(n) lollipop]
bibia (n) (ear)phone (also yakani, simu)
Bibia (n) place near Osu
Biblia (n) Bible (also Bibilia) eg Patience ma Biblia okazaru. = Patience's Bible is brown.
bidi (n) sharp pointed long metal tool attached to a wooden pole
Bidi Bidi (n) place in Yumbe used as a Refugee Resettlement Camp
bikini (n) female swimsuit, bathing suit, bikini eg Keyna su bikini. = Keyna wore a bikini.
bikoko (n) deaf-mute, dumb person (also abebe)
bile (n) wound (also ibi, ibile)
bile ako (n) refusal to listen
Bileafe (n) subcounty in Terego where the agofe system was tried
bilekoko (n) deaf person
bilendu liza (n) warning
Biliafe (n) place 23 km east from Mvara reachable via Oluko Road
biringanya (n) eggplant eg Tikvah ni biringanya a'di. = Tikvah is cooking eggplants.
birisi (n) mat (also mukeka)
bishopu (n) bishop
biskiti (n) biscuit (also bisikiti) eg Munchies ki biskiti. = Munchies are biscuits.
bitkoini (n) bitcoin eg Nakamoto ni bitkoini ayu. = Nakamoto uses bitcoin.
bizua (n) small basket container with handle for carrying bean and millet seedlings
blogu (n) blog
boda (n) boda boda rider (also 'ba bodaboda ti odropi, 'ba bodaboda onzupi), motorbike taxi, okada, bodaboda
bofulo (n) boflo-shaped bread
bogoya (n) bananas eg Bogoya ni 'bo! = The bananas have ripened.
boko (n) road, lane (also nzila, geri)
bokora (n) banana-like fruit but sometimes bigger eg Jeff ni bokora sa. = Jeff is planting bokora.
bokisi (n) box
bolo bara (n) type of wood
bokora (n) banana-like fruit but sometimes bigger eg Jeff ni bokora sa. = Jeff is planting bokora.
bokisi (n) box
bolo bara (n) type of wood
Bondo (n) place south of Arua City eg Mubiru ni Bondo New Life Guesthouse-a. = Mubiru is at Bondo New Life Guesthouse-a.
bonga (n) fist greeting, (v) make a fist to meet another person's fist
bongo (n) cloth (traditional dress of Lugbara was grass or banana fibre for women to cover buttocks and front while men wore animal skin); [fermented milk, Tanzanian Music] eg Stela su bongo imve. = Stela wore a white cloth (skirt).
boroko (n) hut, temporary house
borondua (n) rebel (also adui) eg Achan ni borondua. = Achan is a rebel.
boti (n) boot(s), bot
bonga (n) fist greeting, (v) make a fist to meet another person's fist
bongo (n) cloth (traditional dress of Lugbara was grass or banana fibre for women to cover buttocks and front while men wore animal skin); [fermented milk, Tanzanian Music] eg Stela su bongo imve. = Stela wore a white cloth (skirt).
boroko (n) hut, temporary house
borondua (n) rebel (also adui) eg Achan ni borondua. = Achan is a rebel.
boti (n) boot(s), bot
bowaholu (n) borehole (also boholu)
brashi (n) brush
Brazilu (n) Brazil, Brasil eg Ro-Ri-Ro avi ki Brazilu ni eli 90 pi ma-a. = Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldo da Lima played for Brazil in the 90s.
breki (n) brake eg Nyaku ma breki ce-i ra. = Earth's brake got torn. (fig)
briketi (n) briquette
briki (n) brick
briki 'be (v) lay bricks
brocua (n) brochure eg Asiimwe ni brocua ide. = Asiimwe is making a brochure.
BTN (n) Bornfree Technologies Network, the pioneer TV station in West Nile since 2003 which was first located in Anyafio before moving to Arua Hill in 2015 eg Rashidi ni BTN TV ne. = Rashid is watching BTN Television.
Bua (n) male-given name meaning "Up" eg Charles ma ru aziri Bua. = Charles's other name is Bua.
budu budu (adj) foamy, soapy, gigantic eg Ariel ni budu budu. = Ariel is gigantic.
Bukaresti (n) Bucharest, locals call it Bucuresti, Capital City of Romania located in the south eg Gheorghe Hagi avi mupira Stau Bukaresti ni. = Gheorghe Hagi played football for Steaua Bucharest.
buku (n) book eg "Ezati pi Candiru Be Azini Agipi" ni buku 'bani Lugbarati imbazu eli alusi azini irisi. = "Ezati pi Candiru Be Azini Agipi" is a book used to teach Lugbara language in Year 1 and 2 (P1 and P2).
brashi (n) brush
Brazilu (n) Brazil, Brasil eg Ro-Ri-Ro avi ki Brazilu ni eli 90 pi ma-a. = Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldo da Lima played for Brazil in the 90s.
breki (n) brake eg Nyaku ma breki ce-i ra. = Earth's brake got torn. (fig)
briketi (n) briquette
briki (n) brick
briki 'be (v) lay bricks
brocua (n) brochure eg Asiimwe ni brocua ide. = Asiimwe is making a brochure.
BTN (n) Bornfree Technologies Network, the pioneer TV station in West Nile since 2003 which was first located in Anyafio before moving to Arua Hill in 2015 eg Rashidi ni BTN TV ne. = Rashid is watching BTN Television.
Bua (n) male-given name meaning "Up" eg Charles ma ru aziri Bua. = Charles's other name is Bua.
budu budu (adj) foamy, soapy, gigantic eg Ariel ni budu budu. = Ariel is gigantic.
Bukaresti (n) Bucharest, locals call it Bucuresti, Capital City of Romania located in the south eg Gheorghe Hagi avi mupira Stau Bukaresti ni. = Gheorghe Hagi played football for Steaua Bucharest.
buku (n) book eg "Ezati pi Candiru Be Azini Agipi" ni buku 'bani Lugbarati imbazu eli alusi azini irisi. = "Ezati pi Candiru Be Azini Agipi" is a book used to teach Lugbara language in Year 1 and 2 (P1 and P2).
Buku 'Ba Driani MUNGU Zizuri/ Ongo Munguni (n) Book For Everyone To Ask GOD/ GOD's Songs
bunia (n) fist, boxing sport
bunia (n) fist, boxing sport
buro (n) bureau (also byuro)
Burundi (n) Burundi eg Kidum enga Burundi-a. = Kidum is from Burundi.
burusu (n) tree beans, pigeon peas
bushera (n) fermented non-alcoholic cereal (usually millet) drink originally from Western Uganda
busu (n) cat, pussycat (also busua, bura, mbusua) eg Busu ni au nyiri nya sa dria. = A cat eats young chicken all the time.
Cc [always pronounced "ch" as in church]
ca (v) reach; [weave] eg Magu ca kobi. = Magu wove a winnowing basket.
ca'bo (adj) enough
caca (adj) woven, plaited, knitted
cai (n) tea leaves (also Chai)
caja (n) charger
cali (n) person, lad, Charlie (also Charlia)
calo (n) village
campali (n) footwear (also champali)
campeini (n) champagne (also champeini)
capirisi (adj) just enough eg Parlour ma golo ndri capirisi. = Parlour's goal is just beautiful enough.
carani (n) sewing machine (also charani)
Burundi (n) Burundi eg Kidum enga Burundi-a. = Kidum is from Burundi.
burusu (n) tree beans, pigeon peas
bushera (n) fermented non-alcoholic cereal (usually millet) drink originally from Western Uganda
busu (n) cat, pussycat (also busua, bura, mbusua) eg Busu ni au nyiri nya sa dria. = A cat eats young chicken all the time.
Cc [always pronounced "ch" as in church]
ca (v) reach; [weave] eg Magu ca kobi. = Magu wove a winnowing basket.
ca'bo (adj) enough
caca (adj) woven, plaited, knitted
cai (n) tea leaves (also Chai)
caja (n) charger
cali (n) person, lad, Charlie (also Charlia)
calo (n) village
campali (n) footwear (also champali)
campeini (n) champagne (also champeini)
capirisi (adj) just enough eg Parlour ma golo ndri capirisi. = Parlour's goal is just beautiful enough.
carani (n) sewing machine (also charani)
cataa (n) being enough
caza (n) woven
cazu kpere (prep) upto
ce (v) tear, break free eg Ndri ce ki-i te. = The goats broke free [(Translated from Luganda) Embuzi zakutude].
ceni (pron, adj) by her/ himself/ itself, automatic (also isi)
cere (n) yell eg Cere Festival = Yell Festival
ceza (adj) torn
Chadi (n) Chad, nation in Central Africa
ce (v) tear, break free eg Ndri ce ki-i te. = The goats broke free [(Translated from Luganda) Embuzi zakutude].
ceni (pron, adj) by her/ himself/ itself, automatic (also isi)
cere (n) yell eg Cere Festival = Yell Festival
ceza (adj) torn
Chadi (n) Chad, nation in Central Africa
chagua (n) body-scrubbing bath sponge (word borrowed from Swahili)
Chaina (n) China eg Yangyang osi Chaina-a. = Yangyang was born in China.
chandi (n) sorrow, pity, sadness, suffering, trouble, danger, plight, gloom (also candi) eg Freddie ri vaa chandi si. = Freddie sat down because of sorrow.
Chandi (n) male-given name when family is in difficult situation
Chandiru (n) female-given name (also written Candiru) eg Leila Chandiru ni ongo ngo. = Leila Chandiru is a singer.
chano (n) channel (also chanolu, cano) eg GOtv ma chano daktari pini ci? = Does GOtv have a channel for doctors?
chapati (n) chapati eg Rozi ni chapati aluza ide. = Rose is making tasty chapati.
chaputa (n) chapter, ch. eg Ljungberg e'do chaputa o'di. = Ljungberg started a new chapter.
chatiboti (n) chatbot eg Leo ni chatiboti. = Leo is a chatbot.
Chilua (n) beach resort in West Nile
Chuba (n) nation of Cuba (also Kuba)
ci (adj) present, is here; [(v) bite] eg Ma ci! = I'm here!
cikiri (n) cowpeas, Lugbara name-giving ceremony
Cilio (n) village near Mt. Wati, Teeth Can Lost - Part 2
cinyaki (n) sand (also cinya)
cipini (n) chip in soccer (also chipini)
ciri (adv) very (still and quiet); [(pron) any]
co (v) sneeze, fight, beat
coki (n) chalk
coko (n) bone (also falako)
coko coko (n) bottle crown (also cokolo)
coni ku (phr v) cannot (also econi ku)
Chaina (n) China eg Yangyang osi Chaina-a. = Yangyang was born in China.
chandi (n) sorrow, pity, sadness, suffering, trouble, danger, plight, gloom (also candi) eg Freddie ri vaa chandi si. = Freddie sat down because of sorrow.
Chandi (n) male-given name when family is in difficult situation
Chandiru (n) female-given name (also written Candiru) eg Leila Chandiru ni ongo ngo. = Leila Chandiru is a singer.
chano (n) channel (also chanolu, cano) eg GOtv ma chano daktari pini ci? = Does GOtv have a channel for doctors?
chapati (n) chapati eg Rozi ni chapati aluza ide. = Rose is making tasty chapati.
chaputa (n) chapter, ch. eg Ljungberg e'do chaputa o'di. = Ljungberg started a new chapter.
chatiboti (n) chatbot eg Leo ni chatiboti. = Leo is a chatbot.
Chilua (n) beach resort in West Nile
Chuba (n) nation of Cuba (also Kuba)
ci (adj) present, is here; [(v) bite] eg Ma ci! = I'm here!
cikiri (n) cowpeas, Lugbara name-giving ceremony
Cilio (n) village near Mt. Wati, Teeth Can Lost - Part 2
cinyaki (n) sand (also cinya)
cipini (n) chip in soccer (also chipini)
ciri (adv) very (still and quiet); [(pron) any]
co (v) sneeze, fight, beat
coki (n) chalk
coko (n) bone (also falako)
coko coko (n) bottle crown (also cokolo)
coni ku (phr v) cannot (also econi ku)
coroko (n) small beans (also choroko)
coroni (n) latrine (jo were)
coti (adv) at once, immediately
cua (n) weaverbird (also cuwa, chüa) eg Asea Abudiraman ni cua nda. = Asea Abudiraman is looking for weaverbirds.
cucu (n) sweet round yellowish fruit encased in a papery husk, peruvian groundcherry, husk tomato, tomatillo, physalis peruviana, Chinese lantern, ntunduku in Meru (Kenya), entuutu in Runyankole
culu (n) mister
cupa (n) bottle eg Driwaru fe mani cupa. = Driwaru gave me a bottle.
cupa ti (n) bottle lid
curu (adv) liquid dropping constantly
Curu (n) place east of Kulekule, west of Pamvara and Rhino Camp
curu'do (adv) nowadays
cuu (n) market
'D'd [Dha] & Dd [silent immediately before j]
'da (adv) there, that; [(v) abuse, insult, name; fast, lick] (also dha) eg Weatherhead Park Lane ma ru 'ba 'da Arthur Evelyn Weatherheard ma vutisi. = Weatherhead Park Lane was named after Arthur Evelyn Weatherhead.
'dale (adv) like that, like it; [that side]
'dani (adj) free
'dani 'dani (adj) continuous, (adv) continuously, for ever
'dau (adj) empty, missing, lacking [in Terego dialect]
'de (v) die, fall, set (said of the sun)
'dere (adv) exactly, on the dot eg etu 8 'dere = exactly 2pm
'di (adj) this; [(v) kill, rain]
'dia (adv) here
'dini (adv) like this, correct, true
'disi (adv) with this eg Aki (Chinedu Ikedieze) azini Pawpaw (Osita Iheme) ki Ediofe-a saa 'disi! = Aki (Chinedu Ikedieze) and Pawpaw (Osita Iheme) are in Ediofe right now!
'do (adv) here (also 'dole)
'du (n) millet (also anya); [(v) immerse slightly, pick eg with tongue (also 'doo), belch]
da (v) pour, get away; [(n) smoking pipe] eg Arshad da Curry Powder tibi-a. = Arshad poured Curry Powder in the sauce.
dada (n) dadi, father, nickname given to Amin for his love of women
coroni (n) latrine (jo were)
coti (adv) at once, immediately
cua (n) weaverbird (also cuwa, chüa) eg Asea Abudiraman ni cua nda. = Asea Abudiraman is looking for weaverbirds.
cucu (n) sweet round yellowish fruit encased in a papery husk, peruvian groundcherry, husk tomato, tomatillo, physalis peruviana, Chinese lantern, ntunduku in Meru (Kenya), entuutu in Runyankole
culu (n) mister
cupa (n) bottle eg Driwaru fe mani cupa. = Driwaru gave me a bottle.
cupa ti (n) bottle lid
curu (adv) liquid dropping constantly
Curu (n) place east of Kulekule, west of Pamvara and Rhino Camp
curu'do (adv) nowadays
cuu (n) market
'D'd [Dha] & Dd [silent immediately before j]
'da (adv) there, that; [(v) abuse, insult, name; fast, lick] (also dha) eg Weatherhead Park Lane ma ru 'ba 'da Arthur Evelyn Weatherheard ma vutisi. = Weatherhead Park Lane was named after Arthur Evelyn Weatherhead.
'dale (adv) like that, like it; [that side]
'dani (adj) free
'dani 'dani (adj) continuous, (adv) continuously, for ever
'dau (adj) empty, missing, lacking [in Terego dialect]
'de (v) die, fall, set (said of the sun)
'dere (adv) exactly, on the dot eg etu 8 'dere = exactly 2pm
'di (adj) this; [(v) kill, rain]
'dia (adv) here
'dini (adv) like this, correct, true
'disi (adv) with this eg Aki (Chinedu Ikedieze) azini Pawpaw (Osita Iheme) ki Ediofe-a saa 'disi! = Aki (Chinedu Ikedieze) and Pawpaw (Osita Iheme) are in Ediofe right now!
'do (adv) here (also 'dole)
'du (n) millet (also anya); [(v) immerse slightly, pick eg with tongue (also 'doo), belch]
da (v) pour, get away; [(n) smoking pipe] eg Arshad da Curry Powder tibi-a. = Arshad poured Curry Powder in the sauce.
dada (n) dadi, father, nickname given to Amin for his love of women
dafini (n) duffin(s), doughnut muffin
daka (n) chaff eg of beans, groundnuts, simsim
dakika (n) minute eg Driale, 'ba dria ma ru ni nga kuu dakika 15. = In future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.
daku (n) food Muslims eat before sunrise during Ramadan
dali (n) low
dani (adv) maybe, probably, perhaps
dania (n) coriander
danzi (n) dance (also danji, ongo tuza)
Davidi (n) David, Da (also Daudi, Dawudi, Devidi)
de (adv) yet (v) get old; finish eg Adebo de azi 'bo. = Adebo has finished the work.
debe (n) metallic container usually rectangular
Debora (n) Deborah, biblical shero
dede (n) grandmother, jajja, gogo in South Africa eg Esita ni ma dede. = Esita is my grandmother.
dedekoa (n) very old woman eg Princess Bagaya ni dedekoa. = Princess Bagaya is a very old woman.
deni (n) debt (also deno, mari)
depoti (n) depot (also dipo) eg Juma je Pepsi Alaska Depoti-a. = Juma bought Pepsi at Alaska Depot.
dereva (n) driver (also dere'ba, agu motoka onzupi) eg Amosi ni dereva. = Amos is a driver.
derisa (n) window
desi (conj) when (also de) eg Irene Manjeri mu 'Bu-a desi eri eli 11. = Irene Manjeri went to Heaven when she was 11 years old.
di (conj) so; [(v) box, punch; bore; shine]
digito (adj) digital (also digitoru) eg Ecikiti ni redio digito ru ni eri. = Ecikiti is listening to a digital radio.
dika (adv) again eg Chikago Bulls ndeki NBA dika, dika, dika. = Chicago Bulls won the NBA again and again and again.
dini (n) religion
dinini (adj) religious
dinisa (n) window (also derisa) eg Mara Katushabe ma dinisa-a inze-i. = The glass on Katushabe's window came out.
diri (n) cassava flour mixed with sorghum flour (also enyasa, inya asa)
disko (n) disco eg Doreen ni mu disko tu. = Doreen is going to dance at the disco.
distrikiti (n) district eg Rakai Distrikiti = Rakai District
Diwali (n) Indian Festival of Lights and Triumph or Victory over evil, ignorance, etc
diza (n) light
Djibuti (n) Djibouti
do (v) keep quiet, be calm
dodo (n) amaranth greens (also doodo)
dogodogo (n) train, railway (also reluwe, garamosi) eg Kasiano Ezati Wadri ni imu dogodogo si. = Kasiano Ezati Wadri is coming by train.
dokta (n) doctor (also daktari, ojoo) eg Nuru mu Dokta Yai ni ne. = Nuru went to see Dr. Yai.
dokumentari (n) documentary (also doku)
dole (n) doll
donati (n) donut, doughnut, mandazi eg Isaka le donati je. = Isaac wants to buy a doughnut.
dori (n) hunting expedition
dotkomu (adj) dotcom
dozi (n) doze
dra (adj) bitter; [(n) death, (v) die] eg Sitani ma dra ecekoko! = The Devil must die!
Dracunculiasis (n) Guinea Worm disease
Drajini (n) subcounty in Yumbe District, southwest of Kuru, parish in Arua taken from Yumbe
Dramani (n) male-given name meaning "HE died for me", male-given name in Gonja Tribe of Northern Ghana eg Ghana ma prezidenti 'ba omve Dramani. = Ghana's president is called Dramani.
Dramu (n) male-given name, meaning "Death went"
dri (adj) hot, (v) warm, heat; [(n) head (also drifa); hand] eg Ma dri ni ga! = My head is paining!
dri ci (v) suffer (past tense ci dri) eg Yobu ci dri Sitani ma e'yo si. = Job suffered because of the Devil.
dri ndiria (n) right hand (also dri ada)
daka (n) chaff eg of beans, groundnuts, simsim
dakika (n) minute eg Driale, 'ba dria ma ru ni nga kuu dakika 15. = In future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.
daku (n) food Muslims eat before sunrise during Ramadan
dali (n) low
dani (adv) maybe, probably, perhaps
dania (n) coriander
danzi (n) dance (also danji, ongo tuza)
Davidi (n) David, Da (also Daudi, Dawudi, Devidi)
de (adv) yet (v) get old; finish eg Adebo de azi 'bo. = Adebo has finished the work.
debe (n) metallic container usually rectangular
Debora (n) Deborah, biblical shero
dede (n) grandmother, jajja, gogo in South Africa eg Esita ni ma dede. = Esita is my grandmother.
dedekoa (n) very old woman eg Princess Bagaya ni dedekoa. = Princess Bagaya is a very old woman.
deni (n) debt (also deno, mari)
depoti (n) depot (also dipo) eg Juma je Pepsi Alaska Depoti-a. = Juma bought Pepsi at Alaska Depot.
dereva (n) driver (also dere'ba, agu motoka onzupi) eg Amosi ni dereva. = Amos is a driver.
derisa (n) window
desi (conj) when (also de) eg Irene Manjeri mu 'Bu-a desi eri eli 11. = Irene Manjeri went to Heaven when she was 11 years old.
di (conj) so; [(v) box, punch; bore; shine]
digito (adj) digital (also digitoru) eg Ecikiti ni redio digito ru ni eri. = Ecikiti is listening to a digital radio.
dika (adv) again eg Chikago Bulls ndeki NBA dika, dika, dika. = Chicago Bulls won the NBA again and again and again.
dini (n) religion
dinini (adj) religious
dinisa (n) window (also derisa) eg Mara Katushabe ma dinisa-a inze-i. = The glass on Katushabe's window came out.
diri (n) cassava flour mixed with sorghum flour (also enyasa, inya asa)
disko (n) disco eg Doreen ni mu disko tu. = Doreen is going to dance at the disco.
distrikiti (n) district eg Rakai Distrikiti = Rakai District
Diwali (n) Indian Festival of Lights and Triumph or Victory over evil, ignorance, etc
diza (n) light
Djibuti (n) Djibouti
do (v) keep quiet, be calm
dodo (n) amaranth greens (also doodo)
dogodogo (n) train, railway (also reluwe, garamosi) eg Kasiano Ezati Wadri ni imu dogodogo si. = Kasiano Ezati Wadri is coming by train.
dokta (n) doctor (also daktari, ojoo) eg Nuru mu Dokta Yai ni ne. = Nuru went to see Dr. Yai.
dokumentari (n) documentary (also doku)
dole (n) doll
donati (n) donut, doughnut, mandazi eg Isaka le donati je. = Isaac wants to buy a doughnut.
dori (n) hunting expedition
dotkomu (adj) dotcom
dozi (n) doze
dra (adj) bitter; [(n) death, (v) die] eg Sitani ma dra ecekoko! = The Devil must die!
Dracunculiasis (n) Guinea Worm disease
Drajini (n) subcounty in Yumbe District, southwest of Kuru, parish in Arua taken from Yumbe
Dramani (n) male-given name meaning "HE died for me", male-given name in Gonja Tribe of Northern Ghana eg Ghana ma prezidenti 'ba omve Dramani. = Ghana's president is called Dramani.
Dramu (n) male-given name, meaning "Death went"
dri (adj) hot, (v) warm, heat; [(n) head (also drifa); hand] eg Ma dri ni ga! = My head is paining!
dri ci (v) suffer (past tense ci dri) eg Yobu ci dri Sitani ma e'yo si. = Job suffered because of the Devil.
dri ndiria (n) right hand (also dri ada)
dri ni aazu mali (n) drowsiness
dri osuza tualu (phr) putting your hands together in one plate to eat food
dria (adv) all; [on the head, ahead (also driale)] eg YESU dra 'ba dria ni! = JESUS died for all/ everybody!
driavi (n) forgetfulness
driada (n) right hand or side (also dri enya nyazuri)
driadria (n) gift hampers eg Adomati nde driadria. = Adomati won gift hampers.
driago (n) thumb
driale (adv, n) (in) future (also drusi)
drianzi (n, plu of drimva) fingers
dribi (n) hair eg Vincho ni afro dribi su. = Vincho wears afro hair.
Dribidu (n) hairy Lugbara hero ancestor who died on Mt. Wati. His other name which he also gave his first son was Banyale (Eater of men) because he enjoyed human liver and after being discovered was excommunicated from his earlier home in the East Bank of the Albert Nile
dribiforo (n) grey hair
dricepi (n) leader, commander in inter-clan or inter-tribe aggressions
dricere (n) mentor, guardian, the one who guides you to see and go far, headmaster
driceza (n) management, authority, headship, leadership (also dricezu), power eg Prezident (K)shi omve Driceza ma Agbatara ni. = President Xi called for the Leadership Discussion.
driceza o'bi ma egatasi (n) democracy
drieji (n) left hand or side (also drileji, dri iji) eg Agatha ni drieji ayu. = Agatha uses the left hand.
dria (adv) all; [on the head, ahead (also driale)] eg YESU dra 'ba dria ni! = JESUS died for all/ everybody!
driavi (n) forgetfulness
driada (n) right hand or side (also dri enya nyazuri)
driadria (n) gift hampers eg Adomati nde driadria. = Adomati won gift hampers.
driago (n) thumb
driale (adv, n) (in) future (also drusi)
drianzi (n, plu of drimva) fingers
dribi (n) hair eg Vincho ni afro dribi su. = Vincho wears afro hair.
Dribidu (n) hairy Lugbara hero ancestor who died on Mt. Wati. His other name which he also gave his first son was Banyale (Eater of men) because he enjoyed human liver and after being discovered was excommunicated from his earlier home in the East Bank of the Albert Nile
dribiforo (n) grey hair
dricepi (n) leader, commander in inter-clan or inter-tribe aggressions
dricere (n) mentor, guardian, the one who guides you to see and go far, headmaster
driceza (n) management, authority, headship, leadership (also dricezu), power eg Prezident (K)shi omve Driceza ma Agbatara ni. = President Xi called for the Leadership Discussion.
driceza o'bi ma egatasi (n) democracy
drieji (n) left hand or side (also drileji, dri iji) eg Agatha ni drieji ayu. = Agatha uses the left hand.
drifa (n) head eg Rodrygo Goes su golo drifa si. = Rodrygo Goes scored a goal with his head.
drigaza (n) headache
drile (adv) ahead eg Sticka kini, "Ama mu drile, acani go vile ku!" = Sticka said, "We are moving ahead, we won't go backwards!"
Drile Agrikeca ma e'yo Onepi (n) Chief Agricultural Officer
Drile Suru ocepi (n) Head of State
drileba (n) luck, fortune, blessing, opportunity
drilemgbo (v) certifification, permission, go ahead, opening for going forward eg UBOS nzi drilemgbo. = UBOS certified
drileonzi (n) bad luck, misfortune, witchcraft curse
drimva (n) finger
drinza (n) shame, disgrace, shyness
drio (adv) early, long ago, sometime back
driondi (n) dirty hand, (fig. use) poison
drionzi (n) stubbornness
driwala (n) independence, freedom, liberty eg Uganda esu driwala eli 1962. = Uganda got independence in 1962.
dro (v) send away, chase eg Ayakaka ni ti dro amvu-a ri si. = Ayakaka is chasing the cows from the garden.
drozi (adv) the day after tomorrow
drusi (adv) tomorrow
du (v) grow eg grass, set on fire, sting, (n) point eg Mi 'di 88.7 [Kali aro drini aro du aziri] Arua One ni iri ria, (sema yote)! = You are listening to 88.7 [Eighty eight point seven] Arua One, (say it all)!
duani (n) court eg Mindreru ni mu duani-a. = Mindreru is going to court.
Dubai (n) village south of Arua City in Ocoko Parish, Ajia Subcounty with name inspired by the Dubai in United Arab Emirates
Duka Geri (n) Duka Road, bypass road from Adumi Road to Go Down Road via the north end of Arua Taxi Park
dukani (n) shop (also duka) eg "Mambo Bado" ni Drabo ma dukani. = "Mambo Bado" is Drabo's shop.
duluka (n) "dance" in Nubian language, a community and tourist attraction where music can even be played on banana stems and considered a Lugbara dance
Ee [shares many words with Ii]
drigaza (n) headache
drile (adv) ahead eg Sticka kini, "Ama mu drile, acani go vile ku!" = Sticka said, "We are moving ahead, we won't go backwards!"
Drile Agrikeca ma e'yo Onepi (n) Chief Agricultural Officer
Drile Suru ocepi (n) Head of State
drileba (n) luck, fortune, blessing, opportunity
drilemgbo (v) certifification, permission, go ahead, opening for going forward eg UBOS nzi drilemgbo. = UBOS certified
drileonzi (n) bad luck, misfortune, witchcraft curse
drimva (n) finger
drinza (n) shame, disgrace, shyness
drio (adv) early, long ago, sometime back
driondi (n) dirty hand, (fig. use) poison
drionzi (n) stubbornness
driwala (n) independence, freedom, liberty eg Uganda esu driwala eli 1962. = Uganda got independence in 1962.
dro (v) send away, chase eg Ayakaka ni ti dro amvu-a ri si. = Ayakaka is chasing the cows from the garden.
drozi (adv) the day after tomorrow
drusi (adv) tomorrow
du (v) grow eg grass, set on fire, sting, (n) point eg Mi 'di 88.7 [Kali aro drini aro du aziri] Arua One ni iri ria, (sema yote)! = You are listening to 88.7 [Eighty eight point seven] Arua One, (say it all)!
duani (n) court eg Mindreru ni mu duani-a. = Mindreru is going to court.
Dubai (n) village south of Arua City in Ocoko Parish, Ajia Subcounty with name inspired by the Dubai in United Arab Emirates
Duka Geri (n) Duka Road, bypass road from Adumi Road to Go Down Road via the north end of Arua Taxi Park
dukani (n) shop (also duka) eg "Mambo Bado" ni Drabo ma dukani. = "Mambo Bado" is Drabo's shop.
duluka (n) "dance" in Nubian language, a community and tourist attraction where music can even be played on banana stems and considered a Lugbara dance
Ee [shares many words with Ii]
e ka (conj) if you, when eg E ka te ise osiza ma nga mi ti-a, mi te saa ezu tu! = If you wait for fried grasshoppers to fly into your mouth, then you wait a very long time!
E ko muke (greeting) Did you sleep well? (also Mi fu ngoni?); [Sleep well! (also E la muke!)]
E li ava asianzu-a! (phr) Rest in peace!, RIP!
e'bi (n) fish (also i'bi)
e'bu (n) hoe (also i'bu); [(v) overflow (said of sth cooking)]
e'da (n) picture, diagram, photograph (also foto, picha), illustration (also i'da) eg Leonardo Da Vinci ni e'da gba rangi si. = Leonardo Da Vinci is painting a picture.
E ko muke (greeting) Did you sleep well? (also Mi fu ngoni?); [Sleep well! (also E la muke!)]
E li ava asianzu-a! (phr) Rest in peace!, RIP!
e'bi (n) fish (also i'bi)
e'bu (n) hoe (also i'bu); [(v) overflow (said of sth cooking)]
e'da amve (v) expose
e'de (v) fall
e'do (v) start, begin (also i'do, o'do), form, start up or found (an organisation) eg Mira Nair e'do Maisha Filmlab Kampala-a. = Mira Nair founded Maisha Filmlab in Kampala.
e'doza (n) beginning, source, start (up) eg John Speke isu Nile ma E'doza ni. = John Speke discovered the Source of the Nile.
e'du (v) pick (also i'du)
e'yere (adv) slowly (also iere)
e'yo (n) word, saying, matter, sentence, clause (also eyho) eg Apedel kini afazi etu ma vule-a 'bani eco nze e'yo 100 (turu alu) sikuni yo. = Apedel said there is nothing under the sun that cannot be discussed with 100 words.
e'yo 'yoo (v) speak
e'yo a'bi ni (n) heritage, culture (also kalic[h]a)
e'yo azi yo (phr) no other issue, no problem
e'yo alenia 'diyi (n) contents
e'yo bari (n) good news, gospel (also e'yo ba) eg Sharapova eri e'yo bari. = Sharapova heard good news.
e'yo drikulukulu (n) headlines
e'yo eceza (n) revelation eg Ikinyang isu e'yo eceza. = Ikinyang got a revelation.
e'yo eriza (n) listening (also erita), news especially on broadcast media
e'yo laza (n) news (also e'yo eriza, o'duko) eg E'yo laza: Edison Adiribo kini 'ba ma du amvu ti ku. = News: Edison Adiribo said people must not set garden ends on fire.
e'yo li (v) judge
e'yo lipiri (n) judge (also agu e'yo lipiri)
e'yo liza (n) judgement, justice (also e'yo amaza muke ri), the early Lugbara had a boiling medicine oracle (diviner) who used a snail shell - the operator pours medicine from the pot into small clay cups set in a smouldering fire (Smaller cups represent suspects and the larger with a handle confirms verdicts)
e'yo ndu ndu efini be (n) glossary
e'yo niza (n) knowledge
e'yo nzeza (n) spoken word
e'yo o'beza (n) proverb(s), olugero in Luganda
e'yo politiki ni (n) politics
e'yobuku (n) dictionary eg Agaba ni e'yobuku la. = Agaba is reading a dictionary.
eba (n) buck
ebe'de (n) tea without sugar (also ibe'de)
Ebenezer (n) Ebenezer Show or Overnight on New Year's Day in Arua City
ebi (adj) fresh, raw (also ebiru), wet (also ibi); [(v) gum, glue, paste] eg Patrick ni ebi! = Patrick is fresh!
Ebi (n) river in Eastern DR Congo eg Robi enga Ebi Miri-a. = A hippo came from Ebi River.
ebia (n) all green grasshopper
ebibi (n) leaves, (also ebiko)
eca (v) arrive (also ica) eg Aci eca 'bo! = Electricity has come (already)!
ecandi (v) mistreat, molest, torture
ece (v) show, explain, demonstrate; [miss, (n) calabash (also erece, zukulu)] eg Ma ece mi sana! = I missed you a lot!
ecea (n) type of gourd (also okelea)
gamete (n) government
garaji (n) garage, workshop eg Walusimbi ma Garaji = Walusimbi's Garage
garama (n) branch of a plant
gari (n) bicycle (also karia), vehicle; [rainbow] eg Richardi ni i-ma gari ji ide. = Richard is taking his bicycle for repair.
garimosi (n) train (also dogodogo)
gasia (n) rubbish (also gasiya)
gavuna (n) governor
gaze (n) traditional Lugbara dance
gazeti (n) newspaper (also waraga, magazini, magazeti) eg David Rupiny e'do West Niler Gazeti. = David Rupiny started West Niler Newspaper.
gba (v) beat, hit, strike, draw picture, take or snap photo, print
gbanda (n) cassava (also banda, olaa) which includes types like sanje and tongolo which can last for five years eg Brens sa gbanda Mbale-a. = Brens planted cassava in Mbale.
Gbandolite (n) home area of President Mobutu Sese Seko where Lugbara settled during their migration from Nigeria
gbanza (n) debt (also deni)
gbata (n) phone call
gbe (n) egg eg Amanya je augbe. = Amanya bought a chicken egg
gbee (n) fox that resembles a dog (also o'boloko), someone who steals village fowl and goats
gbeta (n) vomit (also gbeza)
gbi (v) shoot eg Klay ni bi azini gbi. = Klay catches and shoots.
gbita (n) shot (also gbiza)
gbolo (n) bed
Gboro (n) Lugbara ancestor in mythology who hunted water animals like hippopotamus, crocodile and fish. He was the father of Oli (Banyale), Olu (Angundru who ran away but left footprints on Mt. Wati till today), Kibira (Ajupiri) and Obaru
Gborogboro (n) superhuman Lugbara hero ancestor, first man created by ADROA and his name means "the person coming from the sky"
gborondu (n) unsocial
gbudri (n) shoulders
gbuluku (n) hornbill
gele (n) headgear
geri (n) way, path (also gerika, geriko, giri, girika or giriko)
geria (adv) on the way
gerialu (n) oneway
gerika (n) road eg Idi Amin Gerika ni e'do Oil Well Odu Stesoni-a = Idi Amin Road starts at Oil Well Petrol Station.
Gerika Amvu'yaza Ombo Otuzu (n) Agricultural Production and Marketing (APM)
geritia (adv) along the way, by the path
geti (n) gate eg Nyagua ni geti gba rangi eka si. = Nyagua is painting the gate with red paint.
geto (n) ghetto
Ghana (n) Ghana eg Nadia Buari enga Ghana-a. = Nadia Buari is from Ghana.
Giligili (n) suburb west of Arua City after Ediofe
Giriki (n) Greek eg Sembuya ni aa Giriki vu anyia. = Sembuya stays near a Greek.
Girimani (n) Germany, Deutschland, German language or person eg Mergelsberg ni Girimani-a. = Mergelsberg is in Germany.
girinaki (adj) unkempt like hair (also girikinya, gurukunya)
e'de (v) fall
e'do (v) start, begin (also i'do, o'do), form, start up or found (an organisation) eg Mira Nair e'do Maisha Filmlab Kampala-a. = Mira Nair founded Maisha Filmlab in Kampala.
e'doza (n) beginning, source, start (up) eg John Speke isu Nile ma E'doza ni. = John Speke discovered the Source of the Nile.
e'du (v) pick (also i'du)
e'yere (adv) slowly (also iere)
e'yo (n) word, saying, matter, sentence, clause (also eyho) eg Apedel kini afazi etu ma vule-a 'bani eco nze e'yo 100 (turu alu) sikuni yo. = Apedel said there is nothing under the sun that cannot be discussed with 100 words.
e'yo 'yoo (v) speak
e'yo a'bi ni (n) heritage, culture (also kalic[h]a)
e'yo azi yo (phr) no other issue, no problem
e'yo alenia 'diyi (n) contents
e'yo bari (n) good news, gospel (also e'yo ba) eg Sharapova eri e'yo bari. = Sharapova heard good news.
e'yo drikulukulu (n) headlines
e'yo eceza (n) revelation eg Ikinyang isu e'yo eceza. = Ikinyang got a revelation.
e'yo eriza (n) listening (also erita), news especially on broadcast media
e'yo laza (n) news (also e'yo eriza, o'duko) eg E'yo laza: Edison Adiribo kini 'ba ma du amvu ti ku. = News: Edison Adiribo said people must not set garden ends on fire.
e'yo li (v) judge
e'yo lipiri (n) judge (also agu e'yo lipiri)
e'yo liza (n) judgement, justice (also e'yo amaza muke ri), the early Lugbara had a boiling medicine oracle (diviner) who used a snail shell - the operator pours medicine from the pot into small clay cups set in a smouldering fire (Smaller cups represent suspects and the larger with a handle confirms verdicts)
e'yo ndu ndu efini be (n) glossary
e'yo niza (n) knowledge
e'yo nzeza (n) spoken word
e'yo o'beza (n) proverb(s), olugero in Luganda
e'yo politiki ni (n) politics
e'yobuku (n) dictionary eg Agaba ni e'yobuku la. = Agaba is reading a dictionary.
eba (n) buck
ebe'de (n) tea without sugar (also ibe'de)
Ebenezer (n) Ebenezer Show or Overnight on New Year's Day in Arua City
ebi (adj) fresh, raw (also ebiru), wet (also ibi); [(v) gum, glue, paste] eg Patrick ni ebi! = Patrick is fresh!
Ebi (n) river in Eastern DR Congo eg Robi enga Ebi Miri-a. = A hippo came from Ebi River.
ebia (n) all green grasshopper
ebibi (n) leaves, (also ebiko)
eca (v) arrive (also ica) eg Aci eca 'bo! = Electricity has come (already)!
ecandi (v) mistreat, molest, torture
ece (v) show, explain, demonstrate; [miss, (n) calabash (also erece, zukulu)] eg Ma ece mi sana! = I missed you a lot!
ecea (n) type of gourd (also okelea)
ecekere (n) bad thing
eceta (n) missing; [vision] (also iceta)
ecetaru (pas. part) as an example
ecetasi (adv) for example
eci (v) deceive, delay; [join (also ici)]
ecikici (n) cloudy day (also ecici)
eco (adj) can, capable (also ico) eg Ee ama eco ra! = Yes we can!
eceta (n) missing; [vision] (also iceta)
ecetaru (pas. part) as an example
ecetasi (adv) for example
eci (v) deceive, delay; [join (also ici)]
ecikici (n) cloudy day (also ecici)
eco (adj) can, capable (also ico) eg Ee ama eco ra! = Yes we can!
Ecora (n) male-given name meaning "He can"
ede (v) clean, make, repair; [belittle, make fun of, despise] (also ide) eg Watergen ni yi ede oli si. = Watergen makes water using air.
edematararu (adj) contemptuous, pejorative
edezu (adv) for cleansing, for purifying, for repair
edia (n) chief warden
ediafe (n) pillar, chairperson, leader of the organisation eg Messi ni Baselona ma ediafe. = Messi is the pillar of Barcelona.
edio (n) tree with many broad leaves and black seeds (also edo, ediako), inspiration for the place name "Ediofe"
Ediofe (n) suburb west of Arua City, location of Ediofe Cathedral
edre (v) straighten
edri (n) life; [(v) send, pass]
edrika (n) mushroom
edro (v) chase away
edroo (n) rat (also idro[o], odro[o]) (totem for Terego Clan), edible rats include anabia, omba omba, alucaku, ombaya
edu (adj) thick, heavy
ee (adv) yes (direct opposite of yo)
efeza (n) gift, present (also asoso)
efi (n) meaning; [(v) smear, apply cream]
efi kaza (n) yield
efifi (n) tablets, pieces
efu (v) come out, rise eg Katuramu efu aru-a 'bo. = Katuramu came out of the prison already.
ega (v) mend; [remember, think, resurrect]
egaa (n) drinking cup from a gourd-like plant called ireje
ega bere (n) calabash used for alcohol
egata (n) thought, company vision
egaraka (n) crab
egbe (n) sweet; [coldness]
egbere (n) white ants collected in the early morning (4:30-6:00am) for making obangulu
egbuluku (n) hornbill
eii (n) owner (also ei) eg Kasimu ni eii ni. = Kasim is the owner.
eja (n) firewood (also ija)
ejakulesoni (n) ejaculation, orgasm
ejasi (n) tree stump
eje fala (n) rib bone
eji (v) left hand or side (also iji); [bring (also aji), resemble]
Ejipiti (n) Egypt (also Ejipto, Ejipito) eg Mo Salah enga Ejipto-a. = Mohammed Salah comes from Egypt.
eju (n) twin (also iju); [(v) stretch)] eg Nyakato ni eju. = Nyakato is a twin.
Ejua (n) male name given to a twin (also Ejuru [female], Ejoa, Ejoru - similar to Kato, Wasswa, Isabirye, Nabirye, Babirye, Nakato, Nyakato)
Ejupala (n) trading centre near Ewanga
ejuta (n) raising, prolonging, stretching
eka (adj) red; [(n) sugarcane (also ekaka or ika), (v) help] eg Muyindi Eka ma suru azi ma ru Cheyenne. = One of the Red Indian tribes was called Cheyenne.
Ekarakafe (n) place in Vurra, where the Sultan Isara Memorial Library is located
ekele (n) cough (also okele)
eki (pron) they (also iki, ki, eyi) eg Amuku azini Anyaku, eki akua. = Amuku and Anyaku, they are at home.
ekile (adj) like
ekilizia (n) church, cathedral (also kanisa, maybe kathidro)
ede (v) clean, make, repair; [belittle, make fun of, despise] (also ide) eg Watergen ni yi ede oli si. = Watergen makes water using air.
edematararu (adj) contemptuous, pejorative
edezu (adv) for cleansing, for purifying, for repair
edia (n) chief warden
ediafe (n) pillar, chairperson, leader of the organisation eg Messi ni Baselona ma ediafe. = Messi is the pillar of Barcelona.
edio (n) tree with many broad leaves and black seeds (also edo, ediako), inspiration for the place name "Ediofe"
Ediofe (n) suburb west of Arua City, location of Ediofe Cathedral
edre (v) straighten
edri (n) life; [(v) send, pass]
edrika (n) mushroom
edro (v) chase away
edroo (n) rat (also idro[o], odro[o]) (totem for Terego Clan), edible rats include anabia, omba omba, alucaku, ombaya
edu (adj) thick, heavy
ee (adv) yes (direct opposite of yo)
efeza (n) gift, present (also asoso)
efi (n) meaning; [(v) smear, apply cream]
efi kaza (n) yield
efifi (n) tablets, pieces
efu (v) come out, rise eg Katuramu efu aru-a 'bo. = Katuramu came out of the prison already.
ega (v) mend; [remember, think, resurrect]
egaa (n) drinking cup from a gourd-like plant called ireje
ega bere (n) calabash used for alcohol
egata (n) thought, company vision
egaraka (n) crab
egbe (n) sweet; [coldness]
egbere (n) white ants collected in the early morning (4:30-6:00am) for making obangulu
egbuluku (n) hornbill
eii (n) owner (also ei) eg Kasimu ni eii ni. = Kasim is the owner.
eja (n) firewood (also ija)
ejakulesoni (n) ejaculation, orgasm
ejasi (n) tree stump
eje fala (n) rib bone
eji (v) left hand or side (also iji); [bring (also aji), resemble]
Ejipiti (n) Egypt (also Ejipto, Ejipito) eg Mo Salah enga Ejipto-a. = Mohammed Salah comes from Egypt.
eju (n) twin (also iju); [(v) stretch)] eg Nyakato ni eju. = Nyakato is a twin.
Ejua (n) male name given to a twin (also Ejuru [female], Ejoa, Ejoru - similar to Kato, Wasswa, Isabirye, Nabirye, Babirye, Nakato, Nyakato)
Ejupala (n) trading centre near Ewanga
ejuta (n) raising, prolonging, stretching
eka (adj) red; [(n) sugarcane (also ekaka or ika), (v) help] eg Muyindi Eka ma suru azi ma ru Cheyenne. = One of the Red Indian tribes was called Cheyenne.
Ekarakafe (n) place in Vurra, where the Sultan Isara Memorial Library is located
ekele (n) cough (also okele)
eki (pron) they (also iki, ki, eyi) eg Amuku azini Anyaku, eki akua. = Amuku and Anyaku, they are at home.
ekile (adj) like
ekilizia (n) church, cathedral (also kanisa, maybe kathidro)
ekizibiti (n) exhibit, evidence
eko stovu (n) eco stove that uses volcanic rock for cooking instead of charcoal or firewood, takes two years for the rock to burn out eg Sandra ni eko stovu ayu. = Sandra is using an eko stove.
ekosani coroni (n) ecosan [ecological sanitation] latrine, envirolet
eku (v) announce, make noise (also iku)
ekuta (n) praise, noise, announcement (also ekuza)
Ekweta (n) Equator eg Yi ni aci ndundu Ekweta ma dria azini eri ma kala iri Koriolisi ma e'yo si. = Water moves differently on the Equator and its two sides because of Coriolis.
ele (adj) down
elekendre (n) chameleone
Elekitoro Komisoni (n) Electoral Commission
eli (n) lust; [knife, thigh, year, dry season, make fall, tickle] eg Werrason osi Moliambo-a Krismasi si eli 1965. = Werrason was born in Moliambo on Christmas Day in the year 1965.
Eli O'di Ayikoru! (phr) Happy New Year, Bonane!
elifura (n) dust (also erifura and furuku)
elio (n) fig tree
eliriga (n) millipede
emaa (n) owl (also imaa) eg Arturo ne emaa pati ma garama dria. = Arthur saw an owl on the branch of a tree.
emba (n) moon (also mba), net; [teach (also imba)] eg Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) awa emba yiyia ni arobe. = Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) distributed treated mosquito nets.
embapi (n) teacher (usually imbapi), coach, manager
embata (n) teaching, education (also imbata, onita)
embeleke (n) gorilla, ape, chimpanzee, golden 50,000 UgX CHOGM Monument banknote with Independence Sculpture and apes at the back - mazike (also emgbeleke) eg Mwiga ni gu embeleke le. = Mwiga laughs like a chimpanzee.
embu (v) jump (also mbu)
emi (pron) you (plu); [(v) push towards] eg Emi imu anyaki! = (You) come and we eat [Mujje tulye]!
emu (v) mix, come
emunyale (n) refugee (also omunyale)
emve (adj) white, (n) ankle ring eg Karimu Benzema su sati emve. = Karim Benzema wore a white shirt.
Emve (n) river on the Koboko Highway after Enyau River (also Imve, rarely Enve, Inve)
emvu (n) orphan; [pot]
emvua (n) young orphan; [small pot]
ena (v) bewitch
enata (n) witchcraft (also acife)
endiria (n) duicker (also ovaa)
endra (n) meanness, selfishness
endrau (n) selfish person
endri (n) shade eg Fat A ri endri-a. = Fat A sat in the shade.
endrilendri (n) shadow
endru (n) vice, assistant, deputy
endrundrua (n) leech
enga (v) originate, derive, emerge, come from; [germinate, rise] eg Edwin enga SMACK-a. = Edwin came from SMACK.
engazu (adv) since (also ingazu)
engu (v) exalt, praise (also epi)
enya (n) food (also nyaka) eg Fene ni enya. = Jackfruit is food.
enyakinya (n) poison (also enyataa)
enyasa (n) staple bread from cassava, millet, sorghum or maize flour (also atapa, kalo), mush
enyata (n) poison eg 'Ba azi fe Sera ni enyata. = Someone gave Sera poison.
enyati (n) clan, zone, area of residence, constituency, community (also zoni)
Enyau (n) longest River Nile tributary in Arua flowing northwards from Vurra via Ediofe and pours into the Albert Nile after bending eastwards through northern Ayivu eg Wambuzi ma Bamboo Village ni Enyau Gerika-a. = Wambuzi's Bamboo Village is on Enyau Road.
enyi (n) skin; [(prep) near (also enyia, inyi, inyia)] eg Lubega ma jo Lidia dri vu enyi. = Lubega's house is near Lydia's.
enza (n) laziness; [(v) trouble, mistreat]
enzamatara (n) mistreatment (also enzaza)
enzo (n) lie
enzo'ba (n) liar, deceiver
epi (v) exalt (also engu), praise, put on air, be proud
eko stovu (n) eco stove that uses volcanic rock for cooking instead of charcoal or firewood, takes two years for the rock to burn out eg Sandra ni eko stovu ayu. = Sandra is using an eko stove.
ekosani coroni (n) ecosan [ecological sanitation] latrine, envirolet
eku (v) announce, make noise (also iku)
ekuta (n) praise, noise, announcement (also ekuza)
Ekweta (n) Equator eg Yi ni aci ndundu Ekweta ma dria azini eri ma kala iri Koriolisi ma e'yo si. = Water moves differently on the Equator and its two sides because of Coriolis.
ele (adj) down
elekendre (n) chameleone
Elekitoro Komisoni (n) Electoral Commission
eli (n) lust; [knife, thigh, year, dry season, make fall, tickle] eg Werrason osi Moliambo-a Krismasi si eli 1965. = Werrason was born in Moliambo on Christmas Day in the year 1965.
Eli O'di Ayikoru! (phr) Happy New Year, Bonane!
elifura (n) dust (also erifura and furuku)
elio (n) fig tree
eliriga (n) millipede
emaa (n) owl (also imaa) eg Arturo ne emaa pati ma garama dria. = Arthur saw an owl on the branch of a tree.
emba (n) moon (also mba), net; [teach (also imba)] eg Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) awa emba yiyia ni arobe. = Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) distributed treated mosquito nets.
embapi (n) teacher (usually imbapi), coach, manager
embata (n) teaching, education (also imbata, onita)
embeleke (n) gorilla, ape, chimpanzee, golden 50,000 UgX CHOGM Monument banknote with Independence Sculpture and apes at the back - mazike (also emgbeleke) eg Mwiga ni gu embeleke le. = Mwiga laughs like a chimpanzee.
embu (v) jump (also mbu)
emi (pron) you (plu); [(v) push towards] eg Emi imu anyaki! = (You) come and we eat [Mujje tulye]!
emu (v) mix, come
emunyale (n) refugee (also omunyale)
emve (adj) white, (n) ankle ring eg Karimu Benzema su sati emve. = Karim Benzema wore a white shirt.
Emve (n) river on the Koboko Highway after Enyau River (also Imve, rarely Enve, Inve)
emvu (n) orphan; [pot]
emvua (n) young orphan; [small pot]
ena (v) bewitch
enata (n) witchcraft (also acife)
endiria (n) duicker (also ovaa)
endra (n) meanness, selfishness
endrau (n) selfish person
endri (n) shade eg Fat A ri endri-a. = Fat A sat in the shade.
endrilendri (n) shadow
endru (n) vice, assistant, deputy
endrundrua (n) leech
enga (v) originate, derive, emerge, come from; [germinate, rise] eg Edwin enga SMACK-a. = Edwin came from SMACK.
engazu (adv) since (also ingazu)
engu (v) exalt, praise (also epi)
enya (n) food (also nyaka) eg Fene ni enya. = Jackfruit is food.
enyakinya (n) poison (also enyataa)
enyasa (n) staple bread from cassava, millet, sorghum or maize flour (also atapa, kalo), mush
enyata (n) poison eg 'Ba azi fe Sera ni enyata. = Someone gave Sera poison.
enyati (n) clan, zone, area of residence, constituency, community (also zoni)
Enyau (n) longest River Nile tributary in Arua flowing northwards from Vurra via Ediofe and pours into the Albert Nile after bending eastwards through northern Ayivu eg Wambuzi ma Bamboo Village ni Enyau Gerika-a. = Wambuzi's Bamboo Village is on Enyau Road.
enyi (n) skin; [(prep) near (also enyia, inyi, inyia)] eg Lubega ma jo Lidia dri vu enyi. = Lubega's house is near Lydia's.
enza (n) laziness; [(v) trouble, mistreat]
enzamatara (n) mistreatment (also enzaza)
enzo (n) lie
enzo'ba (n) liar, deceiver
epi (v) exalt (also engu), praise, put on air, be proud
Epife (n) Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari eg Ismail Tuku ni Epife. = Ismail Tuku is the Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari.
era (n) granary (also ero), stone; [flow]
era mva (n) peeble, piece of rock
eraka (n) red soil that gets caught on your foot when you step into a pond or edge of a river, mixed with oil or fat and smeared on the body to give a reddish look, used by Congolese too eg Mulato ni i-ma rua tri eraka si. = Mulato smears her body with eraka soil.
Eraka (n) trading centre in Aliba Parish, about a mile east of Lokiragodo T-Junction
ere (v) top up, add, increase; scatter, spread
erece (n) calabash (also co'do, irece, egagbere in Maracha dialect, okele in Madi dialect, okelea, zukulu)
erezaru (adj) scattered
eri (pron) he/ she/ it; [(v) hear, listen)] eg Ludia ni Rose Muhando ma ongo eri. = Ludia is listening to Rose Muhando's music.
Eri ma orindi ma li ava asianzu 'dani 'dani ri ma-a! (phr) May his/ her soul rest in eternal peace!/ RIP
eri-i (pron) him/ her
erio (n) aerial, antenna
eriti (n) clouds
eritiru (adj) cloudy
Eritrea (n) Danieli ni gari nzu Eritrea ni. = Daniel cycles a bike for Eritrea.
ero (v) lift a heavy thing
era (n) granary (also ero), stone; [flow]
era mva (n) peeble, piece of rock
eraka (n) red soil that gets caught on your foot when you step into a pond or edge of a river, mixed with oil or fat and smeared on the body to give a reddish look, used by Congolese too eg Mulato ni i-ma rua tri eraka si. = Mulato smears her body with eraka soil.
Eraka (n) trading centre in Aliba Parish, about a mile east of Lokiragodo T-Junction
ere (v) top up, add, increase; scatter, spread
erece (n) calabash (also co'do, irece, egagbere in Maracha dialect, okele in Madi dialect, okelea, zukulu)
erezaru (adj) scattered
eri (pron) he/ she/ it; [(v) hear, listen)] eg Ludia ni Rose Muhando ma ongo eri. = Ludia is listening to Rose Muhando's music.
Eri ma orindi ma li ava asianzu 'dani 'dani ri ma-a! (phr) May his/ her soul rest in eternal peace!/ RIP
eri-i (pron) him/ her
erio (n) aerial, antenna
eriti (n) clouds
eritiru (adj) cloudy
Eritrea (n) Danieli ni gari nzu Eritrea ni. = Daniel cycles a bike for Eritrea.
ero (v) lift a heavy thing
Ero Wudrikuru dri (n) World Bank
eroo (n) granary (also ero), woven basket-like storage facility with a dome-shaped thatch roof, storage facility for food and valuable items, beneath also serves as a location for the sacrificial altar, solace place for troubled people, songs are composed under it, taboo for men to climb into it, hiding place for children during war, complete removal of the top is a bad omen for starvation
erota (n) heavy lifting
Eru (n) river between Mt. Liru and Wati, drains into Enyau
Erua (n) name given by Kebu to Arua Hill
Eruba (n) place near Odia Nyadri on the Nebbi Highway at the junction heading to Vurra, name given by Kebu during their migration meaning "Respect people, do not transgress"
ese (n) grasshopper; [(v) pull] (also ise)
esekele (n) midst eg Ama esekele-a! = In our midst!
esele (n) demarcation, border, difference, variant, variation, division in exam results eg Anzi 100 aga ki Esele 1 ma-a. = 100 children passed in Division 1.
esese (n) gum, glue
Esita (n) Esther (also Esiteri)
eskoti (n) escort, accompaniment for e'bede tea such as groundnuts, potatoes, cassava, etc eg Okiror ni eskoti nya. = Okiror is eating escort.
esu (n) tendon, muscle; [(v) find, discover, get (also isu)] eg E ka eri nda, mi eri esu Guinness Buku-a. = If you're looking for him, you can find him in the Guinness Book.
etata (n) run off, torrent
etatangule (n) tadpole
eti (n) buttocks; [tamarind (more often iti)]; (prep) bottom; Mount Eti (also Iti or Wati)
eti e'do (v) invest, start up a business
eti e'doza (n) start-up (investment), beginning
etia (prep) underneath
etiriko (n) snail
etirili (n) cricket (also etiringili)
eto (v) rescue eg YESU, mi eto ma! = JESUS, (you) rescue me!
etoo (n) hare, rabbit (also otoo)
etota (n) redemption (also etoza)
etra (v) collect, gather
etru (v) come close; [untie]
etu (n) sun, borossus tree (also itu, otu)
etu ambo (n) day of celebration, public holiday, Christmas
Etu ambo 'Ba ma kalafe Wudrikuru-a (isuzu) ri (n) World Population Day
etu ni 'deria (n) west (also ayia, woko etu ni 'deria)
etu ni efuria (n) east (also andrale, woko etu ni efuria)
etuka (n) sunshine
etusi (adv) during the day
etusile (n) sunshine
euetere (n) breakfast (also obiti)
eve (v) burn (also ive)
eveza (adj) burnt
evu (n) basket made from sorghum stems or shoots and used for gathering harvests
evua (n) small basket plate
ewa (n) elephant; [difficulty, beer (also iwa), strength] eg Ewa ni aa ase-a. = An elephant resides in the bush.
Ewanga (n) parish according to Ministry of Finance but subcounty according to the Ministry of Local Government, island-like extension on River Enyau which is a tributary of River Nile separated from Moyo by River Foligo, former parish under Rigbo Subcounty and part of Aringa in false maps but then a subcounty on its own in Arua District, also claimed to be Madiland because the main language spoken is Madi, elevated to subcounty in 2005, disputed over since 1993 from records - too far to be administered by Arua and proposal made to hand it to Yumbe but there was no alteration of boundaries by Parliament since Independence
Ewapa (n) Elephantiasis
ewaru (adj) difficult (also ewaewa, iwaru, owaowa) eg Fe eca ewaru tu mani mi lezu. = He made it so hard for me to love you.
ewasi (n) elephant tusk, ivory
ewe (v) sweep (also iwe, we) eg Bayi ni stowa ale ewe. = Bayi is sweeping the store floor.
ewu (n) era, period, season (also mange)
Ewuata (n) suburb south of Arua City and west of Muni near Nebbi Highway
eyi (pron) they, them eg Ocitia ji eyi Malayika-a. = Ocitia took them to Malayika.
eyio (n) crocodile
eza (n) meat; [sin (also ezata, izata), (v) spoil (also iza)] eg Andala nya eza ku. = Andala does not eat meat.
ezata (n) act that destroys or leads to sickness and death for instance incest, homicide, illegitimate pregnancy, persistent quarelling, repeated fighting
eze (n) dung, faeces, waste eg 'Ba atri ongo omvele "Eze" avizu redio-a. = The song entitled "Faeces" was stopped from playing on radio.
ezele (n) anus
ezi (v) open; [pray]
ezia (adj) thin
Ezia (n) Asia eg Kimani ni Ezia-a. = Kimani is in Asia.
ezo (n) girlfriend, fiancee; [warthog, wild pig (also ezoo)]
ezoanzi (n) girls eg Ezoanzi maliru. = Girls are like wealth.
ezopi (n) daughters
ezu (adj) long, tall; [(v) multiply]
Ezuku (n) place in Vurra, where the Isara Memorial Cultural Community Library (IMCCL) Project is located and where the Centenary of Christianity in West Nile was celebrated by the Anglican Church of Uganda (2018)
ezuta (n) multiplication (also sometimes ezutaa)
Ff
fa (v) cut, scrape
fakini (adj, adv) absolutely messed up
fala (n) bone (also falako or coko)
faleko ondriza (n) polio (also falako ondriza)
FaMa (n) FM, Frequency Modulation (also Fama) eg 94.1 (Kali-oromi-drini-su, du alu) Nile FaMa = 94.1 (Ninety-four, point one) Nile FM
fara (n) fool, stupid person (also fala, yala)
farasi (n) horse (also akanya) eg Agupi su nzuki farasi dria E'yo Eceza 6-a. = Four men rode on horses in Revelation 6.
farisei (n) pharisee
Fasi fasi (interj) Give way
fayilu (n) file, folder, sharpening file (also failu, fayiro) eg Kalibala nzi fayilu. = Kalibala opened the file.
fe (n) tree; [(v) give] eg MUNGU ni fe ra, 'ba ma itisa 'ba ku! = GOD gives, noone should frighten one!
federesoni (n) federation eg FUFA (Federesoni Uganda ma Ongulumu dria Mupira ni) pe Muhammad Shaban (I)jagason MVP eli 2016. = FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations) voted Muhammad Shaban (I)jagason as MVP in the year 2016.
federo (n) federal state, federalism
feki (n) fake (also feke)
fene (n) jackfruit eg Mugisha ni fene li. = Mugisha is cutting jackfruit.
fesibuku (n) facebook (also miletibuku) eg Andeku ni fesibuku-a ci. = Andeku is available on facebook.
feta (n) gift, pass, present (also feza) eg Guardiola ni Feta ma Opi. = Guardiola is the Pass Master.
fi (n) cold (also fita or fiza), intestine, innards, offals, (suffix) added for ordinary substances to express single particles or pieces like irafi means tiny piece of stone; [(v) enter]
fifi (adj) cold
filimu (n) film (also sinema) eg Joel Okuyo Atiku (Prynce) avi Wycliffe-i filimu Battle of the Souls-a. = Joel Okuyo Atiku (Prynce) plays Wycliffe in the film Battle of the Souls.
filimu e'yo adaniri (n) documentary (also dokumentari, doku)
Filipino (n) Philippine citizen or national language of The Philippines
finali (n) final (also abala asizuri, fainolu) eg Mikaeli Jordani nde NBA Finali woro 6 (azia) erini cazuri. = Michael Jordan won all the six NBA Finals he reached.
firindi (n) whistle (also firimbi)
fita (n) entrance
fiva (n) fever (also driza) eg Palermo ni supertele tu fiva tro. = Palermo is kicking the supertele with fever.
flaski (n) flask
fo (v) itch
fonje fonje (n) soft
fomu (n) form, online application (also formu, karatasi ofizaru) eg Fatuma ni ima fomu ofi. = Fatuma is filling in her form.
foro (adj) grey (also foroforo or foroto); [tilapia] eg Akullo su bongo foroforo. = Akullo wore a grey dress.
foto (n) photo (also i'da)
fotokopi (n) photocopy eg Moses gba fotokopi "Makutano Junction" vu. = Moses made a photocopy near Makutano Junction.
Frenji (n) French (also Frenzi), 3rd Most Spoken Language from outside Africa after Arabic and English
fu (n) flower, (v) go out; [fight, kill] eg Leni ni fu gba. = Leni is drawing a flower.
fulani (n) vest
fundi (n) builder, constructor, mason, technician, painter, repairer eg Nyero ni fundi 55 Foundation-a. = Nyero is a constructor in 55 Foundation.
fungua (n) key
funo (n) groundnut(s) (also funyo)
funyu (n) bits, fragments (also funyu funyu)
fura (n) flour
furufuru (n) lung eg Furufuru si 'ba ava se. = Lungs are for breathing.
futa (n) fight
fuza (n) getting out
Gg [is silent before b]
ga (adj) full (also ga tre), (v) ache eg head, chop eg tree, cut, dig; [crawl, refuse] eg YESU ga mi ku! = JESUS does not reject you!
gaa (adj) small, little (also gakandia or gakanya)
gaagaa (n) crow
gadi gadi (n) wheelbarrow-like push cartwheel usually wooden but can also be metallic used to ferry groceries for sale on streets
gakandia (adj) small, little (also gakanya)
gala'ba (n) snake, cobra eg Gala'ba ni 'ba ci. = A snake bites people.
galu galu (adj) not compact eg Kaka 'di galu galu! = This maize is not compact.
Gambia (n) place in Africa where the Lugbara settled while migrating from Nigeriaeroo (n) granary (also ero), woven basket-like storage facility with a dome-shaped thatch roof, storage facility for food and valuable items, beneath also serves as a location for the sacrificial altar, solace place for troubled people, songs are composed under it, taboo for men to climb into it, hiding place for children during war, complete removal of the top is a bad omen for starvation
erota (n) heavy lifting
Eru (n) river between Mt. Liru and Wati, drains into Enyau
Erua (n) name given by Kebu to Arua Hill
Eruba (n) place near Odia Nyadri on the Nebbi Highway at the junction heading to Vurra, name given by Kebu during their migration meaning "Respect people, do not transgress"
ese (n) grasshopper; [(v) pull] (also ise)
esekele (n) midst eg Ama esekele-a! = In our midst!
esele (n) demarcation, border, difference, variant, variation, division in exam results eg Anzi 100 aga ki Esele 1 ma-a. = 100 children passed in Division 1.
esese (n) gum, glue
Esita (n) Esther (also Esiteri)
eskoti (n) escort, accompaniment for e'bede tea such as groundnuts, potatoes, cassava, etc eg Okiror ni eskoti nya. = Okiror is eating escort.
esu (n) tendon, muscle; [(v) find, discover, get (also isu)] eg E ka eri nda, mi eri esu Guinness Buku-a. = If you're looking for him, you can find him in the Guinness Book.
etata (n) run off, torrent
etatangule (n) tadpole
eti (n) buttocks; [tamarind (more often iti)]; (prep) bottom; Mount Eti (also Iti or Wati)
eti e'do (v) invest, start up a business
eti e'doza (n) start-up (investment), beginning
etia (prep) underneath
etiriko (n) snail
etirili (n) cricket (also etiringili)
eto (v) rescue eg YESU, mi eto ma! = JESUS, (you) rescue me!
etoo (n) hare, rabbit (also otoo)
etota (n) redemption (also etoza)
etra (v) collect, gather
etru (v) come close; [untie]
etu (n) sun, borossus tree (also itu, otu)
etu ambo (n) day of celebration, public holiday, Christmas
Etu ambo 'Ba ma kalafe Wudrikuru-a (isuzu) ri (n) World Population Day
etu ni 'deria (n) west (also ayia, woko etu ni 'deria)
etu ni efuria (n) east (also andrale, woko etu ni efuria)
etuka (n) sunshine
etusi (adv) during the day
etusile (n) sunshine
euetere (n) breakfast (also obiti)
eve (v) burn (also ive)
eveza (adj) burnt
evu (n) basket made from sorghum stems or shoots and used for gathering harvests
evua (n) small basket plate
ewa (n) elephant; [difficulty, beer (also iwa), strength] eg Ewa ni aa ase-a. = An elephant resides in the bush.
Ewanga (n) parish according to Ministry of Finance but subcounty according to the Ministry of Local Government, island-like extension on River Enyau which is a tributary of River Nile separated from Moyo by River Foligo, former parish under Rigbo Subcounty and part of Aringa in false maps but then a subcounty on its own in Arua District, also claimed to be Madiland because the main language spoken is Madi, elevated to subcounty in 2005, disputed over since 1993 from records - too far to be administered by Arua and proposal made to hand it to Yumbe but there was no alteration of boundaries by Parliament since Independence
Ewapa (n) Elephantiasis
ewaru (adj) difficult (also ewaewa, iwaru, owaowa) eg Fe eca ewaru tu mani mi lezu. = He made it so hard for me to love you.
ewasi (n) elephant tusk, ivory
ewe (v) sweep (also iwe, we) eg Bayi ni stowa ale ewe. = Bayi is sweeping the store floor.
ewu (n) era, period, season (also mange)
Ewuata (n) suburb south of Arua City and west of Muni near Nebbi Highway
eyi (pron) they, them eg Ocitia ji eyi Malayika-a. = Ocitia took them to Malayika.
eyio (n) crocodile
eza (n) meat; [sin (also ezata, izata), (v) spoil (also iza)] eg Andala nya eza ku. = Andala does not eat meat.
ezata (n) act that destroys or leads to sickness and death for instance incest, homicide, illegitimate pregnancy, persistent quarelling, repeated fighting
eze (n) dung, faeces, waste eg 'Ba atri ongo omvele "Eze" avizu redio-a. = The song entitled "Faeces" was stopped from playing on radio.
ezele (n) anus
ezi (v) open; [pray]
ezia (adj) thin
ezo (n) girlfriend, fiancee; [warthog, wild pig (also ezoo)]
ezoanzi (n) girls eg Ezoanzi maliru. = Girls are like wealth.
ezopi (n) daughters
ezu (adj) long, tall; [(v) multiply]
Ezuku (n) place in Vurra, where the Isara Memorial Cultural Community Library (IMCCL) Project is located and where the Centenary of Christianity in West Nile was celebrated by the Anglican Church of Uganda (2018)
ezuta (n) multiplication (also sometimes ezutaa)
Ff
fa (v) cut, scrape
fakini (adj, adv) absolutely messed up
fala (n) bone (also falako or coko)
faleko ondriza (n) polio (also falako ondriza)
FaMa (n) FM, Frequency Modulation (also Fama) eg 94.1 (Kali-oromi-drini-su, du alu) Nile FaMa = 94.1 (Ninety-four, point one) Nile FM
fara (n) fool, stupid person (also fala, yala)
farasi (n) horse (also akanya) eg Agupi su nzuki farasi dria E'yo Eceza 6-a. = Four men rode on horses in Revelation 6.
farisei (n) pharisee
Fasi fasi (interj) Give way
fayilu (n) file, folder, sharpening file (also failu, fayiro) eg Kalibala nzi fayilu. = Kalibala opened the file.
fe (n) tree; [(v) give] eg MUNGU ni fe ra, 'ba ma itisa 'ba ku! = GOD gives, noone should frighten one!
federesoni (n) federation eg FUFA (Federesoni Uganda ma Ongulumu dria Mupira ni) pe Muhammad Shaban (I)jagason MVP eli 2016. = FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations) voted Muhammad Shaban (I)jagason as MVP in the year 2016.
federo (n) federal state, federalism
feki (n) fake (also feke)
fene (n) jackfruit eg Mugisha ni fene li. = Mugisha is cutting jackfruit.
fesibuku (n) facebook (also miletibuku) eg Andeku ni fesibuku-a ci. = Andeku is available on facebook.
feta (n) gift, pass, present (also feza) eg Guardiola ni Feta ma Opi. = Guardiola is the Pass Master.
fi (n) cold (also fita or fiza), intestine, innards, offals, (suffix) added for ordinary substances to express single particles or pieces like irafi means tiny piece of stone; [(v) enter]
fifi (adj) cold
filimu (n) film (also sinema) eg Joel Okuyo Atiku (Prynce) avi Wycliffe-i filimu Battle of the Souls-a. = Joel Okuyo Atiku (Prynce) plays Wycliffe in the film Battle of the Souls.
filimu e'yo adaniri (n) documentary (also dokumentari, doku)
finali (n) final (also abala asizuri, fainolu) eg Mikaeli Jordani nde NBA Finali woro 6 (azia) erini cazuri. = Michael Jordan won all the six NBA Finals he reached.
firindi (n) whistle (also firimbi)
fita (n) entrance
fiva (n) fever (also driza) eg Palermo ni supertele tu fiva tro. = Palermo is kicking the supertele with fever.
flaski (n) flask
fo (v) itch
fonje fonje (n) soft
fomu (n) form, online application (also formu, karatasi ofizaru) eg Fatuma ni ima fomu ofi. = Fatuma is filling in her form.
foro (adj) grey (also foroforo or foroto); [tilapia] eg Akullo su bongo foroforo. = Akullo wore a grey dress.
foto (n) photo (also i'da)
fotokopi (n) photocopy eg Moses gba fotokopi "Makutano Junction" vu. = Moses made a photocopy near Makutano Junction.
Frenji (n) French (also Frenzi), 3rd Most Spoken Language from outside Africa after Arabic and English
fu (n) flower, (v) go out; [fight, kill] eg Leni ni fu gba. = Leni is drawing a flower.
fulani (n) vest
fundi (n) builder, constructor, mason, technician, painter, repairer eg Nyero ni fundi 55 Foundation-a. = Nyero is a constructor in 55 Foundation.
fungua (n) key
funo (n) groundnut(s) (also funyo)
funyu (n) bits, fragments (also funyu funyu)
fura (n) flour
furufuru (n) lung eg Furufuru si 'ba ava se. = Lungs are for breathing.
futa (n) fight
fuza (n) getting out
Gg [is silent before b]
ga (adj) full (also ga tre), (v) ache eg head, chop eg tree, cut, dig; [crawl, refuse] eg YESU ga mi ku! = JESUS does not reject you!
gaa (adj) small, little (also gakandia or gakanya)
gaagaa (n) crow
gadi gadi (n) wheelbarrow-like push cartwheel usually wooden but can also be metallic used to ferry groceries for sale on streets
gakandia (adj) small, little (also gakanya)
gala'ba (n) snake, cobra eg Gala'ba ni 'ba ci. = A snake bites people.
galu galu (adj) not compact eg Kaka 'di galu galu! = This maize is not compact.
gamete (n) government
garaji (n) garage, workshop eg Walusimbi ma Garaji = Walusimbi's Garage
garama (n) branch of a plant
gari (n) bicycle (also karia), vehicle; [rainbow] eg Richardi ni i-ma gari ji ide. = Richard is taking his bicycle for repair.
garimosi (n) train (also dogodogo)
gasia (n) rubbish (also gasiya)
gavuna (n) governor
gaze (n) traditional Lugbara dance
gazeti (n) newspaper (also waraga, magazini, magazeti) eg David Rupiny e'do West Niler Gazeti. = David Rupiny started West Niler Newspaper.
gba (v) beat, hit, strike, draw picture, take or snap photo, print
gbanda (n) cassava (also banda, olaa) which includes types like sanje and tongolo which can last for five years eg Brens sa gbanda Mbale-a. = Brens planted cassava in Mbale.
Gbandolite (n) home area of President Mobutu Sese Seko where Lugbara settled during their migration from Nigeria
gbanza (n) debt (also deni)
gbata (n) phone call
gbe (n) egg eg Amanya je augbe. = Amanya bought a chicken egg
gbee (n) fox that resembles a dog (also o'boloko), someone who steals village fowl and goats
gbeta (n) vomit (also gbeza)
gbi (v) shoot eg Klay ni bi azini gbi. = Klay catches and shoots.
gbita (n) shot (also gbiza)
gbolo (n) bed
Gboro (n) Lugbara ancestor in mythology who hunted water animals like hippopotamus, crocodile and fish. He was the father of Oli (Banyale), Olu (Angundru who ran away but left footprints on Mt. Wati till today), Kibira (Ajupiri) and Obaru
Gborogboro (n) superhuman Lugbara hero ancestor, first man created by ADROA and his name means "the person coming from the sky"
gborondu (n) unsocial
gbudri (n) shoulders
gbuluku (n) hornbill
gele (n) headgear
geri (n) way, path (also gerika, geriko, giri, girika or giriko)
geria (adv) on the way
gerialu (n) oneway
gerika (n) road eg Idi Amin Gerika ni e'do Oil Well Odu Stesoni-a = Idi Amin Road starts at Oil Well Petrol Station.
Gerika Amvu'yaza Ombo Otuzu (n) Agricultural Production and Marketing (APM)
geritia (adv) along the way, by the path
geti (n) gate eg Nyagua ni geti gba rangi eka si. = Nyagua is painting the gate with red paint.
geto (n) ghetto
Ghana (n) Ghana eg Nadia Buari enga Ghana-a. = Nadia Buari is from Ghana.
Giligili (n) suburb west of Arua City after Ediofe
Giriki (n) Greek eg Sembuya ni aa Giriki vu anyia. = Sembuya stays near a Greek.
Girimani (n) Germany, Deutschland, German language or person eg Mergelsberg ni Girimani-a. = Mergelsberg is in Germany.
girinaki (adj) unkempt like hair (also girikinya, gurukunya)
giriye (n) meal from Koboko
gita (n) guitar eg Bobu avi gita. = Bob played the guitar.
glavu (n) glove eg Dokta Avivu su glavu dria. = Doctor Aviv wore gloves on the hand.
go (v) return
go'dogo'do (adj) crooked (also gonigoni)
gobolo (n) louse, lice
Googo (n) Google (also Googolu, Gugo) eg Sergey Brin azini Larry Page e'doki Googo ni. = Sergey Brin and Larry Page started Google.
golfu (n) golf (also golufu, golofu, opangi) eg Shanita ni golfu avi. = Shanita is playing golf.
golo (n) football, goal eg Sizza Okhuti su golo. = Caesar Okhuti scored a goal.
gologota (n) place of burial, graveyard
Gologota (n) Golgotha, the Place of a Skull in Jerusalem
goloko (n) bushy or grassy place
gombolola (n) subcounty (also jo ago), division eg Arua Hill Gombolola = Arua Hill Division
gonja (n) plantain (also makemba)
goro (n) type of drug eg Eriki goro nya. = Eric consumes goro.
gorofa (n) storeyed building eg Nagimesi ni aa gorofa-a. = Nagimesi stays in a storeyed building.
gospo (n) gospel
grinedi (n) grenade
grupu (n) group
gu (v) roll, turn over; [laugh] eg Sarai gu. = Sarai laughed.
guke (n) trumpet used by boys and men in most of their dance (also guka)
Gulu (n) place in Northern Uganda found east of Arua and Rhino Camp plus Amuru, north of Masindi eg Chobe Safari Lodge ni Gulu ma ageia. = Chobe Safari Lodge is near Gulu.
gunyagunya (adj) much, said of greeting
guru (n) deep; [(v) fell over, turned over]
gurunya (n) type of yam, creeping plant that grows on other plants for support
guta (n) laughter eg Hahaha, ata mba kirikiri! Wa, hahaha, eh, hahaha!
gutiya (n) sack eg Dintle je gutiya Ndedra Stores-a. = Dintle bought a sack at Ndedra Stores.
izu (adv) long; [(v) increase] eg Jhene ngo ongo sawa izu. = Jhene sang for long.
izuru (adj) long, tall eg Daphne ni izuru. = Daphne is tall.
izuza (n) addition, multiplication (also ezuza)
ja (v) cure, heal, get lost, turn eg Ramsey ma pa ja 'bo. = Ramsey's leg healed already.
jaketi (n) jacket eg Lino su jaketi ini. = Lino wore a black jacket.
Jaki (n) Lugbara shero ancestor with magical powers, also known as Jaki Lolo, died on Mt. Liru
Japani (n) Japan eg Yukio azini Kazusmemo enga Japani-a. = Yukio and Kazusmemo are from Japan.
je (v) buy, purchase, marry, wed eg Jamilu je Fatima-i. = Jamil married Fatima.
jeba (n) pocket
jegejege (n) coins, metal money (also kucukucu)
jeleko (n) horn, bugle, trumpet
jenereta (n) generator
jere (n) shrub
jeta (n) wedding, marriage, buying (also jeza)
Jezebeli (n) Jezebel, the Most Notorious Woman in the Bible alongside Mystery Babylon, false prophetess in the Book of Revelation, Queen of Abominations
ji (v) brush the teeth, sharpen blade; [take] eg Yikii ji ti Muni-a. = Yikii took cows to Muni.
Jiako (n) suburb near Arua Airport separated from Adalafu by Oli River
Jinja (n) town east of Victoria Nile near the Source of the Nile, previously Uganda's Most Industrialised Town, landmarks include Owen Falls Dam and the Source of the Nile Bridge, capital of Busoga Kingdom eg Rokani ni aa Nkokonjeru-a, te eri mu skulu la Jinja-a. = Rokani stays in Nkokonjeru, but he goes to school in Jinja.
jo (n) house eg Franko ma jo Ariwara-a ri ma dri eka. = Franco's house in Ariwara has a red top.
jo ago (n) Local Council (LC) 3 Chairman, chief, subcounty (also gombolola) eg Aroi Jo ago = Aroi Subcounty
jo dri (n) roof eg Sabo ni jo dri gba. = Sabo is fixing the roof.
jo ejele (n) neighbour (also jirani) eg Apaga ni ama jo ejele. = Apaga is our neighbour.
jo were (n) latrine (also coroni)
jobileko eti (n) verandah (also jo eti)
jojoa (n) stinky, long-mouthed rat that causes the cleaner, common rat to vacate a house when it enters
jokoni (n) kitchen eg Adira ni jokoni-a. = Adira is in the kitchen.
joloko (n) remainder eg joloko acepi = left overs
jomile (n) window eg Arima ni jomile su. Arima is fixing the window.
Jonamu (n) Jonam, county east of Padyere, its Most Major Town is Pakwach
Jorodani (n) river found somewhere between Mvara SS and Emmanuel Cathedral in Arua, River Jordan in Israel (also Yoridani, Jorudani, Jordani), the name Jordan
joroti (n) parliament (also koloseni)
jorovu (n) nest, shell
jotile (n) door eg Joi ri jotile vu. = Joy sat near the door.
jua kali (n) manual work, manual labourer, hustler
Juba (n) Capital City of the Republic of South Sudan eg Kiama mu Juba-a. = Kiama went to Juba.
judikeca (n) judicature eg duani judikeca ni = court of judicature
jujua (n) smelly rat with protruding mouth and two teeth showing (When it enters a house, the usual rats go out)
juru (n) foreigner, alien, stranger
jurua (n) bag
juyisi (n) juice eg Yvonne ni juyisi mvu tampeko si. = Yvonne is drinking juice in a tumpeco cup.
Kk [is silent before p]
k (infix) avoids hiatus in case of reduplicated adjectives beginning and ending with a vowel eg inikini = darkish
ka (adv) when, (conj) if, (suffix) essential to words like acika means fire smoke or ituka means sun shine; [(v) yield] eg Kaka ni ka 'ba sikokori ni. = Maize yields for people without teeth/ Good things happen to people who least need them. [Lugbara Proverb]
kaati (n) door
Kabaka (n) king of the Baganda eg Pira mu Kabaka vu. = Pira went to the Kabaka.
kabalagala (n) pancake
kabilo (n) sheep
kabilo ago (n) ram
kabilo aroni (n) ewe
kabilomva (n) lamb, young sheep eg Abrahamu ni kabilomva oce. = Abraham is rearing a lamb.
kadi (n) card
kadogo (n) young gun
kafetiria (n) cafeteria, cafe, coffee shop, restaurant, canteen eg Kajumba so pa Julius ma kafetiria vu. = Kajumba is standing near Julius's Cafeteria.
kafiri (n) pagan
kafu (n) small hoe (also kafua)
kafuto (n) foam, lather
kai (adj) in vain; [(n) custom of giving a bull for clan to eat or a male pays a goat to the father of the female he has sex with similar to Genesis 38:16-17 (also kayi)]
kaiko (n) beans [in Terego dialect] (also osu)
kaiko burusu (n) peas
Kairo (n) Cairo, capital city of Egypt
kajo (n) calf (also kajoa)
Kajo Keji (n) place in South Sudan north of Moyo Town
kaka (n) maize, relative eg Ali Saleh Kiba ni ma kaka. = Ali Saleh Kiba is my relative.
Kakaparaka (n) fictional suburb in Arua meaning "Maize stem" eg Bodhi ni mu yi we Kakaparaka-a. = Bodhi is going to swim in Kakaparaka.
kakau (adj) many eg Mikaeli Jordani nyo rekodi kakau. = Michael Jordan broke many records.
Kakau (n) Legion Demons
Kakwa (n) Luo tribe north of Lugbara
Kakwati (n) Kakwa language
kala (n) side (also woko)
kala andraleruri (n) north
kala etu ni efuria (n) east side
kala etu ni 'deria (n) west side eg Ampaire enga kala etu ni 'deria. = Ampaire is from the west side.
kalaa (adv) aside; [(n) metallic basin]
kalafe (n) amount, number of
kalamanda (n) sandals, slippers
kalamu (n) pen, pencil eg BiC ni kalamu. = BiC is a pen.
kalasi (prep) on the side
kalati (n) side (also woko)
kali (n) kraal; [stick, tens of twenty to ninety] eg 39 (kali na drini oromi) = thirty nine, XXXIX
kalikali (adj) sweet
kalitusi (n) eucalyptus
kalooli (n) marabou stork
kalulu (n) election
kame (n) spoon, ladle
Kameruni (c) Cameroon eg Mr. Ibu ne Naomi-i Kameruni-a. = Mr. Ibu saw Naomi in Cameroon.
kami (n) lion
Kampala (n) Capital City of Uganda (also Kambala), marketplace in Logiri Gombolola (of West Nile) eg Drijaru mu Kampala mba na. = Drijaru went to Kampala for three months.
kampuni (n) company
kamura odu (n) edible oil from the bark of a certain tree
Kanada (n) Canada eg Musarait enga Kanada-a. = Musarait is from Canada.
kandi (n) ball (borrowed from Lingala), candy
kani (adv, conj, prep) maybe, rather (also kanisi), otherwise, if; [except]
kanisa (n) church, cathedral eg Richard ni mu Hillsong Kanisa-a. = Richard is going to Hillsong Church.
kanisiku (conj) or, or else, if not eg Mi ica tajiriru kanisiku e dra desi mi o'biria! = Get rich or die trying!
kansa (n) cancer eg YESU eco kansa ati ra! = JESUS can heal cancer!
kansela (n) counsellor eg Inze e'yo kansela be! = Talk to the counsellor!
kapia (n) stork
kapteni (n) captain (also kaputeni) eg Patrick Vieira ni Arseno ma Kapteni 'bani ndekuye eli 2004 si. = Patrick Vieira was Arsenal's invincible Captain in 2004.
karakara (pron) many
karakara fe (n) white man
Karamoja (n) region in northeastern Uganda occupied by the Karamojong (or Karimojong People)
karani (n) secretary, clerk eg Kalibala ni karani. = Kalibala is a secretary.
karakaca (n) old bulbs
karata (n) playing cards
karatasi (n) paper
karatasi biasara niri (n) licence (also kokobi tujara 'yezu)
karatasi mutuka onzuzu (n) driver's licence, driving permit
karati (n) karate
kari (adj) young female animal (of a cow, goat etc), kingdom, nation, tribal house eg Lugbara Kari = Lugbara Kingdom
Kari Ticitaru (n) United Nations
karia (n) bicycle (also baskili, gari), cycle, circle eg Ecora ni karia nzu. = Ecora is riding a bicycle.
kariba Uganda ni (n) Ugandan citizen eg Opu ni kariba Uganda ni. = Opu is a Ugandan citizen.
karibu (interj, n) welcome (also Ma ai mi ra!)
karikaca (n) caricature (also katuni) eg Karikaca New Vision Gazeti-a ci. = There is caricature in New Vision Newspaper.
karile (n) boy, male teenager
Karongo (n) trading centre in Tara Subcounty on the Nyadri to Kololo Road
karoti (n) carrot eg Pato ni karoti nya. = Pato is eating carrot.
karukaru (adj) crunchy like a carrot
Karukaru (n) place after Lokiragodo but before the Cico Construction Base in Maracha
Karuma (n) town near waterfalls and a bridge across the Victoria Nile as it flows from Lake Kyoga to Albert, location of a 600 MegaWatt dam and game park eg Sinohydro si Karuma Dam. = Sinohydro buillt Karuma Dam.
kasese (n) colourless alcoholic drink with sharp burning sting in its taste and scent, named after Kasese in Western Uganda eg Baluku ni kasese mvu. = Baluku is drinking kasese.
kasino (n) casino
kasitoma (n) customer eg Africell ma kasitoma. = Customer of Africell.
kasuku (n) parrot (also izi mi cicio) eg ALEX ni kasuku. = ALEX is a parrot.
kasunda (n) big saucepan
Kata (n) Qatar (also Katara) eg FIFA World Cup 2022 ni Kata-a = FIFA World Cup 2022 is in Qatar.
katara (n) shoes (also nyila, viato, engato in Luganda)
Katari (n) sb or sth from Qatar
katekista (n) catechist eg Baguma ni katekista. = Baguma is a catechist.
Katolika (n) Catholic (also Katulika, Katuluka) eg 'Banduyo ni Katolika. = Banduyo is a Catholic.
katrikatri (adj) with straight edges
katro (adv) even if
katuni (n) cartoon eg Batman ni Katuni Ndripi Ndeni ri! = Batman is the Most Entertaining Cartoon!
katunkuma (n) small berries or ntula
kawa (n) coffee
kawunga (n) maize flour
Kaya (n) town in southern South Sudan near the Koboko Border
kayo (n) first son, heir
gita (n) guitar eg Bobu avi gita. = Bob played the guitar.
glavu (n) glove eg Dokta Avivu su glavu dria. = Doctor Aviv wore gloves on the hand.
go (v) return
go'dogo'do (adj) crooked (also gonigoni)
gobolo (n) louse, lice
Googo (n) Google (also Googolu, Gugo) eg Sergey Brin azini Larry Page e'doki Googo ni. = Sergey Brin and Larry Page started Google.
golfu (n) golf (also golufu, golofu, opangi) eg Shanita ni golfu avi. = Shanita is playing golf.
golo (n) football, goal eg Sizza Okhuti su golo. = Caesar Okhuti scored a goal.
gologota (n) place of burial, graveyard
Gologota (n) Golgotha, the Place of a Skull in Jerusalem
goloko (n) bushy or grassy place
gombolola (n) subcounty (also jo ago), division eg Arua Hill Gombolola = Arua Hill Division
gonja (n) plantain (also makemba)
goro (n) type of drug eg Eriki goro nya. = Eric consumes goro.
gorofa (n) storeyed building eg Nagimesi ni aa gorofa-a. = Nagimesi stays in a storeyed building.
gospo (n) gospel
grinedi (n) grenade
grupu (n) group
gu (v) roll, turn over; [laugh] eg Sarai gu. = Sarai laughed.
guke (n) trumpet used by boys and men in most of their dance (also guka)
Gulu (n) place in Northern Uganda found east of Arua and Rhino Camp plus Amuru, north of Masindi eg Chobe Safari Lodge ni Gulu ma ageia. = Chobe Safari Lodge is near Gulu.
gunyagunya (adj) much, said of greeting
guru (n) deep; [(v) fell over, turned over]
gurunya (n) type of yam, creeping plant that grows on other plants for support
guta (n) laughter eg Hahaha, ata mba kirikiri! Wa, hahaha, eh, hahaha!
gutiya (n) sack eg Dintle je gutiya Ndedra Stores-a. = Dintle bought a sack at Ndedra Stores.
Hh
hajati (n) hajjati, a female who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca
haji (n) haj, hajji, a male who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca
hakalu (n) temple
haki (n) right (borrowed from Swahili)
Halleluya (adj, n) Pentecostal, Saved, Born again group (also Krosi) eg Kanisa Halleluya ni = Pentecostal Church
hau (adj) quick, brief
hau hau (adj) rough
Hausa (n) language and tribe in Nigeria, 2nd Most Spoken African Language after Kiswahili
Hepataitisi (n) Hepatitis
hijabu (n) hijab, Muslim headscarf, veil eg Rebeka su hijabu. = Rebecca wore a hijab.
ho (adj) open (also hu)
Holi (n) Hindu festival of colours
Hollandi (n) Holland, Netherlands eg Overmars enga Hollandi-a. = Overmars is from Holland.
horohoro (adj) light
Hospito Geri (n) Hospital Road eg Container Village ni andraa Hospito Geri-a. = Container Village used to be on Hospital Road.
hoteli (n) hotel eg Desert Breeze ni hoteli mini ico esu Arua Golf Course ma ageia. = Desert Breeze is a hotel you can find near the Arua Golf Course.
Humsa (n) Lugbara splinter tribe that moved from Chad through Nuba Mountains into Western Ethiopia and call water yi and fire aci plus other words just like the Lugbara of Uganda
huruhuru (adj) satisfied, when something plastic is filled to the brim
Ii [shares many similar words with Ee]
i (prefix, pron) his/ her/ its - separated from object owned by hyphen; [(suffix) that is him/ her/ it - separated by hyphen, pronounced "ee" like in see (v) grind into powder; tie eg to a peg] eg 'Da Denisi-i! = That is Denis!
i-ka (prep) if (also e ka)
i'bi (n) fish (also e'bi)
i'da (n) photo, picture, diagram, drawing; [(v) show, appear, broadcast or screen on TV] eg Sofi ni i'da gba. = Sophie is shooting a photo.
i'da ci (adj) visible (also i'da ce)
i'da ku (adj) invisible
i'data (n) appearance (also i'daza)
i'do (v) start, begin
i'yo (n) word, speech (also e'yo) eg Haruna ni i'yo nze Social Centre-a. = Haruna is giving a speech at Social Centre.
iba (n) Ugandan kob, Thomasi
ibi (v) gum, glue, stick (also ebi); [has/ have been] eg Hana ibi MUNGU ai. = Hannah has been praying to GOD.
ibio (n) spider (also ibioibio, inikiniki)
ibiokamanaka (n) spider web
ica (v) arrive eg Asara ica 'bo. = Asara has arrived.
icata (n) arrival (also icaza)
ice (n) calabash; [(v) demonstrate, show off; miss]
icea (n) small calabash
iceta (n) demonstration, example, specimen (also eceta)
ici (adj) bad weather (during rainy season); [(v) join, connect; deceive] eg Orobi ni Edi ma dri ici ici. = Dreams lie to Edi.
icikici (n) cloudy day especially in rainy season
icikili (n) black ants that move in a group and can sting
icita (n) deceipt; [joining, connection]
ico (adj) can, capable (also eco); [(phr v) beat] eg Ico aco ku! = Do not wage a fight!
ide (v) clean; [minimise, abuse, make fun of, despise] (also ede)
idematara (n) insult, foolery (also edematara)
idi (n) porridge
Idi (n) Africanised name for the Arabic word Eid, Muslim feast at the end of Ramadan or Hijja Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, name given to the Ugandan President Amin by his father Andrea Amin Dada because he was born on Eid Day (Wednesday 30th May 1928 which is 10 Dhu-al-Hijjah 1346 in the Islamic Calendar)
idri (n) life; [(v) send, pass (also edri)] eg Hezekiya awi idri ru eli 15 dika. = Hezekiah stayed alive for 15 more years.
idria (n) razor blade eg Hamida ni karile ma dribi li idria si. = Hamida is cutting the young man's hair with a razor blade.
iere (adv) slowly
ifi (n) truth, reality, meaning, seed eg Korini Ekaru sa ifi Mutundwe-a. = Corinne Ekaru planted seeds in Mutundwe.
ifi kokoru (adj) meaningless
ifu (n) white ants gathered in the late afternoon around 3-4pm (also ofu)
igbe (n) coldness
igo (v) return eg Tasule igo. = Tasule returned.
ija (n) firewood eg Peri ni ija asi. = Perry is splitting firewood.
ije (n) rib
ijele (n) neighbour (also jo ijele, jirani)
iji (adj, adv) left side; [(v) bring] eg Mi iji mi idri ta mba YESU ma banki-a. = Bring your life to keep in JESUS's bank.
ijiribi (n) green vegetable (also ejiribi)
iju (n) lower hind part of leg, twins; [(v) stretch]
Ikafe (n) place in Yumbe, used as a refugee settlement area, about 60 kilometres from Arua, reminds you of a protruding rock written on (in all caps without what's in the parentheses) the warning: "TEETH CAN LOST, TE [But or TO?] BE CARE FUL, 2009"
ikikia (n) small black ant
iko (v) fetch liquid
ikoza (n) fetching, scoop
ikpa (v) press
ikpere (n) selfishness
iku (v) announce, make noise
ila (n) thorny bush that bears oranges, hard fruits
ile (adv) down, (adj) low, (n) change
ili (n) knife, trowel (also ilia though can mean small knife) eg Morini ni a'bua opi ili si. = Maureen is peeling bananas using a knife.
ilifiri (n) lust, covetousness (also elifiri, tama)
ilipaku (n) brother heart fruit (also mundu i'di)
ilo (v) touch
ilu (v) look, descend, make a hole through, tell
ililua (n) small hole or opening created by removing the top surface using fingers or a tool
ima (pron) his/ her/ its (also i-ma, archaic 'ima)
imba (v) teach eg Mayokia ni 'ba imba Maracha Sekondari-a. = Mayokia teaches at Maracha Secondary.
imba 'ba (n) teachers, educators, instructors, tutors, mentors
imbata (n) teaching, tutorial, lesson, education (also embata)
imbapi (n) teacher eg Lilliane ni imbapi. = Lilliane is a teacher.
imve (adj) white colour (pronounced inve) eg Ma Prezidenti ini, te eri ma jo woro imve. = My president is Black, but his house is all white.
Imvepi (n) parish in Odupi Subcounty of Terego County in Arua District, one of Arua's Refugee Settlement Areas opened in February 2017 to host South Sudanese
imvi (v) return, come back eg Nayiti imvi ini si. = Night returned at night.
imvu (n) pot (pronounced invu)
imu (phr v) come; [mix] eg Mi imu mavu! = Come to me!
ina (v) appear eg John Rambo ina ase-a. = John Rambo appeared in the bush.
inata (n) appearance
inda (v) search, google
indaneti (n) internet eg angu imve indaneti = white space internet
Inde (n) place between Upper and Lower Madi
indi (adv) too eg Dangote ni simiti ide indi. = Dangote makes cement too.
India (n) India eg Karo ni mu India-a. = Carol is going to India.
indrika (n) shade (also endrika) eg Nola ri indrika-a. = Nola is sitted in the shade.
inga (prep) from (also enga), (v) germinate, originate, come up, wake up; [wake up sb]
ini (adj) black, dark; [(n) night, darkness; (v) dirten, clean, erase] eg Ini si = At night
inibiricici (adj) very dark (also inicici)
inikini (adj) darkish
inikiniki (n) spider (also ibio, ibioibio)
iniriko (n) skin, hide
inshuarensi (n) insurance eg Kasimo ni azi nga Christopher Morgan Inshuarensi-a. = Kasimo works at Christopher Morgan Insurance.
instusoni (n) institute, institution (also instituti, institusoni) eg Kinsey mu instusoni-a. = Kinsey went to the institute.
inze (v) pull out, remove (also inje)
inzi (v) adore, glorify, respect; [squeeze] (pronounced inji) eg Yemala mi inzi mini MUNGU ma ru ori kokoru. = Yemala respect for yourself GOD's name without fear.
inzita (n) respect eg Inzita ma so pa i-ma pari-a! = Let respect stand in its place/ All protocol observed! (fig)
inzo (n) lie(s), falsehood(s), deception(s)
ipa (v) attach; [rob, take away forcefully]
ipe (v) vote eg Ipe Abiriga! = Vote Abiriga!
ipi (n) chin (also tiso) eg Tibitibi ni zo ipi dria. = Beards grow on the chin.
ireje (n) plant that grows like a gourd from which drinking cups are cut
iribi (n) pasture, green vegetable (also tibi ini) eg Adia ni iribi a'di. = Adia is cooking green vegetables.
irifia (n) wasp eg Irifia du ma. = The wasp stung me.
irii (n) compound (also iriidri)
iriko (adj) damaged, old eg Pallet Hub ni mbawu iriko ayu dika ra. = Pallet Hub can use damaged wood again.
iriti (adv) indefinitely; [(n) cloud(s)]
iritro (adv, adj, pron) both
irizori (adj) the second one (also irizo, irizuri) eg Daniel Arap Moi ni andraa Kenya ma prezident irizori. = Daniel Arap Moi was Kenya's second president.
isaku (n) sieve, container with holes at the bottom for filtering local salt or aitipa
ise (n) grasshopper
isekise (n) gum, glue
isi (v) move, climb down; [write, automatic]
Isiraeli (n) Israel eg North West isu ru biza Isiraeli-a. = North West received baptism in Israel.
islamuni (n) islamic eg Opi Fahadi ni islamuni. = King Fahd is islamic.
isu (v) find, get, receive (also esu) eg Mi eco Wendy ni isu Alanosi-a ra! = You can find Wendy at Alanos Country Club!
Italia (n) Italy (also Itali) eg AC Milan enga Italia-a. = AC Milan is from Italy.
ite (v) prepare eg porridge
Itegbara (n) half-breed who is both Itesot and Lugbara, someone with parents from both Teso and Lugbaraland eg Eli ni Itegbara ni. = Eli is an Itegbara.
iti (n) tamarind (sometimes eti) eg Lugbara azi ki iti omve IT. = Some Lugbara call tamarind IT [pronounced eye tea].
itini odaza (n) foundation (also itini o'beza)
itisi (n) coiled cloth or other material on which a pot is carried on the head
Itso (n) Lugbara clan in DR Congo [pronounced icho meaning able (Info from John Godo)]
itu (n) coconut palm
ituku (n) minute
Ive ra! (phr) You got burnt/ Thanks for the food! (also Eve ra!) (fig)
ivu (n) basket made from the covering of sorghum stalk; [(phr v) you blow]
ivua (n) food basket plate
iwa (n) beer eg Iwa mvuza onzi mi alata ni! = Drinking alcohol is bad for your health!
iya (interj, v) shake, sort eg Fify Hafy ngo ongo "Iyanga (Mi Ma Ruati)". = Fify Hafy sang the song "Shake (Your Body)".
iyi (n) water (also yi)
iyitia (adv) ashore
iza (n) meat; [sin (also ezata, izata), (v) spoil (also eza)]
iza'ba (n) wrongdoer, sinner
izakizaru (adj) shameful, disappointing
izapi te 'di (n) spoilt (also izapi 'bori), unhatched egg, alugbe
izi (phr v) you open; [you ask; (v) pray] eg Izi Googo! = Ask Google!
izia (adj) thin
izio (n) groom (also mugole); [in-laws]
izita (n) prayer
izuru (adj) long, tall eg Daphne ni izuru. = Daphne is tall.
izuza (n) addition, multiplication (also ezuza)
ja (v) cure, heal, get lost, turn eg Ramsey ma pa ja 'bo. = Ramsey's leg healed already.
jaketi (n) jacket eg Lino su jaketi ini. = Lino wore a black jacket.
Jaki (n) Lugbara shero ancestor with magical powers, also known as Jaki Lolo, died on Mt. Liru
Japani (n) Japan eg Yukio azini Kazusmemo enga Japani-a. = Yukio and Kazusmemo are from Japan.
je (v) buy, purchase, marry, wed eg Jamilu je Fatima-i. = Jamil married Fatima.
jeba (n) pocket
jegejege (n) coins, metal money (also kucukucu)
jeleko (n) horn, bugle, trumpet
jenereta (n) generator
jere (n) shrub
jeta (n) wedding, marriage, buying (also jeza)
Jezebeli (n) Jezebel, the Most Notorious Woman in the Bible alongside Mystery Babylon, false prophetess in the Book of Revelation, Queen of Abominations
ji (v) brush the teeth, sharpen blade; [take] eg Yikii ji ti Muni-a. = Yikii took cows to Muni.
Jiako (n) suburb near Arua Airport separated from Adalafu by Oli River
Jinja (n) town east of Victoria Nile near the Source of the Nile, previously Uganda's Most Industrialised Town, landmarks include Owen Falls Dam and the Source of the Nile Bridge, capital of Busoga Kingdom eg Rokani ni aa Nkokonjeru-a, te eri mu skulu la Jinja-a. = Rokani stays in Nkokonjeru, but he goes to school in Jinja.
jo (n) house eg Franko ma jo Ariwara-a ri ma dri eka. = Franco's house in Ariwara has a red top.
jo ago (n) Local Council (LC) 3 Chairman, chief, subcounty (also gombolola) eg Aroi Jo ago = Aroi Subcounty
jo dri (n) roof eg Sabo ni jo dri gba. = Sabo is fixing the roof.
jo ejele (n) neighbour (also jirani) eg Apaga ni ama jo ejele. = Apaga is our neighbour.
jo were (n) latrine (also coroni)
jobileko eti (n) verandah (also jo eti)
jojoa (n) stinky, long-mouthed rat that causes the cleaner, common rat to vacate a house when it enters
jokoni (n) kitchen eg Adira ni jokoni-a. = Adira is in the kitchen.
joloko (n) remainder eg joloko acepi = left overs
jomile (n) window eg Arima ni jomile su. Arima is fixing the window.
Jonamu (n) Jonam, county east of Padyere, its Most Major Town is Pakwach
Jorodani (n) river found somewhere between Mvara SS and Emmanuel Cathedral in Arua, River Jordan in Israel (also Yoridani, Jorudani, Jordani), the name Jordan
joroti (n) parliament (also koloseni)
jorovu (n) nest, shell
jotile (n) door eg Joi ri jotile vu. = Joy sat near the door.
jua kali (n) manual work, manual labourer, hustler
Juba (n) Capital City of the Republic of South Sudan eg Kiama mu Juba-a. = Kiama went to Juba.
judikeca (n) judicature eg duani judikeca ni = court of judicature
jujua (n) smelly rat with protruding mouth and two teeth showing (When it enters a house, the usual rats go out)
juru (n) foreigner, alien, stranger
jurua (n) bag
juyisi (n) juice eg Yvonne ni juyisi mvu tampeko si. = Yvonne is drinking juice in a tumpeco cup.
Kk [is silent before p]
k (infix) avoids hiatus in case of reduplicated adjectives beginning and ending with a vowel eg inikini = darkish
ka (adv) when, (conj) if, (suffix) essential to words like acika means fire smoke or ituka means sun shine; [(v) yield] eg Kaka ni ka 'ba sikokori ni. = Maize yields for people without teeth/ Good things happen to people who least need them. [Lugbara Proverb]
kaati (n) door
Kabaka (n) king of the Baganda eg Pira mu Kabaka vu. = Pira went to the Kabaka.
kabalagala (n) pancake
kabilo (n) sheep
kabilo ago (n) ram
kabilo aroni (n) ewe
kabilomva (n) lamb, young sheep eg Abrahamu ni kabilomva oce. = Abraham is rearing a lamb.
kadi (n) card
kadogo (n) young gun
kafetiria (n) cafeteria, cafe, coffee shop, restaurant, canteen eg Kajumba so pa Julius ma kafetiria vu. = Kajumba is standing near Julius's Cafeteria.
kafiri (n) pagan
kafu (n) small hoe (also kafua)
kafuto (n) foam, lather
kai (adj) in vain; [(n) custom of giving a bull for clan to eat or a male pays a goat to the father of the female he has sex with similar to Genesis 38:16-17 (also kayi)]
kaiko (n) beans [in Terego dialect] (also osu)
kaiko burusu (n) peas
Kairo (n) Cairo, capital city of Egypt
kajo (n) calf (also kajoa)
Kajo Keji (n) place in South Sudan north of Moyo Town
kaka (n) maize, relative eg Ali Saleh Kiba ni ma kaka. = Ali Saleh Kiba is my relative.
Kakaparaka (n) fictional suburb in Arua meaning "Maize stem" eg Bodhi ni mu yi we Kakaparaka-a. = Bodhi is going to swim in Kakaparaka.
kakau (adj) many eg Mikaeli Jordani nyo rekodi kakau. = Michael Jordan broke many records.
Kakau (n) Legion Demons
Kakwa (n) Luo tribe north of Lugbara
Kakwati (n) Kakwa language
kala (n) side (also woko)
kala andraleruri (n) north
kala etu ni efuria (n) east side
kala etu ni 'deria (n) west side eg Ampaire enga kala etu ni 'deria. = Ampaire is from the west side.
kalaa (adv) aside; [(n) metallic basin]
kalafe (n) amount, number of
kalamanda (n) sandals, slippers
kalamu (n) pen, pencil eg BiC ni kalamu. = BiC is a pen.
kalasi (prep) on the side
kalati (n) side (also woko)
kali (n) kraal; [stick, tens of twenty to ninety] eg 39 (kali na drini oromi) = thirty nine, XXXIX
kalitusi (n) eucalyptus
kalooli (n) marabou stork
kalulu (n) election
kame (n) spoon, ladle
Kameruni (c) Cameroon eg Mr. Ibu ne Naomi-i Kameruni-a. = Mr. Ibu saw Naomi in Cameroon.
kami (n) lion
Kampala (n) Capital City of Uganda (also Kambala), marketplace in Logiri Gombolola (of West Nile) eg Drijaru mu Kampala mba na. = Drijaru went to Kampala for three months.
kampuni (n) company
kamura odu (n) edible oil from the bark of a certain tree
Kanada (n) Canada eg Musarait enga Kanada-a. = Musarait is from Canada.
kandi (n) ball (borrowed from Lingala), candy
kani (adv, conj, prep) maybe, rather (also kanisi), otherwise, if; [except]
kanisa (n) church, cathedral eg Richard ni mu Hillsong Kanisa-a. = Richard is going to Hillsong Church.
kanisiku (conj) or, or else, if not eg Mi ica tajiriru kanisiku e dra desi mi o'biria! = Get rich or die trying!
kansa (n) cancer eg YESU eco kansa ati ra! = JESUS can heal cancer!
kansela (n) counsellor eg Inze e'yo kansela be! = Talk to the counsellor!
kapia (n) stork
kapteni (n) captain (also kaputeni) eg Patrick Vieira ni Arseno ma Kapteni 'bani ndekuye eli 2004 si. = Patrick Vieira was Arsenal's invincible Captain in 2004.
karakara (pron) many
karakara fe (n) white man
Karamoja (n) region in northeastern Uganda occupied by the Karamojong (or Karimojong People)
karani (n) secretary, clerk eg Kalibala ni karani. = Kalibala is a secretary.
karakaca (n) old bulbs
karata (n) playing cards
karatasi (n) paper
karatasi biasara niri (n) licence (also kokobi tujara 'yezu)
karatasi mutuka onzuzu (n) driver's licence, driving permit
karati (n) karate
kari (adj) young female animal (of a cow, goat etc), kingdom, nation, tribal house eg Lugbara Kari = Lugbara Kingdom
Kari Ticitaru (n) United Nations
karia (n) bicycle (also baskili, gari), cycle, circle eg Ecora ni karia nzu. = Ecora is riding a bicycle.
kariba Uganda ni (n) Ugandan citizen eg Opu ni kariba Uganda ni. = Opu is a Ugandan citizen.
karibu (interj, n) welcome (also Ma ai mi ra!)
karikaca (n) caricature (also katuni) eg Karikaca New Vision Gazeti-a ci. = There is caricature in New Vision Newspaper.
karile (n) boy, male teenager
Karongo (n) trading centre in Tara Subcounty on the Nyadri to Kololo Road
karoti (n) carrot eg Pato ni karoti nya. = Pato is eating carrot.
karukaru (adj) crunchy like a carrot
Karukaru (n) place after Lokiragodo but before the Cico Construction Base in Maracha
Karuma (n) town near waterfalls and a bridge across the Victoria Nile as it flows from Lake Kyoga to Albert, location of a 600 MegaWatt dam and game park eg Sinohydro si Karuma Dam. = Sinohydro buillt Karuma Dam.
kasese (n) colourless alcoholic drink with sharp burning sting in its taste and scent, named after Kasese in Western Uganda eg Baluku ni kasese mvu. = Baluku is drinking kasese.
kasino (n) casino
kasitoma (n) customer eg Africell ma kasitoma. = Customer of Africell.
kasuku (n) parrot (also izi mi cicio) eg ALEX ni kasuku. = ALEX is a parrot.
kasunda (n) big saucepan
Kata (n) Qatar (also Katara) eg FIFA World Cup 2022 ni Kata-a = FIFA World Cup 2022 is in Qatar.
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Katari (n) sb or sth from Qatar
katekista (n) catechist eg Baguma ni katekista. = Baguma is a catechist.
Katolika (n) Catholic (also Katulika, Katuluka) eg 'Banduyo ni Katolika. = Banduyo is a Catholic.
katrikatri (adj) with straight edges
katro (adv) even if
katuni (n) cartoon eg Batman ni Katuni Ndripi Ndeni ri! = Batman is the Most Entertaining Cartoon!
katunkuma (n) small berries or ntula
kawa (n) coffee
kawunga (n) maize flour
Kaya (n) town in southern South Sudan near the Koboko Border
kayo (n) first son, heir
Kayunga (n) district formerly in Mukono, where Bugerere is located eg Edisa ni Kayunga-a. = Edisa is in Kayunga.
kebeji (n) cabbage (also kabeji, opimaopima)
Kei (n) place north of Yumbe at the border with South Sudan, subcounty east of Ludara
keki (n) cake eg Sakaru ide keki. = Sakaru made a cake.
kemistri (n) chemistry eg Dimitri ni Kemistri imba. = Dimitri teaches Chemistry.
keyikeyi (n) sieve
kelekele (n) movement esp. up and down
kelekele coo (v) move up and down
kebeji (n) cabbage (also kabeji, opimaopima)
Kei (n) place north of Yumbe at the border with South Sudan, subcounty east of Ludara
keki (n) cake eg Sakaru ide keki. = Sakaru made a cake.
kemistri (n) chemistry eg Dimitri ni Kemistri imba. = Dimitri teaches Chemistry.
keyikeyi (n) sieve
kelekele (n) movement esp. up and down
kelekele coo (v) move up and down
kelele (adj) (of issues) hot, difficult; [(n) noise]
kelo (n) dish made from premature bananas, lamb, calf or other animal. Indians make something similar from premature maize eg Anzi kelo nya. = The kids are eating kelo.
Kenya (n) zone in Mvara after Zambia Zone, ward in River Oli Division where the 73rd Parliament Charity Organisation was located in 2017, country east of Uganda eg Gideon mvi Kenya-a. = Gideon returned to Kenya.
kelo (n) dish made from premature bananas, lamb, calf or other animal. Indians make something similar from premature maize eg Anzi kelo nya. = The kids are eating kelo.
Kenya (n) zone in Mvara after Zambia Zone, ward in River Oli Division where the 73rd Parliament Charity Organisation was located in 2017, country east of Uganda eg Gideon mvi Kenya-a. = Gideon returned to Kenya.
kereke (n) blackish-red dried hibiscus cloves
kerijo (n) mother who has just given birth to a baby
kerijo (n) mother who has just given birth to a baby
kerube (n) cherubim angel(s) with two pairs of wings
kesi (n) (court) case
keyikeyi (n) sieve
ki (pron) them, they, (suffix) denotes plural though used optionally; [(v) swallow, are]
Kibira (n) third and youngest son of Gboro in Lugbara mythology whose spear Oli took to attack an elephant that was destroying millet in the garden; brother to Oli, Olu and Obaru
kibo (n) basket
kiboko (n) cane, whip for punishing pupils or students
Kievu (n) city of Kiev in Ukraine
kijiko (n) spoon
Kijomoro (n) place in Maracha less than half an hour by car north of Arua City
kikwasi (n) safety pin
kilijuku (n) dark green plant usually used to demarcate plot boundaries (also kalajuku)
kilili (adj) right (also kililiru) eg geri kililiru = the right way
kiliwiri (n) edible vegetable with serrated leaves and prickly stems
kilomgboro (n) very short and cold period
kimbelembele (n) gossip
kinga (n) bicycle (borrowed from Lingala)
kini (v) says, said (singular); [said (plural)] eg Jon Bon Jovi kini, "Eri ma idri!". = Jon Bon Jovi said, "It's my life!".
kinikini (n) rumour
kinoo (n) mortar (pronounced kinu)
kinoo abe (n) pestle
kirabu (n) club, dancehall
Kirabu (n) cell in Oli Division along Adumi Road after the Lemerijoa Road - Prisons - Onduparaka Road Roundabout
kirikiri (interj) please eg Onyi eri YESU-a yo (Ada), ma ai ra yo (kiri kiri)! = Goodness is in JESUS (True), I accept (please)!
Kiryandongo (n) place on the Gulu Highway near Masindi and before Karuma
kisra (n) Sudanese bread made with yeast
Kisweli (n) (Ki)Swahili, Most Spoken African Language
kitambala (n) handkerchief (also kitamba)
kitanda (n) bed (also gbolo)
kiteitei (n) frock, dress
kiti (n) seat, chair (also kome, ogunga, kiketi, kitiparaa)
kitibolo (n) eggs a wife cooks for her husband
kitio (n) spade
kitipara (n) locally crafted stool with spiral body and three wooden legs standing diagonally, other times flat body and four legs, probably made in Paraa hence "Seat of Paraa"
klabu (n) club, dancehall (also kirabu, kilabu) eg Mustafa mu klabu-a Amin be. = Mustafa went to the club with Amin.
klasi (n) class (also klassi)
Klasiko (n) El Clasico, classic battle in Sports: Arua Hill v Onduparaka (Arua City Classic), Onduparaka v Paidha (West Nile Derby), Boca Juniors v River Plate, Der Klassiker (in Germany between Bayern Munich and Dortmund), Le Classique (in France featuring PSG v Marseille), clash (Express FC v KCCA; AC Milan v Inter Milan) eg Baselona ni mu Klasiko avi Realu Madridi be drusi. = Barcelona is going to play El Clasico with Real Madrid tomorrow.
kliniki (n) clinic
ko (adv) really; [(suffix) added to nouns or omitted according to dialect or added to a verb which is dependent upon the frame like "ga muko si" means he refused to go, (v) sleep, hold, catch]
kobi (n) four sided basket or woven pad for winnowing through its open side, used for post harvest cleaning of seeds and cleansing a hunter on his first kill by placing it on the head of the carcass before it is butchered
kobia (n) basket plate for eating
Koboko (n) Kakwa town and district north of Maracha, west of Aringa, also considered a Lugbara clan sometimes because Lugbara is taught in area schools, origin of Idi Amin's father eg Kobeson ni aa Koboko-a. = Kobeson lives in Koboko.
kodra (n) papyrus mat (also kolo)
Kodro (n) Lugbara ancestor, the first rock formation in Tara anticlockwise from Mt. Liru, adjacent to other ranges named Gala, Kadri, Adrofiya and Njeke (or Njakai)
kofia (n) hat eg Emili su kofia eka. = Emily wore a red hat.
kofulo (n) padlock (also kopolo)
koilu (n) coil
Koka-Kola (n) Coca-Cola drink
kokaa (n) tickbird
koko (adj) firm, tight; [(n) referring to an insect usually when warning kids]
kokoa (n) something bad; [woodpecker]
kokobi (n) newspaper, book, letter (also waraga)
kokobi tujara 'yezu (n) trading licence (also karatasi biasara niri, laisensi)
kokoliroko (n) sound made by a cock (also kokoliriko, kok-a-doodle-doo), dawn, sunrise
kokosi (n) safety pin (also kukwasi)
kole (n) witch (also oleo)
keyikeyi (n) sieve
ki (pron) them, they, (suffix) denotes plural though used optionally; [(v) swallow, are]
Kibira (n) third and youngest son of Gboro in Lugbara mythology whose spear Oli took to attack an elephant that was destroying millet in the garden; brother to Oli, Olu and Obaru
kibo (n) basket
kiboko (n) cane, whip for punishing pupils or students
Kievu (n) city of Kiev in Ukraine
kijiko (n) spoon
Kijomoro (n) place in Maracha less than half an hour by car north of Arua City
kikwasi (n) safety pin
kilijuku (n) dark green plant usually used to demarcate plot boundaries (also kalajuku)
kilili (adj) right (also kililiru) eg geri kililiru = the right way
kiliwiri (n) edible vegetable with serrated leaves and prickly stems
kilomgboro (n) very short and cold period
kimbelembele (n) gossip
kinga (n) bicycle (borrowed from Lingala)
kini (v) says, said (singular); [said (plural)] eg Jon Bon Jovi kini, "Eri ma idri!". = Jon Bon Jovi said, "It's my life!".
kinikini (n) rumour
kinoo (n) mortar (pronounced kinu)
kinoo abe (n) pestle
kirabu (n) club, dancehall
Kirabu (n) cell in Oli Division along Adumi Road after the Lemerijoa Road - Prisons - Onduparaka Road Roundabout
kirikiri (interj) please eg Onyi eri YESU-a yo (Ada), ma ai ra yo (kiri kiri)! = Goodness is in JESUS (True), I accept (please)!
Kiryandongo (n) place on the Gulu Highway near Masindi and before Karuma
kisra (n) Sudanese bread made with yeast
Kisweli (n) (Ki)Swahili, Most Spoken African Language
kitambala (n) handkerchief (also kitamba)
kitanda (n) bed (also gbolo)
kiteitei (n) frock, dress
kiti (n) seat, chair (also kome, ogunga, kiketi, kitiparaa)
kitibolo (n) eggs a wife cooks for her husband
kitio (n) spade
kitipara (n) locally crafted stool with spiral body and three wooden legs standing diagonally, other times flat body and four legs, probably made in Paraa hence "Seat of Paraa"
klabu (n) club, dancehall (also kirabu, kilabu) eg Mustafa mu klabu-a Amin be. = Mustafa went to the club with Amin.
klasi (n) class (also klassi)
Klasiko (n) El Clasico, classic battle in Sports: Arua Hill v Onduparaka (Arua City Classic), Onduparaka v Paidha (West Nile Derby), Boca Juniors v River Plate, Der Klassiker (in Germany between Bayern Munich and Dortmund), Le Classique (in France featuring PSG v Marseille), clash (Express FC v KCCA; AC Milan v Inter Milan) eg Baselona ni mu Klasiko avi Realu Madridi be drusi. = Barcelona is going to play El Clasico with Real Madrid tomorrow.
kliniki (n) clinic
ko (adv) really; [(suffix) added to nouns or omitted according to dialect or added to a verb which is dependent upon the frame like "ga muko si" means he refused to go, (v) sleep, hold, catch]
kobi (n) four sided basket or woven pad for winnowing through its open side, used for post harvest cleaning of seeds and cleansing a hunter on his first kill by placing it on the head of the carcass before it is butchered
kobia (n) basket plate for eating
Koboko (n) Kakwa town and district north of Maracha, west of Aringa, also considered a Lugbara clan sometimes because Lugbara is taught in area schools, origin of Idi Amin's father eg Kobeson ni aa Koboko-a. = Kobeson lives in Koboko.
kodra (n) papyrus mat (also kolo)
Kodro (n) Lugbara ancestor, the first rock formation in Tara anticlockwise from Mt. Liru, adjacent to other ranges named Gala, Kadri, Adrofiya and Njeke (or Njakai)
kofia (n) hat eg Emili su kofia eka. = Emily wore a red hat.
kofulo (n) padlock (also kopolo)
koilu (n) coil
Koka-Kola (n) Coca-Cola drink
kokaa (n) tickbird
koko (adj) firm, tight; [(n) referring to an insect usually when warning kids]
kokoa (n) something bad; [woodpecker]
kokobi (n) newspaper, book, letter (also waraga)
kokobi tujara 'yezu (n) trading licence (also karatasi biasara niri, laisensi)
kokoliroko (n) sound made by a cock (also kokoliriko, kok-a-doodle-doo), dawn, sunrise
kokosi (n) safety pin (also kukwasi)
kole (n) witch (also oleo)
Kolera (n) Cholera disease
kolikoli (n) wagtail (bird)
kolokolo (adj) loose, not firm
Kololo (n) village in Tara Subcounty (Maracha) after Tara Health Centre IV on the road to Kubala, place west of Okokoro and near Otravu (Maracha); [hill in Kampala City between Bukoto, Naguru, Nakawa, Kitante and Kamwokya - Independence Ceremonial Grounds, BOMA (British Overseas Military Administraion) Grounds; trading centre in Amuru District] eg Juli ni aa Kololo-a. = Juli stays in Kololo.
koloseni (n) parliament (also palamenti), council
kome (n) seat, chair (also kiti, ogunga) eg Prezidenti Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (1980) kini, "Kome alu!" = President Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (1980) said, "Entebe ewoma [Translated from Luganda: The chair is sweet]!"
Komendaku (n) trading centre in Tara Subcounty with a huge rock that can serve as a wonderful view of Mt. Liru, means "you do not have to look for a seat", this is probably Teeth Can Lost - Part 1
komputa (n) computer (also kompota, kompuuta, kompyuta, laptopu) eg Afayo ni komputa ayu. = Afayo is using a computer.
kona (n) corner
konfurensi (n) conference (also okuza), symposium eg Konfurensi ni mu aa Royal Crane Resort-a. = The conference will be at Royal Crane Resort.
Kongo (n) country west of Uganda and neighbouring Arua City by about 13 kilometres, DR Congo or Congo Brazzaville, zone in Mvara before Sudan Zone and opposite Zambia Zone (also Congo)
kongolo (adj, n) hard, strong, firm, immovable eg Wolverine ni kongolo! = Wolverine is hard!
kolikoli (n) wagtail (bird)
kolokolo (adj) loose, not firm
Kololo (n) village in Tara Subcounty (Maracha) after Tara Health Centre IV on the road to Kubala, place west of Okokoro and near Otravu (Maracha); [hill in Kampala City between Bukoto, Naguru, Nakawa, Kitante and Kamwokya - Independence Ceremonial Grounds, BOMA (British Overseas Military Administraion) Grounds; trading centre in Amuru District] eg Juli ni aa Kololo-a. = Juli stays in Kololo.
koloseni (n) parliament (also palamenti), council
kome (n) seat, chair (also kiti, ogunga) eg Prezidenti Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (1980) kini, "Kome alu!" = President Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (1980) said, "Entebe ewoma [Translated from Luganda: The chair is sweet]!"
Komendaku (n) trading centre in Tara Subcounty with a huge rock that can serve as a wonderful view of Mt. Liru, means "you do not have to look for a seat", this is probably Teeth Can Lost - Part 1
komputa (n) computer (also kompota, kompuuta, kompyuta, laptopu) eg Afayo ni komputa ayu. = Afayo is using a computer.
kona (n) corner
konfurensi (n) conference (also okuza), symposium eg Konfurensi ni mu aa Royal Crane Resort-a. = The conference will be at Royal Crane Resort.
Kongo (n) country west of Uganda and neighbouring Arua City by about 13 kilometres, DR Congo or Congo Brazzaville, zone in Mvara before Sudan Zone and opposite Zambia Zone (also Congo)
kongolo (adj, n) hard, strong, firm, immovable eg Wolverine ni kongolo! = Wolverine is hard!
Kongolo (n) island in Congo where Makhado saw the half-human crocodile deity
kongoro (n) V-shaped wooden hoe used for weeding
kooa (n) white seasonal bird
kopa (n) copper
kopo (n) cup, trophy
Korani (n) Koran, Quran eg Korani Takatifu (in Kisweli) = Holy Quran
korikori (adj) black and white
koro (n) type of festive Lugbara dance
korokoro (n) shin (also kico), sounds from (stealthy) activity, noises
korokoto (n) gravel stones mixed with cement to form concrete, slang for beans
Korona O'bu Azo-19 (n) Corona Virus Disease-19 (also Kovidi-19)
kosi (n) academic study course, tutorial (also imbata)
Kosti (n) trading centre in Ociba Parish on Mt. Wati Road at the uphill T-Junction that connects to Hospital Road via Wadriff Road (also Ociba Kosti, Coast in English)
kota (n) pyramidal food cover eg Nubian kota
koti (n) coat
koyi koyi (n) riddle eg Samsoni le koyi koyi ambamba. = Samson likes riddles very much.
koyo (n) type of calabash
kpekpereko (n) old papyrus mat
kpembere (adv) steadily, definitely (also pembere)
kpere (conj) upto, until
kperekpere (adv) straight away, at once, old papyrus mat
kpete (n) local beer (also kwete)
kpi (adj) straight, upright
kpua (n) gun (also osu, bunduki)
krabu (n) crab, water animal with five legs on each side and large claws on the front two
kranka (n) crank, wind up technology eg Trevor Bayliss ede redio kranka ayu pi. = Trevor Bayliss made a radio that uses a crank.
Krismasi (n) Christmas eg Eri bongo o'di je Krismasi si. = He buys new clothes during Christmas.
Kristiani (n) Christian
kru (n) crew
ku (adv) no, (suffix) does not, (v) leave, sound eg Trisha ku mi ku! = Trisha will not leave you!
kubaku (n) sound made by a hen like a cock's cock-a-doodle-doo or kokoliroko
Kubaku (n) name of a fictional Ugandan supershero and means "loyal", "faithful" or "doesn't leave"
Kubala (n) market near Tara
kubi (n) sauce pot
kukute (adj) thick
Kulikulinga (n) junction on Arua-Yumbe Road after Nyoko Primary School, trading centre and village about 46 kilometres westwards from the Obongi Ferry Crossing that links to Adjumani, 25 kilometres from Ariwa (Kulikulia in Aringa) eg Alokore ni aa Kulikulinga-a.
kulu (adv) big, main (also kulukulu); [grasshopper, locust] (totem for Maracha Clan)
kulukulu (n) turkey, gourd
Kuluva (n) suburb and parish south of Arua City, where Kuluva Hospital and Uganda Baati are located
kumra (n) plant oil (also kumura odu)
kumu (n) knee (also kumuti), stumbling block
kumu siza (n) kneeling
kumuti si (v) kneel
kuru (prep) round (also kurukuru)
Kuru (n) place northeast of Drajini, subcounty in Yumbe District where Yumbe Hospital is located
kuruku chai (n) lemon grass
kongoro (n) V-shaped wooden hoe used for weeding
kooa (n) white seasonal bird
kopa (n) copper
kopo (n) cup, trophy
Korani (n) Koran, Quran eg Korani Takatifu (in Kisweli) = Holy Quran
korikori (adj) black and white
koro (n) type of festive Lugbara dance
korokoro (n) shin (also kico), sounds from (stealthy) activity, noises
korokoto (n) gravel stones mixed with cement to form concrete, slang for beans
Korona O'bu Azo-19 (n) Corona Virus Disease-19 (also Kovidi-19)
kosi (n) academic study course, tutorial (also imbata)
Kosti (n) trading centre in Ociba Parish on Mt. Wati Road at the uphill T-Junction that connects to Hospital Road via Wadriff Road (also Ociba Kosti, Coast in English)
kota (n) pyramidal food cover eg Nubian kota
koti (n) coat
koyi koyi (n) riddle eg Samsoni le koyi koyi ambamba. = Samson likes riddles very much.
koyo (n) type of calabash
kpekpereko (n) old papyrus mat
kpembere (adv) steadily, definitely (also pembere)
kpere (conj) upto, until
kperekpere (adv) straight away, at once, old papyrus mat
kpete (n) local beer (also kwete)
kpi (adj) straight, upright
kpua (n) gun (also osu, bunduki)
krabu (n) crab, water animal with five legs on each side and large claws on the front two
kranka (n) crank, wind up technology eg Trevor Bayliss ede redio kranka ayu pi. = Trevor Bayliss made a radio that uses a crank.
Krismasi (n) Christmas eg Eri bongo o'di je Krismasi si. = He buys new clothes during Christmas.
Kristiani (n) Christian
kru (n) crew
ku (adv) no, (suffix) does not, (v) leave, sound eg Trisha ku mi ku! = Trisha will not leave you!
kubaku (n) sound made by a hen like a cock's cock-a-doodle-doo or kokoliroko
Kubaku (n) name of a fictional Ugandan supershero and means "loyal", "faithful" or "doesn't leave"
Kubala (n) market near Tara
kubi (n) sauce pot
kukute (adj) thick
Kulikulinga (n) junction on Arua-Yumbe Road after Nyoko Primary School, trading centre and village about 46 kilometres westwards from the Obongi Ferry Crossing that links to Adjumani, 25 kilometres from Ariwa (Kulikulia in Aringa) eg Alokore ni aa Kulikulinga-a.
kulu (adv) big, main (also kulukulu); [grasshopper, locust] (totem for Maracha Clan)
kulukulu (n) turkey, gourd
Kuluva (n) suburb and parish south of Arua City, where Kuluva Hospital and Uganda Baati are located
kumra (n) plant oil (also kumura odu)
kumu (n) knee (also kumuti), stumbling block
kumu siza (n) kneeling
kumuti si (v) kneel
kuru (prep) round (also kurukuru)
Kuru (n) place northeast of Drajini, subcounty in Yumbe District where Yumbe Hospital is located
kuruku chai (n) lemon grass
kurunukua (n) small
kuta (n) cone-shaped wooven food warmer or cover
kuu (adj) famous, (v) sound (out) eg YESU ma ru kuu! = JESUS's name is famous!
kuye (adv) not eg Ethani azini Kizzi apaki Bujabuja Man si kuye. = Ethan and Kizzy did not flee because of the Bujabuja Man (Boogieman).
kuta (n) cone-shaped wooven food warmer or cover
kuu (adj) famous, (v) sound (out) eg YESU ma ru kuu! = JESUS's name is famous!
kuye (adv) not eg Ethani azini Kizzi apaki Bujabuja Man si kuye. = Ethan and Kizzy did not flee because of the Bujabuja Man (Boogieman).
kwatza (n) quartz, Lugbara rainstone
kwaya (n) Doreen ni ongo ngo kwaya-a. = Doreen sings in the choir.
kwini (n) queen eg Elizabeti ni kwini. = Elizabeth is the queen.
Kyabazinga (n) king of the Basoga (Mwenemu, Isebantu [Father of the people], husband of Inhebantu) eg Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV ma oku Jovia Mutesi. = The Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV's wife is Jovia Mutesi.
kwaya (n) Doreen ni ongo ngo kwaya-a. = Doreen sings in the choir.
kwini (n) queen eg Elizabeti ni kwini. = Elizabeth is the queen.
Kyabazinga (n) king of the Basoga (Mwenemu, Isebantu [Father of the people], husband of Inhebantu) eg Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV ma oku Jovia Mutesi. = The Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV's wife is Jovia Mutesi.
Kyebando (n) parish in Kawempe Division of Kampala and includes Kisalosalo Village, school in Arua off Nebbi Highway
Ll
la (v) count, read, iqra, iqraa, iqrah in Arabic - first word revealed in the Koran; [lay down (eg baby), lie down] eg Jemimah ni buku la. = Jemimah is reading a book.
la-i ku (adj, n) uncountable
Lado (n) Lado Enclave, place name meaning "Land where the dead bodies of our forefathers lie", territory at the Heart of Africa that belonged to the Congo Free State and later Belgian Congo from 1894 to 1910 on the West Bank of the Upper Nile in what is now South Sudan and northwest Uganda. In 1912, the southern half of Lado was ceded to Uganda, a British protectorate and became West Nile (also Lado Exclave), place in South Sudan and northeastern DR Congo, former Equatoria Province of Egypt
lai (n) type of green vegetable (also layi)
laisensi (n) license
lakini (conj) but (also te)
lamu (n) tarmac
Landani (n) London, LDN eg Amaguru ni aa Landani-a. = Amaguru stays in London.
langda (n) leisure forum for drinking traditional beer
lanjura (n) single, unmarried man (also ojolo)
Ll
la (v) count, read, iqra, iqraa, iqrah in Arabic - first word revealed in the Koran; [lay down (eg baby), lie down] eg Jemimah ni buku la. = Jemimah is reading a book.
la-i ku (adj, n) uncountable
Lado (n) Lado Enclave, place name meaning "Land where the dead bodies of our forefathers lie", territory at the Heart of Africa that belonged to the Congo Free State and later Belgian Congo from 1894 to 1910 on the West Bank of the Upper Nile in what is now South Sudan and northwest Uganda. In 1912, the southern half of Lado was ceded to Uganda, a British protectorate and became West Nile (also Lado Exclave), place in South Sudan and northeastern DR Congo, former Equatoria Province of Egypt
lai (n) type of green vegetable (also layi)
laisensi (n) license
lakini (conj) but (also te)
lamu (n) tarmac
Landani (n) London, LDN eg Amaguru ni aa Landani-a. = Amaguru stays in London.
langda (n) leisure forum for drinking traditional beer
lanjura (n) single, unmarried man (also ojolo)
lapiri (n) reader eg Emmanuel Feta ni E'yo Laza lapiri. = Emmanuel Feta is the E'yo Laza newsreader.
laputopu (n) laptop computer
laru (n) certain type of tree that grows tall and stays long
lata (n) reading, counting, laying down, lying down
Latini (n) Latin
layini (n) line
layini dria (adv) online
lazanya (n) lasagne, wide and flat pasta eg Lazanya 'ba ideni biringanya si ku, te nganu. = Lasagne is not made using eggplants, but wheat.
Lazebu (n) place in Vurra
lazima (adv) by all means, definitely
le (adj) like, love, want; [(n) milk (also lesu), (pron) it, (suffix) pins or points a noun or demonstratives like 'dale means there] eg A le mi! = I love you! [Ich liebe dich; Je t'aime; Wo ai ni; Nkwagala; Ninkukunda; Kocham cie!]
Leforo gbanda (n) cassava-tasting tuber that germinates when a palmnut is planted in a sweet potato-growing type of mound, usually roasted or boiled (also itu ola, itu olaa)
leja leja (n) casual labour
lejo (n) index finger (also lejoa)
Leju (n) proposed Headquarters of Terego District effective 1st July 2020
leleo (n) morning star
lata (n) reading, counting, laying down, lying down
Latini (n) Latin
layini (n) line
layini dria (adv) online
lazanya (n) lasagne, wide and flat pasta eg Lazanya 'ba ideni biringanya si ku, te nganu. = Lasagne is not made using eggplants, but wheat.
Lazebu (n) place in Vurra
lazima (adv) by all means, definitely
le (adj) like, love, want; [(n) milk (also lesu), (pron) it, (suffix) pins or points a noun or demonstratives like 'dale means there] eg A le mi! = I love you! [Ich liebe dich; Je t'aime; Wo ai ni; Nkwagala; Ninkukunda; Kocham cie!]
Leforo gbanda (n) cassava-tasting tuber that germinates when a palmnut is planted in a sweet potato-growing type of mound, usually roasted or boiled (also itu ola, itu olaa)
leja leja (n) casual labour
lejo (n) index finger (also lejoa)
Leju (n) proposed Headquarters of Terego District effective 1st July 2020
leleo (n) morning star
Leni (n) name meaning "S/he is the one who loves or likes", shortened from Munguleni or Leniya
lesu (n) milk; [cloth women tie around their body] eg Kobusingye ni Birunga Dairy lesu mvu. = Kobusingye is drinking Birunga Dairy milk.
leta (n) love, affection (also letaa, leza, lavu)
leta kokoru (adj) without love, cruel
Letasi (n) female-given name meaning "With love, Through love, Using love, By love"
letaru (adj) loving, affectionate
leuta (n) food cover
li (n) thigh; [(v) cut, mop, clean, judge; roll (eg ball), blow (said of wind)]
li 'ba (v) covet
li ti (phr) interrupt sb talking (idiom), directly translated: cut mouth eg Fozi li ma ti. = Fozy interrupted my speech.
lico (n) home [in Aringa dialect] (also licho, licoga, lichoga); kraal
ligaliga (n) gecko
ligi (n) league eg Malaga ni avi Speini ma Ligi-a. = Malaga plays in the Spanish League.
likico (n) orphan
likinya (n) yam (also girinya)
Lingala (n) Lingala
lira (n) type of tree that can be cut for house construction wood, Italian currency
Lira (n) Lango Town found east of Gulu, west of Soroti eg Obote ma jo Lira-a. = Obote's house is in Lira.
liri (adj) high, up
Liru (n) mountain immediately north of Maracha but in Koboko with Lurujo Road in between the districts, there is a customised view of the mountain from Komendaku Rock on the Tara side eg Momo mu Liru-a. = Momo went to Liru.
lesu (n) milk; [cloth women tie around their body] eg Kobusingye ni Birunga Dairy lesu mvu. = Kobusingye is drinking Birunga Dairy milk.
leta (n) love, affection (also letaa, leza, lavu)
leta kokoru (adj) without love, cruel
Letasi (n) female-given name meaning "With love, Through love, Using love, By love"
letaru (adj) loving, affectionate
leuta (n) food cover
li (n) thigh; [(v) cut, mop, clean, judge; roll (eg ball), blow (said of wind)]
li 'ba (v) covet
li ti (phr) interrupt sb talking (idiom), directly translated: cut mouth eg Fozi li ma ti. = Fozy interrupted my speech.
lico (n) home [in Aringa dialect] (also licho, licoga, lichoga); kraal
ligaliga (n) gecko
ligi (n) league eg Malaga ni avi Speini ma Ligi-a. = Malaga plays in the Spanish League.
likico (n) orphan
likinya (n) yam (also girinya)
Lingala (n) Lingala
lira (n) type of tree that can be cut for house construction wood, Italian currency
Lira (n) Lango Town found east of Gulu, west of Soroti eg Obote ma jo Lira-a. = Obote's house is in Lira.
liri (adj) high, up
Liru (n) mountain immediately north of Maracha but in Koboko with Lurujo Road in between the districts, there is a customised view of the mountain from Komendaku Rock on the Tara side eg Momo mu Liru-a. = Momo went to Liru.
Livapulu (n) Liverpool, town in Britain eg Livapulu-a, mi aci nga a'dule ku. = In Liverpool, you will never walk alone.
liza (n) cutting, slaughtering, judgement, mopping, cleaning, rolling
lo (v) harvest (cereals), slaughter
Lobule (n) village and subcounty in Koboko near Tara (also Lubule)
Lodonga (n) place in Yumbe where Lodonga Seminary is located
Logiri (n) place in Okoro County, subcounty in the Vurra County of Arua District, proposed site for transferring Barifa Forest to create land for a futuristic Nile Eco City
logo (n) bare-necked chicken [in Ayivu dialect]; logo design (mark symbol, type font or illustration cartoon-style)
Loinya (n) place after Nyadri Town along Koboko Highway
loki (n) semen, sperm(s)
loki suza (n) male ejaculation (literally sperm pouring)
lokira (n) elbow
Lokiragodo (n) trading centre at the edge of Ayivu as you enter Maracha on Koboko Highway near a forest
lokiri (n) trick, bad manners
lokiriru (adj) tricky
lolipopu (n) lollipop
lolo (n) cock (in Ayivu)
loma (n) rib
loni (n) loan
lonyi (n) wealth (also afa) eg Haji Kashi ma lonyi ci. = Hajji Cash has wealth.
lonyi nyakuari (n) mammon, money (literally wealth on Earth)
Lonyitualu (n) Commonwealth
lori (n) lorry (also loori) eg Godwin tu lori dria. = Godwin climbed onto the lorry.
lorika (n) oval-shaped fruit with a red outer cover and white interior plus a sharp taste, available in Vurra and Congo
loza (n) harvest
lu (adv) just, only, exactly; [(v) look, see (also ilu), make a hole through something] eg Arua lu aluzaru! = Arua is just sweet!
Lu (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo
Ludara (n) subcounty in Koboko, west of Kei
ludo (n) ludo game, gambling using dice eg Karile ki ludo avi. = The youth are playing ludo.
lufe (n) mingling stick
Luganda (n) language of Buganda Kingdom
Luganda nzeza (n) Luganda speaking or communication (also Luganda nzeta)
lugba (n) yellow one-seeded fruit from a thorny tree species found in Africa (plus Middle East/ Arabian Peninsula, South Asia/ Indian Subcontinent and Central America/ Caribbean), desert date shrub, soap berry tree, Egyptian myrobalan, Egyptian balsam, Zachum oil tree, lalob in Arabic, aduwa in Hausa, taboraq in Tuareg, mchunju in Swahili, ekorete in N’gakarimojong, ecomai in Ateso, thoo in Alur, botanically named Balanites (/Ximenia/ Agialid) aegyptiaca, origin of the name Lugbara after a group broke away from the Ma’di in search of greener pastures and found an edible tree called lugba; they ate some fruits and took extra with them but a woman who lost her harvest started asking about her lugba ri or desert dates hence this group was called Lugbara though the Ma’di still call them Lugbani (also lugbo, logba or logbo) eg Lugbara ki Baganda omve A’bua desu Ma’di vini eyi omve Lugbani. = Lugbara refer to Baganda as Bananas yet Ma’di also call them Lugban.
Lugbara (n) northwest Ugandan tribe recognised in the National Constitution since Independence but occupied Central Africa long before colonialists arrived, among the Top 10 Most Populous Tribes in Uganda, eastern Congolese natives, also found in southern South Sudan, with similar names and words like West Africans; people whose common ancestry according to mythology is at Mt. Wati and occupy the plateau west of the White (Albert) Nile, someone with both or at least one Lugbara parent or ancestor - Omulugwara (in Luganda), pronounced Lubara - the g is silent eg Idi Amin ni Lugbara agaa, Kakwa agaa. = Idi Amin is half Lugbara, half Kakwa.
Lugbara a'bi (n) Lugbara ancestry, Lugbara ancestors, heritage
Lugbara Kari (n) the House of Lugbara, administrative body of Lugbara headed by an elected clan-rotational agofe, egalitarian chiefdom based on the principles that all are equal and deserve the same rights and oppor
Lugbara ti (n) Lugbara language eg VJ Ke ni filimu oja Lugbara ti si. = VJ Ke translates films into Lugbara language.
liza (n) cutting, slaughtering, judgement, mopping, cleaning, rolling
lo (v) harvest (cereals), slaughter
Lobule (n) village and subcounty in Koboko near Tara (also Lubule)
Lodonga (n) place in Yumbe where Lodonga Seminary is located
Logiri (n) place in Okoro County, subcounty in the Vurra County of Arua District, proposed site for transferring Barifa Forest to create land for a futuristic Nile Eco City
logo (n) bare-necked chicken [in Ayivu dialect]; logo design (mark symbol, type font or illustration cartoon-style)
Loinya (n) place after Nyadri Town along Koboko Highway
loki (n) semen, sperm(s)
loki suza (n) male ejaculation (literally sperm pouring)
lokira (n) elbow
Lokiragodo (n) trading centre at the edge of Ayivu as you enter Maracha on Koboko Highway near a forest
lokiri (n) trick, bad manners
lokiriru (adj) tricky
lolipopu (n) lollipop
lolo (n) cock (in Ayivu)
loma (n) rib
loni (n) loan
lonyi (n) wealth (also afa) eg Haji Kashi ma lonyi ci. = Hajji Cash has wealth.
lonyi nyakuari (n) mammon, money (literally wealth on Earth)
Lonyitualu (n) Commonwealth
lori (n) lorry (also loori) eg Godwin tu lori dria. = Godwin climbed onto the lorry.
lorika (n) oval-shaped fruit with a red outer cover and white interior plus a sharp taste, available in Vurra and Congo
loza (n) harvest
lu (adv) just, only, exactly; [(v) look, see (also ilu), make a hole through something] eg Arua lu aluzaru! = Arua is just sweet!
Lu (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo
Ludara (n) subcounty in Koboko, west of Kei
ludo (n) ludo game, gambling using dice eg Karile ki ludo avi. = The youth are playing ludo.
lufe (n) mingling stick
Luganda (n) language of Buganda Kingdom
Luganda nzeza (n) Luganda speaking or communication (also Luganda nzeta)
lugba (n) yellow one-seeded fruit from a thorny tree species found in Africa (plus Middle East/ Arabian Peninsula, South Asia/ Indian Subcontinent and Central America/ Caribbean), desert date shrub, soap berry tree, Egyptian myrobalan, Egyptian balsam, Zachum oil tree, lalob in Arabic, aduwa in Hausa, taboraq in Tuareg, mchunju in Swahili, ekorete in N’gakarimojong, ecomai in Ateso, thoo in Alur, botanically named Balanites (/Ximenia/ Agialid) aegyptiaca, origin of the name Lugbara after a group broke away from the Ma’di in search of greener pastures and found an edible tree called lugba; they ate some fruits and took extra with them but a woman who lost her harvest started asking about her lugba ri or desert dates hence this group was called Lugbara though the Ma’di still call them Lugbani (also lugbo, logba or logbo) eg Lugbara ki Baganda omve A’bua desu Ma’di vini eyi omve Lugbani. = Lugbara refer to Baganda as Bananas yet Ma’di also call them Lugban.
Lugbara (n) northwest Ugandan tribe recognised in the National Constitution since Independence but occupied Central Africa long before colonialists arrived, among the Top 10 Most Populous Tribes in Uganda, eastern Congolese natives, also found in southern South Sudan, with similar names and words like West Africans; people whose common ancestry according to mythology is at Mt. Wati and occupy the plateau west of the White (Albert) Nile, someone with both or at least one Lugbara parent or ancestor - Omulugwara (in Luganda), pronounced Lubara - the g is silent eg Idi Amin ni Lugbara agaa, Kakwa agaa. = Idi Amin is half Lugbara, half Kakwa.
Lugbara a'bi (n) Lugbara ancestry, Lugbara ancestors, heritage
Lugbara Kari (n) the House of Lugbara, administrative body of Lugbara headed by an elected clan-rotational agofe, egalitarian chiefdom based on the principles that all are equal and deserve the same rights and oppor
Lugbara ti (n) Lugbara language eg VJ Ke ni filimu oja Lugbara ti si. = VJ Ke translates films into Lugbara language.
Lugbarabantu (n) mixed blood people with both Lugbara and Bantu parents
Lugbaraganda (n) half-breed who is both Lugbara and Muganda, someone with parents from both Lugbaraland and Buganda, colloquailly a Lugbara who prefers to be associated with Buganda and denies, rejects or loses interest in his/ her real tribe [pronounced Lubaraganda] eg Angubua ni Lugbaraganda ni. = Angubua is a Lugbaraganda.
Lugbarap (n) Lugbara Rap and Hiphop, Lugbara Flow, Lugba-flow, Gbara-flow eg "Ndrizaristic" engazu Jobian Tick azini Black Lion ni Lugbarap ongo. = "Ndrizaristic" from Jobian Tick and Black Lion is a Lugbarap song.
Lugbarap (n) Lugbara Rap and Hiphop, Lugbara Flow, Lugba-flow, Gbara-flow eg "Ndrizaristic" engazu Jobian Tick azini Black Lion ni Lugbarap ongo. = "Ndrizaristic" from Jobian Tick and Black Lion is a Lugbarap song.
Lugbarapedia (n) Lugbara language encyclopedia, comprehensive panoramic compendium of Lugbara topics
Lugbarazungu (n) half-breed with parents from both Lugbaraland and Europe or America, half Lugbara and half Caucasian [pronounced Lubarazungu] eg Benedetta ni Lugbarazungu ni. = Benedetta is a Lugbarazungu.
Lugisu (n) language of Bagisu Tribe in eastern Uganda
Lukonjo (n) language of Bakonzo Tribe from Rwenzori Area (Rwenzururu Kingdom) (also Rukonzo)
luku (n) basket for carrying babies. In Maracha, it has red leather straps attached and smeared with eraka
Luku (n) mountain east of Arua City, forms the Ugandan Lugbaraland in a circle with Wati, Liru and Arua Hill
Lukudu (n) place in Rhino Camp
LULA (abbr) Lugbara Literature Association
lulu (n) alarm
lulu ga (v) make an alarm
lumboo (n) white tuber like sweet potato that grows long, now extinct
Lumumba (n) cell in Arua Municipality
luru (adj) narrow (also lurua); [(n) mist, fog], end blow trumpet made from a bottle shaped gourd
Luturujo (n) rock, hill in Tara, means "the house of/ on a hill"
Luwero (n) Luwero, place north of KLA eg Prezident Museveni omve Luwero "NRM ma e'doza". = President Museveni called Luwero "the beginning of NRM".
Mm
ma (n) mother (also andri), (pron) my; 's; [I am (v) decay, rot] eg Jenifa ni Gabrieli ma andri. = Jennifer is Gabriel's mother.
ma-i (pron) me
ma vutia (adv) onwards, after eg Natascha Kampusch apa te o'du 3096 ma vutia. = Natascha Kampusch ran away after 3096 days.
maaku (n) potato eg Kristini ni maaku nya 'biko tro; eri ma ale ni su maaku si. = Christine is eating potatoes with the outer skin; her stomach aches because of potatoes.
Mabira (n) market in Tara Subcounty, Largest Forest in Uganda found between Mukono and Buikwe or Jinja Njeru
mabugo (n) profit, condolence money
mabusu (n) jail, cell, prison (also aru)
madala (n) ladder, hash(tag) eg 'bi'bio 133 madala = *133#
madamu (n) madam
Madi (n) language and tribe closely related to Lugbara, might sound like broken Lugbara but is actually a language by itself, sometimes considered the origin of Lugbara (also written as Ma'di), district in West Nile since 1st July 2019
Madi Andraleru (n) Lower Madi, Moyo
Lugbarazungu (n) half-breed with parents from both Lugbaraland and Europe or America, half Lugbara and half Caucasian [pronounced Lubarazungu] eg Benedetta ni Lugbarazungu ni. = Benedetta is a Lugbarazungu.
Lugisu (n) language of Bagisu Tribe in eastern Uganda
Lukonjo (n) language of Bakonzo Tribe from Rwenzori Area (Rwenzururu Kingdom) (also Rukonzo)
luku (n) basket for carrying babies. In Maracha, it has red leather straps attached and smeared with eraka
Luku (n) mountain east of Arua City, forms the Ugandan Lugbaraland in a circle with Wati, Liru and Arua Hill
Lukudu (n) place in Rhino Camp
LULA (abbr) Lugbara Literature Association
lulu (n) alarm
lulu ga (v) make an alarm
lumboo (n) white tuber like sweet potato that grows long, now extinct
Lumumba (n) cell in Arua Municipality
luru (adj) narrow (also lurua); [(n) mist, fog], end blow trumpet made from a bottle shaped gourd
Luturujo (n) rock, hill in Tara, means "the house of/ on a hill"
Luwero (n) Luwero, place north of KLA eg Prezident Museveni omve Luwero "NRM ma e'doza". = President Museveni called Luwero "the beginning of NRM".
Mm
ma (n) mother (also andri), (pron) my; 's; [I am (v) decay, rot] eg Jenifa ni Gabrieli ma andri. = Jennifer is Gabriel's mother.
ma-i (pron) me
ma vutia (adv) onwards, after eg Natascha Kampusch apa te o'du 3096 ma vutia. = Natascha Kampusch ran away after 3096 days.
maaku (n) potato eg Kristini ni maaku nya 'biko tro; eri ma ale ni su maaku si. = Christine is eating potatoes with the outer skin; her stomach aches because of potatoes.
Mabira (n) market in Tara Subcounty, Largest Forest in Uganda found between Mukono and Buikwe or Jinja Njeru
mabugo (n) profit, condolence money
mabusu (n) jail, cell, prison (also aru)
madala (n) ladder, hash(tag) eg 'bi'bio 133 madala = *133#
madamu (n) madam
Madi (n) language and tribe closely related to Lugbara, might sound like broken Lugbara but is actually a language by itself, sometimes considered the origin of Lugbara (also written as Ma'di), district in West Nile since 1st July 2019
Madi Andraleru (n) Lower Madi, Moyo
Madi Indri (n) certain group of Madi
Madi Okollo (n) considered a Lugbara clan, town and subcounty area farther south from Arua City, Upper Madi Constituency (also Madi Oruleru, Madi Okolo) eg Karolina ni i-ma maka je Madi Okollo-a. = Karolina buys her charcoal from Madi Okollo.
madri ri (pron) mine (also mani)
mafaranga (n) francs, money used in Rwanda and France
MAFORD (abbr) Maracha Action For Development
magadi (n) used in place of salt and got from water like at Kibiro on the Northern shores of Lake Albert, got its name from Lake Magadi in Tanzania
magendo (n) smuggling, black market
Magendo Park (n) place in Arua Hill Cell, loading park that used to be off Nebbi Highway before Sambya where URA and the Courts Building are now located
magineti (n) magnet
maiki (n) microphone (also maikirofoni)
mailo (n) mile
mailo ma o'biza (n) mile measurement, scale
mairungi (n) small leaves of a shrub plant eaten by all ages for leisure, sometimes with chewing gum though discouraged, internationally known as khat or ghati on the streets, ebikola in Luganda
majani (n) tea leaves
majestri (n) magistrate
majini (n) jinn spirit eg A ka enya nya augbe si, 'ba 'yo ma ayu majini! = When I eat food with eggs, they say I used a jinn spirit!
maka (n) charcoal eg Maka Cuu ni Silamu ma Nyadri Pari azini Hoteli Royal vu. = The Charcoal Market is near the Muslim Graveyard and Hotel Royal.
makanika (n) mechanic
makasi (n) pair of scissors eg Diyo ni makasi ayu baka lizu. = Diyo is using scissors to cut a rope.
makuroni (n) macaroni, spaghetti, Santa Lucia
Malaba (n) marketplace in West Nile, town and URA Customs Entry Point in Eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya near Busia
malaika (n) angel (also malayika) eg Spirit FM ni malaika ma azi nga. = Spirit FM does the work of angels.
malaja (n) malice, bad heart (also asi onzi)
malakwanga (n) type of greens popular among the Luo, malakwang
malaya (n) prostitute (also oku ali o'bapi tu) eg Oholah ni malaya. = Oholah is a prostitute.
mali (n) wealth, money, gold eg mali nyakua = land wealth, earthly riches
Maliko (n) female-given name meaning "The mother's nominal husband and family has nothing to offer her parents" or simply "No wealth"
MALUCUFO (abbr) Madi-Lugbara Cultural Foundation
mama (n) mother
mandili (n) napkin, handkerchief (also kitambala)
maneno (n) problem, wahala, problems (borrowed from Swahili), shida
mangada (n) tangerine eg Aci dra 'bo, ama di mangada mbe-i. = Electricity has gone off already, so we are eating tangerines instead.
Madi Okollo (n) considered a Lugbara clan, town and subcounty area farther south from Arua City, Upper Madi Constituency (also Madi Oruleru, Madi Okolo) eg Karolina ni i-ma maka je Madi Okollo-a. = Karolina buys her charcoal from Madi Okollo.
madri ri (pron) mine (also mani)
mafaranga (n) francs, money used in Rwanda and France
MAFORD (abbr) Maracha Action For Development
magadi (n) used in place of salt and got from water like at Kibiro on the Northern shores of Lake Albert, got its name from Lake Magadi in Tanzania
magendo (n) smuggling, black market
Magendo Park (n) place in Arua Hill Cell, loading park that used to be off Nebbi Highway before Sambya where URA and the Courts Building are now located
magineti (n) magnet
maiki (n) microphone (also maikirofoni)
mailo (n) mile
mailo ma o'biza (n) mile measurement, scale
mairungi (n) small leaves of a shrub plant eaten by all ages for leisure, sometimes with chewing gum though discouraged, internationally known as khat or ghati on the streets, ebikola in Luganda
majani (n) tea leaves
majestri (n) magistrate
majini (n) jinn spirit eg A ka enya nya augbe si, 'ba 'yo ma ayu majini! = When I eat food with eggs, they say I used a jinn spirit!
maka (n) charcoal eg Maka Cuu ni Silamu ma Nyadri Pari azini Hoteli Royal vu. = The Charcoal Market is near the Muslim Graveyard and Hotel Royal.
makanika (n) mechanic
makasi (n) pair of scissors eg Diyo ni makasi ayu baka lizu. = Diyo is using scissors to cut a rope.
makuroni (n) macaroni, spaghetti, Santa Lucia
Malaba (n) marketplace in West Nile, town and URA Customs Entry Point in Eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya near Busia
malaika (n) angel (also malayika) eg Spirit FM ni malaika ma azi nga. = Spirit FM does the work of angels.
malaja (n) malice, bad heart (also asi onzi)
malakwanga (n) type of greens popular among the Luo, malakwang
malaya (n) prostitute (also oku ali o'bapi tu) eg Oholah ni malaya. = Oholah is a prostitute.
mali (n) wealth, money, gold eg mali nyakua = land wealth, earthly riches
Maliko (n) female-given name meaning "The mother's nominal husband and family has nothing to offer her parents" or simply "No wealth"
MALUCUFO (abbr) Madi-Lugbara Cultural Foundation
mama (n) mother
mandili (n) napkin, handkerchief (also kitambala)
maneno (n) problem, wahala, problems (borrowed from Swahili), shida
mangada (n) tangerine eg Aci dra 'bo, ama di mangada mbe-i. = Electricity has gone off already, so we are eating tangerines instead.
mani (adj) my, for me eg Ayiko mani ci, YESU oji onzi mani. = There is happiness for me, JESUS washed my sins.
mani lele tu (adj) beloved (literally the object I love much)
mani lele tu (adj) beloved (literally the object I love much)
mani ri (n) darling, mine
mania (n) small black seed like chia
manikansa (n) money cancer, empty wallet, drained bank account, disease with the symptom of lack of money
manya (n) monitor lizard, alligator
mapu (n) map
mara (n) glass, window (also derisa, dinisa), mirror, spectacles, goggles, sunglasses, shades
Maracha (n) Lugbara clan represented by a grasshopper or locust emblem, jurisdiction less than an hour by car north of Arua City with headquarters in Nyadri Town, became independent as a district from a 2006 merger with Terego which returned to Arua in 2010, starts after Lokiragodo, east of DR Congo, south of Koboko, southwest from Yumbe, west of Terego, represented by the initials MRC, village in Dadamu Subcounty of Arua District near Arua Airport
mania (n) small black seed like chia
manikansa (n) money cancer, empty wallet, drained bank account, disease with the symptom of lack of money
manya (n) monitor lizard, alligator
mapu (n) map
mara (n) glass, window (also derisa, dinisa), mirror, spectacles, goggles, sunglasses, shades
Maracha kiti (n) Maracha summer lounge chairs
Marakana (n) Maracana Stadium found in Brazil, one of the Biggest Football Venues on Earth with a capacity of over 100,000 spectators and hosted the 2014 World Cup Final match
marani (n) soldier, watchman (also askari)
mare (n) side blown trumpet made from a gourd and wooden tube blown through the hole in the gourd with the wooden tube pointing downward or under the left arm, smeared inside with bee wax
mari (n) debt (also deni, deno)
Mariko (n) name meaning "No debt"
marijuana (n) hemp, plant leaf with serrated edges considered a drug
mario (n) mahogany
maru (n) big white mushrooms that grow near anthills (also maru-idrika)
masete (n) panga, machete (also saturu)
mashini (n) machine
Masindi (n) place in the south of West Nile eg Akiiki mu Masindi-a. = Akiiki has gone to Masindi.
maskiti (n) mosque, masjid (also masjidi) eg Omari ni mu maskiti-a. = Omar is going to the mosque.
matenvu (n) drunkard
matu (n) misery, sadness, sorrow (also candi)
matunda (n) passion fruit eg Amambazi ni matunda mvu. = Amama Mbabazi is drinking passion fruit.
maua (n) flower (also mawa)
mavu (prep) to me, with me
mawa (n) flower (also mawua) eg E ka 'ba iri ne leta-a, i'be mawa ki! = When you see two lovers, throw flowers! [Indian Proverb]
Maye! (injerj) Oh my, Oh no, I'm sorry!
mayuni (n) yam (also ayu, gurunya, likinya) eg Saleh ni mayuni nya. = Saleh is eating yam.
maza (adj) rotten, decayed
Marakana (n) Maracana Stadium found in Brazil, one of the Biggest Football Venues on Earth with a capacity of over 100,000 spectators and hosted the 2014 World Cup Final match
marani (n) soldier, watchman (also askari)
mare (n) side blown trumpet made from a gourd and wooden tube blown through the hole in the gourd with the wooden tube pointing downward or under the left arm, smeared inside with bee wax
mari (n) debt (also deni, deno)
Mariko (n) name meaning "No debt"
marijuana (n) hemp, plant leaf with serrated edges considered a drug
mario (n) mahogany
maru (n) big white mushrooms that grow near anthills (also maru-idrika)
masete (n) panga, machete (also saturu)
mashini (n) machine
Masindi (n) place in the south of West Nile eg Akiiki mu Masindi-a. = Akiiki has gone to Masindi.
maskiti (n) mosque, masjid (also masjidi) eg Omari ni mu maskiti-a. = Omar is going to the mosque.
matenvu (n) drunkard
matu (n) misery, sadness, sorrow (also candi)
matunda (n) passion fruit eg Amambazi ni matunda mvu. = Amama Mbabazi is drinking passion fruit.
maua (n) flower (also mawa)
mavu (prep) to me, with me
mawa (n) flower (also mawua) eg E ka 'ba iri ne leta-a, i'be mawa ki! = When you see two lovers, throw flowers! [Indian Proverb]
Maye! (injerj) Oh my, Oh no, I'm sorry!
mayuni (n) yam (also ayu, gurunya, likinya) eg Saleh ni mayuni nya. = Saleh is eating yam.
maza (adj) rotten, decayed
mazipani (n) marzipan eg Keki 'di 'ba a'bu mazipani si. = This cake was covered with marzipan.
mba (adj) tough, hard (also mbazaru); [real, true (also adada); (n) month, moon; (v) lay ambush], toughen, harden, grow
mba azo (n) monthly period (literally month sickness)
mba o'du (n) day of the month eg Ma osi mba o'du 7 (aziri) Januari si! = I was born on 7th January!
mba'bu (n) guinea pig
mbasala (n) onion
mbata (n) duck
mbata asea ri (n) goose
mbawu (n) wood (also mbau)
mbaza (n) old person, elder(s)
mbe (v) lick
mbele (adj) quick eg Lionel Messi (avita 123-a) ni Agu mupira tupi Golo 100 supi Mbele ndeni UEFA Champions League-a. = Lionel Messi (in 123 games) is the Quickest Player to score 100 Goals in the UEFA Champions League.
mbele mbele (adv) quickly (also mbeleko cici)
mbeta (n) ring, like empeta
mbi (v) have sex or sexual intercourse, fuck, make love, copulate, mate, bonk, shaft eg 'Ba mbi o'du 1 mba 7 si! = Let us have sex on 1st July!
mbili (adj) sharp (like a needle)
Mbindru (n) natural crater near Banyale's grave with waters nearby that natives claim have never dried
mbiri (adj) many, a lot
mbo (adj) open (also mgbo)
mba (adj) tough, hard (also mbazaru); [real, true (also adada); (n) month, moon; (v) lay ambush], toughen, harden, grow
mba azo (n) monthly period (literally month sickness)
mba o'du (n) day of the month eg Ma osi mba o'du 7 (aziri) Januari si! = I was born on 7th January!
mba'bu (n) guinea pig
mbasala (n) onion
mbata (n) duck
mbata asea ri (n) goose
mbawu (n) wood (also mbau)
mbaza (n) old person, elder(s)
mbe (v) lick
mbele (adj) quick eg Lionel Messi (avita 123-a) ni Agu mupira tupi Golo 100 supi Mbele ndeni UEFA Champions League-a. = Lionel Messi (in 123 games) is the Quickest Player to score 100 Goals in the UEFA Champions League.
mbele mbele (adv) quickly (also mbeleko cici)
mbeta (n) ring, like empeta
mbi (v) have sex or sexual intercourse, fuck, make love, copulate, mate, bonk, shaft eg 'Ba mbi o'du 1 mba 7 si! = Let us have sex on 1st July!
mbili (adj) sharp (like a needle)
Mbindru (n) natural crater near Banyale's grave with waters nearby that natives claim have never dried
mbiri (adj) many, a lot
mbo (adj) open (also mgbo)
mboloru (adj) clear
mbu (v) jump
mbumbu (n) bomb
mburu drika (n) mushroom that grows near anthill (also mburu idrika)
mburufu (adj) big eg Mobutu ma ale mburufu. = Mobutu has a pot belly.
Buku Biblia Ala-a [Books in the Holy Bible]
Buku Okuri [Old Testament]
E'doza (Buku Musa ni sile aluri) = Genesis
Efuza (Buku Musa ni sile iriri) = Exodus
Kalafe (Buku Musa ni sile nari) = Numbers
Azita Amvizu (Buku Musa ni sile suri) = Deuteronomy
Yosua = Joshua
'Ba E'yo Lipi ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri (Aluri/ Okori azini iriri) = 1st and 2nd Judges
Rutu = Ruth
Samueli 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Samuel
Opi 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Kings
Suru ma E'yo 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Chronicles
Ezira = Ezra
Nehemia = Nehemiah
Esiteri = Esther
Yobu = Job
Zaburi = Psalms
E'yo O'beza = Proverbs
Eklesiaste = Ecclesiastes
Ongo Sulemani ni = Songs of Solomon (Songs of Songs)
Isaya = Isaiah
Yeremia = Jeremiah
Imvo Ongo = Lamentations
Ezekieli = Ezekiel
Danieli = Daniel
Hosea = Hosea
Yoeli = Joel
Amosi = Amos
Obadia = Obadiah
Yona = Jonah
Mika = Micah
Nahumi = Nahum
Habakuki = Habakuk
Zefania = Zephania
Hagai = Haggai
Zekaria = Zechariah
Malaki = Malachi
Buku O'diri [New Testament]
Matayo = Matthew
Mariko = Mark
Luka = Luke
Yohana = John
'Yeta 'Ba Ojioru ('Diyi) ni = Acts of the Apostles
'Ba Roma-a ('Diyi) = Romans
'Ba Korinto-a ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Corinthians
'Ba Galatia-a ('Diyi) = Galatians
'Ba Efeso-a ('Diyi) = Ephesians
'Ba Filipi-a ('Diyi) = Philippians
'Ba Kolosi-a ('Diyi) = Colossians
'Ba Tesalonika-a ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
Timoteo 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Timothy
Tito = Titus
Filemoni = Philemon
'Ba Ebraniani ('Diyi) = Hebrews
Hamesi (also Yakobo, Yamisi) = James
Petero 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Peter
Yohana 1ri, 2ri azini 3ri = 1st, 2nd and 3rd John
Yuda = Jude
E'yo Ece = Revelation
AZITA MUNGUNI MUDRI 'DIYI [THE 10 COMMANDMENTS], Excerpts from Exodus 20:3-17 in Biblia [The Bible in Lugbara] by the Bible Society of Uganda [and The New English Bible]
1. Mi ma ovu mungu azini be ku, kiri ma-i [You shall have no other gods before me]
2. Mi ede mi dri wura inzile inziri ku, kani wura i-sipi afa 'bua ururi berile, kani afa vaa nyakua, kani afa yi nyaku etiari ma aliari-i ti; mi osi mi kumuti yi drilia ku, mi nga azi yini ku; a'disiku ma YEHOVA MUNGU miniri, ma MUNGU a'yaruri, ma atapi ma e'yo onzi ofe yi ma anzi ma rua-a 'ba ma ngupi onzi 'diyi dri kpere a'bianzi nari kani suri vu, te ma asi ndriza ece 'ba ma lepi azita mani ma ta mbapi 'diyi dri kpere cazu alifu alifu [You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your GOD am a jealous GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments]
3. Mi co YEHOVA MUNGU mini ma ru toko toko ku; a'disiku YEHOVA ngani 'ba eri ru copi toko tokori ku pirini e'yo kokoru ku [You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes HIS name in vain]
4. Mi ega o'du sabatoni ma e'yo, tani mbazu alaru. Mi ma nga azi mini o'du azia, mi ma 'ye azi mini dria; te o'du aziriri ovu sabato YEHOVA MUNGU miniri dri; o'du nderisi mi ma nga azi aluni ku, mi-i, mi mvi pie, mi zi pie, ati'bo mini agupiruri pie, ati'bo mini zamvaruri pie, anyapa mini pie, ani'bo ovupi aku miniari pie dria; a'disiku o'du aziasi YEHOVA 'ba ndra 'bu pi nyaku be, miri pi afa alenia 'diyi be dria, te o'du aziririsi YEHOVA li ndra avani; e'yo 'disi YEHOVA 'ba ndra asi ndriza o'du sabatoniri ma dria, eri 'ba eri alaru [Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your GOD; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it]
5. Mi inzi mi ati pi mi andri be, ewu mini ma ovu ani izu angu YEHOVA MUNGU minirini fele mi driri ma alia [Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your GOD gives you]
6. Mi 'di 'ba ku [You shall not kill]
7. Mi 'ba ali ku [You shall not commit adultery]
8. Mi ogu afa ku [You shall not steal]
9. Mi eza 'ba azini ma ru inzosi ku [You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour]
10. Mi 'ba li 'ba azini ma josi ku; mi 'ba li 'ba azini ma okusi ku, ati'bo erini agupiruri pie, ati'bo erini zamvaruri pie, ti erini pie, akanya erini pie, kani afa ngoni 'ba azinini ovuzu yi be 'diyi ti [You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour's]!
Wura [Colours in Lugbara]
eka = red/ crimson/ scarlet
orenji/ orenzi = orange
yelo = yellow
grini = green
blu = blue/ indigo/ cyan/ aqua/ sky blue
pinki = pink/ magenta/ hotpink/ fuchsia
papo = purple/ violet
ini (inikini) = black (darkish)
inibiricici (inicici) = very dark
imve = white
imve silili, whilili = very white, pure white
enisi-emvesi, korikori = black and white
maruni/ marooni = maroon
horohoro, perepere, walalaru = light
foro(foro), foroto = grey, greyish (England or UK English), gray, grayish (American English)
okaza, okazaru, okalamgba, wara wara (walala), okata, oka, brawuni = brown (brown skinned), becoming brownish, become brownish with dirt
The verb "to be"
I am = Ma
He/ She/ It is = Eri
We are = Ama
They are = Eyi/ Yi
(Past tense for I and we is expressed by starting a sentence with a- before the verb [though pronounced differently] or ending for all with (ta and) ra = (then and) affirmative eg Amu (ta) ra! = I/ We went then! or 'bo = already eg Amu 'bo! = I/ We have gone already! Present tense for sb or sth is shown by following the subject with ni = is eg Uganda ni onyiru! = Uganda is good! Future tense is shown by nga = will eg Eri nga gu. = S/he will laugh.)
Kalafe [Numbers]
0. Toko/ ogbo
1. Alu
2. Iri/ eri
3. Na
4. Su
5. Towi/ tawu
6. Azia
7. Aziri
8. Aro
9. Oromi
10. Mudri (also modri)
11. Mudri (dri)ni alu
12. Mudri (dri)ni iri
20. Kali iri
21. Kali iri drini alu
22. Kali iri drini iri
30. Kali na
40. Kali su
50. Kali towi
100. Turu alu
101. Turu alu (drini) alu
102. Turu alu (drini) iri
110. Turu alu mudri
111. Turu alu mudri drini alu
112. Turu alu mudri drini iri
120. Turu alu kali iri
121. Turu alu kali iri drini alu
122. Turu alu kali iri drini iri
200. Turu iri
300. Turu na
400. Turu su
1,000. Alifu alu
2,000. Alifu iri
3,000. Alifu na
1,000,000. Milioni alu
Kalenda [Calendar]
The simplest way to refer to months or moons [mba in Lugbara] is to use numbers, for example January is Mba alu, February is Mba iri not to be confused with July [Ir(r)i which is Mba aziri], May is Mba towi and so on. But below is the other latinized (and seasonal) way of mentioning them. The coming of each month used to help and still helps the Lugbara people to prepare what to plant in their gardens. This was/ is done according to the months/ seasons:
Marks for Simple Tones:
´ High tone (h.t.) e.g. tí [cow]
- Mid tone (m.t) e.g. tī [strangle]
` Low tone (l.t.) e.g. tì [give birth]
Mid tone is the most common tone in Lugbarati!
Word Classes include:
1. Ecipiri (Conjunction)
2. Obi (Adverb)
3. Ru (Noun)
4. Ruparia (Pronoun)
5. Usuta (Interjection)
6. Vutivutia (Postposition)
7. Wura (Adjective)
8. 'Yeta (Verb)
Lugbara Phrasebook
I do not understand you. = A va mi ku.
Speak slowly (slowly)! = E nze e'yere e'yere!
Help me! = E ko ma aza!
How are you? = Ngoni?
OK (I'm fine)! = Muke (Ma muke)!
How is home? = Aku ngoni?
Home is good! = Aku onyiru!
What is your name? = Mi ru a'di-i?
My name is Leila! = Ma ru Leila!
I'm a businesswoman. = Ma biasara azi nga.
I'm 40 years old! = Ma eli 40!
I'm Deno. = Ma Deno-i.
I'm a doctor at my clinic. = Ma daktari ni ma kliniki-a.
I stay in Oluko. = Ma aa Oluko-a.
I'm Muslim! = Ma Silamu ni!
I'm a Christian! = Ma Kristiani ni!
I originate from Bunyoro. = Ma efu Bunyoro-a.
What do you sell? = Mi a'du ozi?
I sell food and pots. = Ma nyaka ozi azini imvu.
What time is it? = Saa si?
Exactly 4 O'clock! = Saa mudri (10) 'dere! [Time is told as the reverse number from the hour hand like in Luganda, so 1 O'clock is saa aziri (7); 2 O'clock is saa aro (8) and so forth]
4pm! = Etu 10! [that is 4 during the day, before the sun sets]
Give me one! = Ife mani alu!
This one is beautiful! = 'Di ndri ra!
How much is it? = Aje ni si?
2,000 UgX! = Silingi alifu iri!
The price has reduced! = Aje 'ba isi ra!
Give me a good one! = Ife mani ala ni!
Where are you going? = Mi mu ngoa?
I'm going to Pajulu. = Ma mu Pajulu-a.
What do you like about Arua? = Afa mini apizu Arua si a'duni?
Peace and friends! = Asianzu azini agi ki!
I want to go to Congo. = A le mu Congo-a.
I love my job! = A le ma azi ra!
GOD be with you! = MUNGU ma aa mi be!
I will see you again! = Ma nga mi ne dika!
Peace be still! = Ido mi ciri!
LUGBARA SUPERMOBILE (Ongo)
Machines (AI or Artificial Intelligence) can be programmed to use Lugbara. Engineers, Designers as well as Technology Students in Ugandan Schools have always tinkered with this Possibility. Machines can also teach themselves Lugbara through Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or Artificial Superintelligence (ASI). Some great advancements towards this goal include the Lugbara Gboard in Android phones plus mobile apps in Lugbarati; wow! Below are translated Commands you might see in the mega, super-smart Videophones of the future [Vidiosimu] or at a GSMA Mobile World Congress:
On [Idri]
Power [Aci]
Menu, Selection or Options [Pezu/ Peta]
Home [Aku]
Back [Vile]
Select or Choose [Pe]
OK [MUKE]
Call or Dial [Gba]
1 Missed Call [Gbata icezaru 1]
Receive [Ai]
Reject [Ga]
Ringtones [Awu]
Radio [Redio]
Volume [Omgbo]
Music [Ongo]
Recorder [Rekoda]
Sound(s) [O'duko]
Phonebook [Simubuku]
Sim Card [Simokadi]
Settings [Otita]
Manage [Oce]
Edit [Otu]
New Contact [Ru O'di]
Cancel or Cut [Li]
Erase [Ini]
Delete or Remove [Wi]
Scan [Amvi]
Search [Nda]
Exit [Fu]
Message [Waraga]
Open [Nzi]
Send or Forward [Edri]
Press [Ikpa]
Attach [Ipa]
Inbox [Sandukua]
Sent [Edri 'bo]
Calendar [Mba o'du]
Time/ Clock [Sa(w)a]
Date [O'du]
Calculator [Kalikuleta]
Camera [Kamera]
Images, Pictures or Photos [I'da]
Video [Vidio]
Play [Avi]
Pause [Pa so/ Tu pa]
Fast Forward [Avi drile mbele]
Rewind/ Playbac [Avi vile]
Stop [Atri]
Torch [Toci]
Alarm [Lulu]
Facebook [Fesibuku]
LOST IN TRANSLATION
[GODisgreat!]
mbu (v) jump
mbumbu (n) bomb
mburu drika (n) mushroom that grows near anthill (also mburu idrika)
mburufu (adj) big eg Mobutu ma ale mburufu. = Mobutu has a pot belly.
mbusua nyanya si (n) pussy with tomato, Lugbara style of having sex while kissing
medali (n) medal eg Kiprotich isu medali Mbale-a. = Kiprotich received a medal in Mbale.
mee (n) bleat of a goat
Meka (n) Mecca, Holiest Place in Islam
Meksiko (n) Mexico
mele (n) gold (also goldi) eg John Akii Bua [1972] azini Dorcus Inzikuru [2005] ndeki Uganda ma mele oko ongu nzuta ni. = John Akii Bua [1972] and Dorcus Inzikuru [2005] won Uganda's first athletics gold.
memba koloseni (n) member of parliament, MP eg Benard Atiku ni Memba Koloseni Ayivu County niri. = Benard Atiku is the MP of Ayivu County.
Meme (n) superhuman Lugbara shero ancestor, first woman in Lugbara mythology who bore twins: a boy and girl, name means "the person who came alone"
menemene (adj) soft (also moimoi)
mengu (n) mango (also muyembe) eg Kabaka ni mengu mgbe. = The Kabaka is eating a mango.
medali (n) medal eg Kiprotich isu medali Mbale-a. = Kiprotich received a medal in Mbale.
mee (n) bleat of a goat
Meka (n) Mecca, Holiest Place in Islam
Meksiko (n) Mexico
mele (n) gold (also goldi) eg John Akii Bua [1972] azini Dorcus Inzikuru [2005] ndeki Uganda ma mele oko ongu nzuta ni. = John Akii Bua [1972] and Dorcus Inzikuru [2005] won Uganda's first athletics gold.
memba koloseni (n) member of parliament, MP eg Benard Atiku ni Memba Koloseni Ayivu County niri. = Benard Atiku is the MP of Ayivu County.
Meme (n) superhuman Lugbara shero ancestor, first woman in Lugbara mythology who bore twins: a boy and girl, name means "the person who came alone"
menemene (adj) soft (also moimoi)
mengu (n) mango (also muyembe) eg Kabaka ni mengu mgbe. = The Kabaka is eating a mango.
menora (n) Jewish candlestick that holds seven candles, menorah
menvu (n) bananas (also bogoya)
mere mere (adj) obese (also abuza)
mesa (n) holy communion, table (also meja)
Mesia (n) Messiah, Redeemer, Saviour eg YESU ni Mesia! = JESUS is Messiah!
menvu (n) bananas (also bogoya)
mere mere (adj) obese (also abuza)
mesa (n) holy communion, table (also meja)
Mesia (n) Messiah, Redeemer, Saviour eg YESU ni Mesia! = JESUS is Messiah!
meta (n) meter device, metre measurement
meya (n) mayor
mgbemgbe (n) irish potatoes
mi (pron) you, yourself (also mi-i) eg Aka mi ne! = When I see you!
Mi ala? (greeting) You are fine?/ Are you fine?
mi ape ti (phr v) comment
mi edri (phr v) send
Mi fu ngoni? (greeting) Good morning! (also mi ifu ngo, literally How did you get out?), also Owi ra (Has it dawned)?
mi gba ci (phr v) save
Mi Iji Katro Ngungu! (n) Lugbara song supposedly sung by doves
mi ikpa (phr v) press
mi le (phr v) like
mi nzi (phr v) open
mi opi (phr v) close
Midia (n) subcounty in Koboko near the DR Congo Border
midri (pron) yours (also midri ri) eg Midri ngo? = Where is yours?
mile (n) eye (also mifi), eye opening eg Herbert su mara i-ma mile dria ku. = Herbert does not wear glasses over his eyes.
mile aci (n) curiosity
mile ako (n) blindness
mile ini (n) gloom
mile'bi (n) eyelashes
milefi (n) eyeball
milekoko (adj) blind
mileti (n) face eg Bebe Koolu ma mileti posta dria. = Bebe Cool's face is on the poster.
minati (n) minute (also dakika, miniti)
mindre (n) tears
mindreru (adj) teary eyed, weeping
meya (n) mayor
mgbemgbe (n) irish potatoes
mi (pron) you, yourself (also mi-i) eg Aka mi ne! = When I see you!
Mi ala? (greeting) You are fine?/ Are you fine?
mi ape ti (phr v) comment
mi edri (phr v) send
Mi fu ngoni? (greeting) Good morning! (also mi ifu ngo, literally How did you get out?), also Owi ra (Has it dawned)?
mi gba ci (phr v) save
Mi Iji Katro Ngungu! (n) Lugbara song supposedly sung by doves
mi ikpa (phr v) press
mi le (phr v) like
mi nzi (phr v) open
mi opi (phr v) close
Midia (n) subcounty in Koboko near the DR Congo Border
midri (pron) yours (also midri ri) eg Midri ngo? = Where is yours?
mile (n) eye (also mifi), eye opening eg Herbert su mara i-ma mile dria ku. = Herbert does not wear glasses over his eyes.
mile aci (n) curiosity
mile ako (n) blindness
mile ini (n) gloom
mile'bi (n) eyelashes
milefi (n) eyeball
milekoko (adj) blind
mileti (n) face eg Bebe Koolu ma mileti posta dria. = Bebe Cool's face is on the poster.
minati (n) minute (also dakika, miniti)
mindre (n) tears
mindreru (adj) teary eyed, weeping
mingi (adj) a lot, much eg Ayiko mingi! = A lot of happiness!
mini (pron) yours
minista (n) minister
Minista Kari ni (n) Minister of State
ministri (n) ministry
Ministri Alata niri (n) Ministry of Health (also Ministri Alata vuleri, Gamete ma Amuti Alata niri)
Ministri Imbata azini Avita niri (n) Ministry of Education and Sports (also Ministri Imbata azini Avita vuleri)
Minyoko (n) place in Maracha after Lokiragodo
miri (n) lake, sea, big river
Miriadua Yi kuru (n) Miriadua Falls, waterfalls on River Oluffe in Kijomoro (Maracha) about 20 kilometres from Arua City named by Chief George S. Miriadua after himself eg Oguzu ni ava li Miriadua Yi kuru vu. = Oguzu is relaxing near Miriadua Falls.
mita (n) meter (also meta) eg mita yi lapi = water meter
MLK (n) Member of (the) Lugbara Kari
mo (v) gobble
mini (pron) yours
minista (n) minister
Minista Kari ni (n) Minister of State
ministri (n) ministry
Ministri Alata niri (n) Ministry of Health (also Ministri Alata vuleri, Gamete ma Amuti Alata niri)
Ministri Imbata azini Avita niri (n) Ministry of Education and Sports (also Ministri Imbata azini Avita vuleri)
Minyoko (n) place in Maracha after Lokiragodo
miri (n) lake, sea, big river
Miriadua Yi kuru (n) Miriadua Falls, waterfalls on River Oluffe in Kijomoro (Maracha) about 20 kilometres from Arua City named by Chief George S. Miriadua after himself eg Oguzu ni ava li Miriadua Yi kuru vu. = Oguzu is relaxing near Miriadua Falls.
mita (n) meter (also meta) eg mita yi lapi = water meter
MLK (n) Member of (the) Lugbara Kari
mo (v) gobble
mobailu sende (n) mobile money, Mo Mo (also sende simu si)
modemu (n) modem
modomodo (adj) ripe, soft (also moimoi)
mokoto (n) sleeping sickness
molo (n) traditional chicken house
Mombasa (n) coastal town in eastern Kenya eg Okiya ni aa Mombasa-a. = Okiya stays in Mombasa.
moralu (n) informal morale (also atita, murali)
mosikiti (n) mosque (also maskiti)
motoka (n) car (mutuka)
motoka onzu (v) drive, run a car
Moyo (n) Madi town and district northeast of Arua, translated "heart" or "soul" in Swahili language
mputa (n) Nile Perch, mputa in Luganda and Lusoga
mu (v) go, hold closed in the palm eg Buruga mu Kololo-a. = Buruga went to Kololo.
mucele (n) rice (also aria anya) eg West Nile Super Rice ni mucele kapi West Nile-a ni. = West Nile Super Rice is rice that grows in West Nile.
mucungua (n) orange (also ndima)
mude (n) darkness (also ini) eg Emaa ni angu ne muke mude-a! = An owl sees clearly in darkness!
mudri (n) ten
mufaliso (n) mattress (also mofilisi) eg Eli ni la "Arua Foam" mufaliso dria. = Eli sleeps on an Arua Foam mattress.
mufti (n) mufti eg Mufti Menk kini mi econi aa Silamu ku desi mi ai YESU ni ku (Asianzu ma ovu ERI ma Dria). = Mufti Menk said you cannot be a Muslim if you do not believe in JESUS (Peace Be Upon HIM)
mufuku (n) pocket
Muganda (n) sb from Buganda Kingdom eg Nakafu ni Muganda. = Nakafu is a Muganda.
Mugandati (n) Luganda language (also Luganda)
mukati (n) bread (also mugati)
muke (adj, interj) okay, alright, well, fine eg Barbra aga muke. = Barbra passed well.
mukeka (n) mat eg Filipo la-i mukeka dria. = Philip lay down on a mat.
Mukiga (n) Mukiga, someone from Kigezi (also Muciga) eg Muhimbise ni Mukiga. = Muhimbise is a Mukiga.
Mukono (n) district between Kampala (33 km away) and Jinja eg Uganda Christian University (UCU) ni Mukono-a. = Uganda Christian University (UCU) is in Mukono.
mukungu (n) county chief eg Manasseh Yuma Amuku ni mukungu. = Manasseh Yuma Amuku is a chief.
mulevi (n) drunkard eg Sasha ni mulevi! = Sasha is a drunkard!
muli muli (adj) healthy
mulokoni (n) cooked cow hooves (also putuku)
mundrokole (n) leafy vegetable (also waarla without beans)
Mundu (n) English, European, Western, white person (also muzungu), name given to Lugbara Tribe before migrating from Nigeria eg John Middleton ni Mundu. = John Middleton is a White.
Mundu ti (n) English language (also ogarabati, inglishi, Anyafio ti), 2nd Most Spoken Language from outside Africa after Arabic eg Katimbo ni Mundu ti imba. = Katimbo teaches English.
Munduganda (n) half-breed of a European and Muganda, Lugbara who prefers speaking only English or a European tongue and Luganda
MUNGU (n) YHWH, YAHWEH, JEHOVAH, JAH, GOD [preferred Christian name instead of ADROA, borrowed from Swahili], GOTT, DIEU, SHANGDI, PAPA GOD, ALLAH, KATONDA, Most High
MUNGU ka lera (phr) if GOD wills, inshaALLAH
MUNGU ma ondua (n) slang for chicken ribs that form a boat-like mass of meatbone, literally means GOD's engineering/ wisdom or intelligence
muni (n) type of chilli eg Sentongo nya muni. = Sentongo ate chilli.
Muni (n) suburb south of Arua City and east of Ewuata, location of Muni University, Muni National TTC, St. Luke Church of Uganda, Muni Girls S.S. and PSO Centre
munimuni (adj) soft
munisipulu (n) municipal (also munisipolu)
munu (n) ringworm
munyumunyu (adj) taking quick, small bites or nibbles like a rabbit
mupesa (n) button on cloth
mupira (n) football (also soka), ball, rubber, condom, tyre eg David O'bua avi mupira Hearts ni Scotland-a. = David Obua played football for Hearts in Scotland.
mupira pari (n) football field, pitch, stadium eg Arua Prisons ni avi Ministri Alataniri be Saferside mupira pari-a. = Arua Prisons is playing with Ministry of Health at Saferside Pitch.
modemu (n) modem
modomodo (adj) ripe, soft (also moimoi)
mokoto (n) sleeping sickness
molo (n) traditional chicken house
Mombasa (n) coastal town in eastern Kenya eg Okiya ni aa Mombasa-a. = Okiya stays in Mombasa.
moralu (n) informal morale (also atita, murali)
mosikiti (n) mosque (also maskiti)
motoka (n) car (mutuka)
motoka onzu (v) drive, run a car
Moyo (n) Madi town and district northeast of Arua, translated "heart" or "soul" in Swahili language
mputa (n) Nile Perch, mputa in Luganda and Lusoga
mu (v) go, hold closed in the palm eg Buruga mu Kololo-a. = Buruga went to Kololo.
mucele (n) rice (also aria anya) eg West Nile Super Rice ni mucele kapi West Nile-a ni. = West Nile Super Rice is rice that grows in West Nile.
mucungua (n) orange (also ndima)
mude (n) darkness (also ini) eg Emaa ni angu ne muke mude-a! = An owl sees clearly in darkness!
mudri (n) ten
mufaliso (n) mattress (also mofilisi) eg Eli ni la "Arua Foam" mufaliso dria. = Eli sleeps on an Arua Foam mattress.
mufti (n) mufti eg Mufti Menk kini mi econi aa Silamu ku desi mi ai YESU ni ku (Asianzu ma ovu ERI ma Dria). = Mufti Menk said you cannot be a Muslim if you do not believe in JESUS (Peace Be Upon HIM)
mufuku (n) pocket
Muganda (n) sb from Buganda Kingdom eg Nakafu ni Muganda. = Nakafu is a Muganda.
Mugandati (n) Luganda language (also Luganda)
mukati (n) bread (also mugati)
muke (adj, interj) okay, alright, well, fine eg Barbra aga muke. = Barbra passed well.
mukeka (n) mat eg Filipo la-i mukeka dria. = Philip lay down on a mat.
Mukiga (n) Mukiga, someone from Kigezi (also Muciga) eg Muhimbise ni Mukiga. = Muhimbise is a Mukiga.
Mukono (n) district between Kampala (33 km away) and Jinja eg Uganda Christian University (UCU) ni Mukono-a. = Uganda Christian University (UCU) is in Mukono.
mukungu (n) county chief eg Manasseh Yuma Amuku ni mukungu. = Manasseh Yuma Amuku is a chief.
mulevi (n) drunkard eg Sasha ni mulevi! = Sasha is a drunkard!
muli muli (adj) healthy
mulokoni (n) cooked cow hooves (also putuku)
mundrokole (n) leafy vegetable (also waarla without beans)
Mundu (n) English, European, Western, white person (also muzungu), name given to Lugbara Tribe before migrating from Nigeria eg John Middleton ni Mundu. = John Middleton is a White.
Mundu ti (n) English language (also ogarabati, inglishi, Anyafio ti), 2nd Most Spoken Language from outside Africa after Arabic eg Katimbo ni Mundu ti imba. = Katimbo teaches English.
Munduganda (n) half-breed of a European and Muganda, Lugbara who prefers speaking only English or a European tongue and Luganda
MUNGU (n) YHWH, YAHWEH, JEHOVAH, JAH, GOD [preferred Christian name instead of ADROA, borrowed from Swahili], GOTT, DIEU, SHANGDI, PAPA GOD, ALLAH, KATONDA, Most High
MUNGU ka lera (phr) if GOD wills, inshaALLAH
MUNGU ma ondua (n) slang for chicken ribs that form a boat-like mass of meatbone, literally means GOD's engineering/ wisdom or intelligence
muni (n) type of chilli eg Sentongo nya muni. = Sentongo ate chilli.
Muni (n) suburb south of Arua City and east of Ewuata, location of Muni University, Muni National TTC, St. Luke Church of Uganda, Muni Girls S.S. and PSO Centre
munimuni (adj) soft
munisipulu (n) municipal (also munisipolu)
munu (n) ringworm
munyumunyu (adj) taking quick, small bites or nibbles like a rabbit
mupesa (n) button on cloth
mupira (n) football (also soka), ball, rubber, condom, tyre eg David O'bua avi mupira Hearts ni Scotland-a. = David Obua played football for Hearts in Scotland.
mupira pari (n) football field, pitch, stadium eg Arua Prisons ni avi Ministri Alataniri be Saferside mupira pari-a. = Arua Prisons is playing with Ministry of Health at Saferside Pitch.
mure (n) traditional dance of the Ma'di people
murukulu (n) okra with groundnut paste
musalaba (n) cross
musara (n) payment, salary, earnings, wages
musipi (n) belt
musoro (n) tax, graduated tax eg Matayo ni musoro tra URA ni. = Matthew collects tax for URA.
murukulu (n) okra with groundnut paste
musalaba (n) cross
musara (n) payment, salary, earnings, wages
musipi (n) belt
Musu? (interj) Sure?
muta (n) going, departure (also muza)
mutere (n) sliced and sun-dried cassava or potatoes (also amukeke)
mutuka (n) motorcar (also motoka, mutukari) eg Mutuka Hamiltoni ni onzu ri Mercedes Benz. = The car Hamilton drives is a Mercedes Benz.
mutuka aci ayupi (n) electric car, battery electric vehicle
mutuka azakoza olipiri (n) cesspool car (also mutukari azakoza ojipiri)
mutuka 'ba olipiri (n) taxi, Public Service Van - PSV, kamunye, special hire taxi (also mutuka o'bi olizuri, afa idri koko)
muta (n) going, departure (also muza)
mutere (n) sliced and sun-dried cassava or potatoes (also amukeke)
mutuka (n) motorcar (also motoka, mutukari) eg Mutuka Hamiltoni ni onzu ri Mercedes Benz. = The car Hamilton drives is a Mercedes Benz.
mutuka aci ayupi (n) electric car, battery electric vehicle
mutuka azakoza olipiri (n) cesspool car (also mutukari azakoza ojipiri)
mutuka 'ba olipiri (n) taxi, Public Service Van - PSV, kamunye, special hire taxi (also mutuka o'bi olizuri, afa idri koko)
Mutukula (n) place near Arua Airport and Garamba, named after the border post in Southern Uganda
Muyindi (n) Indian
muze (n) old man, dad, granny
Muzungu (n) white person, European (also Mundu)
mva (adj) halfway, not full, half full, (n) baby, kid, child (also mvamva) (pronounced nva) eg Agastya, mva eli be 11 India-a de univasiti. = Agastya, an 11 year old kid in India finished university.
mva ofuza (n) abortion
Mvara (n) suburb or ward east of Arua City comprising Ewavio, Congo Cell, Zambia Cell, Anyafio East, Anyafio West, Anyafio Central, Mvara SS and Golf Course within Arua Hill Division; location of Emmanuel Cathedral
mve (v) whiten
mvi (n) son (also agupiamva); [(v) return, go back] eg LeBron Yamesi mvi Cleveland Cavaliers-a. = LeBron James returned to Cleveland Cavaliers.
mvita (n) return, departure
mvo (v) slash (also vo)
mvu (v) drink eg Aleksi ni Pepsi mvu. = Alex is drinking Pepsi.
mvuzaru (adj, n) drinkable
Nn
na (n) three
nabi (n) prophet eg Nabi YESU ma filimu ni avi ChurchTV-a. = Prophet JESUS's film is playing on ChurchTV.
Muyindi (n) Indian
muze (n) old man, dad, granny
Muzungu (n) white person, European (also Mundu)
mva (adj) halfway, not full, half full, (n) baby, kid, child (also mvamva) (pronounced nva) eg Agastya, mva eli be 11 India-a de univasiti. = Agastya, an 11 year old kid in India finished university.
mva ofuza (n) abortion
Mvara (n) suburb or ward east of Arua City comprising Ewavio, Congo Cell, Zambia Cell, Anyafio East, Anyafio West, Anyafio Central, Mvara SS and Golf Course within Arua Hill Division; location of Emmanuel Cathedral
mve (v) whiten
mvi (n) son (also agupiamva); [(v) return, go back] eg LeBron Yamesi mvi Cleveland Cavaliers-a. = LeBron James returned to Cleveland Cavaliers.
mvita (n) return, departure
mvo (v) slash (also vo)
mvu (v) drink eg Aleksi ni Pepsi mvu. = Alex is drinking Pepsi.
mvuzaru (adj, n) drinkable
Nn
na (n) three
nabi (n) prophet eg Nabi YESU ma filimu ni avi ChurchTV-a. = Prophet JESUS's film is playing on ChurchTV.
Nacara (n) village in Ojapi Parish (Ajira Subcounty, Maracha), 3CR, NCR, pronounced Na cha ra meaning "Three is enough", town in Mozambique, creek in Fiji eg Aiko mu Nacara-a. = Aiko went to Nacara Village.
Naijeria (n) Nigeria, Naija, 9ja eg Kanu osi Naijeria-a. = Kanu was born in Nigeria.
naito (n) drum played at death dances in union with mare - a side blown trumpet whose gourd is smeared inside with bee wax
namba (n) number eg Dimasi ni namba la. = Dimasi is reading numbers.
nambi (n) type of Lugbara dance performed mainly by young women during traditional marriage
nanasi (n) pineapple eg Bebi Kita ni nanasi nya. = Baby Kita is eating a pineapple.
nasari (n) nursery, kindergarten eg Anzi avi Springs Nasari-a. = Children are playing at Springs Kindergarten.
nasi (n) nurse eg Aniku ni nasi. = Aniku is a nurse.
Natali (n) Nativity, Christmas (also etu ambo, Krismasi)
nda (v) search, look for, find
ndaandaa (n) type of rat with long mouth and bad smell (also jojoa)
ndara (n) xylophone, percussion musical instrument made from banana stems or eucalyptus wood and played on the ground during annual Ndara Music & Dance Festivals that used to be held at the end of the year for instance in Awindiri where Shell Petrol Station and adjacent shops are now
ndaza ru (adj, n) becoming rare
nde (def. art) the; [(v) win, defeat; deny sb sth] eg Arseno nde Manchester United 1-0. = Arsenal defeated Manchester United 1-0.
nde nde (n) palm tree leaves
ndege (n) aeroplane, (air)plane eg Uncle Nyaks imu ndege si. = Uncle Nyaks came in a plane.
ndege pari (n) airfield, airport eg Karina ni Arua Ndege Pari-a. = Karina is at Arua Airport.
ndere (n) quiver used by Lugbara for traditional dance
ndeza (n) win (also ndeta), winning, victory, triumph eg Ndeza ni ndeza. = Winning is winning.
Ndezo (n) female-given name meaning "For victory"
ndi (v) pinch; [still, quiet] eg Enyati 'di ndi! = This zone is quiet!
ndima (n) orange, orange juice eg Safi ma-a ndima ci. = Safi has orange juice in it.
ndima oka (n) bitter lemon
ndiria (n) small bush animal resembling goat, gazelle
ndo (adv) later (also i'dio)
ndra (v) gaze at
ndraandraa (n) type of grass that cuts you when you come into contact with it
ndrazu (v) pour out water slowly to separate residue from the wanted content
ndre (v) see (also ne)
ndremasi (n) witness (also ndremaazi)
ndri (adj) beautiful (also ndriza, ndrizaru), (n) beauty (also ndrita); [goat] eg Viktoria ndri! = Victoria is beautiful!
ndro (v) gossip eg Red Pepper ni 'ba ndro. = Red Pepper gossips about people.
ndru (v) kiss, smooch, snog, suck, suckle eg Kanye West ndru Kim Kardashian ma ti. = Kanye West kissed Kim Kardashian's lips.
ndu (adj) different, (n) buttocks
Ndu (n) former name of the Kebu who live mainly in Mahagi District of DR Congo, west of Alur, blacksmiths (also Okebu)
Naijeria (n) Nigeria, Naija, 9ja eg Kanu osi Naijeria-a. = Kanu was born in Nigeria.
naito (n) drum played at death dances in union with mare - a side blown trumpet whose gourd is smeared inside with bee wax
namba (n) number eg Dimasi ni namba la. = Dimasi is reading numbers.
nambi (n) type of Lugbara dance performed mainly by young women during traditional marriage
nanasi (n) pineapple eg Bebi Kita ni nanasi nya. = Baby Kita is eating a pineapple.
nasari (n) nursery, kindergarten eg Anzi avi Springs Nasari-a. = Children are playing at Springs Kindergarten.
nasi (n) nurse eg Aniku ni nasi. = Aniku is a nurse.
Natali (n) Nativity, Christmas (also etu ambo, Krismasi)
nda (v) search, look for, find
ndaandaa (n) type of rat with long mouth and bad smell (also jojoa)
ndara (n) xylophone, percussion musical instrument made from banana stems or eucalyptus wood and played on the ground during annual Ndara Music & Dance Festivals that used to be held at the end of the year for instance in Awindiri where Shell Petrol Station and adjacent shops are now
ndaza ru (adj, n) becoming rare
nde (def. art) the; [(v) win, defeat; deny sb sth] eg Arseno nde Manchester United 1-0. = Arsenal defeated Manchester United 1-0.
nde nde (n) palm tree leaves
ndege (n) aeroplane, (air)plane eg Uncle Nyaks imu ndege si. = Uncle Nyaks came in a plane.
ndege pari (n) airfield, airport eg Karina ni Arua Ndege Pari-a. = Karina is at Arua Airport.
ndere (n) quiver used by Lugbara for traditional dance
ndeza (n) win (also ndeta), winning, victory, triumph eg Ndeza ni ndeza. = Winning is winning.
Ndezo (n) female-given name meaning "For victory"
ndi (v) pinch; [still, quiet] eg Enyati 'di ndi! = This zone is quiet!
ndima (n) orange, orange juice eg Safi ma-a ndima ci. = Safi has orange juice in it.
ndima oka (n) bitter lemon
ndiria (n) small bush animal resembling goat, gazelle
ndo (adv) later (also i'dio)
ndra (v) gaze at
ndraandraa (n) type of grass that cuts you when you come into contact with it
ndrazu (v) pour out water slowly to separate residue from the wanted content
ndre (v) see (also ne)
ndremasi (n) witness (also ndremaazi)
ndri (adj) beautiful (also ndriza, ndrizaru), (n) beauty (also ndrita); [goat] eg Viktoria ndri! = Victoria is beautiful!
ndro (v) gossip eg Red Pepper ni 'ba ndro. = Red Pepper gossips about people.
ndru (v) kiss, smooch, snog, suck, suckle eg Kanye West ndru Kim Kardashian ma ti. = Kanye West kissed Kim Kardashian's lips.
ndu (adj) different, (n) buttocks
Ndu (n) former name of the Kebu who live mainly in Mahagi District of DR Congo, west of Alur, blacksmiths (also Okebu)
ndugu (n) groundnuts, friend
ndundu (adj) various others
ne (v) see, watch eg Nkosa ni mupira ne Arsenal TV-a. = Nkosa is watching football on Arsenal TV.
Nebbi (n) Alur town and district south of Arua eg Olivia enga dra-a Nebbi-a. = Olivia is from a funeral in Nebbi.
ndundu (adj) various others
ne (v) see, watch eg Nkosa ni mupira ne Arsenal TV-a. = Nkosa is watching football on Arsenal TV.
Nebbi (n) Alur town and district south of Arua eg Olivia enga dra-a Nebbi-a. = Olivia is from a funeral in Nebbi.
neti (n) net
netiwaka (n) network
nga (adv) still, (conj) will, shall (v) rise, get up, fly eg Nga ki mu 'Be Wati-a. = They got up to go to Mt. Wati.
nga podi (adv) not yet ready, still not yet
ngalungalu (n) beans with mundrokole greens
ngamia (n) camel (also ngamiya)
nganu (n) wheat (flour)
ngata (n) flight
ngenge (n) tilapia fish
ngenjia (n) small silver fish
Ngilingili (n) short one, Pygmies or dwarfs of Ituri Forest
ngo (v) sing eg Leila Kayondo ni ongo ngo Grace Nakimera be. = Leila Kayondo is singing with Grace Nakimera.
ngoa (prep) where (sounds like ngua or ngwa) eg Arshavin gba golo su avita alu ma-a ngoa? = Where did Arshavin score four goals in one match?
ngobo (adj) wound scab, peel off
ngoli (n) sickle
ngonde (adj) ready eg Peshi ni ngonde. = Pesh is ready.
Ngoni? (greeting) How are you (also Azi mi ci, Ngoni ya, Ngoni 'do?), Kod'heyo!, (interj) how
ngoti (n) offspring
ngu (v) hate, smell, fatten
nguari? (adv) when?, from where? (also a'dungare?)
nguku (n) back; [(phr v) does not smell] eg E ndre mi nguku mba! = Watch your back hard/ well!
ngulu (adj) together
nga (adv) still, (conj) will, shall (v) rise, get up, fly eg Nga ki mu 'Be Wati-a. = They got up to go to Mt. Wati.
nga podi (adv) not yet ready, still not yet
ngalungalu (n) beans with mundrokole greens
ngamia (n) camel (also ngamiya)
nganu (n) wheat (flour)
ngata (n) flight
ngenge (n) tilapia fish
ngenjia (n) small silver fish
Ngilingili (n) short one, Pygmies or dwarfs of Ituri Forest
ngo (v) sing eg Leila Kayondo ni ongo ngo Grace Nakimera be. = Leila Kayondo is singing with Grace Nakimera.
ngoa (prep) where (sounds like ngua or ngwa) eg Arshavin gba golo su avita alu ma-a ngoa? = Where did Arshavin score four goals in one match?
ngobo (adj) wound scab, peel off
ngoli (n) sickle
ngonde (adj) ready eg Peshi ni ngonde. = Pesh is ready.
Ngoni? (greeting) How are you (also Azi mi ci, Ngoni ya, Ngoni 'do?), Kod'heyo!, (interj) how
ngoti (n) offspring
ngu (v) hate, smell, fatten
nguari? (adv) when?, from where? (also a'dungare?)
nguku (n) back; [(phr v) does not smell] eg E ndre mi nguku mba! = Watch your back hard/ well!
ngulu (adj) together
ngulupi (pron) self eg ima ngulupi = himself
ngurube (v) pig eg Ngurube ma eza alu alu. = Pig meat (pork) is tasty.
ngurube (v) pig eg Ngurube ma eza alu alu. = Pig meat (pork) is tasty.
ngurunguru (n) complaint(s) (also onota)
nguta (n) hatred
nguta (n) hatred
nguvu (n) might
nguzaru (adj) smelly
ni (adv) the one who did sth (n) snake (also ori, uri); [(prep) for; (v) know, is] eg Taban si jo 'da ni = Taban is the one who built that house.
niki (v) know (used only for plural subjects)
Nio (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo (very similar to Ugandan Lugbara)
niri (prep) for, (suffix) 's (showing possession) eg Golo alu Arsenal niri ca kopo 'duzu kuye. = Arsenal's one goal was not enough to lift the cup.
nita (n) knowledge
niza (adj) ripe, dark
njarunjaru (n) greens and beans eg Hila ni njarunjaru nya. = Hila is eating greens and beans.
njolonjolo (adj) soft (also onukunuru, munimuni)
no (v) roar
nguzaru (adj) smelly
ni (adv) the one who did sth (n) snake (also ori, uri); [(prep) for; (v) know, is] eg Taban si jo 'da ni = Taban is the one who built that house.
niki (v) know (used only for plural subjects)
Nio (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo (very similar to Ugandan Lugbara)
niri (prep) for, (suffix) 's (showing possession) eg Golo alu Arsenal niri ca kopo 'duzu kuye. = Arsenal's one goal was not enough to lift the cup.
nita (n) knowledge
niza (adj) ripe, dark
njarunjaru (n) greens and beans eg Hila ni njarunjaru nya. = Hila is eating greens and beans.
njolonjolo (adj) soft (also onukunuru, munimuni)
no (v) roar
Noa (n) Noah, righteous man who built an ark before the Flood that destroyed all evil creatures eg Noa ni Yafeti, Semi azini Hamu ma ati. = Noah is the father of Japheth, Shem and Ham.
noi (adj) slow, sluggish
noti (n) note
noza (n) roaring
ntula (n) green berries
Nubi (adj, n) Nubian tribe
Nubiti (n) Kinubi, Nubian language
nufi (n) greed eg M7 kini ileni 'ba nufi tro ri ku. = Museveni said that he does not like people with greed.
nukuta (n) letter
noi (adj) slow, sluggish
noti (n) note
noza (n) roaring
ntula (n) green berries
Nubi (adj, n) Nubian tribe
Nubiti (n) Kinubi, Nubian language
nufi (n) greed eg M7 kini ileni 'ba nufi tro ri ku. = Museveni said that he does not like people with greed.
nukuta (n) letter
nukuta akpaza (n) syllable
nusu (n) coin, money, small amount
nya (v) eat
nyadri (n) grave
Nyadri (n) subcounty and town (NYT) considered most central in Maracha because of district administration buildings, Maracha District sometimes referred to by the same name
nyafe (n) weapon, missile
Nyagaki (n) Nyagak, place in Zombo District where there is a series of dams that supply power to West Nile
nyaka (n) foodstuff(s), nyam, emere in Luganda, Essen in German eg E mba nyaka ma ta kilili! = Store foodstuffs well!
nyaka 'da (v) fast
nyaka 'daza (n) fasting
nyaka a'diza (n) cuisine, cookery
nyaka itu-a (n) lunch (also yi ali)
nyaku (n) soil, earth, planet Earth eg Ndege ri nyaku dria Arua-a. = A plane landed on the soil in Arua.
nyaku 'ba (n) national, native (also plu.)
nyamuko (n) wilderness, desert (also angu yikoko), green pastures
Nyankole (n) Munyankole, sb from Ankole Kingdom, Lunyankole or Runyankole language, predominant language spoken west of Buganda eg Jamila le Nyankole nze Mbarara-a. = Jamila wants to speak Nyankole in Mbarara.
nyanya (n) tomato(es) eg Helena ni nyanya oli. = Helen is cutting tomatoes.
nyanyakubi (n) black and yellow-striped caterpillar with red head
nyanyu nyanyu (adj) flickering, intermittent, (n) blinking lights, indicators
nyaruganda (n) someone who is half Munyarwanda and half Muganda
Nyarwanda (n) Ugandan with Rwandese origins, Munyarwanda, Nyaru
Nyatonzi (n) place in Bunyoro
nyaza (adj) edible, (n) eating, consumption
nyeke (n) chin
nusu (n) coin, money, small amount
nya (v) eat
nyadri (n) grave
Nyadri (n) subcounty and town (NYT) considered most central in Maracha because of district administration buildings, Maracha District sometimes referred to by the same name
nyafe (n) weapon, missile
Nyagaki (n) Nyagak, place in Zombo District where there is a series of dams that supply power to West Nile
nyaka (n) foodstuff(s), nyam, emere in Luganda, Essen in German eg E mba nyaka ma ta kilili! = Store foodstuffs well!
nyaka 'da (v) fast
nyaka 'daza (n) fasting
nyaka a'diza (n) cuisine, cookery
nyaka itu-a (n) lunch (also yi ali)
nyaku (n) soil, earth, planet Earth eg Ndege ri nyaku dria Arua-a. = A plane landed on the soil in Arua.
nyaku 'ba (n) national, native (also plu.)
nyamuko (n) wilderness, desert (also angu yikoko), green pastures
Nyankole (n) Munyankole, sb from Ankole Kingdom, Lunyankole or Runyankole language, predominant language spoken west of Buganda eg Jamila le Nyankole nze Mbarara-a. = Jamila wants to speak Nyankole in Mbarara.
nyanya (n) tomato(es) eg Helena ni nyanya oli. = Helen is cutting tomatoes.
nyanyakubi (n) black and yellow-striped caterpillar with red head
nyanyu nyanyu (adj) flickering, intermittent, (n) blinking lights, indicators
nyaruganda (n) someone who is half Munyarwanda and half Muganda
Nyarwanda (n) Ugandan with Rwandese origins, Munyarwanda, Nyaru
Nyatonzi (n) place in Bunyoro
nyaza (adj) edible, (n) eating, consumption
nyeke (n) chin
Nyeri (n) mountain in Moyo 1,403 meters above sea level
nyi (v) clean, mop, stick on sb
nyibiliko (n) injury
nyila (n) shoes (also katara, viato)
nyi (v) clean, mop, stick on sb
nyibiliko (n) injury
nyila (n) shoes (also katara, viato)
nyingiri (adv) in smaller parts
nyiri (adj) tiny, small eg Sende nyiri yo! = There's no loose change!
nyo (v) break
nyoka (n) condition in which a lineage is dying out and likely to become extinct
Nyoko (n) place after Terego on the Arua-Yumbe Highway, famous primary school by the same name eg Lakwonyero mu Nyoko Primary-a. = Lakwonyero went to Nyoko Primary.
nyondo (n) hammer
Nyoro (n) village in Nyadri area, Maracha District some distance before the main town centre when travelling from Arua eg Shida mu Nyoro-a. = Shida has gone to Nyoro.
nyororo (n) chain
nyoza (n) breaking
nyu (v) wither, wilt
nyiri (adj) tiny, small eg Sende nyiri yo! = There's no loose change!
nyo (v) break
nyoka (n) condition in which a lineage is dying out and likely to become extinct
Nyoko (n) place after Terego on the Arua-Yumbe Highway, famous primary school by the same name eg Lakwonyero mu Nyoko Primary-a. = Lakwonyero went to Nyoko Primary.
nyondo (n) hammer
Nyoro (n) village in Nyadri area, Maracha District some distance before the main town centre when travelling from Arua eg Shida mu Nyoro-a. = Shida has gone to Nyoro.
nyororo (n) chain
nyoza (n) breaking
nyu (v) wither, wilt
Nyu Yoku (n) New York, the Big Apple
Nyu Zilandi (n) New Zealand
Nyu Zilandi (n) New Zealand
nyure (n) cow vaseline mixed with plant oil and smeared on skin
nyuta (n) withering, wilting
nza (v) suffer
nzai (n) type of illegal drug that is planted (also njai) eg 'Ba nzai se stresi si.= People smoke njai because of stress.
nzata (n) suffering
nze (v) talk, speak, comb, sneak, subtract, uproot
nzenze (n) grasshopper (also ise, kulu)
nzeta (n) combing, sneaking, communicating, communication, subtracting, subtraction, talking, uprooting (also nzeza)
nzi (v) jeer, squeeze, strangle; [open]
nzila (n) road (also gerika)
nzinzi (adj) heavy (also anziza, nzizaru); [spotted; (n) jeer (also nziri)]
nzita (n) jeering, squeezing, strangling, opening, weight (also nziza)
nzo (v) slip, skid, slide; [unshell (eg beanskin)] eg Oezilu nzo i-ma kumu si ase dria. = Oezil slid with his knees on the grass.
nzoko (n) tree that can grow on another
nzolanzola (adj) slippery (also nzonzo, nzozaru)
nzota (n) slipping, sliding, skidding, unshelling
nzu (n) kind of pumpkin (pronounced nju); [(v) run dry, suck, run, ride] eg Diago ni gari nzu. = Diago is riding the bicycle.
nzubi (n) distant relatives
nzuku (n) gonorrhea, syphilis (also oya)
nzuta (n) run, running, athletics, sucking, drying (also nzuza) eg Akiibua ma ru ku nzuta si. = Akiibua's name became popular because of athletics.
Oo [shares some words with Uu (other times written as Öö)]
o'ba (v) add
o'be (v) throw
o'belemvu (n) cheek (also o'bolo, o'boloko, obelemvu, nebi)
o'bi (n) crowd, family, public, people; [(v) imitate, mimic, try, taste, roast; winnow] eg Ama eco ra aka (ki) o'bi! = We can if we try!
o'bi'bia (n) copying
o'bini (adj) public
o'bini ku (adj) private
o'bita (n) trial
o'biti (adv) morning (also o'bitisi)
o'bo (n) boat (also oguru) eg Nakato ni o'bo-a. = Nakato is in a boat.
o'boko (n) cover, shell (also o'boroko), shell of a yellow fruit that grows on a creeping plant cooked as sauce (also o'bokoa)
o'bolo (n) cheek (also o'bole, o'belemvu)
o'boloko (n) fox, vixen, jackal, wild creature that steals domesticated animals (also obalako, obaliko, obaloo) (totem for Vurra Clan)
o'boloko aje (n) low price even a fox (animal) can afford
o'bu (n) season for white ants to fly out of anthills, worm (also abeleso)
O'bu ondrindria niri (n) HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
O'bu West Nile-a ri (n) West Nile Virus
o'buka (n) baby strap, baby carrier (also a'buka)
o'buruso (n) form, lather (also oburusa, oburuso, kafuto)
o'da (v) abuse
o'data (n) abuse, insult
o'de (v) fall
o'di (adj) new; [(n) betrayal (also o'di nyaza), harp, guitar] eg Mutuka o'bi olizuri ma Angu Adumi azini Duka Geri-a ri ni o'di. = The Taxi Park on Adumi and Duka Road is new.
o'di nya (v) betray
o'di'dia (n) newness
o'du (n) day; [leopard (also odhu), panther, jaguar, garden dug and left for some time before using, thigh, vision, omen sent to an evildoer by the Divine Spirit] eg O'du ni aci ini si. = A leopard moves at night.
o'du ambo (n) big day, public holiday
o'du koza (n) sleep
nyuta (n) withering, wilting
nza (v) suffer
nzai (n) type of illegal drug that is planted (also njai) eg 'Ba nzai se stresi si.= People smoke njai because of stress.
nzata (n) suffering
nze (v) talk, speak, comb, sneak, subtract, uproot
nzenze (n) grasshopper (also ise, kulu)
nzeta (n) combing, sneaking, communicating, communication, subtracting, subtraction, talking, uprooting (also nzeza)
nzi (v) jeer, squeeze, strangle; [open]
nzila (n) road (also gerika)
nzinzi (adj) heavy (also anziza, nzizaru); [spotted; (n) jeer (also nziri)]
nzita (n) jeering, squeezing, strangling, opening, weight (also nziza)
nzo (v) slip, skid, slide; [unshell (eg beanskin)] eg Oezilu nzo i-ma kumu si ase dria. = Oezil slid with his knees on the grass.
nzoko (n) tree that can grow on another
nzolanzola (adj) slippery (also nzonzo, nzozaru)
nzota (n) slipping, sliding, skidding, unshelling
nzu (n) kind of pumpkin (pronounced nju); [(v) run dry, suck, run, ride] eg Diago ni gari nzu. = Diago is riding the bicycle.
nzubi (n) distant relatives
nzuku (n) gonorrhea, syphilis (also oya)
nzuta (n) run, running, athletics, sucking, drying (also nzuza) eg Akiibua ma ru ku nzuta si. = Akiibua's name became popular because of athletics.
Oo [shares some words with Uu (other times written as Öö)]
o'ba (v) add
o'be (v) throw
o'belemvu (n) cheek (also o'bolo, o'boloko, obelemvu, nebi)
o'bi (n) crowd, family, public, people; [(v) imitate, mimic, try, taste, roast; winnow] eg Ama eco ra aka (ki) o'bi! = We can if we try!
o'bi'bia (n) copying
o'bini (adj) public
o'bini ku (adj) private
o'bita (n) trial
o'biti (adv) morning (also o'bitisi)
o'bo (n) boat (also oguru) eg Nakato ni o'bo-a. = Nakato is in a boat.
o'boko (n) cover, shell (also o'boroko), shell of a yellow fruit that grows on a creeping plant cooked as sauce (also o'bokoa)
o'bolo (n) cheek (also o'bole, o'belemvu)
o'boloko (n) fox, vixen, jackal, wild creature that steals domesticated animals (also obalako, obaliko, obaloo) (totem for Vurra Clan)
o'boloko aje (n) low price even a fox (animal) can afford
o'bu (n) season for white ants to fly out of anthills, worm (also abeleso)
O'bu ondrindria niri (n) HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
O'bu West Nile-a ri (n) West Nile Virus
o'buka (n) baby strap, baby carrier (also a'buka)
o'buruso (n) form, lather (also oburusa, oburuso, kafuto)
o'da (v) abuse
o'data (n) abuse, insult
o'de (v) fall
o'di (adj) new; [(n) betrayal (also o'di nyaza), harp, guitar] eg Mutuka o'bi olizuri ma Angu Adumi azini Duka Geri-a ri ni o'di. = The Taxi Park on Adumi and Duka Road is new.
o'di nya (v) betray
o'di'dia (n) newness
o'du (n) day; [leopard (also odhu), panther, jaguar, garden dug and left for some time before using, thigh, vision, omen sent to an evildoer by the Divine Spirit] eg O'du ni aci ini si. = A leopard moves at night.
o'du ambo (n) big day, public holiday
o'du koza (n) sleep
O'du na Ofutani (n) Ash Wednesday, first day of Lent or 40 days of fasting before Easter
o'du ositani (n) birthday (also o'du 'bani mi osizu)
O'du ositani(ri) ayikoru! (phr) Happy birthday! HBD! (also OOA)
O'du towi Ala (n) Good Friday
O'dua (n) name given to a triplet (also O'duru, Aseru)
o'duko (n) fairytale, story, noise, sound, voice eg West Nile Web ni o'duko 'dia ri. = West Nile Web is the story here.
o'du ositani (n) birthday (also o'du 'bani mi osizu)
O'du ositani(ri) ayikoru! (phr) Happy birthday! HBD! (also OOA)
O'du towi Ala (n) Good Friday
O'dua (n) name given to a triplet (also O'duru, Aseru)
o'duko (n) fairytale, story, noise, sound, voice eg West Nile Web ni o'duko 'dia ri. = West Nile Web is the story here.
o'duko awuni (n) condolence(s), sorrow message
o'duko 'ba jezuri (n) transfer news
o'duko eceza (n) announcement (also oyuta)
o'wi (v) dry
o'wiza (n) drying
o'yo (n) promise or oath made by an individual (either publicly or in the mind) (not to do something)
o'yu (n) horn
oa (v) stay, reside (also aa, archaic o'a, o-a) eg Priska ni oa Above The Low vu Mvara-a. = Prisca stays near Above The Low in Mvara.
oata (n) stay (also oaza)
obangi (n) golf sport
obangulu (n) bread made from wingless white ants pounded and then cooked in banana leaves, hardened together (also ombangulu, bofolo)
Obaru (n) daughter of Gboro in Lugbara mythology; sister to Oli, Olu and Kibira
obau (n) hyena (also angbaka)
Obauji (n) hill adjacent to Mt. Wati
obe (v) entice, tempt, convince, induce, persuade
obeta (n) enticement, temptation, inducement, persuasion eg Sitani ni 'ba ni obeta fe. = Satan tempts people.
obi (n) character, behaviour, custom, habit, (v) hold
obi onzi (adj) impolite
obirio (n) rhinoceros eg Obirio imve andraa lu Ajai Game Reserve-a wudrikuru-a woro. = White rhinos used to be found only in Ajai Game Reserve on the whole earth.
obita (n) test
obiti (n) morning, breakfast (also euetere)
oboloko (n) fox
Obolokofuku (n) place in Tara Subcounty
Obongi (n) town and ferry crossing west of Albert Nile and Adjumani District, 46 kilometres from the Arua-Yumbe Road
ocaoca (n) kind of sauce prepared with beans and paste (also ocakuca)
oce (n) dog (also ocoo), rainbow shaped tattoos; [(v) rear, shepherd] eg Adi ni mi oce ni? YESU ni ma oce ni. = Who shepherds you? JESUS shepherds me.
o'duko eceza (n) announcement (also oyuta)
o'wi (v) dry
o'wiza (n) drying
o'yo (n) promise or oath made by an individual (either publicly or in the mind) (not to do something)
o'yu (n) horn
oa (v) stay, reside (also aa, archaic o'a, o-a) eg Priska ni oa Above The Low vu Mvara-a. = Prisca stays near Above The Low in Mvara.
oata (n) stay (also oaza)
obangi (n) golf sport
obangulu (n) bread made from wingless white ants pounded and then cooked in banana leaves, hardened together (also ombangulu, bofolo)
Obaru (n) daughter of Gboro in Lugbara mythology; sister to Oli, Olu and Kibira
obau (n) hyena (also angbaka)
Obauji (n) hill adjacent to Mt. Wati
obe (v) entice, tempt, convince, induce, persuade
obeta (n) enticement, temptation, inducement, persuasion eg Sitani ni 'ba ni obeta fe. = Satan tempts people.
obi (n) character, behaviour, custom, habit, (v) hold
obi onzi (adj) impolite
obirio (n) rhinoceros eg Obirio imve andraa lu Ajai Game Reserve-a wudrikuru-a woro. = White rhinos used to be found only in Ajai Game Reserve on the whole earth.
obita (n) test
obiti (n) morning, breakfast (also euetere)
oboloko (n) fox
Obolokofuku (n) place in Tara Subcounty
Obongi (n) town and ferry crossing west of Albert Nile and Adjumani District, 46 kilometres from the Arua-Yumbe Road
ocaoca (n) kind of sauce prepared with beans and paste (also ocakuca)
oce (n) dog (also ocoo), rainbow shaped tattoos; [(v) rear, shepherd] eg Adi ni mi oce ni? YESU ni ma oce ni. = Who shepherds you? JESUS shepherds me.
Oce (n) forest reserve in Moyo sheltering 168 bird species and 261 types of trees found north of Mt. O(t)ce which is 1,563 meters above sea level. Mt. Oce offers stunning views of the Albert Nile as it leaves Uganda and crosses into South Sudan where its name changes to White Nile. You can also see Erende Mountain ranges plus Ilo and Buce on the border
ocee (n) forest (also angu patiru, goloko, jere[e], jereko, obibi, pati jumulani, pati tala), reserve, grove; [(v) rear eg animals] eg Ama aci ki ocee Barifa-a! = Let's take a walk in Barifa Forest!
ocepi (n) shepherd
oceta (n) rearing
oci (n) thorn; [(v) bite many times here and there, hide]
ocee (n) forest (also angu patiru, goloko, jere[e], jereko, obibi, pati jumulani, pati tala), reserve, grove; [(v) rear eg animals] eg Ama aci ki ocee Barifa-a! = Let's take a walk in Barifa Forest!
ocepi (n) shepherd
oceta (n) rearing
oci (n) thorn; [(v) bite many times here and there, hide]
oci so ma pa (n) payment for fieldwork as assumed consolation for a thorn pricking the worker's foot
Ociba (n) suburb and parish near Arua City, north of Anyafio along Mt. Wati Road, rock point of interest or hill in Dadamu Area, place in Yivu Subcounty (Maracha) eg Ma Premier ne Ociba Kosti-a. = I watch English Premiership in Ociba Coast.
Ociba Lane (n) road that starts on Mt. Wati Road (from Hotel Arua) and slopes to Oda Road eg Springview ni Ociba Lane-a. = Springview is on Ociba Lane.
ocita (n) hiding, keeping, secret, concealment (also ociza)
oco (n) length, height; [dog (also oce, ocoo, ocogo)]
Ocodri (n) place in Bileafe (Terego Area), means head of a dog eg Kwame ni mu Ocodri-a pa si. = Kwame is going to Ocodri on foot.
ocoko (n) misery
Ocokoru (n) female-given name meaning "miserable" eg Daktari ma ru Ocokoru. = Doctor is called Ocokoru.
ocu (v) interrogate
ocuruko (n) insult, abuse
oda (v) pour
ode (adj) young
odekele (n) baby (also odekua, odekule, bebi)
odhu (n) leopard (also o'du)
odi (n) groundnut paste (also odii in Acholi, kipoli in Luganda, ongungu); (v) box, strike, depreciate
Ociba (n) suburb and parish near Arua City, north of Anyafio along Mt. Wati Road, rock point of interest or hill in Dadamu Area, place in Yivu Subcounty (Maracha) eg Ma Premier ne Ociba Kosti-a. = I watch English Premiership in Ociba Coast.
Ociba Lane (n) road that starts on Mt. Wati Road (from Hotel Arua) and slopes to Oda Road eg Springview ni Ociba Lane-a. = Springview is on Ociba Lane.
ocita (n) hiding, keeping, secret, concealment (also ociza)
oco (n) length, height; [dog (also oce, ocoo, ocogo)]
Ocodri (n) place in Bileafe (Terego Area), means head of a dog eg Kwame ni mu Ocodri-a pa si. = Kwame is going to Ocodri on foot.
ocoko (n) misery
Ocokoru (n) female-given name meaning "miserable" eg Daktari ma ru Ocokoru. = Doctor is called Ocokoru.
ocu (v) interrogate
ocuruko (n) insult, abuse
oda (v) pour
ode (adj) young
odekele (n) baby (also odekua, odekule, bebi)
odhu (n) leopard (also o'du)
odi (n) groundnut paste (also odii in Acholi, kipoli in Luganda, ongungu); (v) box, strike, depreciate
Odika (n) Flu, Influenza, Common Cold
odo (v) handle carefully
odoloo (n) tree that bears long suspended fruits
odra (n) local beer that has stayed overnight, bamboo; [death]
Odramacako (n) border town on the Maracha - DR Congo border reachable from Arua City via Adumi Road
Odravu (n) subcounty in Yumbe
odre (n) urine eg Gaku mu odre su. = Gaku has gone to pour urine (/urinate).
odre jo (n) bladder (literally urine house) eg Java ma odre jo ga adusiku mvu "Coke Zero" angiri. = Java's bladder filled up because he drunk a lot of Coke Zero.
odre su (v) urinate, piss, pee, abirigate
odri (n) mud, clay
odro (n) rat; [coach grass; (v) chase] (totem for Terego Clan) eg Ratatouille ni odro. = Ratatouille is a rat.
odro 'ba ni nya (n) edible rats including alucaku, amurude (also amuruu), ozulai, anabia in Terego (abijoa by Upper Lugbara and pukupuku in DRC)
odro 'ba ni nya ku (n) inedible rats (also odro 'ba na ku 'di in Terego dialect) including ngarakaja, ndre odraa, abija, angayika
odrokodro (n) a kind of nocturnal bird
onokono (n) praying mantis
odrota (n) chase
odru (n) buffalo eg Odru fu Anira ni te/ Odru fu Anera ni te! = A buffalo killed Anira (who thought he knew it all)/ Anera (who thought she had seen it all)/ Listen to advice! [Lugbara Proverbs]
odrua (n) small buffalo, motorcycle
odrukodru (n) toad, frog
odu (v) soak, wet; [(n) oil (also petroli), vaseline (also odu efizaru), lotion]
odukudu (n) cockroach
ofa (n) scrap, (v) scrape, remove or cut grass with a hoe, remove or cut hair
ofaza (n) removal
ofe (v) pay
ofenga (n) payment (also ofeta, ofeza)
ofi (v) enter
ofisa (n) officer
ofisi (n) office eg Rowland ni ofisi-a. = Rowland is in the office.
ofo (n) tick (also oga)
ofono (n) big-size half litre Ofwono soda inspired by Ofwono, the Tallest Ugandan in the 2000s (also ofwono)
ofu (n) kind of white ant (also ifu); [leprosy, (v) release, exchange, kill; become pale (clothes)] eg Ben Hur ma andri azini amvi esu ofu aru-a. = Ben Hur's mother and sister got leprosy in prison.
ofu ojo (n) herbs
Ofude Hills (n) mountain ranges near Mt. Wati, viewable from Kololo in Maracha
Ofunyaru (n) leper Madi woman in Lugbara mythology whom Banyale met on Mt. Wati and conceived Angundru with
ofuruso (n) lather, foam
ofusara (n) mist, fog
ofuta (n) ash; [release, exchange, killing (also ofuza)]
ofutaku (n) ingredient produced by burning dried bean pods, banana peelings, etc and mixing the ash with water before sieving to produce a brown liquid used to cook greens like osubi. It maintains their green chlorophyll colour
ofutaru (adj) shy
ofuza (n) production
oga (v) crawl, hatch, stop; [(n) tick (also ogalili), big man (borrowed from the Igbo language of Nigeria)]
oga ci ma ejea (n) style of bicycle riding through the frame and under the crossbar especially by short or young people without occupying the seat (also oga ci ma loma-a [literally The tick has bitten me in the abdomen])
ogara (n) axe
ogara'ba (n) English, Europeans, rulers
ogata (n) crawling, hatching, stopping (also ogaza)
ogayi (n) basket
ogba (v) beat eg with stick, draw
ogbe (v) vomit (also gbe)
ogbeta (n) vomiting (also ogbeza)
ogbi (v) shoot
ogbo (n) zero, nil
ogbuluku (n) large black bird, type of safari ant
ogea (n) big basket used for harvests
ogogo (prep) near
Ogoko (n) place northeast of Madi Okollo, southwest of Rhino Camp, fairly central headquarters for Madi Okollo District
ogu (n) waist, back of the body, theft; [liver, (v) laugh]; steal
ogua (adv) on the back, (n) seat, chair
ogulegu (n) small ant
ogunga (n) throne, seat, chair (also kome, kiti)
oguo (n) thief eg Sende oguo ni mu Aci inyupiku ri-a. = A money thief goes to Hell.
oguoei (n) chairman eg Draga ni oguoei. = Draga is chairman.
oguru (n) boat (also o'bo)
oguta (n) laughter
oguza (adj) stolen, (n) theft
ohelu (n) crested crane (also ohalu)
ohorokoto (n) empty shell
oi (n) kind of fleshy fish, (v) dry; [hang, tether, tie eg a goat]
oiza (n) dry
oja (v) change, exchange, translate, Igbo traditional flute used at funerals and other functions eg MUNGU le 'ba onzi ma oja asi. = GOD wants bad people to change the heart (repent).
odo (v) handle carefully
odoloo (n) tree that bears long suspended fruits
odra (n) local beer that has stayed overnight, bamboo; [death]
Odramacako (n) border town on the Maracha - DR Congo border reachable from Arua City via Adumi Road
Odravu (n) subcounty in Yumbe
odre (n) urine eg Gaku mu odre su. = Gaku has gone to pour urine (/urinate).
odre jo (n) bladder (literally urine house) eg Java ma odre jo ga adusiku mvu "Coke Zero" angiri. = Java's bladder filled up because he drunk a lot of Coke Zero.
odre su (v) urinate, piss, pee, abirigate
odri (n) mud, clay
odro (n) rat; [coach grass; (v) chase] (totem for Terego Clan) eg Ratatouille ni odro. = Ratatouille is a rat.
odro 'ba ni nya (n) edible rats including alucaku, amurude (also amuruu), ozulai, anabia in Terego (abijoa by Upper Lugbara and pukupuku in DRC)
odro 'ba ni nya ku (n) inedible rats (also odro 'ba na ku 'di in Terego dialect) including ngarakaja, ndre odraa, abija, angayika
odrokodro (n) a kind of nocturnal bird
onokono (n) praying mantis
odrota (n) chase
odru (n) buffalo eg Odru fu Anira ni te/ Odru fu Anera ni te! = A buffalo killed Anira (who thought he knew it all)/ Anera (who thought she had seen it all)/ Listen to advice! [Lugbara Proverbs]
odrua (n) small buffalo, motorcycle
odrukodru (n) toad, frog
odu (v) soak, wet; [(n) oil (also petroli), vaseline (also odu efizaru), lotion]
odukudu (n) cockroach
ofa (n) scrap, (v) scrape, remove or cut grass with a hoe, remove or cut hair
ofaza (n) removal
ofe (v) pay
ofenga (n) payment (also ofeta, ofeza)
ofi (v) enter
ofisa (n) officer
ofisi (n) office eg Rowland ni ofisi-a. = Rowland is in the office.
ofo (n) tick (also oga)
ofono (n) big-size half litre Ofwono soda inspired by Ofwono, the Tallest Ugandan in the 2000s (also ofwono)
ofu (n) kind of white ant (also ifu); [leprosy, (v) release, exchange, kill; become pale (clothes)] eg Ben Hur ma andri azini amvi esu ofu aru-a. = Ben Hur's mother and sister got leprosy in prison.
ofu ojo (n) herbs
Ofude Hills (n) mountain ranges near Mt. Wati, viewable from Kololo in Maracha
Ofunyaru (n) leper Madi woman in Lugbara mythology whom Banyale met on Mt. Wati and conceived Angundru with
ofuruso (n) lather, foam
ofusara (n) mist, fog
ofuta (n) ash; [release, exchange, killing (also ofuza)]
ofutaku (n) ingredient produced by burning dried bean pods, banana peelings, etc and mixing the ash with water before sieving to produce a brown liquid used to cook greens like osubi. It maintains their green chlorophyll colour
ofutaru (adj) shy
ofuza (n) production
oga (v) crawl, hatch, stop; [(n) tick (also ogalili), big man (borrowed from the Igbo language of Nigeria)]
oga ci ma ejea (n) style of bicycle riding through the frame and under the crossbar especially by short or young people without occupying the seat (also oga ci ma loma-a [literally The tick has bitten me in the abdomen])
ogara (n) axe
ogara'ba (n) English, Europeans, rulers
ogata (n) crawling, hatching, stopping (also ogaza)
ogayi (n) basket
ogba (v) beat eg with stick, draw
ogbe (v) vomit (also gbe)
ogbeta (n) vomiting (also ogbeza)
ogbi (v) shoot
ogbo (n) zero, nil
ogbuluku (n) large black bird, type of safari ant
ogea (n) big basket used for harvests
ogogo (prep) near
Ogoko (n) place northeast of Madi Okollo, southwest of Rhino Camp, fairly central headquarters for Madi Okollo District
ogu (n) waist, back of the body, theft; [liver, (v) laugh]; steal
ogua (adv) on the back, (n) seat, chair
ogulegu (n) small ant
ogunga (n) throne, seat, chair (also kome, kiti)
oguo (n) thief eg Sende oguo ni mu Aci inyupiku ri-a. = A money thief goes to Hell.
oguoei (n) chairman eg Draga ni oguoei. = Draga is chairman.
oguru (n) boat (also o'bo)
oguta (n) laughter
oguza (adj) stolen, (n) theft
ohelu (n) crested crane (also ohalu)
ohorokoto (n) empty shell
oi (n) kind of fleshy fish, (v) dry; [hang, tether, tie eg a goat]
oiza (n) dry
oja (v) change, exchange, translate, Igbo traditional flute used at funerals and other functions eg MUNGU le 'ba onzi ma oja asi. = GOD wants bad people to change the heart (repent).
ojapi (n) converter (also ojapiri), translator, changer, hatcher, inverter, turner, transcriber
Ojapi (n) parish in Tara then Ajira Subcounty (Maracha East Constituency)
ojata (n) exchange, change (also ojaza), translation, shift eg Mi iji ojata! = Bring change!
ojazaru (adj) (ex)changed
oje (v) bought more than one thing
Ojepi (n) village in Aliba Ward of Aroi Subcounty in Ayivu County of Arua District
ojeta (n) buying
ojeza (adj, n) buying
oji (n) cave, (v) take, deliver; [wash, bathe] eg Hopu ni i-ma dribi oji. = Hope is washing her hair.
ojiata (n) baboon (also ojimata)
ojio (n) go between, one sent on errands, apostles eg YESU pe ojio mudri drini iri (12) ma ti. = JESUS sent 12 apostles.
Ojapi (n) parish in Tara then Ajira Subcounty (Maracha East Constituency)
ojata (n) exchange, change (also ojaza), translation, shift eg Mi iji ojata! = Bring change!
ojazaru (adj) (ex)changed
oje (v) bought more than one thing
Ojepi (n) village in Aliba Ward of Aroi Subcounty in Ayivu County of Arua District
ojeta (n) buying
ojeza (adj, n) buying
oji (n) cave, (v) take, deliver; [wash, bathe] eg Hopu ni i-ma dribi oji. = Hope is washing her hair.
ojiata (n) baboon (also ojimata)
ojio (n) go between, one sent on errands, apostles eg YESU pe ojio mudri drini iri (12) ma ti. = JESUS sent 12 apostles.
Ojiodri (n) original name of Arua Hill before colonialists built a weather observation cell on top of it and a prison where Arua Hill Primary is
ojita (n) bath, taking, steering, deliverance
ojizaru (adv) taken, delivered, washed, bathed
ojo (n) issue, topic (also e'yo), (v) talk (also jo in Maracha and Aringa dialect)
ojoo (n) heavy sauce made from beans and groundnut or simsim paste; mashed mutere mixed with cowpeas (also o'yoo, ojogo); [medical practitioner (also dakitari, daktari), local medicineman or woman (also ojo)], grasshopper with purple shades
oju (n) twins (also eju)
ojuruko (n) termite
Ojurukombeni (n) place in Yumbe, means "The termite ate (literally licked) it"
oka (adj) sour, (n) sourness; [blacksmith, (v) become brownish with dirt]
okalamgba (adj) brown eg Gresi su viato okalamgba. = Grace wore brown shoes.
okalamvu (n) factory
okangali (adj) very bitter, sour
okaritua (n) very sour colourless alcohol brewed from cassava, drunk while sitted in the sun
okata (n) becoming brownish
okaza (n) brown, brownish (also okazaru) eg Oketa ni okaza! = Oketa is brown!
Okebu (n) ethnic group that specialised in iron smelting
okelea (n) calabash
oki (v) swallow
oko (adv) first, ahead, leading; [(v) fetch eg water; finish] eg FM redio oko Uganda-a ri andraa Capital FM. = The first FM radio in Uganda was Capital FM.
Okokoro (n) trading centre in Maracha on Koboko Highway after River Imve
ojita (n) bath, taking, steering, deliverance
ojizaru (adv) taken, delivered, washed, bathed
ojo (n) issue, topic (also e'yo), (v) talk (also jo in Maracha and Aringa dialect)
ojoo (n) heavy sauce made from beans and groundnut or simsim paste; mashed mutere mixed with cowpeas (also o'yoo, ojogo); [medical practitioner (also dakitari, daktari), local medicineman or woman (also ojo)], grasshopper with purple shades
oju (n) twins (also eju)
ojuruko (n) termite
Ojurukombeni (n) place in Yumbe, means "The termite ate (literally licked) it"
oka (adj) sour, (n) sourness; [blacksmith, (v) become brownish with dirt]
okalamgba (adj) brown eg Gresi su viato okalamgba. = Grace wore brown shoes.
okalamvu (n) factory
okangali (adj) very bitter, sour
okaritua (n) very sour colourless alcohol brewed from cassava, drunk while sitted in the sun
okata (n) becoming brownish
okaza (n) brown, brownish (also okazaru) eg Oketa ni okaza! = Oketa is brown!
Okebu (n) ethnic group that specialised in iron smelting
okelea (n) calabash
oki (v) swallow
oko (adv) first, ahead, leading; [(v) fetch eg water; finish] eg FM redio oko Uganda-a ri andraa Capital FM. = The first FM radio in Uganda was Capital FM.
Okokoro (n) trading centre in Maracha on Koboko Highway after River Imve
okondo (n) ostrich
Okoro (n) County near the DR Congo Border, south of Vurra
okpo (n) strength eg Samsoni ma okpo aga 'ba dria. = Samson's strength is more than everybody.
Okoro (n) County near the DR Congo Border, south of Vurra
okpo (n) strength eg Samsoni ma okpo aga 'ba dria. = Samson's strength is more than everybody.
Okpo (n) neighbourhood in the city of Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province (of South Korea)
okpo bolo vuri (n) oomph, sex drive, libido, erectile function, manly power (also okpo bolo driari), manyi ga kisajja in Luganda
okpoa (n) gizzard
okpojo (n) uterus
okpolo (adj) old fashioned
okporovu (n) pregnancy, pregnant person
okporu (adj) strong
okpo bolo vuri (n) oomph, sex drive, libido, erectile function, manly power (also okpo bolo driari), manyi ga kisajja in Luganda
okpoa (n) gizzard
okpojo (n) uterus
okpolo (adj) old fashioned
okporovu (n) pregnancy, pregnant person
okporu (adj) strong
Okpova (n) open green space with natural stones acting as seats under the tamarind trees next to Arua Central Police Station. It's where Ayivu elders sat and resolved issues affecting them, carried out cleansing rituals and curses too
oku (adj) old (also amba), ancient; [(n) female, wife, woman; hat, crown, (v) gather, collect] eg Sara ni oku. = Sarah is a woman.
oku biza (n) wedding
Okuambo (n) village in Kenya Zone where there is a market (Okuambo Cuu) formed by old women on Oluko Road after Mvara Trading Centre
okufuku (n) sth a Lugbara man does to keep his wife forever whether by giving her money support and gifts regularly, providing food and school fees for her children or love foreplay and good sex
okuku (n) tortoise
okuku nyazari (n) turtle (edible)
okule (n) transfeminine eg Kaitlyn Jenner ni okule. = Caitlyn Jenner is a transfeminine.
oku (adj) old (also amba), ancient; [(n) female, wife, woman; hat, crown, (v) gather, collect] eg Sara ni oku. = Sarah is a woman.
oku biza (n) wedding
Okuambo (n) village in Kenya Zone where there is a market (Okuambo Cuu) formed by old women on Oluko Road after Mvara Trading Centre
okufuku (n) sth a Lugbara man does to keep his wife forever whether by giving her money support and gifts regularly, providing food and school fees for her children or love foreplay and good sex
okuku (n) tortoise
okuku nyazari (n) turtle (edible)
okule (n) transfeminine eg Kaitlyn Jenner ni okule. = Caitlyn Jenner is a transfeminine.
Okuvu (n) place in Maracha, means "from or with woman", Lugbara Church in Kinawataka - Mbuya started under a jambula tree in 1976 with eight members by Neria Olua, now St. Paul's Church of Uganda. Because of outreaches, other Lugbara churches emerged eg Beteli, Abiribani, Kagave, Namanve, Kajjansi, Namasuba, Buziga, Entebbe and St. Francis Chapel Makerere University (Over 24 CoU points between Entebbe and Kakira by 2018)
okuza (n) gathering, congregation (also okuta) eg Afeku mu Okuza-a. = Afeku went for the Gathering.
Okuza (n) festival where Lugbara Diaspora meet and fellowship for four to five days in a big venue like the Mvara Secondary School field or one day in KLA City somewhere near Mbuya
okuzaru (adv) collected, gathered
ola (n) root, (v) lie down
olaa (n) cassava (also gbanda)
olaa fura (n) cassava flour
olakula (n) restlessness, curiosity
olangi (n) bell
ole (adj) clean, bare, (n) witchcraft in the heart, bad heart, indignation, moral anger, Parallax; [(v) trick, deceive]
Oleba (n) subcounty in Maracha near DR Congo Border
oleo (n) witch eg Oleo Grini ma mile iri ndundu. = The Green Witch's two eyes are different.
Olewa Falls (n) water falling about 10 meters from River Enyau as it descends towards River Nile at the foothill of Mount Wati eg Maandebo ni Olewa Falls-a. = Mandebo is at Olewa Falls.
olezaru (adv) tricked
oli (n) air, wind, airtime; [(v) whistle, cut; roll] eg Ndege ni aci oli-a si. = A plane moves through the air.
Oli (n) river from which Oli Division gets its name, subcounty or division in Arua District comprising 28 cells in 2018, cannibalistic ancestor also known as Banyale in Lugbara mythology, eldest son of Gboro, had supernatural powers and kingship privileges symbolised by a bead, brother to Olu, Kibira and Obaru. His first descendants were Madi Pawor. He killed children and ate their liver
oli vu (v) whistle
oli vuza (n) whistling
olimangulu (n) sportsnews
olirika (n) wind [in Terego dialect] (also oliriko)
oliza (n) cut
olizaru (adv) cut
olo (v) touch eg A'di ni ma olo ni? Ma ori yo... YESU pa ma 'bo! = Who can touch me? I have no fear... JESUS has saved me!
olokoto (n) lizard
olu (v) lower sth or sb, slope; [preach, report, reveal, fall off eg leaves; jatropha] eg Fanuel Onzima olu e'yo ni. = Fanuel Onzima preached the message.
Olu (n) second son of Gboro in Lugbara mythology; brother to Oli, Kibira and Obaru
olubua (n) type of creeping bean
olufe (n) bridge (also alofe); [mingling stick]
Oluffe (n) river on the Koboko Highway after Imve River
Oluko (n) suburb east of Arua City beyond Mvara
oluta (n) preaching (also oluza)
olupi (n) preacher (also olu'ba or oluba), catechist
Oluva (n) subcounty north of Adumi and near the DR Congo Border, west of Kijomoro and Aroi
oluzaru (adj) sloppy, sloping
Olwiyo (n) place in Nwoya where the Umeme Regional Substation for West Nile is located
omba (n) anger; [(v) stiffen, toughen]
omba omba (n) edible rats enjoyed mainly in Terego eg Omba omba 'ba esu ngoa? = Where can people find edible rats?
Ombaci (n) suburb connected to Arua City by Rhino Camp Road (after the Airfield Stretch), location of St. Joseph's College for boys only, Arua suburb where former Ugandan President Idi Amin set up the First Earth Satellite Station in East Africa [1976] before Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) removed the equipment 40 years later plus where Obote II soldiers massacred civilians in 1985, ward in Koboko District
ombaru (adj) angry
Ombatini (n) place reachable eastwards from Ombaci via Rhino Camp Road eg Adra la sukulu ombatini-a. = Adra studied in Ombatini.
ombazaru (adj) stiff, tough
ombe (n) neck (also ombele, ombeleko), lick; [tie] eg Lanesra ombe i-ma dribi riboni yelo si mba towi-a. = Lanesra tied her hair with a yellow ribbon in May (the fifth month).
ombere (n) lame, disabled person, PWD - Person With Disabilities (also 'ba acoza) eg Half Kilo ni ombere. = Half Kilo is a disabled person.
ombeza (n) licking
ombezaru (adj, n) tied, licked
ombi (n) locust
Ombinyiri (n) place in Ayivu
ombizoku (n) large waterbody eg lake (literally locust cannot cross)
Ombizoku Alberti (n) Lake Albert (also locally called Mwitanzigye)
Ombokolo (n) place in Koboko and Mvara (Arua)
ombu (v) jump, hop
ombulu (n) fake money, counterfeit, kiwani
ombuta (n) jump, hopping (also ombuza)
omgbo (n) size, volume
omi (v) press
Omi (n) village on Koboko Highway after Enyau River
omogo (n) vagina, pussy, punani (also rua okuni, oma, angunya)
omu (v) visitor; [(v) combine; festival] eg SK ni mu omu-a. = SK is going to the festival.
omu inzile inzi (n) esteemed guests, respected visitors (pronounced omu injile inji)
Omugo (n) subcounty in Maracha-Terego, Queen Mother in the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom
omukua (n) boiled and salted beans eaten as snacks
omunyale (n) refugee (also emunyale) eg Omunyale engazu South Sudan-a apa ki Uganda-a. = Refugees from South Sudan fled to Uganda.
omve (v) call (pronounced onve), (tele)phone eg E ka golo le, mi omve Nketiah-i! = If you want a goal, then call Nketiah!
omvele (adv) called, named, entitled (also omvezaru)
omveta (n) calling (also omveza), call
omvezaru (n) called
omvi (v) reply, return; [feel (again), touch (also amvu, omvu)] eg Trevor omvi zita. = Trevor answered the question.
omvita (n) answer, reply (also omviza)
omvizaru (n) returned, replied
omvu (n) nose, sneeze; [orphan; (v) pick up]
omvu co (phr v) sneeze
omvumvua (n) drinks
ona (v) dodge, avoid
okuza (n) gathering, congregation (also okuta) eg Afeku mu Okuza-a. = Afeku went for the Gathering.
Okuza (n) festival where Lugbara Diaspora meet and fellowship for four to five days in a big venue like the Mvara Secondary School field or one day in KLA City somewhere near Mbuya
okuzaru (adv) collected, gathered
ola (n) root, (v) lie down
olaa (n) cassava (also gbanda)
olaa fura (n) cassava flour
olakula (n) restlessness, curiosity
olangi (n) bell
ole (adj) clean, bare, (n) witchcraft in the heart, bad heart, indignation, moral anger, Parallax; [(v) trick, deceive]
Oleba (n) subcounty in Maracha near DR Congo Border
oleo (n) witch eg Oleo Grini ma mile iri ndundu. = The Green Witch's two eyes are different.
Olewa Falls (n) water falling about 10 meters from River Enyau as it descends towards River Nile at the foothill of Mount Wati eg Maandebo ni Olewa Falls-a. = Mandebo is at Olewa Falls.
olezaru (adv) tricked
oli (n) air, wind, airtime; [(v) whistle, cut; roll] eg Ndege ni aci oli-a si. = A plane moves through the air.
Oli (n) river from which Oli Division gets its name, subcounty or division in Arua District comprising 28 cells in 2018, cannibalistic ancestor also known as Banyale in Lugbara mythology, eldest son of Gboro, had supernatural powers and kingship privileges symbolised by a bead, brother to Olu, Kibira and Obaru. His first descendants were Madi Pawor. He killed children and ate their liver
oli vu (v) whistle
oli vuza (n) whistling
olimangulu (n) sportsnews
olirika (n) wind [in Terego dialect] (also oliriko)
oliza (n) cut
olizaru (adv) cut
olo (v) touch eg A'di ni ma olo ni? Ma ori yo... YESU pa ma 'bo! = Who can touch me? I have no fear... JESUS has saved me!
olokoto (n) lizard
olu (v) lower sth or sb, slope; [preach, report, reveal, fall off eg leaves; jatropha] eg Fanuel Onzima olu e'yo ni. = Fanuel Onzima preached the message.
Olu (n) second son of Gboro in Lugbara mythology; brother to Oli, Kibira and Obaru
olubua (n) type of creeping bean
olufe (n) bridge (also alofe); [mingling stick]
Oluffe (n) river on the Koboko Highway after Imve River
Oluko (n) suburb east of Arua City beyond Mvara
oluta (n) preaching (also oluza)
olupi (n) preacher (also olu'ba or oluba), catechist
Oluva (n) subcounty north of Adumi and near the DR Congo Border, west of Kijomoro and Aroi
oluzaru (adj) sloppy, sloping
Olwiyo (n) place in Nwoya where the Umeme Regional Substation for West Nile is located
omba (n) anger; [(v) stiffen, toughen]
omba omba (n) edible rats enjoyed mainly in Terego eg Omba omba 'ba esu ngoa? = Where can people find edible rats?
Ombaci (n) suburb connected to Arua City by Rhino Camp Road (after the Airfield Stretch), location of St. Joseph's College for boys only, Arua suburb where former Ugandan President Idi Amin set up the First Earth Satellite Station in East Africa [1976] before Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) removed the equipment 40 years later plus where Obote II soldiers massacred civilians in 1985, ward in Koboko District
ombaru (adj) angry
Ombatini (n) place reachable eastwards from Ombaci via Rhino Camp Road eg Adra la sukulu ombatini-a. = Adra studied in Ombatini.
ombazaru (adj) stiff, tough
ombe (n) neck (also ombele, ombeleko), lick; [tie] eg Lanesra ombe i-ma dribi riboni yelo si mba towi-a. = Lanesra tied her hair with a yellow ribbon in May (the fifth month).
ombere (n) lame, disabled person, PWD - Person With Disabilities (also 'ba acoza) eg Half Kilo ni ombere. = Half Kilo is a disabled person.
ombeza (n) licking
ombezaru (adj, n) tied, licked
ombi (n) locust
Ombinyiri (n) place in Ayivu
ombizoku (n) large waterbody eg lake (literally locust cannot cross)
Ombizoku Alberti (n) Lake Albert (also locally called Mwitanzigye)
Ombokolo (n) place in Koboko and Mvara (Arua)
ombu (v) jump, hop
ombulu (n) fake money, counterfeit, kiwani
ombuta (n) jump, hopping (also ombuza)
omgbo (n) size, volume
omi (v) press
Omi (n) village on Koboko Highway after Enyau River
omogo (n) vagina, pussy, punani (also rua okuni, oma, angunya)
omu (v) visitor; [(v) combine; festival] eg SK ni mu omu-a. = SK is going to the festival.
omu inzile inzi (n) esteemed guests, respected visitors (pronounced omu injile inji)
Omugo (n) subcounty in Maracha-Terego, Queen Mother in the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom
omukua (n) boiled and salted beans eaten as snacks
omunyale (n) refugee (also emunyale) eg Omunyale engazu South Sudan-a apa ki Uganda-a. = Refugees from South Sudan fled to Uganda.
omve (v) call (pronounced onve), (tele)phone eg E ka golo le, mi omve Nketiah-i! = If you want a goal, then call Nketiah!
omvele (adv) called, named, entitled (also omvezaru)
omveta (n) calling (also omveza), call
omvezaru (n) called
omvi (v) reply, return; [feel (again), touch (also amvu, omvu)] eg Trevor omvi zita. = Trevor answered the question.
omvita (n) answer, reply (also omviza)
omvizaru (n) returned, replied
omvu (n) nose, sneeze; [orphan; (v) pick up]
omvu co (phr v) sneeze
omvumvua (n) drinks
ona (v) dodge, avoid
Onayi (n) place in Terego where rocks can be viewed on both horizons
onda (v) look for, search for
ondakayi (n) red or brown sugar ants that reside on trees for example mangoes, tangerines and jackfruits (also ondakaya)
ondaza (n) looking for or searching
ondere (n) giraffe eg Apio so pa ondere ma ageia. = Apio stood beside a giraffe.
ondi (n) dirt, sweat; [(v) pinch] eg Ayiko ni ondi ma mva. = Happiness is sweat's child. [Lugbara Proverb]
ondikokoru (adj) clean, without dirt
ondiru (adj) dirty
ondo (n) barren person or animal, barrenness, infertility, impotency
ondoa (n) cleverness, brightness
Ondoma (n) male-given name when a woman takes long to deliver after marriage (female version is Onduru)
ondoru (adj) barren
ondre (n) evening; [(v) look, search (also one)]
ondre ta (n) evening meal
ondrealesi (adv) by evening (also ondresi), in the evening
ondreondre (n) white ants harvested immediately after dusk from 7:30-8:30pm (also andre)
ondreta (n) supervision, checking (ondreza)
ondrezaru (n) checked, supervised
ondri (v) become thin or slim, bewitch
ondringa (n) slimming (also ondrita, ondriza)
ondrita (adv) bewitching, slimming (also enata, acife) eg Pasta Sembera ni ondrita agba Life TV-a. = Pastor Sembera is hitting witchcraft on Life TV.
ondrizaru (adj) slim
ondroko (n) snore
ondroko soza (n) snoring (also ondroko seza)
ondrukundrua (n) black ant
ondu (n) sorghum; [(v) cheat]
ondua (n) wisdom, brains, intelligence
Ondunyiri (n) nickname for the Junior Caterpillars of Onduparaka FC (Children's team), means little or small sorghum
Onduparaka (n) suburb, town and village found less than a 10-minute ride directly north of Arua City along Adumi Road eg Greenlight Stadia ni Onduparaka-a. = Greenlight Stadium is in Onduparaka.
one (v) look
oneza (n) looking
onda (v) look for, search for
ondakayi (n) red or brown sugar ants that reside on trees for example mangoes, tangerines and jackfruits (also ondakaya)
ondaza (n) looking for or searching
ondere (n) giraffe eg Apio so pa ondere ma ageia. = Apio stood beside a giraffe.
ondi (n) dirt, sweat; [(v) pinch] eg Ayiko ni ondi ma mva. = Happiness is sweat's child. [Lugbara Proverb]
ondikokoru (adj) clean, without dirt
ondiru (adj) dirty
ondo (n) barren person or animal, barrenness, infertility, impotency
ondoa (n) cleverness, brightness
Ondoma (n) male-given name when a woman takes long to deliver after marriage (female version is Onduru)
ondoru (adj) barren
ondre (n) evening; [(v) look, search (also one)]
ondre ta (n) evening meal
ondrealesi (adv) by evening (also ondresi), in the evening
ondreondre (n) white ants harvested immediately after dusk from 7:30-8:30pm (also andre)
ondreta (n) supervision, checking (ondreza)
ondrezaru (n) checked, supervised
ondri (v) become thin or slim, bewitch
ondringa (n) slimming (also ondrita, ondriza)
ondrita (adv) bewitching, slimming (also enata, acife) eg Pasta Sembera ni ondrita agba Life TV-a. = Pastor Sembera is hitting witchcraft on Life TV.
ondrizaru (adj) slim
ondroko (n) snore
ondroko soza (n) snoring (also ondroko seza)
ondrukundrua (n) black ant
ondu (n) sorghum; [(v) cheat]
ondua (n) wisdom, brains, intelligence
Ondunyiri (n) nickname for the Junior Caterpillars of Onduparaka FC (Children's team), means little or small sorghum
Onduparaka (n) suburb, town and village found less than a 10-minute ride directly north of Arua City along Adumi Road eg Greenlight Stadia ni Onduparaka-a. = Greenlight Stadium is in Onduparaka.
one (v) look
oneza (n) looking
onezaru (adj, adv) opposite
onga (n) trap, (v) fly
ongo (n) song, music, tune eg Yiga si ongo Maggie ni. = Yiga wrote a song for Maggie.
ongo ngo (v) sing music eg Jackie ni andraa ongo ngo Blu 3 be. = Jackie used to sing with Blu 3.
ongo ma nukuta (n) musical notes eg Ongo ma nukuta aziri (7): C, D, E, F, G, A azini B (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti). = There are seven musical notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti).
ongo ngoza (n) singing
ongobi (n) gorilla (also em[g]beleke) eg Mbayahi ni ongobi ma kalafe la. = Mbayahi is counting the population of gorillas.
ongoni (adj) poetic
ongoro'bi (n) eyebrows
ongu (n) race, running (also ongu nzuta, ongu nzuza); [(v) dry] eg Narambhai nde ongu. = Narambhai won the race.
ongulumu (n) group, association, multitude eg Sudhir Ruparelia ma ongulumu amboo. = Sudhir Ruparelia's group is big.
oni (n) stone, hill; [(v) learn] eg Oni Arua = Arua Hill
ono (v) complain (also onu)
onota (n) complaint (onoza)
onya (n) white ant, winged termites (also ona, una), enswa (in Luganda) eg Onyango ni onya nda. = Onyango is looking for whiteants.
onyakunya (n) snacks
onyata (n) fraud, corruption, cheating (that does not involve adultery)
onyi (n) good, beauty (also ndrita), partner (also onyia) eg Idri ma onyi! = Life has beauty/ Life is good!
onyiru (adj) good, beautiful (also onioni), sweet eg MUNGU ni onyiru! = GOD is good!
onyofi (n) body nail
onyu (adj) half dry, (n) magical condition with an evil spirit similar to adraa that attacked thieves by removing their teeth plus inflicting a terrible cough and rash or pimples on the face; [(v) wither, crumple, crash] eg Semakula mu pari mutuka ni onyu ria. = Semakula went to the place where the car crashed.
onyukunyu (n) housefly
onyuonyu (adj) withered (onyuza, onyuzaru)
onyuta (n) withering
onze (v) bail, pluck, uproot
onzeta (n) bail (onzeza) eg A'di ni onzeta ofe Fire Eaters, Chicken Cannot Pass azini B-13 ni ra? = Who will pay bail for Fire Eaters, Chicken Cannot Pass and B-13?
onzi (adj) bad, evil, (n) type of snake, bad attribute, sin; [(v) show happiness, open] eg Pasita Sempa lu Pepe Julian Onzima ni kini: LGBT+ Afu onzi! = Pastor Sempa told Pepe Julian Onzima that: LGBT+ Pride is bad!
onzikanya (n) very bad (also onzirikanya) eg Kyarenga kini eri onzikanya. = Kyarenga said it's very bad.
onzita (n) happiness, opening (also onziza)
onzivu (n) ugliness
Onzivu (n) suburb south of Arua City after Sambya and Awindiri; narrow street between Arua Avenue and Transport Road
onzivuru (adj) ugly
onzo (v) belittle; [cheat, smash]
onzokonzo (n) smooth
onzomatara (n) belittling
onzoroko (n) dirt, many
onzorokoru (adj) dirty
onzota (n) belittling, minimizing; [cheating, smashing (also onzoza)]
onzu (v) off load; [run]
onzuta (n) offloading eg from a bag; [running (also onzuza)]
onga (n) trap, (v) fly
ongo (n) song, music, tune eg Yiga si ongo Maggie ni. = Yiga wrote a song for Maggie.
ongo ngo (v) sing music eg Jackie ni andraa ongo ngo Blu 3 be. = Jackie used to sing with Blu 3.
ongo ma nukuta (n) musical notes eg Ongo ma nukuta aziri (7): C, D, E, F, G, A azini B (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti). = There are seven musical notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti).
ongo ngoza (n) singing
ongobi (n) gorilla (also em[g]beleke) eg Mbayahi ni ongobi ma kalafe la. = Mbayahi is counting the population of gorillas.
ongoni (adj) poetic
ongoro'bi (n) eyebrows
ongu (n) race, running (also ongu nzuta, ongu nzuza); [(v) dry] eg Narambhai nde ongu. = Narambhai won the race.
ongulumu (n) group, association, multitude eg Sudhir Ruparelia ma ongulumu amboo. = Sudhir Ruparelia's group is big.
oni (n) stone, hill; [(v) learn] eg Oni Arua = Arua Hill
ono (v) complain (also onu)
onota (n) complaint (onoza)
onyakunya (n) snacks
onyata (n) fraud, corruption, cheating (that does not involve adultery)
onyi (n) good, beauty (also ndrita), partner (also onyia) eg Idri ma onyi! = Life has beauty/ Life is good!
onyiru (adj) good, beautiful (also onioni), sweet eg MUNGU ni onyiru! = GOD is good!
onyofi (n) body nail
onyu (adj) half dry, (n) magical condition with an evil spirit similar to adraa that attacked thieves by removing their teeth plus inflicting a terrible cough and rash or pimples on the face; [(v) wither, crumple, crash] eg Semakula mu pari mutuka ni onyu ria. = Semakula went to the place where the car crashed.
onyukunyu (n) housefly
onyuonyu (adj) withered (onyuza, onyuzaru)
onyuta (n) withering
onze (v) bail, pluck, uproot
onzeta (n) bail (onzeza) eg A'di ni onzeta ofe Fire Eaters, Chicken Cannot Pass azini B-13 ni ra? = Who will pay bail for Fire Eaters, Chicken Cannot Pass and B-13?
onzi (adj) bad, evil, (n) type of snake, bad attribute, sin; [(v) show happiness, open] eg Pasita Sempa lu Pepe Julian Onzima ni kini: LGBT+ Afu onzi! = Pastor Sempa told Pepe Julian Onzima that: LGBT+ Pride is bad!
onzikanya (n) very bad (also onzirikanya) eg Kyarenga kini eri onzikanya. = Kyarenga said it's very bad.
onzita (n) happiness, opening (also onziza)
onzivu (n) ugliness
Onzivu (n) suburb south of Arua City after Sambya and Awindiri; narrow street between Arua Avenue and Transport Road
onzivuru (adj) ugly
onzo (v) belittle; [cheat, smash]
onzokonzo (n) smooth
onzomatara (n) belittling
onzoroko (n) dirt, many
onzorokoru (adj) dirty
onzota (n) belittling, minimizing; [cheating, smashing (also onzoza)]
onzu (v) off load; [run]
onzuta (n) offloading eg from a bag; [running (also onzuza)]
oo (v) speak, talk (also 'yo)
opa (v) nail, rob eg Francis opa kiti. = Francis nailed the seat.
opalaku (n) smooth stone used instead of a hammer
Oparesoni Lonyi Ideta (n) Operation Wealth Creation
opasi (n) nape, back of your neck
opazaru (v) nailed, robbed
ope (n) guinea fowl; [(v) select, choose]
opendu (n) segregation, nepotism
operea (n) swallow (bird)
opeta (n) choice, selection (also opeza), election, voting
opezaru (adv) selected, chosen
opi (n) chief, chieftainship, king; [wings; (v) peel, unshell, swell] eg YESU ni opi ma Opi. = JESUS is the King of kings.
Opi ma ndrita ma ovu mibe! (greeting) May the glory of the LORD be with you!
opi mva (n) prince (plu. opi anzi)
opi nyaza (n) power
opi opi (adj) swollen
opi ti (v) close (mouth), switch off, conclude, finalise eg Mi opi redio ti! = Switch off the radio!
opimaopima (n) cabbage (also kebeji)
opipia (n) boil
opiza (n) swelling, act of unshelling eg Dokta Birungi nze opiza agu azoru ma pa-a Arua Hospital-a. = Doctor Birungi removed a swelling in a patient's leg at Arua Hospital.
opizaru (adj) swollen, peeled
opa (v) nail, rob eg Francis opa kiti. = Francis nailed the seat.
opalaku (n) smooth stone used instead of a hammer
Oparesoni Lonyi Ideta (n) Operation Wealth Creation
opasi (n) nape, back of your neck
opazaru (v) nailed, robbed
ope (n) guinea fowl; [(v) select, choose]
opendu (n) segregation, nepotism
operea (n) swallow (bird)
opeta (n) choice, selection (also opeza), election, voting
opezaru (adv) selected, chosen
opi (n) chief, chieftainship, king; [wings; (v) peel, unshell, swell] eg YESU ni opi ma Opi. = JESUS is the King of kings.
Opi ma ndrita ma ovu mibe! (greeting) May the glory of the LORD be with you!
opi mva (n) prince (plu. opi anzi)
opi nyaza (n) power
opi opi (adj) swollen
opi ti (v) close (mouth), switch off, conclude, finalise eg Mi opi redio ti! = Switch off the radio!
opimaopima (n) cabbage (also kebeji)
opipia (n) boil
opiza (n) swelling, act of unshelling eg Dokta Birungi nze opiza agu azoru ma pa-a Arua Hospital-a. = Doctor Birungi removed a swelling in a patient's leg at Arua Hospital.
opizaru (adj) swollen, peeled
opoa (n) leftover food (also mawolu, ibeku)
oporovu (n) pregnancy, pregnant woman
oporovu (n) pregnancy, pregnant woman
Opozisoni (n) Opposition
ora (v) leak; [(over)think, worry]
Ora (n) River Nile tributary flowing eastwards to the Albert Nile near Madi Okollo Town as you enter Arua District
ora idrika (n) small mushrooms that grow at the entrance of a python hole
Orani (v) rock formation and village in Tara Subcounty
orata (n) leakage, thought (also oraza)
Orawa (n) place found somewhere between Arua Airport and Dadamu or Ociba
ori (n) snake; [fear, cowardice (also uri), seed; (v) settle at the bottom of a liquid] eg Ori ci ya? Ori yo! = Is there fear? No fear!
ori owizu (n) sacrifice to ghosts in form of a goat, ox, sheep or fowl. Meat is divided into three portions: one for the dead which is placed in their shrines, second is cooked and eaten by the congregation while third is taken home uncooked for later distribution by them among more distant patrilineal kin
ori zoza (n) crop growing, seed planting
ori'ba (n) family (also aku)
oria (n) half-breed usually with Asian descent eg Chenene ni oria. = Chenene is of Asian descent.
oriahulu (n) cobra
Orientale Province (n) region in northeastern DR Congo immediately west of Arua District
orii (n) mixture of gold and other metals (also oruu) reference in Congo
orindi (n) spirit, soul (also urindi)
Orindi Alari (n) Holy Spirit (also Urindi Alari)
orio (n) coward (also urio)
oro (n) earth, universe, the world, upper part of thigh; [tiredness, (v) feel tired]
orobi (n) dream eg MUNGU eco e'yo nze orobi si. = GOD can speak through a dream.
orodri (n) profit, gain, use(fulness) eg Afa MUNGU ni le amavu ri, (eri orindi ni); rua ma orodri yo, (eri nga ma ra)! = What GOD wants from us, (it is the spirit); the body is useless, (it will rot)!
orodriru (adj) profitable, gainful
oromi (n) nine eg Arsene Wenger nde kopo ku eli oromi engazu 2005 pere 2014. = Arsene Wenger did not win a cup for nine years since 2005 up to 2014.
Oromo (n) Cushitic language (spoken in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt), 3rd Most Spoken African Language
oru (adv) up, high, (prep) above, (v) prepare (esp. porridge), wake up eg Gasi oru i'di! = Gasi prepared porridge!
orukua (n) type of dodo greens
Orule'ba (n) highland people, a section of Lugbara
oruleru (adv) upper
oruta (n) waking up
osa (n) mixture, syrup; [(v) fly, mix, slap] eg Anyoya ma a, 'ba kaka osa osu be. = In anyoya, maize is mixed with beans.
osasaa (n) insect
ose (adj) fat, (v) fatten; [pull] eg Hal ni ose. = Hal is fat.
oseta (n) fattening
oseza (adj) fatness
osi (v) give birth, produce a baby; [roast; write] eg Neria osi mva ago. = Neria gave birth to a male child.
osisia (n) secretary, scribe (also osipiri)
osita (n) birth; [roasting, writing, registration (also ositaa)]
osiza (adj) roasted
osizaru (adj) roasted; [written]
oso (n) fat; [pole with sth sharp]
osolo (n) mucus-like substance that comes from chest while coughing, sputum
osoroko (n) old clothes
Ostrelia (n) Australia eg Ogwapit ni Ostrelia-a. = Ogwapit is in Australia.
osu (n) bow, gun (also bunduki, usu); [peas, beans; (v) fix, pour, dress, marvel] eg Kazibwe ji osu vule gombolola-a. = Kazibwe took the gun back to the gombolola.
Osu (n) river through the Arua Golf Course, suburb near Osu River behind Hospital Road and Rhino Camp Road
ora (v) leak; [(over)think, worry]
Ora (n) River Nile tributary flowing eastwards to the Albert Nile near Madi Okollo Town as you enter Arua District
ora idrika (n) small mushrooms that grow at the entrance of a python hole
Orani (v) rock formation and village in Tara Subcounty
orata (n) leakage, thought (also oraza)
Orawa (n) place found somewhere between Arua Airport and Dadamu or Ociba
ori (n) snake; [fear, cowardice (also uri), seed; (v) settle at the bottom of a liquid] eg Ori ci ya? Ori yo! = Is there fear? No fear!
ori owizu (n) sacrifice to ghosts in form of a goat, ox, sheep or fowl. Meat is divided into three portions: one for the dead which is placed in their shrines, second is cooked and eaten by the congregation while third is taken home uncooked for later distribution by them among more distant patrilineal kin
ori zoza (n) crop growing, seed planting
ori'ba (n) family (also aku)
oria (n) half-breed usually with Asian descent eg Chenene ni oria. = Chenene is of Asian descent.
oriahulu (n) cobra
Orientale Province (n) region in northeastern DR Congo immediately west of Arua District
orii (n) mixture of gold and other metals (also oruu) reference in Congo
orindi (n) spirit, soul (also urindi)
Orindi Alari (n) Holy Spirit (also Urindi Alari)
orio (n) coward (also urio)
oro (n) earth, universe, the world, upper part of thigh; [tiredness, (v) feel tired]
orobi (n) dream eg MUNGU eco e'yo nze orobi si. = GOD can speak through a dream.
orodri (n) profit, gain, use(fulness) eg Afa MUNGU ni le amavu ri, (eri orindi ni); rua ma orodri yo, (eri nga ma ra)! = What GOD wants from us, (it is the spirit); the body is useless, (it will rot)!
orodriru (adj) profitable, gainful
oromi (n) nine eg Arsene Wenger nde kopo ku eli oromi engazu 2005 pere 2014. = Arsene Wenger did not win a cup for nine years since 2005 up to 2014.
Oromo (n) Cushitic language (spoken in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt), 3rd Most Spoken African Language
oru (adv) up, high, (prep) above, (v) prepare (esp. porridge), wake up eg Gasi oru i'di! = Gasi prepared porridge!
orukua (n) type of dodo greens
Orule'ba (n) highland people, a section of Lugbara
oruleru (adv) upper
oruta (n) waking up
osa (n) mixture, syrup; [(v) fly, mix, slap] eg Anyoya ma a, 'ba kaka osa osu be. = In anyoya, maize is mixed with beans.
osasaa (n) insect
ose (adj) fat, (v) fatten; [pull] eg Hal ni ose. = Hal is fat.
oseta (n) fattening
oseza (adj) fatness
osi (v) give birth, produce a baby; [roast; write] eg Neria osi mva ago. = Neria gave birth to a male child.
osisia (n) secretary, scribe (also osipiri)
osita (n) birth; [roasting, writing, registration (also ositaa)]
osiza (adj) roasted
osizaru (adj) roasted; [written]
oso (n) fat; [pole with sth sharp]
osolo (n) mucus-like substance that comes from chest while coughing, sputum
osoroko (n) old clothes
Ostrelia (n) Australia eg Ogwapit ni Ostrelia-a. = Ogwapit is in Australia.
osu (n) bow, gun (also bunduki, usu); [peas, beans; (v) fix, pour, dress, marvel] eg Kazibwe ji osu vule gombolola-a. = Kazibwe took the gun back to the gombolola.
Osu (n) river through the Arua Golf Course, suburb near Osu River behind Hospital Road and Rhino Camp Road
Osu Crescent (n) smaller crescent road in the area off Oda Road and within the bigger Awudele Crescent
osu nyirikia bi (n) leaves of tiny beans
osofi (n) protruding middle part of upper lip
osubi (n) bean leaf (also gobe)
osuta (n) miracle, marvel (also osuza)
osutaru (adj) marvelous, miraculous (also osuzaru) eg Onduparaka FC ma rukuza osutaru. = Onduparaka FC's popularity is marvelous.
ota (v) sympathise, show pity
otaka (n) pot with wide mouth
otakua (n) small pot used for boiling sauce
otala (n) go-between in marriage, best man at wedding
otaramba (n) gold [in Aringa dialect]
otaria (n) cricket (also etirili, etiringili) eg Tindu nya otaria. = Tindu ate a cricket.
ote (v) wait
oteta (n) waiting for sb
otwenge (n) dance by the Lugbara and Kebu, literally means "elbow" and involves raising those joints
oti (v) arrange in order, pluck eg fruits from tree; [hang sb, tie eg animals; swallow]
otita (n) program(me), radio show, arrangement
otitabuku (n) constitution, book of laws
Otitabuku Uganda ocezu ri (n) Constitution of Uganda
Otitia (n) bare peak of Mt. Wati
osu nyirikia bi (n) leaves of tiny beans
osofi (n) protruding middle part of upper lip
osubi (n) bean leaf (also gobe)
osuta (n) miracle, marvel (also osuza)
osutaru (adj) marvelous, miraculous (also osuzaru) eg Onduparaka FC ma rukuza osutaru. = Onduparaka FC's popularity is marvelous.
ota (v) sympathise, show pity
otaka (n) pot with wide mouth
otakua (n) small pot used for boiling sauce
otala (n) go-between in marriage, best man at wedding
otaramba (n) gold [in Aringa dialect]
otaria (n) cricket (also etirili, etiringili) eg Tindu nya otaria. = Tindu ate a cricket.
ote (v) wait
oteta (n) waiting for sb
otwenge (n) dance by the Lugbara and Kebu, literally means "elbow" and involves raising those joints
oti (v) arrange in order, pluck eg fruits from tree; [hang sb, tie eg animals; swallow]
otita (n) program(me), radio show, arrangement
otitabuku (n) constitution, book of laws
Otitabuku Uganda ocezu ri (n) Constitution of Uganda
Otitia (n) bare peak of Mt. Wati
otiza ambori (n) chapter
otoko (n) anthill (also otoo)
otongolo (n) type of poisonous cassava tuber
otonoko (n) kind of bird with a very long neck
otoo (n) hare, rabbit (also etoo)
otra (v) fold, roll
otralaku (n) small anthill
Otravu (n) place in Maracha farther inside reachable westwards from Okokoro eg Julia ni aa Otravu-a. = Julia stays in Otravu.
otraza (n) rolled, folded
otrazaru (adj) folded, rolled
otre (v) shout
otrenga (n) shouting (also otreta, otreza)
otri (v) curse, rub, scrub
otrikutri (adj) dirty
otrita (n) scrubbing, rubbing
otriza (adj) cursed
otro (v) smear
otrota (n) smearing (also otroza)
otrozaru (n) smeared
otru (n) gum
otruta (n) movement (also otruza)
Otsho (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo (very similar to Ugandan Lugbara)
otu (n) navel, umbilicus, umbilical cord, sun (also etu, itu); [(v) correct, straighten, kick]
Otuambari (n) place north of Ocodri
otunyu (n) white ants crushed and left to ferment for some time to be used as condiment in sauce, yesterday's white ants (also otunyo)
otunukua (n) scorpion eg Otunukua ni aa Sahara-a. = A scorpion stays in the Sahara.
otuo (n) brother-in-law eg Jaremy ni ma otuo. = Jaremy is my brother-in-law.
otupika (n) in-laws (also otupi)
otuta (n) straightening, correction, kicking, raising, plan, arrangement (also otuza)
otuzaru (adj) raised, straightened
ova (v) make a hole in the ground, excavate, uproot
ovakedo (n) avocado
overeko (n) remaining bits of food burnt in container
ovi (n) lightning, thunder, scratch eg Ovi ni Terawatt 1 (alu) aci ni ofu. = Lightning produces 1 Terawatt of power.
Ovisoni (n) town in Vurra, means "struck by lightning"
ovita (n) scratching (also oviza)
ovo (v) curse
ovu (n) kind of basket made from sorghum stalk; [laziness, idleness; (v) stay, be; keep quiet] eg Ma ovu ciri! = I keep quiet [Nsirikamu]!
ovua (n) big basket for carrying seedlings
Ovujo (n) major trading town in Maracha
otoko (n) anthill (also otoo)
otongolo (n) type of poisonous cassava tuber
otonoko (n) kind of bird with a very long neck
otoo (n) hare, rabbit (also etoo)
otra (v) fold, roll
otralaku (n) small anthill
Otravu (n) place in Maracha farther inside reachable westwards from Okokoro eg Julia ni aa Otravu-a. = Julia stays in Otravu.
otraza (n) rolled, folded
otrazaru (adj) folded, rolled
otre (v) shout
otrenga (n) shouting (also otreta, otreza)
otri (v) curse, rub, scrub
otrikutri (adj) dirty
otrita (n) scrubbing, rubbing
otriza (adj) cursed
otro (v) smear
otrota (n) smearing (also otroza)
otrozaru (n) smeared
otru (n) gum
otruta (n) movement (also otruza)
Otsho (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo (very similar to Ugandan Lugbara)
otu (n) navel, umbilicus, umbilical cord, sun (also etu, itu); [(v) correct, straighten, kick]
Otuambari (n) place north of Ocodri
otunyu (n) white ants crushed and left to ferment for some time to be used as condiment in sauce, yesterday's white ants (also otunyo)
otunukua (n) scorpion eg Otunukua ni aa Sahara-a. = A scorpion stays in the Sahara.
otuo (n) brother-in-law eg Jaremy ni ma otuo. = Jaremy is my brother-in-law.
otupika (n) in-laws (also otupi)
otuta (n) straightening, correction, kicking, raising, plan, arrangement (also otuza)
otuzaru (adj) raised, straightened
ova (v) make a hole in the ground, excavate, uproot
ovakedo (n) avocado
overeko (n) remaining bits of food burnt in container
ovi (n) lightning, thunder, scratch eg Ovi ni Terawatt 1 (alu) aci ni ofu. = Lightning produces 1 Terawatt of power.
Ovisoni (n) town in Vurra, means "struck by lightning"
ovita (n) scratching (also oviza)
ovo (v) curse
ovu (n) kind of basket made from sorghum stalk; [laziness, idleness; (v) stay, be; keep quiet] eg Ma ovu ciri! = I keep quiet [Nsirikamu]!
ovua (n) big basket for carrying seedlings
Ovujo (n) major trading town in Maracha
ovuo (n) lazy person
ovuzu (v) stay, be, keep quiet
Owaffa (n) headquarters of Terego meaning elephant bone (Ewa falako) after an injured elephant ran from poachers but died there and rotted until the bones showed (also Owafa), originally called Imirua (meaning Spy Area)
owi (n) dawn; [(v) spit, make sacrifice, peel, unshell]
Owiny(i) (n) village in Pakwach that was calculated as the Best Venue on Earth for viewing the 3rd November 2013 Total Solar Eclipse
owita (n) sacrifice, peeling, unshelling (also owiza)
owizu (n) linked with the notion of sth being "left over" [awi] like the dead eating the meat left over. In these rites, meat and other offerings are consumed by the living, the dead and spirits as a means of thanking them for having sent sickness to a disobedient individual to show him he has ignored behaviour proper to his status
owoko (n) anger (also awoko), direction
owokoru (adj) angry (also awokoru) eg Mario ni owokoru! = Mario is angry!
owoko si (adv) angrily
owu (n) cry (also awu, owuta); [(v) cry; gather things] eg Kapteni Lahm owu ku(ye). = Captain Lahm did not cry.
oya (n) yaws; [salary, wages, payment, earnings; syphilis (also nzuku); (v) shake]
oyata (n) shaking (also oyaza)
oyakiya (n) earthquake, tremor
oyaliko (n) rag clothes
oye (pron) for nothing
oyi (v) slim, leave
oyita (n) slimming
oyiza (adj) thin (also oyizaru)
oyo (n) oath
oyokolo (n) whisper
oyoo (n) monkey
oyoro (n) rags
oyu (n) mole; [(v) announce] eg Elekitoro Komisoni ma amboo Engineer Badru Kiggundu oyu kalulu ma o'du. = Electoral Commission boss Engineer Badru Kiggundu announced the election date.
oyuta (n) announcement (also oyuza), commentary eg Martin Tyler ni mupira oyuta fe. = Martin Tyler is giving a football commentary.
oza (v) sting, shout
ozezee (n) second hand clothes
oze (v) push down
ozi (v) sell, unshell open, hide; [(n) black and white insects that come out of anthills]
ozizaru (adv) for sale eg Nyaka ozizaru Oasis 24/7-a. = Food is for sale at Oasis 24/7.
ozizia (n) interview, questions
ozo (n, v) roast
ozoforo (n) grey hair
ozoo (n) rain eg Ozoo yi ni idri! = Rainwater is life!
ozoo opi (n) king of the rain, most important figure in Lugbara politics, chief custodian of clan property
ozoza (adj) roasted
ozozaru (adj) roasted
ozu (n) reeds, elephant grass (also ozuu); [(v) multiply]
ozuta (n) multiplication (also ezuta)
ozuku (n) porcupine
ozuruko (n) aeroplane
Pp
pa (n) leg; [(v) knock eg door, crucify, nail, rob, save] eg Kathi ni i-pa tri. = Cathy is brushing her foot.
pa ale (n) inside or sole of the foot
pa dria (adj) standing (literally on top of leg)
pa so (v) stand for election
paago (n) big toe
paale (adv) times eg Mvu iwa paale su Aje Were (Maracha)-a. = S/he drank alcohol four times at Aje Were Bar (Maracha).
paanzi (n) toes
padre (n) priest eg Joel Obetia ni padre. = Joel Obetia is a priest.
Padyere (n) county west of Jonam, east of Okoro, south of Madi Okollo
paedu (n) heel
paipu (n) pipe (also payipu, pepu) eg Sunday ni paipu su. = Sunday is fixing a pipe.
paipai (n) pawpaw (also payipayi)
pajama (n) pants
Pajama (n) village in Tara Subcounty
paka (prep) up to the end, until
pakasa (n) servant (also waka)
Pakelle (n) trading centre in Adjumani
Pakistani (n) Pakistan, Pakistani eg Malala ni Pakistani ni. = Malala is a Pakistani.
ovuzu (v) stay, be, keep quiet
Owaffa (n) headquarters of Terego meaning elephant bone (Ewa falako) after an injured elephant ran from poachers but died there and rotted until the bones showed (also Owafa), originally called Imirua (meaning Spy Area)
owi (n) dawn; [(v) spit, make sacrifice, peel, unshell]
Owiny(i) (n) village in Pakwach that was calculated as the Best Venue on Earth for viewing the 3rd November 2013 Total Solar Eclipse
owita (n) sacrifice, peeling, unshelling (also owiza)
owizu (n) linked with the notion of sth being "left over" [awi] like the dead eating the meat left over. In these rites, meat and other offerings are consumed by the living, the dead and spirits as a means of thanking them for having sent sickness to a disobedient individual to show him he has ignored behaviour proper to his status
owoko (n) anger (also awoko), direction
owokoru (adj) angry (also awokoru) eg Mario ni owokoru! = Mario is angry!
owoko si (adv) angrily
owu (n) cry (also awu, owuta); [(v) cry; gather things] eg Kapteni Lahm owu ku(ye). = Captain Lahm did not cry.
oya (n) yaws; [salary, wages, payment, earnings; syphilis (also nzuku); (v) shake]
oyata (n) shaking (also oyaza)
oyakiya (n) earthquake, tremor
oyaliko (n) rag clothes
oye (pron) for nothing
oyi (v) slim, leave
oyita (n) slimming
oyiza (adj) thin (also oyizaru)
oyo (n) oath
oyokolo (n) whisper
oyoo (n) monkey
oyoro (n) rags
oyu (n) mole; [(v) announce] eg Elekitoro Komisoni ma amboo Engineer Badru Kiggundu oyu kalulu ma o'du. = Electoral Commission boss Engineer Badru Kiggundu announced the election date.
oyuta (n) announcement (also oyuza), commentary eg Martin Tyler ni mupira oyuta fe. = Martin Tyler is giving a football commentary.
oza (v) sting, shout
ozezee (n) second hand clothes
oze (v) push down
ozi (v) sell, unshell open, hide; [(n) black and white insects that come out of anthills]
ozizaru (adv) for sale eg Nyaka ozizaru Oasis 24/7-a. = Food is for sale at Oasis 24/7.
ozizia (n) interview, questions
ozo (n, v) roast
ozoforo (n) grey hair
ozoo (n) rain eg Ozoo yi ni idri! = Rainwater is life!
ozoo opi (n) king of the rain, most important figure in Lugbara politics, chief custodian of clan property
ozoza (adj) roasted
ozozaru (adj) roasted
ozu (n) reeds, elephant grass (also ozuu); [(v) multiply]
ozuta (n) multiplication (also ezuta)
ozuku (n) porcupine
ozuruko (n) aeroplane
Pp
pa (n) leg; [(v) knock eg door, crucify, nail, rob, save] eg Kathi ni i-pa tri. = Cathy is brushing her foot.
pa ale (n) inside or sole of the foot
pa dria (adj) standing (literally on top of leg)
pa so (v) stand for election
paago (n) big toe
paale (adv) times eg Mvu iwa paale su Aje Were (Maracha)-a. = S/he drank alcohol four times at Aje Were Bar (Maracha).
paanzi (n) toes
padre (n) priest eg Joel Obetia ni padre. = Joel Obetia is a priest.
Padyere (n) county west of Jonam, east of Okoro, south of Madi Okollo
paedu (n) heel
paipu (n) pipe (also payipu, pepu) eg Sunday ni paipu su. = Sunday is fixing a pipe.
paipai (n) pawpaw (also payipayi)
pajama (n) pants
Pajama (n) village in Tara Subcounty
paka (prep) up to the end, until
pakasa (n) servant (also waka)
Pakelle (n) trading centre in Adjumani
Pakistani (n) Pakistan, Pakistani eg Malala ni Pakistani ni. = Malala is a Pakistani.
pakoleta (n) percolator eg Gifti ni iyi dri pakoleta si. = Gift is boiling water using a percolator.
Pakwachi (n) Pakwach, fishing and trading town in Jonam County near the Albert Nile River, considered the Gateway to West Nile by road and rail, east of Nebbi, means "Place of the Leopard", where the mythical brothers Gipiri and Labongo separated, Most Famous Landmark is the Pakwach Bridge eg Mi iga Pakwachi! = Remember Pakwach!
pala bi (n) jute leaf (totem for Ayivu Clan)
palaa (adv) at the footside of, under the mentorship of, under the guardianship or care of sb
palamenti (n) parliament (also koloseni) eg Palamenti Ugandaniri Kampala-a = The Ugandan Parliament is in Kampala.
Palestini (n) Palestine
Pakwachi (n) Pakwach, fishing and trading town in Jonam County near the Albert Nile River, considered the Gateway to West Nile by road and rail, east of Nebbi, means "Place of the Leopard", where the mythical brothers Gipiri and Labongo separated, Most Famous Landmark is the Pakwach Bridge eg Mi iga Pakwachi! = Remember Pakwach!
pala bi (n) jute leaf (totem for Ayivu Clan)
palaa (adv) at the footside of, under the mentorship of, under the guardianship or care of sb
palamenti (n) parliament (also koloseni) eg Palamenti Ugandaniri Kampala-a = The Ugandan Parliament is in Kampala.
Palestini (n) Palestine
paleti (n) palette eg Paleti rangi gbazu = Painting palette
pali (n) pair of shorts
pamba (n) cotton eg Mbusua imve 'da ma ru "Pamba". = That white cat is called "Cotton".
pamva (n) toe
pamvu (n) footmark, footprint, point
pandu (n) cassava leaves pounded and cooked as sauce (also banda bi)
panelu (n) panel eg George ni panelu su. = George is fixing the panel.
panga (n) punishment
Pangisa (n) place in Arua City near Osu
panya (n) shortcut eg Arua Boys ayu (ki) panya. = Arua Boys used a shortcut.
papa (adv) nailed; [(n) shoes, footwear (also jijima, nyila, viato); father (also baba, ati), Pope] eg Papa Francis imu Uganda-a eli 2015. = Pope Francis came to Uganda in the year 2015.
paradisi (n) paradise
paraka (n) stem eg ondu paraka = sorghum stem
pali (n) pair of shorts
pamba (n) cotton eg Mbusua imve 'da ma ru "Pamba". = That white cat is called "Cotton".
pamva (n) toe
pamvu (n) footmark, footprint, point
pandu (n) cassava leaves pounded and cooked as sauce (also banda bi)
panelu (n) panel eg George ni panelu su. = George is fixing the panel.
panga (n) punishment
Pangisa (n) place in Arua City near Osu
panya (n) shortcut eg Arua Boys ayu (ki) panya. = Arua Boys used a shortcut.
papa (adv) nailed; [(n) shoes, footwear (also jijima, nyila, viato); father (also baba, ati), Pope] eg Papa Francis imu Uganda-a eli 2015. = Pope Francis came to Uganda in the year 2015.
paradisi (n) paradise
paraka (n) stem eg ondu paraka = sorghum stem
Paranga (n) subcounty formed from Oleba in Maracha eg Petero enga Paranga-a. = Peter is from Paranga.
parapara (adj, adv) stumbling, unsteadily
parasetamo (n) paracetamol, Panadol (also Panadolu)
pari (n) mat made from papyrus, place
pari 'bani mi tizu (n) birthplace, hometown
pari mini efuzu (n) origin
pari pari (n) dullness, not active
parishi (n) parish (also parisi, wodi)
Paruku (n) nickname for Greenlight Stadium in Onduparaka, means "No escape", Valley of No Return
pasi (adv) on foot, (n) flatiron
pasipoti (n) passport (also waraga acizuri)
pasita (n) pastor eg Pasita Nomani = Pastor Norman
pasta (n) Chinese plus Italian food like noodles, lasagne and spaghetti
pata (n) redemption, salvation (also paza)
pati (n) tree, (maize) cone, putty substance for holding glass panes in window frame eg Dramani ni pati ga. = Dramani is cutting a tree.
pati efi osale (n) ingredients (also pati ifi osale)
pati ifi (n) plant seed eg Pati ifi ci Omia Agribusiness Development Group-a. = There are seeds at Omia Agribusiness Development Group.
patifu zopi asea (n) lillies of the field
patoro (n) rich guy
paturu (n) millipede
patuza (n) standing
parapara (adj, adv) stumbling, unsteadily
parasetamo (n) paracetamol, Panadol (also Panadolu)
pari (n) mat made from papyrus, place
pari 'bani mi tizu (n) birthplace, hometown
pari mini efuzu (n) origin
pari pari (n) dullness, not active
parishi (n) parish (also parisi, wodi)
Paruku (n) nickname for Greenlight Stadium in Onduparaka, means "No escape", Valley of No Return
pasi (adv) on foot, (n) flatiron
pasipoti (n) passport (also waraga acizuri)
pasita (n) pastor eg Pasita Nomani = Pastor Norman
pasta (n) Chinese plus Italian food like noodles, lasagne and spaghetti
pata (n) redemption, salvation (also paza)
pati (n) tree, (maize) cone, putty substance for holding glass panes in window frame eg Dramani ni pati ga. = Dramani is cutting a tree.
pati efi osale (n) ingredients (also pati ifi osale)
pati ifi (n) plant seed eg Pati ifi ci Omia Agribusiness Development Group-a. = There are seeds at Omia Agribusiness Development Group.
patifu zopi asea (n) lillies of the field
patoro (n) rich guy
paturu (n) millipede
patuza (n) standing
patwa (n) patois, Jamaican English
Pawori (n) subcounty in Lower Madi next to Wadelai, Pawor, Alur name for a place in Arua
Pawori (n) subcounty in Lower Madi next to Wadelai, Pawor, Alur name for a place in Arua
payini (n) pine, tree with needle leaves
pe (v) select, choose
peji (n) page
penati (n) penalty eg Shevchenko ma penati fi ku(ye). = Shevchenko's penalty did not go in.
pensilu (n) pencil
pere (conj) until, up to, till, til
pere asizu (adv) until the end, pakalast
Pere 'bani nezuru dika! (greeting) Till we see each other again (also 'Ba neru dika, 'Ba ne 'ba dika), Auf Wiedersehen (in German)
peta (n) selection, choice eg Will Smith kini, "Chandi ada ada, te ori peta ni. = Will Smith said, "Danger is real, but fear is a choice."
petroli (n) petrol (also odu)
pi (adj) whole, [(conj) and, (suffix) optional for terms of kinship like atipi/ atapi means father (also pika) or grammatical suffix by which a clause is turned into a noun agent like ageitepi means one who guards, (v) twist, plait; swell, expand]
pie (adv) also, as well (pronounced pye)
pilawo (n) rice cooked with small chops of meat as a recipe (also pilau) eg Tomu ni pilawo nya Dereva ma Kona-a. = Tom is eating pilau at Drivers' Corner.
pilili (adj, n) naked, undressed
pilipili (n) red pepper (also piripiri)
Pilipino (n) a person born in the Philippines, what locals refer to themselves in the Philippines
pilo (n) pillow eg Nikolu 'du pilo ni. = Nicole is the one who took the pillow.
pipi (n) lollipop, sweet or confectionary on a stick
piri (adj) straight, erect, upright, straight forward, (pron) all, everything (also piripiri)
piri ku (adj) informal
pirini (n) without
piripiri (n) red pepper (also piza)
pita (n) swelling
planeti (n) planet eg Engazu eli 2016 pere 2030, SDG 17 (MDG 8 ma vutia) ki UN ma omveta alio dezu 'ba woro ni azini planeti ma agei tezu. Drinia abiri toko, alata muke, imbata onyiru, agupi oku be trotro, yi ala, aci 'bani eco jera, azi ala, okalamvu akiri, trotroako isizaru, aku ambo azini enyati tambazaru, nyaza azini ofuza inzitaru, 'yeta angu mile ni, idri yi iti-a, idri nyaku dria, asianzu azini e'yo liza, azini asizu ti icima golo ni. = From 2016 to 2030, the 17 SDGs (after 8 MDGs) are a UN call to end poverty for all and protect the planet. On top of that is zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water, affordable energy, decent work, industry innovation, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice and finally partnerships for the goals.
plani (n) plan, strategy (also otuta)
pleti (n) plate (also saani)
po (v) hide, knock
pokopoko (n) yapping, loose talk
pe (v) select, choose
peji (n) page
penati (n) penalty eg Shevchenko ma penati fi ku(ye). = Shevchenko's penalty did not go in.
pensilu (n) pencil
pere (conj) until, up to, till, til
pere asizu (adv) until the end, pakalast
Pere 'bani nezuru dika! (greeting) Till we see each other again (also 'Ba neru dika, 'Ba ne 'ba dika), Auf Wiedersehen (in German)
peta (n) selection, choice eg Will Smith kini, "Chandi ada ada, te ori peta ni. = Will Smith said, "Danger is real, but fear is a choice."
petroli (n) petrol (also odu)
pi (adj) whole, [(conj) and, (suffix) optional for terms of kinship like atipi/ atapi means father (also pika) or grammatical suffix by which a clause is turned into a noun agent like ageitepi means one who guards, (v) twist, plait; swell, expand]
pie (adv) also, as well (pronounced pye)
pilawo (n) rice cooked with small chops of meat as a recipe (also pilau) eg Tomu ni pilawo nya Dereva ma Kona-a. = Tom is eating pilau at Drivers' Corner.
pilili (adj, n) naked, undressed
pilipili (n) red pepper (also piripiri)
Pilipino (n) a person born in the Philippines, what locals refer to themselves in the Philippines
pilo (n) pillow eg Nikolu 'du pilo ni. = Nicole is the one who took the pillow.
pipi (n) lollipop, sweet or confectionary on a stick
piri (adj) straight, erect, upright, straight forward, (pron) all, everything (also piripiri)
piri ku (adj) informal
pirini (n) without
piripiri (n) red pepper (also piza)
pita (n) swelling
planeti (n) planet eg Engazu eli 2016 pere 2030, SDG 17 (MDG 8 ma vutia) ki UN ma omveta alio dezu 'ba woro ni azini planeti ma agei tezu. Drinia abiri toko, alata muke, imbata onyiru, agupi oku be trotro, yi ala, aci 'bani eco jera, azi ala, okalamvu akiri, trotroako isizaru, aku ambo azini enyati tambazaru, nyaza azini ofuza inzitaru, 'yeta angu mile ni, idri yi iti-a, idri nyaku dria, asianzu azini e'yo liza, azini asizu ti icima golo ni. = From 2016 to 2030, the 17 SDGs (after 8 MDGs) are a UN call to end poverty for all and protect the planet. On top of that is zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water, affordable energy, decent work, industry innovation, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice and finally partnerships for the goals.
plani (n) plan, strategy (also otuta)
pleti (n) plate (also saani)
po (v) hide, knock
pokopoko (n) yapping, loose talk
pole (adj, n) sorry
polisi (n) policeman eg Felike/ Feliksi ni polisi. = Felix is a policeman.
Pontio (n) Pontious eg Anguyo ma ru aziri Pontio lu Pilato dri le. = Anguyo's other name is Pontious just like Pilate's.
posho (n) ugali, East African staple food made from maize flour eg Ryan ni posho je Nyandarua Jo ago-a. = Ryan buys posho in Nyandarua County.
posta (n) poster (also e'da), post office eg M7 ma posta = M7's poster
poye (n) game played by 2, 4 or 6 players (in singles, doubles or triples). They stand on opposite sides of a halfway line drawn on the ground as they hit a round rubber puck also called poye (made from mainly Umoja or Bata-esque flipflop cutouts joined together with nylon) back and forth using L-shaped sticks. Like a coin toss in Football, the game starts when the poye lying on the halfway line is hit from above with a stick; a player from the half in which it falls must roll it with his hand like a mini car tyre for his opponent to start hitting with his stick or foot. A point is scored when the puck is hit above the opponent who then rolls it back. When a player crosses to the opponent's half, one point is deducted from his side. Records can be kept mentally by the players or a referee who is not playing. Players stand one metre away from the centreline. In both halves, each player stands about one metre away from his teammate behind or in front of him. When the front player misses the puck, the one behind him must strike it...
premari (n) primary (also primari) eg Cynthia la P3 Arua Hill Premari-a. = Cynthia studied P3 at Arua Hill Primary.
polisi (n) policeman eg Felike/ Feliksi ni polisi. = Felix is a policeman.
Pontio (n) Pontious eg Anguyo ma ru aziri Pontio lu Pilato dri le. = Anguyo's other name is Pontious just like Pilate's.
posho (n) ugali, East African staple food made from maize flour eg Ryan ni posho je Nyandarua Jo ago-a. = Ryan buys posho in Nyandarua County.
posta (n) poster (also e'da), post office eg M7 ma posta = M7's poster
poye (n) game played by 2, 4 or 6 players (in singles, doubles or triples). They stand on opposite sides of a halfway line drawn on the ground as they hit a round rubber puck also called poye (made from mainly Umoja or Bata-esque flipflop cutouts joined together with nylon) back and forth using L-shaped sticks. Like a coin toss in Football, the game starts when the poye lying on the halfway line is hit from above with a stick; a player from the half in which it falls must roll it with his hand like a mini car tyre for his opponent to start hitting with his stick or foot. A point is scored when the puck is hit above the opponent who then rolls it back. When a player crosses to the opponent's half, one point is deducted from his side. Records can be kept mentally by the players or a referee who is not playing. Players stand one metre away from the centreline. In both halves, each player stands about one metre away from his teammate behind or in front of him. When the front player misses the puck, the one behind him must strike it...
prezidenti (n) president eg Donald Trump ni Amerika ma prezidenti. = Donald Trump is America's president.
profeta (n) prophet (also nabi)
programu (n) program, programme, TV show eg Kari Ticitaru (ma) Programu Zota ni = United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
projekiti (n) project (also otita, otuta)
puro (n) grasshopping insect
puru (adj) quick, fast
putuku (n) cooked leg or hoof of a cow (also mulokoni) eg Salimu nya putuku. = Salim ate the cowhoof.
Rr
ra (v) flow eg liquid, (adv, n) throughout the night, affirmative at the end of a sentence
Ragemu (n) suburb south of Arua City (also written Ragem), place along the Albert Nile between Pakwach and Rhino Camp eg Jesika mu Ragemu-a. = Jessica has gone to Ragem.
Ragemu Beach (n) canopied rivershed with meanders on River Enyau about 3 kilometres south of Arua City, half a kilometre from CEFORD Arua eg Bobu nya mukati towi azini i'bi iri Ragemu Beach-a. = Bob ate five loaves of bread and two fish at Ragem Beach.
profeta (n) prophet (also nabi)
programu (n) program, programme, TV show eg Kari Ticitaru (ma) Programu Zota ni = United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
projekiti (n) project (also otita, otuta)
puro (n) grasshopping insect
puru (adj) quick, fast
putuku (n) cooked leg or hoof of a cow (also mulokoni) eg Salimu nya putuku. = Salim ate the cowhoof.
Rr
ra (v) flow eg liquid, (adv, n) throughout the night, affirmative at the end of a sentence
Ragemu (n) suburb south of Arua City (also written Ragem), place along the Albert Nile between Pakwach and Rhino Camp eg Jesika mu Ragemu-a. = Jessica has gone to Ragem.
Ragemu Beach (n) canopied rivershed with meanders on River Enyau about 3 kilometres south of Arua City, half a kilometre from CEFORD Arua eg Bobu nya mukati towi azini i'bi iri Ragemu Beach-a. = Bob ate five loaves of bread and two fish at Ragem Beach.
ragibi (n) rugby eg Nyu Zilandi All Blacks ndeki Springboks Ragibi-a. = New Zealand All Blacks beat Springboks in rugby.
rakaka (adv) (do sth) first, in advance (also raka) eg Mi ofe rakaka! = (You) first pay!
Ramadani (n) Muslim month-long period for fasting (within 29 or 30 days) after and before sighting a new moon-crescent eg Yahya Au ni nyaka 'da Ramadani si. = John Au fasts during Ramadan.
Ramogi (n) subcounty north of Odravu
rangi (n) paint
rangi gba (v) paint eg Akiane ni rangi gba. = Akiane is painting.
rangi gbaza (n) painting
Rasta (n) Rastafarian eg Adima ni Rasta. = Adima is a Rastafarian.
rata (n) flow, melting (also raza)
Rawule (n) Oli Banyale's uncle in Lugbara mythology who escorted him to Mt. Wati
rawundi (n) round (in boxing)
re (adj) far away, (v) peel, peeled, rob, take away by force
redio (n) radio (also radio, uzunguruku) eg Kim Nazz ni azi nga redio-a. = Kim Nazz works on radio.
redio eri (v) listening to radio eg Ma Voice Of Life Redio eri. = I'm listening to Voice Of Life Radio.
rehabu (n) rehab eg Rihanna mu rehabu-a. = Rihanna went to the rehab.
rekodi (n) record
relu (n) rail
reluwe (n) train, railway eg Remo ni azi nga reluwe-a. = Remo works in railway.
Rembe (n) one of the Greatest Prophets in Lugbara History who was taken by Whitemen to Yei [Sudan] for hanging in 1916 but Lugbara believe he never died and will return, rainmaker, emissary of divinity who claimed to perform miracles and heal illnesses. His footmarks were embedded on a bare rock between Mekki and Loinya in Yivu Subcounty, Maracha
rakaka (adv) (do sth) first, in advance (also raka) eg Mi ofe rakaka! = (You) first pay!
Ramadani (n) Muslim month-long period for fasting (within 29 or 30 days) after and before sighting a new moon-crescent eg Yahya Au ni nyaka 'da Ramadani si. = John Au fasts during Ramadan.
Ramogi (n) subcounty north of Odravu
rangi (n) paint
rangi gba (v) paint eg Akiane ni rangi gba. = Akiane is painting.
rangi gbaza (n) painting
Rasta (n) Rastafarian eg Adima ni Rasta. = Adima is a Rastafarian.
rata (n) flow, melting (also raza)
Rawule (n) Oli Banyale's uncle in Lugbara mythology who escorted him to Mt. Wati
rawundi (n) round (in boxing)
re (adj) far away, (v) peel, peeled, rob, take away by force
redio (n) radio (also radio, uzunguruku) eg Kim Nazz ni azi nga redio-a. = Kim Nazz works on radio.
redio eri (v) listening to radio eg Ma Voice Of Life Redio eri. = I'm listening to Voice Of Life Radio.
rehabu (n) rehab eg Rihanna mu rehabu-a. = Rihanna went to the rehab.
rekodi (n) record
relu (n) rail
reluwe (n) train, railway eg Remo ni azi nga reluwe-a. = Remo works in railway.
Rembe (n) one of the Greatest Prophets in Lugbara History who was taken by Whitemen to Yei [Sudan] for hanging in 1916 but Lugbara believe he never died and will return, rainmaker, emissary of divinity who claimed to perform miracles and heal illnesses. His footmarks were embedded on a bare rock between Mekki and Loinya in Yivu Subcounty, Maracha
remoti kontrolu (n) remote control (also remoti)
republiki (n) republic
reta (n) peeling, robbing (also reza)
Rhino Camp (n) town in eastern Arua near the Albert Nile (originally called Ajagoro) eg Taniko mu Rhino Camp-a. = Taniko went to Rhino Camp.
ri (suffix) relative pronoun like mukeri means one which is good, (v) broadcast eg seeds; [sit] eg Lehmann (Invincible) ri kome dria. = Lehmann (Invincible) sat on the bench.
ribi (n) pasture
riboni (n) ribbon eg Arua Pioneer Decorators 'ba ki riboni mutuka rua. = Arua Pioneer Decorators put ribbons on the car.
Rigbo (n) Oldest Subcounty formed in Lower Madi even before Rhino Camp, east of Bileafe, south of Odupi and Odravu, north of Ogoko
rita (n) broadcasting, sitting
ro (v) carry a heavy object, curse, miss
robi (n) hippo
robia (n) finance, income eg Ari ni i-robia nda "Zebra Corner"-a. = Ari looks for his income at Zebra Corner.
roboti (n) robot
Robu (n) place in Maracha after the forest next to Lokiragodo
roko (n) bare rock, vulture
Rokoze (n) manmade quarry lake that formed in Nyadri Subcounty (Maracha District) from rain and underground water when Chinese road constructors dug and extracted rocks
Roleksi (n) Rolex watch
roleksi (n) rollex, Ugandan delicacy of fried eggs rolled inside a chapati and might contain tomatoes, onions, carrots, cabbages or any other additional ingredients eg Ozeni ni roleksi nya anyoya si. = Ozen is eating rollex with anyoya.
Roma (n) Rome, capital of Italy
Romania (n) country in Europe eg Chivu enga Romania-a. = Chivu is from Romania.
republiki (n) republic
reta (n) peeling, robbing (also reza)
Rhino Camp (n) town in eastern Arua near the Albert Nile (originally called Ajagoro) eg Taniko mu Rhino Camp-a. = Taniko went to Rhino Camp.
ri (suffix) relative pronoun like mukeri means one which is good, (v) broadcast eg seeds; [sit] eg Lehmann (Invincible) ri kome dria. = Lehmann (Invincible) sat on the bench.
ribi (n) pasture
riboni (n) ribbon eg Arua Pioneer Decorators 'ba ki riboni mutuka rua. = Arua Pioneer Decorators put ribbons on the car.
Rigbo (n) Oldest Subcounty formed in Lower Madi even before Rhino Camp, east of Bileafe, south of Odupi and Odravu, north of Ogoko
rita (n) broadcasting, sitting
ro (v) carry a heavy object, curse, miss
robi (n) hippo
robia (n) finance, income eg Ari ni i-robia nda "Zebra Corner"-a. = Ari looks for his income at Zebra Corner.
roboti (n) robot
Robu (n) place in Maracha after the forest next to Lokiragodo
roko (n) bare rock, vulture
Rokoze (n) manmade quarry lake that formed in Nyadri Subcounty (Maracha District) from rain and underground water when Chinese road constructors dug and extracted rocks
Roleksi (n) Rolex watch
roleksi (n) rollex, Ugandan delicacy of fried eggs rolled inside a chapati and might contain tomatoes, onions, carrots, cabbages or any other additional ingredients eg Ozeni ni roleksi nya anyoya si. = Ozen is eating rollex with anyoya.
Roma (n) Rome, capital of Italy
Romania (n) country in Europe eg Chivu enga Romania-a. = Chivu is from Romania.
rombolo (n) mistake
rota (n) carrying a heavy object, curse
ru (adj) abrupt; [(n) name eg Candiru, Inzikuru, Aciru; (v) catch, mate, respect] eg Mi ru a'di-i? = What is your name?
ru biza (n) baptism
ru siza (n) name registration eg Wendi ni ru siza-a. = Wendi is at name registration.
rua (n) body (also ruati)
rua agupini (n) penis (also agele, opa)
rua driza (n) body fever
rua edezu (n) cleansing the body
rua okuni (n) vagina (also omogo, oma, angunya)
ruburubu (adj) sound of swallowing food (also nguringuri)
ruduku (n) forest (also oce, angu patiru, obibi)
rugbu (adv) abruptly, (n) noise made when something falls
Rukiga (n) language of Bakiga Tribe from southwest Uganda (also Ruchiga)
rukuza (n) popularity, fame, renown
rumu (n) room eg Tonto, Betty, Sheebah, Gaga azini Nikki esu rumu Windsor Hoteli-a. = Tonto, Betty, Sheebah, Gaga and Nikki got rooms at Windsor Hotel.
Runyankole (n) tribe and language west of Buganda around Mbarara or Ankole Kingdom (also Runyankore) eg Amaniyo oni Runyankole. = Amaniyo learnt Runyankole.
ruta (n) mating, catching, respect (also ruza)
ruzali (n) rosary eg Gloria su ruzali ku. = Gloria does not wear a rosary.
Rwanda (n) country southwest of Uganda, probably part of Wakanda (in the Marvel Universe) alongside Uganda (East Africa) eg Mugema enga Rwanda-a. = Mugema comes from Rwanda.
Rwenzori (n) Rwenzori Area (also Rwenjori), highest block mountain in Africa 5,109 meters above sea level found west of Kasese and stretching towards Lake Albert, Wonderland, featured in Black Panther movie eg Rwenzori ni 'be ambo mba ni. = Rwenzori is the Mountain of the Moon.
Rwothu (n) king of Alur
Rwotu (n) king of Acholi
Ss
sa (v) bury, clap, fly, plant, slap eg Semwanga ma avu 'ba sa Kayunga-a. = Semwanga's corpse was buried in Kayunga.
saa (n) clock, watch (also sawa), time, moment, occasion, era eg Saa ongo avizu Arua Chano-a. = Time for playing music on Arua Channel.
saa azia (n) lunch, 12 o' clock (also yi ali)
saani (n) plate (borrowed from KiSwahili)
saaru (n) so much
Sabato (n) Sabbath eg Padre Tonino ni o'bi imba Sabato si. = Father Tonino teaches people on Sabbath Day.
Sabatu (n) Sunday (also Sande, Sabiti, Sabatoni), Sabbaton - Greek first day of the week
Sabatu Ndende ni (n) Palm Sunday
sabuni (n) soap
sadaka (n) banquet
Sadukeini (n) Sadducees
safari (n) safari, journey
saimu (n) fast
saiso (n) sisal
Sakaru (n) female-given name meaning "Directionless(ly), Aimlessly"
saketi (n) sacket eg Lady Nana mvu ni iwa saketi-a ri ku. = Lady Nana does not drink alcohol in a sacket.
saku (n) type of calabash, an eliptical dish made of black clay and glazed to a dark color with a short handle on one side, used to serve food to the husband or an elderly person, utensil of great honor and prestige, available at Ajia Market in Vurra County (Arua District)
saluni (n) salon, barbershop, beautyshop
Sambya (n) suburb south of Arua Golf Course Roundabout and after Arua Hill Primary School
Samsoni (n) Samson eg Samsoni le Delila. = Samson loves Delilah.
San Siro (n) video hall in Osu Village formerly found less than half a kilometre on the right as you slope from Hospital Road to Osu River and named after the football home of Inter and AC Milan in the Italian Serie A
sanduku (n) suitcase
Sanduku Azizaniri (n) Ark of the Covenant (also Sanduku Adrouni 'bani azita ta mbazuri) eg Ronald Wyatt esu Sanduku Azizaniri Gologotha 'Be ma eti-a. = Ronald Wyatt discovered the Ark of the Covenant under Golgotha Hill.
sandukua sandukua (v) community (village) savings
sarasara (adj) levelled
saru (adv) a lot
sase (n) polythene bag (also kavera) eg Sase ci? = Is there a polythene bag?
sata (n) burial, planting, slapping, flying (also saza)
sati (n) shirt
sati ma wu (n) shirt sleeve (also sati ma wi)
Sawusi Afrika (n) Republic of South Africa (RSA) eg Sofi ni aa Sawusi Afrika-a. = Sophie stays in South Africa.
sayansi (n) science
se (v) breathe, pull, smoke (also see), (adj) elastic (also sese, pakadili)
Sebei (n) Sebei eg Chemutai ni Sebei. = Chemutai is a Sebei.
sei (n) sword, dagger eg Dastani ma sei ci Prince of Persia (filimu)-a. = Dastan has a dagger in Prince of Persia (film).
sekondari (n) secondary
sekondi (n) second of time
sekua (n) three sided gobea used for eating nuts or food
selasa (n) slasher (also selesa)
rota (n) carrying a heavy object, curse
ru (adj) abrupt; [(n) name eg Candiru, Inzikuru, Aciru; (v) catch, mate, respect] eg Mi ru a'di-i? = What is your name?
ru biza (n) baptism
ru siza (n) name registration eg Wendi ni ru siza-a. = Wendi is at name registration.
rua (n) body (also ruati)
rua agupini (n) penis (also agele, opa)
rua driza (n) body fever
rua edezu (n) cleansing the body
rua okuni (n) vagina (also omogo, oma, angunya)
ruburubu (adj) sound of swallowing food (also nguringuri)
ruduku (n) forest (also oce, angu patiru, obibi)
rugbu (adv) abruptly, (n) noise made when something falls
Rukiga (n) language of Bakiga Tribe from southwest Uganda (also Ruchiga)
rukuza (n) popularity, fame, renown
rumu (n) room eg Tonto, Betty, Sheebah, Gaga azini Nikki esu rumu Windsor Hoteli-a. = Tonto, Betty, Sheebah, Gaga and Nikki got rooms at Windsor Hotel.
Runyankole (n) tribe and language west of Buganda around Mbarara or Ankole Kingdom (also Runyankore) eg Amaniyo oni Runyankole. = Amaniyo learnt Runyankole.
ruta (n) mating, catching, respect (also ruza)
ruzali (n) rosary eg Gloria su ruzali ku. = Gloria does not wear a rosary.
Rwanda (n) country southwest of Uganda, probably part of Wakanda (in the Marvel Universe) alongside Uganda (East Africa) eg Mugema enga Rwanda-a. = Mugema comes from Rwanda.
Rwenzori (n) Rwenzori Area (also Rwenjori), highest block mountain in Africa 5,109 meters above sea level found west of Kasese and stretching towards Lake Albert, Wonderland, featured in Black Panther movie eg Rwenzori ni 'be ambo mba ni. = Rwenzori is the Mountain of the Moon.
Rwothu (n) king of Alur
Rwotu (n) king of Acholi
Ss
sa (v) bury, clap, fly, plant, slap eg Semwanga ma avu 'ba sa Kayunga-a. = Semwanga's corpse was buried in Kayunga.
saa (n) clock, watch (also sawa), time, moment, occasion, era eg Saa ongo avizu Arua Chano-a. = Time for playing music on Arua Channel.
saa azia (n) lunch, 12 o' clock (also yi ali)
saani (n) plate (borrowed from KiSwahili)
saaru (n) so much
Sabato (n) Sabbath eg Padre Tonino ni o'bi imba Sabato si. = Father Tonino teaches people on Sabbath Day.
Sabatu (n) Sunday (also Sande, Sabiti, Sabatoni), Sabbaton - Greek first day of the week
Sabatu Ndende ni (n) Palm Sunday
sabuni (n) soap
sadaka (n) banquet
Sadukeini (n) Sadducees
safari (n) safari, journey
saimu (n) fast
saiso (n) sisal
Sakaru (n) female-given name meaning "Directionless(ly), Aimlessly"
saketi (n) sacket eg Lady Nana mvu ni iwa saketi-a ri ku. = Lady Nana does not drink alcohol in a sacket.
saku (n) type of calabash, an eliptical dish made of black clay and glazed to a dark color with a short handle on one side, used to serve food to the husband or an elderly person, utensil of great honor and prestige, available at Ajia Market in Vurra County (Arua District)
saluni (n) salon, barbershop, beautyshop
Sambya (n) suburb south of Arua Golf Course Roundabout and after Arua Hill Primary School
Samsoni (n) Samson eg Samsoni le Delila. = Samson loves Delilah.
San Siro (n) video hall in Osu Village formerly found less than half a kilometre on the right as you slope from Hospital Road to Osu River and named after the football home of Inter and AC Milan in the Italian Serie A
sanduku (n) suitcase
Sanduku Azizaniri (n) Ark of the Covenant (also Sanduku Adrouni 'bani azita ta mbazuri) eg Ronald Wyatt esu Sanduku Azizaniri Gologotha 'Be ma eti-a. = Ronald Wyatt discovered the Ark of the Covenant under Golgotha Hill.
sandukua sandukua (v) community (village) savings
sarasara (adj) levelled
saru (adv) a lot
sase (n) polythene bag (also kavera) eg Sase ci? = Is there a polythene bag?
sata (n) burial, planting, slapping, flying (also saza)
sati (n) shirt
sati ma wu (n) shirt sleeve (also sati ma wi)
Sawusi Afrika (n) Republic of South Africa (RSA) eg Sofi ni aa Sawusi Afrika-a. = Sophie stays in South Africa.
sayansi (n) science
se (v) breathe, pull, smoke (also see), (adj) elastic (also sese, pakadili)
Sebei (n) Sebei eg Chemutai ni Sebei. = Chemutai is a Sebei.
sei (n) sword, dagger eg Dastani ma sei ci Prince of Persia (filimu)-a. = Dastan has a dagger in Prince of Persia (film).
sekondari (n) secondary
sekondi (n) second of time
sekua (n) three sided gobea used for eating nuts or food
selasa (n) slasher (also selesa)
semenikia (n) borehole (also bowaholu)
semutundu (n) type of fish
sende (n) money (also mali, lonyi nyakuari) eg Bryan White fe 'ba pini sende biasara ngazu. = Bryan White gave people money for doing business.
sende simu si (n) mobile money
seneti (n) senate
senge (n) leftover or remnant after sieving cassava flour
seniya (n) tray (also saniya)
semutundu (n) type of fish
sende (n) money (also mali, lonyi nyakuari) eg Bryan White fe 'ba pini sende biasara ngazu. = Bryan White gave people money for doing business.
sende simu si (n) mobile money
seneti (n) senate
senge (n) leftover or remnant after sieving cassava flour
seniya (n) tray (also saniya)
serafi (n) seraphim angel(s) with three pairs of wings
Serere (n) place in Teso after Soroti City eg Monica ma agupi enga Serere-a. = Monica's husband is from Serere.
seri (n) type of plant used for fencing
seta (n) breath (also ava), pulling, smoking (also seza)
setilaiti (n) satellite
shaolini (n) related to shaolin monk or temple, clean shave haircut
sheiki (n) sheikh eg Sheiki Zayed = Sheik Zayed
sheika (n) sheikha
si (conj) on, by, because of; [(n) tooth, hailstone; (suffix) with, (v) write, knock; peel, build] eg Huang Ming si "Solar City" Chaina-a. = Huang Ming built Solar City in China.
seri (n) type of plant used for fencing
seta (n) breath (also ava), pulling, smoking (also seza)
setilaiti (n) satellite
shaolini (n) related to shaolin monk or temple, clean shave haircut
sheiki (n) sheikh eg Sheiki Zayed = Sheik Zayed
sheika (n) sheikha
si (conj) on, by, because of; [(n) tooth, hailstone; (suffix) with, (v) write, knock; peel, build] eg Huang Ming si "Solar City" Chaina-a. = Huang Ming built Solar City in China.
si dini (n) situation where someone smiled or teeth shone (but the heart was dark)
si otru (n) gum
si otru (n) gum
Sidini (n) Sydney
sidriani (conj) as if, as though, like eg Ma e'do ama sidriani ma asi imbu ma agati-a ri si. = I started to feel like my heart jumped out of my chest.
sigino (n) signal eg Voice Of America ma sigino = Voice Of America's signal
sigiri (n) charcoal stove
sikati (n) skirt
Silamu (n) Muslim(ah) eg Miriamu ni Silamu ma ru. = Miriam is a Muslim name.
sile (n) missing teeth
sileru (adj) toothless
Silimu (n) AIDS (also Azo ondrindria niri, Azo ambori [The Big Disease]) eg Philly Bongole Lutaaya dra Silimu si. = Philly Bongole Lutaaya died of AIDS.
silingi (n) shilling(s), Kenyan or Ugandan or Tanzanian (East African) forex exchange currency, cash money eg silingi 40,000 = 40,000 Shillings
silipa (n) slipper(s) (also afa su pa-a, slipa) eg Ojangole su silipa. = Ojangole is wearing slippers.
silo (n) silo(s) eg Riela ni silo ede. = Riela makes silos.
simatifoni (n) smartphone eg Moon ni Samsung simatifoni ayu. = Moon uses a Samsung smartphone.
sidriani (conj) as if, as though, like eg Ma e'do ama sidriani ma asi imbu ma agati-a ri si. = I started to feel like my heart jumped out of my chest.
sigino (n) signal eg Voice Of America ma sigino = Voice Of America's signal
sigiri (n) charcoal stove
sikati (n) skirt
Silamu (n) Muslim(ah) eg Miriamu ni Silamu ma ru. = Miriam is a Muslim name.
sile (n) missing teeth
sileru (adj) toothless
Silimu (n) AIDS (also Azo ondrindria niri, Azo ambori [The Big Disease]) eg Philly Bongole Lutaaya dra Silimu si. = Philly Bongole Lutaaya died of AIDS.
silingi (n) shilling(s), Kenyan or Ugandan or Tanzanian (East African) forex exchange currency, cash money eg silingi 40,000 = 40,000 Shillings
silipa (n) slipper(s) (also afa su pa-a, slipa) eg Ojangole su silipa. = Ojangole is wearing slippers.
silo (n) silo(s) eg Riela ni silo ede. = Riela makes silos.
simatifoni (n) smartphone eg Moon ni Samsung simatifoni ayu. = Moon uses a Samsung smartphone.
simbili (n) dagger, woman's knife for weaving or making various Lugbara handicrafts like kobi, koyia and tiko (also okuilia)
simiti (n) cement eg Edmund je simiti Hardware World Ntinda-a. = Edmund bought cement at Hardware World Ntinda.
simu (n) phone eg Angwen su Nokia simu ima mufuku-a. = Angwen put a Nokia phone in her pocket.
simu gba (v) ring, call eg Kazora gba simu Yemi ni. = Kazora phoned Yemi.
simu ofelekuri (n) toll-free telephone line, toll-free call (also simu robia nyapikuri)
simu waraga aliaru (n) Short Message Service (SMS)
sindani (n) syringe, needle (also libira)
sindani bongo sozuri (n) sewing needle
sinfoni (n) symphony
singiri (n) rigidity, refusal to change
siniga (n) flu, colds, influenza
siosio (n) grasshopper with a big head
siperu (n) gaptoothed
sipeso (n) special hire taxi eg Amanya ni sipeso ayu. = Amanya is using a special hire taxi.
siri (n) secret eg Enoka lu siri. = Enoch told a secret.
siso (n) jaw
Sitani (n) Satan, the Devil, adversary, accuser of the Brethren, Lucifer, Angel of Light, Morning Star (also Setani)
siti (n) city (aku ambo) eg Miguna Miguna ni mu Nairobi Siti-a. = Miguna Miguna is going to Nairobi City.
sizoni (n) season (also wangi, mange) eg Daniel Kawesa nde Coca-Cola Rated Next, Sizoni Alu. = Daniel Kawesa won Coca-Cola Rated Next, Season One.
simiti (n) cement eg Edmund je simiti Hardware World Ntinda-a. = Edmund bought cement at Hardware World Ntinda.
simu (n) phone eg Angwen su Nokia simu ima mufuku-a. = Angwen put a Nokia phone in her pocket.
simu gba (v) ring, call eg Kazora gba simu Yemi ni. = Kazora phoned Yemi.
simu ofelekuri (n) toll-free telephone line, toll-free call (also simu robia nyapikuri)
simu waraga aliaru (n) Short Message Service (SMS)
sindani (n) syringe, needle (also libira)
sindani bongo sozuri (n) sewing needle
sinfoni (n) symphony
singiri (n) rigidity, refusal to change
siniga (n) flu, colds, influenza
siosio (n) grasshopper with a big head
siperu (n) gaptoothed
sipeso (n) special hire taxi eg Amanya ni sipeso ayu. = Amanya is using a special hire taxi.
siri (n) secret eg Enoka lu siri. = Enoch told a secret.
siso (n) jaw
Sitani (n) Satan, the Devil, adversary, accuser of the Brethren, Lucifer, Angel of Light, Morning Star (also Setani)
siti (n) city (aku ambo) eg Miguna Miguna ni mu Nairobi Siti-a. = Miguna Miguna is going to Nairobi City.
sizoni (n) season (also wangi, mange) eg Daniel Kawesa nde Coca-Cola Rated Next, Sizoni Alu. = Daniel Kawesa won Coca-Cola Rated Next, Season One.
skulu (n) school (also sukulu)
skulu fizi (n) school fees
slo mo (n) slow motion (also acita e'yere)
so (v) gather, collect, together, prick, pierce
so'bi (n) tail
soda (n) soda eg Ajua mu Mirinda soda mvu Golden Courts Hotel-a. = Ajua went to drink Mirinda soda at Golden Courts Hotel.
soka (n) bedsheet (also suka), association football, soccer (also mopira, mupira)
sokisi (n) socks eg Pamela su sokisi imve. = Pamela wore white socks.
sokolo (n) thin line inside cassava tuber, sth to do with sitting
sola (n) solar eg Oyako ni sola ayu. = Oyako uses solar.
solusoni (n) ORS first aid dehydration solution for running stomach made by mixing half teaspoon of salt, one cup of water and two teaspoons of sugar
Somali (n) Somali(an), sb or sth from Somalia
Somalia (n) Somalia, territory bordering Kenya in the northeast and west of the Indian Ocean eg Mugyenyi mu Somalia-a. = Mugyenyi went to Somalia.
soro (n) board game
slo mo (n) slow motion (also acita e'yere)
so (v) gather, collect, together, prick, pierce
so'bi (n) tail
soda (n) soda eg Ajua mu Mirinda soda mvu Golden Courts Hotel-a. = Ajua went to drink Mirinda soda at Golden Courts Hotel.
soka (n) bedsheet (also suka), association football, soccer (also mopira, mupira)
sokisi (n) socks eg Pamela su sokisi imve. = Pamela wore white socks.
sokolo (n) thin line inside cassava tuber, sth to do with sitting
sola (n) solar eg Oyako ni sola ayu. = Oyako uses solar.
solusoni (n) ORS first aid dehydration solution for running stomach made by mixing half teaspoon of salt, one cup of water and two teaspoons of sugar
Somali (n) Somali(an), sb or sth from Somalia
Somalia (n) Somalia, territory bordering Kenya in the northeast and west of the Indian Ocean eg Mugyenyi mu Somalia-a. = Mugyenyi went to Somalia.
soro (n) board game
soroko (n) outer part of cassava?
Soroti (n) town in Eastern Uganda, southwest of Lira and northwest of Mbale, predominantly occupied by the Teso, Solot eg Eja enga Soroti-a. = Eja is from Soroti.
sowani (n) plate, satellite dish (also bakule)
spageti (n) spaghetti, long and thin pasta eg Joana ni spageti nya. = Joana is eating spaghetti.
Speini (n) Spain eg Andres Iniesta avi mupira Barselona ni azini Speini (be). = Andres Iniesta played soccer for Barcelona and Spain.
spidi (n) speed
spika (n) speaker (also anzenze ei)
spoki (n) spoke
springi (n) spring (also sepringi)
stadia (n) stadium, arena
stanja (n) stanza
stediumu (n) stadium (also mupira pari, stadia, stediamu)
stesoni (n) station eg UNHCR ma stesoni azi Bidibidi-a. = UNHCR has another station in Bidibidi.
stowa (n) store eg Aseru ni stowa we. = Aseru is sweeping the store.
stresi (n) stress
su (n) four, (v) put in, score, hurt, pain; [wear, put on, pour eg water, to have diarrhoea] eg Adele ma asi su. = Adele's heart pained.
Sudani (n) country north of Uganda and South Sudan, zone in Mvara Cell near where Emmanuel Cathedral is located (also Sudan) eg Julieti imvi Sudan-a risi. = Juliet returned from Sudan.
sufaria (n) saucepan
suhuru (n) suhoor, iftar, Muslim breakfast before sunrise during Ramadan (also futuru)
sukari (n) sugar eg Sukari 'di enga Lobe-a. = This sugar is from Lobe.
sukari azo (n) diabetes
sukulu (n) school (also skulu) eg Sukulu pe ma mile ni, mi iza mi sawa aku-a ku! = School attracted my eye, do not waste your time at home!
sukuma wiki (n) spinach eg Popeye ni sukuma wiki nya okpo isuzu. = Popeye eats spinach to get power.
Sultan Isara (n) great Vurra chief who died on 26th July 1949
suluwayiwayi (n) small donuts usually less than 2 centimetres in length and width
suru (n) tribe, clan, nation, country, kingdom, culture eg Afrika ni tutuni suru ini. = Africa is mainly a black nation.
Soroti (n) town in Eastern Uganda, southwest of Lira and northwest of Mbale, predominantly occupied by the Teso, Solot eg Eja enga Soroti-a. = Eja is from Soroti.
sowani (n) plate, satellite dish (also bakule)
spageti (n) spaghetti, long and thin pasta eg Joana ni spageti nya. = Joana is eating spaghetti.
Speini (n) Spain eg Andres Iniesta avi mupira Barselona ni azini Speini (be). = Andres Iniesta played soccer for Barcelona and Spain.
spidi (n) speed
spika (n) speaker (also anzenze ei)
spoki (n) spoke
springi (n) spring (also sepringi)
stadia (n) stadium, arena
stanja (n) stanza
stediumu (n) stadium (also mupira pari, stadia, stediamu)
stesoni (n) station eg UNHCR ma stesoni azi Bidibidi-a. = UNHCR has another station in Bidibidi.
stowa (n) store eg Aseru ni stowa we. = Aseru is sweeping the store.
stresi (n) stress
su (n) four, (v) put in, score, hurt, pain; [wear, put on, pour eg water, to have diarrhoea] eg Adele ma asi su. = Adele's heart pained.
Sudani (n) country north of Uganda and South Sudan, zone in Mvara Cell near where Emmanuel Cathedral is located (also Sudan) eg Julieti imvi Sudan-a risi. = Juliet returned from Sudan.
sufaria (n) saucepan
suhuru (n) suhoor, iftar, Muslim breakfast before sunrise during Ramadan (also futuru)
sukari (n) sugar eg Sukari 'di enga Lobe-a. = This sugar is from Lobe.
sukari azo (n) diabetes
sukulu (n) school (also skulu) eg Sukulu pe ma mile ni, mi iza mi sawa aku-a ku! = School attracted my eye, do not waste your time at home!
sukuma wiki (n) spinach eg Popeye ni sukuma wiki nya okpo isuzu. = Popeye eats spinach to get power.
Sultan Isara (n) great Vurra chief who died on 26th July 1949
suluwayiwayi (n) small donuts usually less than 2 centimetres in length and width
suru (n) tribe, clan, nation, country, kingdom, culture eg Afrika ni tutuni suru ini. = Africa is mainly a black nation.
suru ma e'yo (n) meeting as a clan to discuss difficulties
suru ma kala andraleru (n) downcountry
suru ma kala oruleru (n) upcountry
suruali (n) shorts
sururu (n) mattock, pick axe, metal tool with two pointed ends (one sharper) for digging hard soil and attached to a long handle
suta (n) pain (also suza)
suti (n) suit eg Kawunda suti = (Kenneth) Kaunda suit
suza (n) pour(ing), urination (also odre suza), Rwanda-Rundi kunyaza, Ugandan kachabali, Western Jazz, female ejaculation
suzi (n) shoe(s)
swici (n) switch eg Martini ikpa swici. = Martin pressed the switch.
Swideni (n) Sweden eg Yofasi ni Swideni-a. = Yofasi is in Sweden.
synthi (n) music synthesizer, synth (also sinthi)
Tt
ta (adv) used to be, (n) sound when sth is slapped or struck; [(v) endure] eg Hotel Arua ma ru ta Hotel California. = Hotel Arua's name used to be (called) Hotel California.
ta mba (v) take care, keep safe
ta sipikuri (n) unfamiliar
taba (n) tobacco, cigarette eg Gamete atri taba oziza. = Government has blocked tobacco selling.
taba seza (n) smoking (also taba seta), (v) smoke tobacco eg Taba seza yo! = No smoking!
Tabani Geri (n) Taban Lane, road that connects Adumi Road after the north end of OB Plaza to Market Lane eg Radiology Centre ni Tabani Geri-a. = Radiology Centre is on Taban Lane.
tabunakulu (n) tabernacle
tai (n) pity, surprise, necktie
taikondo (n) taekondo eg Semujju ni taikondo avi. = Semujju plays taekondo.
Taiwani (n) Taiwan, independent state in East Asia, the Republic of China (ROC)
tajiri (n) rich person
tala (n) lamp; [side, hurricane] eg Tala Katrina eza jo karakara New Orleans-a. = Hurricane Katrina destroyed several houses in New Orleans.
talakpa (adj) not tasty (also talapa)
tali (n) magic, marvel, miracle, seat of the ability of an individual to influence others apart from the exercise of lineage authority
taliru (adj, adv) magical, marvelous, miraculous
tamborini (n) tamborine
tambula (n) tumbler, almost coneshaped metallic cup eg Martha ni tambula oji. = Martha is washing the tumbler.
tampeko (n) metallic cup (like those made by TUMPECO Limited in Ntinda Industrial Area)
tandi (adj) true (also ada, adaada)
Tanganyika (n) suburb near Arua City and towards Arua Airport
tangawuzi (n) ginger eg Silvano ni tangawuzi mvu. = Silvano is drinking ginger.
tapu (n) tap
Tara (n) subcounty in Maracha comprising Ojapi, Ajulepi, Yidu, Oliapi (also Oliyepi), Aruwe and Rendu parishes
Tarawi (n) Taraweeh Muslim night prayers during Ramadan (also Tarawihi)
tasipiku (adj, adv) unbecoming
tata (adv) always, daily
tatu (n) tattoo
tawulo (n) towel, large intestine of a cow
tawuni (n) town eg Dreki ni tawuni-a Koka Kola mvu Kamure be. = Drake is in town drinking Coca Cola with Kamure.
tayataya (adv) (said of movement) tilted side to side, swaying
tayilu (n) tile(s) (also tailu) eg Angutoko ni tayilu osu. = Angutoko is fixing tiles.
te (adv) affirmative at the end of sentence; [(conj) but (also tedi), (v) gas, break wind; wait, collect white ants (fig)] eg MUNGU ni 'ba nyakua 'diyi lele turisi ERI fe mvi ERINI tile aluri, 'dini 'ba dria alu alu eri aipiri ma ja dri ku, te ma ovu idri 'dani 'dani ri be. - Yohana 3:16 = For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
tegula (n) tiles
teketeke (adv) completely
teknoloji (n) technology eg Baidu ni teknoloji ayu wudrikuru mbazaru ri ede ewakoko. = Baidu uses technology to make a complex world easier.
televisoni (n) television eg Uganda anyu analogu televisoni kari aziri le. = Uganda switched off analog television like other countries.
suru ma kala andraleru (n) downcountry
suru ma kala oruleru (n) upcountry
suruali (n) shorts
sururu (n) mattock, pick axe, metal tool with two pointed ends (one sharper) for digging hard soil and attached to a long handle
suta (n) pain (also suza)
suti (n) suit eg Kawunda suti = (Kenneth) Kaunda suit
suza (n) pour(ing), urination (also odre suza), Rwanda-Rundi kunyaza, Ugandan kachabali, Western Jazz, female ejaculation
suzi (n) shoe(s)
swici (n) switch eg Martini ikpa swici. = Martin pressed the switch.
Swideni (n) Sweden eg Yofasi ni Swideni-a. = Yofasi is in Sweden.
synthi (n) music synthesizer, synth (also sinthi)
Tt
ta (adv) used to be, (n) sound when sth is slapped or struck; [(v) endure] eg Hotel Arua ma ru ta Hotel California. = Hotel Arua's name used to be (called) Hotel California.
ta mba (v) take care, keep safe
ta sipikuri (n) unfamiliar
taba (n) tobacco, cigarette eg Gamete atri taba oziza. = Government has blocked tobacco selling.
taba seza (n) smoking (also taba seta), (v) smoke tobacco eg Taba seza yo! = No smoking!
Tabani Geri (n) Taban Lane, road that connects Adumi Road after the north end of OB Plaza to Market Lane eg Radiology Centre ni Tabani Geri-a. = Radiology Centre is on Taban Lane.
tabunakulu (n) tabernacle
tai (n) pity, surprise, necktie
taikondo (n) taekondo eg Semujju ni taikondo avi. = Semujju plays taekondo.
Taiwani (n) Taiwan, independent state in East Asia, the Republic of China (ROC)
tajiri (n) rich person
tala (n) lamp; [side, hurricane] eg Tala Katrina eza jo karakara New Orleans-a. = Hurricane Katrina destroyed several houses in New Orleans.
talakpa (adj) not tasty (also talapa)
tali (n) magic, marvel, miracle, seat of the ability of an individual to influence others apart from the exercise of lineage authority
taliru (adj, adv) magical, marvelous, miraculous
tamborini (n) tamborine
tambula (n) tumbler, almost coneshaped metallic cup eg Martha ni tambula oji. = Martha is washing the tumbler.
tampeko (n) metallic cup (like those made by TUMPECO Limited in Ntinda Industrial Area)
tandi (adj) true (also ada, adaada)
Tanganyika (n) suburb near Arua City and towards Arua Airport
tangawuzi (n) ginger eg Silvano ni tangawuzi mvu. = Silvano is drinking ginger.
tapu (n) tap
Tara (n) subcounty in Maracha comprising Ojapi, Ajulepi, Yidu, Oliapi (also Oliyepi), Aruwe and Rendu parishes
Tarawi (n) Taraweeh Muslim night prayers during Ramadan (also Tarawihi)
tasipiku (adj, adv) unbecoming
tata (adv) always, daily
tatu (n) tattoo
tawulo (n) towel, large intestine of a cow
tawuni (n) town eg Dreki ni tawuni-a Koka Kola mvu Kamure be. = Drake is in town drinking Coca Cola with Kamure.
tayataya (adv) (said of movement) tilted side to side, swaying
tayilu (n) tile(s) (also tailu) eg Angutoko ni tayilu osu. = Angutoko is fixing tiles.
te (adv) affirmative at the end of sentence; [(conj) but (also tedi), (v) gas, break wind; wait, collect white ants (fig)] eg MUNGU ni 'ba nyakua 'diyi lele turisi ERI fe mvi ERINI tile aluri, 'dini 'ba dria alu alu eri aipiri ma ja dri ku, te ma ovu idri 'dani 'dani ri be. - Yohana 3:16 = For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
tegula (n) tiles
teketeke (adv) completely
teknoloji (n) technology eg Baidu ni teknoloji ayu wudrikuru mbazaru ri ede ewakoko. = Baidu uses technology to make a complex world easier.
televisoni (n) television eg Uganda anyu analogu televisoni kari aziri le. = Uganda switched off analog television like other countries.
televizoni (n) TV (also TaVa) eg Ongo ni avi Westnile Televizoni-a = Music is playing on Westnile TV.
tena (n) tennis, tenor voice eg Steffi Graf ni tena avi. = Steffi Graf is playing tennis.
tepu n) tape
Tere (n) great grandfather of Terego forced out of Bahr el Ghazal, moved to Nimule then Acholiland. Tere married an Acholi woman and got two sons: Gboro and Tifoli
Terego (n) Lugbara clan and area northeast of Arua City surrounded by Ayivu, Maracha, Yumbe, Albert Nile and Moyo; location of Mt. Wati where Lugbara are believed to have originated
teri (n) load, luggage
Teso (n) tribe in eastern Uganda settled mainly in Soroti and Serere plus other areas, sb from Teso, Itesot, Muteso eg Ogwapit ni Teso. = Ogwapit is a Muteso.
teta (n) waiting, collecting white ants
theata (n) theatre
ti (adj) in vain; [(n) cow; sound of dropping liquid, hang (oneself); mouth (also tile), language; (v) dress smartly, thatch, sign, press a button; give birth, deliver] eg Ti Uganda-a lu su: Bantu, Luo, Karamojong-Ateso azini Madi-Lugbara. = There are only four languages in Uganda: Bantu, Luo, Karamojong-Ateso and Madi-Lugbara.
ti aroni (n) cow, heifer
ti ago (n) bull
ti ape (phr v) comment
ti onzi (n) bad mouth, foul, vulgar language eg Nyanzi ayu ti onzi. = Nyanzi used vulgar language.
ti'bi (n) beard (also ti'biti'bi, tibitibi)
tibi (n) sauce eg Ariana ede tibi. = Ariana made sauce.
ticita (n) unity
ticitaru (adj) united eg Kari Ticitaru = United Nations
tiicima (n) unity (also tiicita, ticita, ticima)
tiketi (n) ticket eg 'Ba mbiri ki tiketi je Messi ni nezu. = Many people buy tickets to watch Messi.
tile (n) shutter
tilikpa (adj) tough, half boiled (meat)
timu (n) team
tena (n) tennis, tenor voice eg Steffi Graf ni tena avi. = Steffi Graf is playing tennis.
tepu n) tape
Tere (n) great grandfather of Terego forced out of Bahr el Ghazal, moved to Nimule then Acholiland. Tere married an Acholi woman and got two sons: Gboro and Tifoli
Terego (n) Lugbara clan and area northeast of Arua City surrounded by Ayivu, Maracha, Yumbe, Albert Nile and Moyo; location of Mt. Wati where Lugbara are believed to have originated
teri (n) load, luggage
Teso (n) tribe in eastern Uganda settled mainly in Soroti and Serere plus other areas, sb from Teso, Itesot, Muteso eg Ogwapit ni Teso. = Ogwapit is a Muteso.
teta (n) waiting, collecting white ants
theata (n) theatre
ti (adj) in vain; [(n) cow; sound of dropping liquid, hang (oneself); mouth (also tile), language; (v) dress smartly, thatch, sign, press a button; give birth, deliver] eg Ti Uganda-a lu su: Bantu, Luo, Karamojong-Ateso azini Madi-Lugbara. = There are only four languages in Uganda: Bantu, Luo, Karamojong-Ateso and Madi-Lugbara.
ti aroni (n) cow, heifer
ti ago (n) bull
ti ape (phr v) comment
ti onzi (n) bad mouth, foul, vulgar language eg Nyanzi ayu ti onzi. = Nyanzi used vulgar language.
ti'bi (n) beard (also ti'biti'bi, tibitibi)
tibi (n) sauce eg Ariana ede tibi. = Ariana made sauce.
ticita (n) unity
ticitaru (adj) united eg Kari Ticitaru = United Nations
tiicima (n) unity (also tiicita, ticita, ticima)
tiketi (n) ticket eg 'Ba mbiri ki tiketi je Messi ni nezu. = Many people buy tickets to watch Messi.
tile (n) shutter
tilikpa (adj) tough, half boiled (meat)
timu (n) team
tingatinga amvu 'yapiri (n) tractor machine, handheld plougher that can use 3 litres of oil for 3 acres
tinzeta (n) speaking
tinzeza (n) spoken language
tinzeta (n) speaking
tinzeza (n) spoken language
tipa (n) tipper truck eg 'Ba da sende tawuni-a tipasi. = Money was poured (or dumped) in (the) town using a tipper.
tisi (adv) orally, by mouth
tita (n) hanging
tivi (n) television set (also teli) eg Mi anyu tivi ku! = Don't switch off the television!
tisi (adv) orally, by mouth
tita (n) hanging
tivi (n) television set (also teli) eg Mi anyu tivi ku! = Don't switch off the television!
tiyagasi (n) teargas eg Kivumbi oji ima mile tiyagasi ma e'yo si. = Kivumbi washed his eyes because of teargas.
tiza (n) beef, cow meat; delivery, birth
to (v) fill liquid in container, accuse, report eg Alesi to ndima cupa ma-a. = Alesi poured orange juice in a bottle.
toci (n) torch eg eg Aburahamu je toci Kubala-a. = Abraham bought a torch in Kubala.
toko (adv) zero, for nothing, for no reason
Tondolo (n) place northeast from Terego, southwest of Omugo
toro (n) beehive (also turu)
torozi (n) pair of trousers (also suruali, pa ali, pali)
tota (n) accusation, report (also toza)
towi (adj, n) five eg Doro la kosi 'da eli towi. = Doro studied that course for five years.
tra (v) satisfy, gather
traa (n) robin (bird) (also traatraa)
tramu (n) tram eg Mbayo aci tramu si. = Mbayo travelled by tram.
tratra (n) collection (also traza), heap
trazaru (adj) satisfied, for collecting
tre (adj) many, numerous, full; [(v) shout, rebuke]
tri (v) brush, rub, curse, smear
tro (adv) even though, even if, (v) become soft like overcooked meat
trotro (adj) equal, the same eg Kijomoro FC azini URA de mupira trotro. = Kijomoro FC and URA ended the football game equal.
tru (v) forgive, remove (clothes), take off, untie, move
truta (n) forgiveness (also truza, pata) eg Oguo ai truta YESU vu musalaba sia. = The thief begged for forgiveness from JESUS on the cross.
tu (adj) much; [(v) climb, kick, dance] eg Shakira ni ongo tu Matonge Disko-a. = Shakira is dancing in Matonge Disco.
tualu (adv) together eg Mukwano Industries Kampala ni azi nga Ozuu Brothers Arua be tualu. = Mukwano Industries Kampala works together with Ozuu Brothers Arua.
tujari (n) business, trade (also biasara, tujara) eg Eli 2063 ka ca 'bo, Ongulumu Afrika ma Ticitani le tujari ma aci atrita koko. = By 2063, African Union wants trade to move freely.
tujari ru (n) trademark (also tujara ru)
tukutuku (n) rickshaw, tuk tuk, nickname for soldiers coined by ancient West Nile natives from the sound made by Belgian rifle gunshots
turismo (n) tourism (also angu oneza) eg Kemiyondo ni turismo icu. = Kemiyondo promotes tourism.
turu (n) beehive (also toro) eg Maneno ede turu. = Maneno made a beehive.
turu alu (adj, n) one hundred
tusu (n) saliva
tutua (n) motorcycle (also odrua, piki piki) eg Jeri ni tutua onzu. = Jerry is riding a motorcycle.
tutuni (adv) mainly, mostly
tuzu drile (adv) and above - said of ages (also muzu drile) eg Fabregas avi Arsenal timu okori ni desi eri eli 18 tuzu drile. = Fabregas played for Arsenal's first team when he was 18 years and above.
TV angu imve (n) TV white space
Uu [shares some words with Oo (sometimes Üü)]
ubalako (n) fox (also obalako, oboloko)
Uhuru Geri (n) Independence Road starts from the Arua Hill Roundabout and extends along the foot of Arua Hill eg Karungi ni azi nga Uhuru Geri-a. = Karungi works on Independence Road.
Ukreini (n) Ukraine (also Yukreini) eg Muzungu azi enga Ukreini-a imu olokoto ma odre nda West Nile-a. = Some muzungu came from Ukraine to search for the urine of a gecko in West Nile.
Ulaya (n) Europe eg Kristof ni Ulaya-a. Kristof is in Europe.
Uleppi (n) place in Upper Madi between Bondo and Okollo
univasiti (n) university eg Mawa mu Kyambogo Univasiti-a. = Mawa went to Kyambogo University.
uri (n) fear, cowardice, snake (also ori); [louse, sweat, rust; seeds for planting, seedlings]
urindi onzi (n) evil spirit, madness, lunacy, epilepsy (also orindi onzi)
uru (prep) high, up
uruleru (prep) upward, upper
urulesi (prep) up, standing
usu (n) gun, (v) dress (also osu)
Vv
va (v) guess, understand
vala (adj) vast, wide
vata (n) guessing, understanding
vata kokoru (adj) ignorant
vazaru (adj) understood
vaa (adv) down (also vaalesi, sometimes va)
vaale (adv) downward
vaaleru (adv, adj) downward
vasi (n) verse eg Vasi bi ma ra! = The verse moved me! (Literally The verse grabbed me!)
ve (v) burn
vele (prep) behind (also vile)
tiza (n) beef, cow meat; delivery, birth
to (v) fill liquid in container, accuse, report eg Alesi to ndima cupa ma-a. = Alesi poured orange juice in a bottle.
toci (n) torch eg eg Aburahamu je toci Kubala-a. = Abraham bought a torch in Kubala.
toko (adv) zero, for nothing, for no reason
Tondolo (n) place northeast from Terego, southwest of Omugo
toro (n) beehive (also turu)
torozi (n) pair of trousers (also suruali, pa ali, pali)
tota (n) accusation, report (also toza)
towi (adj, n) five eg Doro la kosi 'da eli towi. = Doro studied that course for five years.
tra (v) satisfy, gather
traa (n) robin (bird) (also traatraa)
tramu (n) tram eg Mbayo aci tramu si. = Mbayo travelled by tram.
tratra (n) collection (also traza), heap
trazaru (adj) satisfied, for collecting
tre (adj) many, numerous, full; [(v) shout, rebuke]
tri (v) brush, rub, curse, smear
tro (adv) even though, even if, (v) become soft like overcooked meat
trotro (adj) equal, the same eg Kijomoro FC azini URA de mupira trotro. = Kijomoro FC and URA ended the football game equal.
tru (v) forgive, remove (clothes), take off, untie, move
truta (n) forgiveness (also truza, pata) eg Oguo ai truta YESU vu musalaba sia. = The thief begged for forgiveness from JESUS on the cross.
tu (adj) much; [(v) climb, kick, dance] eg Shakira ni ongo tu Matonge Disko-a. = Shakira is dancing in Matonge Disco.
tualu (adv) together eg Mukwano Industries Kampala ni azi nga Ozuu Brothers Arua be tualu. = Mukwano Industries Kampala works together with Ozuu Brothers Arua.
tujari (n) business, trade (also biasara, tujara) eg Eli 2063 ka ca 'bo, Ongulumu Afrika ma Ticitani le tujari ma aci atrita koko. = By 2063, African Union wants trade to move freely.
tujari ru (n) trademark (also tujara ru)
tukutuku (n) rickshaw, tuk tuk, nickname for soldiers coined by ancient West Nile natives from the sound made by Belgian rifle gunshots
turismo (n) tourism (also angu oneza) eg Kemiyondo ni turismo icu. = Kemiyondo promotes tourism.
turu (n) beehive (also toro) eg Maneno ede turu. = Maneno made a beehive.
turu alu (adj, n) one hundred
tusu (n) saliva
tutua (n) motorcycle (also odrua, piki piki) eg Jeri ni tutua onzu. = Jerry is riding a motorcycle.
tutuni (adv) mainly, mostly
tuzu drile (adv) and above - said of ages (also muzu drile) eg Fabregas avi Arsenal timu okori ni desi eri eli 18 tuzu drile. = Fabregas played for Arsenal's first team when he was 18 years and above.
TV angu imve (n) TV white space
Uu [shares some words with Oo (sometimes Üü)]
ubalako (n) fox (also obalako, oboloko)
Uhuru Geri (n) Independence Road starts from the Arua Hill Roundabout and extends along the foot of Arua Hill eg Karungi ni azi nga Uhuru Geri-a. = Karungi works on Independence Road.
Ukreini (n) Ukraine (also Yukreini) eg Muzungu azi enga Ukreini-a imu olokoto ma odre nda West Nile-a. = Some muzungu came from Ukraine to search for the urine of a gecko in West Nile.
Ulaya (n) Europe eg Kristof ni Ulaya-a. Kristof is in Europe.
Uleppi (n) place in Upper Madi between Bondo and Okollo
univasiti (n) university eg Mawa mu Kyambogo Univasiti-a. = Mawa went to Kyambogo University.
uri (n) fear, cowardice, snake (also ori); [louse, sweat, rust; seeds for planting, seedlings]
urindi onzi (n) evil spirit, madness, lunacy, epilepsy (also orindi onzi)
uru (prep) high, up
uruleru (prep) upward, upper
urulesi (prep) up, standing
usu (n) gun, (v) dress (also osu)
Vv
va (v) guess, understand
vala (adj) vast, wide
vata (n) guessing, understanding
vata kokoru (adj) ignorant
vazaru (adj) understood
vaa (adv) down (also vaalesi, sometimes va)
vaale (adv) downward
vaaleru (adv, adj) downward
vasi (n) verse eg Vasi bi ma ra! = The verse moved me! (Literally The verse grabbed me!)
ve (v) burn
vele (prep) behind (also vile)
velomutuka (n) velocar, velomobile
vi (n) tsetse fly, pus, scratch
viato (n) shoes (also wara, nyila, katara) eg Karitasi su viato ini. = Karitas wore black shoes.
vicoru (adj) liked, lovable, enjoyable
vidio (n) video
vile (adv) backwards eg Ama mu drile, acani go vile ku. = We are moving ahead, we won't go backwards.
vini (conj) also
vino (n) wine, ink eg Mingoro vino = Mingoro wine
violini (n) violin eg Miri Ben-Ari ni violini avi. = Miri Ben-Ari plays violin.
vo (v) slash
vorovoro (adj) soft
vu (n) ground; [(prep) near, with him/ her/ it; (v) blow] eg Abiriambati ni Go Down Geri vu. = Abiriambati is near Go Down Road.
vudu (n) voodoo, vodou, witchcraft (also enata)
vule (adv) behind, backwards (also vile), follower (younger sibling)
Vura (n) parish in Tara Subcounty (Maracha) comprising the villages of Agavua, Pajuru, Igumayi, Kololo East, Agaruku and Odupiri
Vurra (n) Lugbara clan, town and area south west of Arua City, URA Customs border post on the DR Congo International Boundary eg Kevin mu Vurra-a. = Kevin has gone to Vurra.
vuti (n) buttocks, behind
vuti bi (v) follow
vutia (adv) behind
vutini (adj) the next, the one that follows
vutinia (adv) afterwards, later, after him or her
vutisi (adj) the next, the one that follows
'W'w [Wha] & Ww
'wara (adj) big (also whara)
'warangala (adj) very big
'wi (v) dry
'wiza (adj) dry (also a'wi, a'wiru, whiza)
wa (v) ripen
wa'di (n) relative, wife eg Eri ma wa'di ma ru Tenisha. = His wife's name is Tenisha.
wa'diko (adj) without relative
waa (v) prove
waka (n) servant, employee
wakoko (adj) weak, easy
wala (adj) wide, large, broad (also vala, ambo)
walaka (n) basket plate for eating
walala (adj) brown, light, lightskinned (also walalaru)
walaru (adj) wide, large, broad
Wandi (n) place near Terego reachable eastwards from Ombaci via Rhino Camp Road, road junction that connects Katrini and Oriajini to Owaffa and Odupi
wangi (n) season (also mange)
wara (n) shoes
waraga (n) certificate, newspaper, letter, mail eg Mbabazi si waraga leta ni ima ago vu. = Mbabazi wrote a love letter to her boyfriend.
waraga simu-a aliaru (n) SMS, Short Message Service (also simu waraga aliaru, waraga simu-a si)
waraji (n) waragi, Ugandan liquor
wari (adj) round, circle eg Etu ni wari. = The sun is round.
wariru (adj) round, circular
wasi wasi (n) worry, care, alarm, concern, skepticism
Wati (n) one of the highest mountains in West Nile, found in Erea Parish of Aii-vu Subcounty in Terego near Cilio and Abiria (also Mt. Wati, Mt. Eti, Iti), origin of the Lugbara Tribe
waya (n) wire eg Itungo ni waya ozi. = Itungo sells wires.
we (v) dust, clean off dust, sweep eg Emi we emi yofe si! = Sweep yourselves with a broom/ Come in large numbers! [Lugbara Idiom]
webusaiti (n) website eg Ezuma zi i-ma webusaiti. = Ezuma opened his webusaiti.
WENRECo (n) West Nile Rural Electrification Company with the slogan "Diza - Powering West Nile", nicknamed Wasreco in Arua because of frequent loadshedding but still used to be more efficient than Umeme in KLA while using petrothermal generators before Nyagak Hydro Dams
were (adj) little, small, short (also gakanya, gakandia, alia, werea)
wetreko (n) mud (also orutreku)
wetrekoru (adj) muddy
weza (n) sweeping
wi (n) arm; [(v) peel off, skin; spit, yield (said of tubers eg Ayu wi saaru! = Yams yielded much!)]
wiketi (n) wicket (in cricket)
wiki (n) week
wiki deza (n) weekend
wiki e'doza (n) weekstart
wiri wiri (n) sling, whirlpool
wita (n) spit(tle)
wizi (n) thread eg Chi-Chi Gweno ni wizi ozi Ovujo-a. = Chi-Chi Gweno sells threads in Ovujo.
woko (n) direction, part, side (also kalati, boko) eg Woko 'dole = This side
Wolo (n) place south of Yumbe
woro (pron) all (also woro woro, synonyms: teke teke, mgbu mgbu, dria dria, kunya kunya, whi whi, kina kina, kpiri kpiri, 'daku 'daku)
woroworo (n) sound made while walking on dry grass, leaves, etc
woroto (n) dung or animal waste product
wu (n) arm (also wi); [(v) cry, remove] eg Wu o'boko ni ra. = S/he removed the shell.
wudrikuru (n) world (also oro), universe
wura (n) colour, art, fine arts, activity of colouring (also wura gbata), Kunst (in German), yishu (in Chinese) eg 'Di Lugbara wura! = This is Lugbara art!
'Y'y [Yha] & Yy
'ya (v) dig (also yha) eg Sina ni amvu 'ya. = Sina is digging the garden.
'ye (n) arrow; [(v) do (also o)] eg Magufuli ni ta a'du 'ye? = What would Magufuli do?
vi (n) tsetse fly, pus, scratch
viato (n) shoes (also wara, nyila, katara) eg Karitasi su viato ini. = Karitas wore black shoes.
vicoru (adj) liked, lovable, enjoyable
vidio (n) video
vile (adv) backwards eg Ama mu drile, acani go vile ku. = We are moving ahead, we won't go backwards.
vini (conj) also
vino (n) wine, ink eg Mingoro vino = Mingoro wine
violini (n) violin eg Miri Ben-Ari ni violini avi. = Miri Ben-Ari plays violin.
vo (v) slash
vorovoro (adj) soft
vu (n) ground; [(prep) near, with him/ her/ it; (v) blow] eg Abiriambati ni Go Down Geri vu. = Abiriambati is near Go Down Road.
vudu (n) voodoo, vodou, witchcraft (also enata)
vule (adv) behind, backwards (also vile), follower (younger sibling)
Vura (n) parish in Tara Subcounty (Maracha) comprising the villages of Agavua, Pajuru, Igumayi, Kololo East, Agaruku and Odupiri
Vurra (n) Lugbara clan, town and area south west of Arua City, URA Customs border post on the DR Congo International Boundary eg Kevin mu Vurra-a. = Kevin has gone to Vurra.
vuti (n) buttocks, behind
vuti bi (v) follow
vutia (adv) behind
vutini (adj) the next, the one that follows
vutinia (adv) afterwards, later, after him or her
vutisi (adj) the next, the one that follows
'W'w [Wha] & Ww
'wara (adj) big (also whara)
'warangala (adj) very big
'wi (v) dry
'wiza (adj) dry (also a'wi, a'wiru, whiza)
wa (v) ripen
wa'di (n) relative, wife eg Eri ma wa'di ma ru Tenisha. = His wife's name is Tenisha.
wa'diko (adj) without relative
waa (v) prove
waka (n) servant, employee
wakoko (adj) weak, easy
wala (adj) wide, large, broad (also vala, ambo)
walaka (n) basket plate for eating
walala (adj) brown, light, lightskinned (also walalaru)
walaru (adj) wide, large, broad
Wandi (n) place near Terego reachable eastwards from Ombaci via Rhino Camp Road, road junction that connects Katrini and Oriajini to Owaffa and Odupi
wangi (n) season (also mange)
wara (n) shoes
waraga (n) certificate, newspaper, letter, mail eg Mbabazi si waraga leta ni ima ago vu. = Mbabazi wrote a love letter to her boyfriend.
waraga simu-a aliaru (n) SMS, Short Message Service (also simu waraga aliaru, waraga simu-a si)
waraji (n) waragi, Ugandan liquor
wari (adj) round, circle eg Etu ni wari. = The sun is round.
wariru (adj) round, circular
wasi wasi (n) worry, care, alarm, concern, skepticism
Wati (n) one of the highest mountains in West Nile, found in Erea Parish of Aii-vu Subcounty in Terego near Cilio and Abiria (also Mt. Wati, Mt. Eti, Iti), origin of the Lugbara Tribe
waya (n) wire eg Itungo ni waya ozi. = Itungo sells wires.
we (v) dust, clean off dust, sweep eg Emi we emi yofe si! = Sweep yourselves with a broom/ Come in large numbers! [Lugbara Idiom]
webusaiti (n) website eg Ezuma zi i-ma webusaiti. = Ezuma opened his webusaiti.
WENRECo (n) West Nile Rural Electrification Company with the slogan "Diza - Powering West Nile", nicknamed Wasreco in Arua because of frequent loadshedding but still used to be more efficient than Umeme in KLA while using petrothermal generators before Nyagak Hydro Dams
were (adj) little, small, short (also gakanya, gakandia, alia, werea)
wetreko (n) mud (also orutreku)
wetrekoru (adj) muddy
weza (n) sweeping
wi (n) arm; [(v) peel off, skin; spit, yield (said of tubers eg Ayu wi saaru! = Yams yielded much!)]
wiketi (n) wicket (in cricket)
wiki (n) week
wiki deza (n) weekend
wiki e'doza (n) weekstart
wiri wiri (n) sling, whirlpool
wita (n) spit(tle)
wizi (n) thread eg Chi-Chi Gweno ni wizi ozi Ovujo-a. = Chi-Chi Gweno sells threads in Ovujo.
woko (n) direction, part, side (also kalati, boko) eg Woko 'dole = This side
Wolo (n) place south of Yumbe
woro (pron) all (also woro woro, synonyms: teke teke, mgbu mgbu, dria dria, kunya kunya, whi whi, kina kina, kpiri kpiri, 'daku 'daku)
woroworo (n) sound made while walking on dry grass, leaves, etc
woroto (n) dung or animal waste product
wu (n) arm (also wi); [(v) cry, remove] eg Wu o'boko ni ra. = S/he removed the shell.
wudrikuru (n) world (also oro), universe
wura (n) colour, art, fine arts, activity of colouring (also wura gbata), Kunst (in German), yishu (in Chinese) eg 'Di Lugbara wura! = This is Lugbara art!
'Y'y [Yha] & Yy
'ya (v) dig (also yha) eg Sina ni amvu 'ya. = Sina is digging the garden.
'ye (n) arrow; [(v) do (also o)] eg Magufuli ni ta a'du 'ye? = What would Magufuli do?
'ye bi-a wu (adj) buzzing eg Afa 'ye bi-a wu. = It's buzzing in the ear.
'ye ofezu dratia (n) sacrificing a goat to satisfy a blood debt that brought misfortunes after an arrow was fired from a bow and accidentally killed someone as in Lugbara folklore
'yeke (adj) okay, all right, correct
'yeta (n) deed, action
'yetasi (adv) by deed, by action (also yhetasi)
'yezaru (adv) done
'yo (v) say, speak, talk, utter (also yho) eg Olive 'yo ica muke. = Olive said she reached safely.
'yota (n) saying, speaking, talking, utterance
ya (v) sieve, sort, shake eg Oyakiya ya angu. = An earthquake shook the place.
yaa (v) tremble
yabi (n) spear grass (also yebi)
yakani (n) fetish
yakpakpa (n) panic, hurrying, rushing
yamandu (n) segregation, bias, preferential treatment eg Yamandu Oviva Church of Uganda Aroi Joago-a yo! = There's no segregation at Oviva Church of Uganda in Aroi Subcounty!
yamari (n) banquet, feast (of wedding)
yata (n) shaking, sorting, separate, sieving (flour), trembling
YAWE (n) YHWH, YAHWEH LORD GOD
yazaru (adv, n) separated, sorted, shaken
yebi (n) spear grass
YEHOVA (n) ADRO, GOD, JAH, JEHOVAH - Latin name for YHWH or YAHWEH, MUNGU
yekeye (n) red safari ant (totem for Koboko Clan)
yekoko (pron) many, numerous, plenty (also yekokoru)
yere (n) bush buck
yereyere (adj) rough, scattered
Yerusalemu (n) Jerusalem eg Paulo mu Yerusalemu-a. = Paul went to Jerusalem.
YESU KRISTO (n) JESUS Christ (also YEZU), the Greatest Human Being to ever walk on Earth and the Sea, Saviour of Sinners, Son of GOD, Lamb of GOD, Prince of Peace, KING of Kings and LORD of Lords, XP, The Anointed One, Witness and Judge on Judgement Day eg YESU ni Opi! = JESUS is Lord!
yi (n) water (also iyi); [(pron) they; (v) pour] eg Ma yi mvu. = I'm drinking water.
yi ali (n) lunch, lunchtime (also nyaka itu-a), water depth eg Etu ni yi ali o'bi ri-a! = The sun is measuring the water depth (when it is directly overheard around lunchtime)!
yi ti (n) goal post
yi kuru (n) waterfall
yi ondi (n) sewerage (literally dirty water)
yi weza (n) swimming (also yisaza) eg Yi weza 'dia yo! = No swimming here!
yia (n) referring to Buganda or KLA City, (prep) in water, to the well or river
yiara (n) river, running water (also miri)
yiki (n) pity, mercy (also yiki)
Yikii (n) male-given name (also Yiki)
yilemvu (n) water pot eg Aisha ni yilemvu oji. = Aisha is washing the waterpot.
yindua (n) underwater, person who goes underwater, Devil worshipper
yiru (adj) watery eg Mariana Trenchi ni yiru. = Marianas Trench is watery.
Yivu (n) subcounty in Maracha, west of Omugo
yiyia (n) mosquito eg Yiyia ci ma. = A mosquito bit me.
yo (adv) not, (interj) no, (pron) nothing
yofe (n) broom eg Joyisi ni angu we yofe si. = Joyce is sweeping the place with a broom.
yu (v) warm oneself with fire or sunheat
Yuganda (n) Uganda
yuku (n) kite eg Yuku ni nga. = A kite is flying.
Yumbe (n) Ugandan district inhabited mainly by the Aringa, northeast of Arua and Maracha, east of Koboko, west of Moyo eg Dina ni Yumbe-a. = Dina is in Yumbe.
yumula (n) week, Sunday (also yumala, wiki, sabiti, sabatu, yinga)
yuthu (n) youth (also 'ba ode) eg Katalina ni yuthu. = Katalina is a youth.
yuu (adj) lukewarm, warm eg Homi ni i-oji yi yuu si. = Homi bathes herself with warm water.
Zz [is pronounced j after n]
za (n) meat (also eza, iza)
za kalanya (n) beef
Zaki (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo
Zambia (n) cell, village or zone in Mvara after Barifa Forest and before Kenya Zone, country down south separated from Uganda by Tanzania eg Mvara Primary School ni Zambia Zone-a. = Mvara Primary School is in Zambia Zone.
zamva (n) girl eg Britney ni zamva te saa azi ma vutia, eri mu eca oku. = Britney is a girl but after some time, she is going to become a woman.
zapi (n) niece (daughter) eg Judith Babirye Ayikoru ni eri ma zapi. = Judith Babirye Ayikoru is his niece.
ze (v) defecate, push; [faeces, shit, dung]
zele (n) anus (also aise geri)
Zeroksi (v) Xerox
zi (n) daughter (also zii); [(v) hide, open; ask, greet]
ziri (adv) far
zita (n) question, greeting (also ziza)
zizaru (adv) hidden, questionable, open
zo (v) cross (a river), grow, milk
zomaazi (n) peer, colleague eg Dodo ni e'yo nze zomaazi be. = Dodo is talking to a colleague.
Zombo (n) Alur town and district south of Arua before Nebbi
zori (suffix) the one which is for or of
zota (n) growth, development, prosperity, length, milking (also zotaa, zoza)
zozo (adv) distant, far, long
zu (adv) whole day, morning to evening; [(phr v, suffix) for eg ayiko zu = enjoy (for happiness)]
zukulu (n) gourd, calabash (also erece), ndeku in Luganda
zuru (adj) full to the brim
zuzu (adv) everyday, daily
[GODisgreat...]
The LORD's Prayer [Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4; very similar to the submissive Muslim Daily Worship Prayer (Salah/ Swalat) which is always said in Arabic, Koran 1 (The Opening)]:
ATA amani ovupi 'buari [Our FATHER who art in Heaven],
Ru MINI ma ovu inzizaru [Hallowed be THY name];
Suru MINI ma emu [YOUR Kingdom come];
E'yo MINI leleri ma 'ye-i nyakua ekile 'buarile [YOUR Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven].
Mi fe etu 'dosi nyaka andruni ama dri [Give us today our daily food].
Mi ku mari amani, amani 'ba afa amani nyapi 'diyi ma mari kulerile [Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors].
Mi ji ama obeta ma alea ku [Lead us not into temptation];
Mi pa ama 'ba onzi dri [Deliver us from evil].
Te suru pi, okpo pie, diza pie dria MINI 'dani 'dani [For the Kingdom, power, and glory are YOURS forever and ever].
Amena [Amen]!
THE ARABIC RAK'AH (Fajr [Dawn] 5am, Dhuhr [Noon] 1pm, Asr [Afternoon] 4pm, Maghrib [Evening] 7pm, Isha [Night] 8pm):
Bismillahir rahmanir rahim
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil alamin
Arrahmanir rahim
Maliki yawmiddin
Iyyaka na budu wa iyyaka nasta'in
Indinassiratal Mustaqim
Siratalladhina an'amta 'alaihim,
Ghairil maghdubi alaihimwa
(Amin!)
[In the name of GOD, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise be to GOD, the LORD of the Worlds, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind
Master of the Day of Judgement
YOU alone do we worship
From YOU alone do we seek help
Show us (the next step along) the Straight Path of those earning YOUR favour
Keep us from the path of those earning YOUR anger
Those who are going astray (Amen!)]
'yeke (adj) okay, all right, correct
'yeta (n) deed, action
'yetasi (adv) by deed, by action (also yhetasi)
'yezaru (adv) done
'yo (v) say, speak, talk, utter (also yho) eg Olive 'yo ica muke. = Olive said she reached safely.
'yota (n) saying, speaking, talking, utterance
ya (v) sieve, sort, shake eg Oyakiya ya angu. = An earthquake shook the place.
yaa (v) tremble
yabi (n) spear grass (also yebi)
yakani (n) fetish
yakpakpa (n) panic, hurrying, rushing
yamandu (n) segregation, bias, preferential treatment eg Yamandu Oviva Church of Uganda Aroi Joago-a yo! = There's no segregation at Oviva Church of Uganda in Aroi Subcounty!
yamari (n) banquet, feast (of wedding)
yata (n) shaking, sorting, separate, sieving (flour), trembling
YAWE (n) YHWH, YAHWEH LORD GOD
yazaru (adv, n) separated, sorted, shaken
yebi (n) spear grass
YEHOVA (n) ADRO, GOD, JAH, JEHOVAH - Latin name for YHWH or YAHWEH, MUNGU
yekeye (n) red safari ant (totem for Koboko Clan)
yekoko (pron) many, numerous, plenty (also yekokoru)
yere (n) bush buck
yereyere (adj) rough, scattered
Yerusalemu (n) Jerusalem eg Paulo mu Yerusalemu-a. = Paul went to Jerusalem.
YESU KRISTO (n) JESUS Christ (also YEZU), the Greatest Human Being to ever walk on Earth and the Sea, Saviour of Sinners, Son of GOD, Lamb of GOD, Prince of Peace, KING of Kings and LORD of Lords, XP, The Anointed One, Witness and Judge on Judgement Day eg YESU ni Opi! = JESUS is Lord!
yi (n) water (also iyi); [(pron) they; (v) pour] eg Ma yi mvu. = I'm drinking water.
yi ali (n) lunch, lunchtime (also nyaka itu-a), water depth eg Etu ni yi ali o'bi ri-a! = The sun is measuring the water depth (when it is directly overheard around lunchtime)!
yi ti (n) goal post
yi kuru (n) waterfall
yi ondi (n) sewerage (literally dirty water)
yi weza (n) swimming (also yisaza) eg Yi weza 'dia yo! = No swimming here!
yia (n) referring to Buganda or KLA City, (prep) in water, to the well or river
yiara (n) river, running water (also miri)
yiki (n) pity, mercy (also yiki)
Yikii (n) male-given name (also Yiki)
yilemvu (n) water pot eg Aisha ni yilemvu oji. = Aisha is washing the waterpot.
yindua (n) underwater, person who goes underwater, Devil worshipper
yiru (adj) watery eg Mariana Trenchi ni yiru. = Marianas Trench is watery.
Yivu (n) subcounty in Maracha, west of Omugo
yiyia (n) mosquito eg Yiyia ci ma. = A mosquito bit me.
yo (adv) not, (interj) no, (pron) nothing
yofe (n) broom eg Joyisi ni angu we yofe si. = Joyce is sweeping the place with a broom.
yu (v) warm oneself with fire or sunheat
Yuganda (n) Uganda
yuku (n) kite eg Yuku ni nga. = A kite is flying.
Yumbe (n) Ugandan district inhabited mainly by the Aringa, northeast of Arua and Maracha, east of Koboko, west of Moyo eg Dina ni Yumbe-a. = Dina is in Yumbe.
yumula (n) week, Sunday (also yumala, wiki, sabiti, sabatu, yinga)
yuthu (n) youth (also 'ba ode) eg Katalina ni yuthu. = Katalina is a youth.
yuu (adj) lukewarm, warm eg Homi ni i-oji yi yuu si. = Homi bathes herself with warm water.
Zz [is pronounced j after n]
za (n) meat (also eza, iza)
za kalanya (n) beef
Zaki (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo
Zambia (n) cell, village or zone in Mvara after Barifa Forest and before Kenya Zone, country down south separated from Uganda by Tanzania eg Mvara Primary School ni Zambia Zone-a. = Mvara Primary School is in Zambia Zone.
zamva (n) girl eg Britney ni zamva te saa azi ma vutia, eri mu eca oku. = Britney is a girl but after some time, she is going to become a woman.
zapi (n) niece (daughter) eg Judith Babirye Ayikoru ni eri ma zapi. = Judith Babirye Ayikoru is his niece.
ze (v) defecate, push; [faeces, shit, dung]
zele (n) anus (also aise geri)
Zeroksi (v) Xerox
zi (n) daughter (also zii); [(v) hide, open; ask, greet]
ziri (adv) far
zita (n) question, greeting (also ziza)
zizaru (adv) hidden, questionable, open
zo (v) cross (a river), grow, milk
zomaazi (n) peer, colleague eg Dodo ni e'yo nze zomaazi be. = Dodo is talking to a colleague.
Zombo (n) Alur town and district south of Arua before Nebbi
zori (suffix) the one which is for or of
zota (n) growth, development, prosperity, length, milking (also zotaa, zoza)
zozo (adv) distant, far, long
zu (adv) whole day, morning to evening; [(phr v, suffix) for eg ayiko zu = enjoy (for happiness)]
zukulu (n) gourd, calabash (also erece), ndeku in Luganda
zuru (adj) full to the brim
zuzu (adv) everyday, daily
[GODisgreat...]
The LORD's Prayer [Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4; very similar to the submissive Muslim Daily Worship Prayer (Salah/ Swalat) which is always said in Arabic, Koran 1 (The Opening)]:
ATA amani ovupi 'buari [Our FATHER who art in Heaven],
Ru MINI ma ovu inzizaru [Hallowed be THY name];
Suru MINI ma emu [YOUR Kingdom come];
E'yo MINI leleri ma 'ye-i nyakua ekile 'buarile [YOUR Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven].
Mi fe etu 'dosi nyaka andruni ama dri [Give us today our daily food].
Mi ku mari amani, amani 'ba afa amani nyapi 'diyi ma mari kulerile [Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors].
Mi ji ama obeta ma alea ku [Lead us not into temptation];
Mi pa ama 'ba onzi dri [Deliver us from evil].
Te suru pi, okpo pie, diza pie dria MINI 'dani 'dani [For the Kingdom, power, and glory are YOURS forever and ever].
Amena [Amen]!
THE ARABIC RAK'AH (Fajr [Dawn] 5am, Dhuhr [Noon] 1pm, Asr [Afternoon] 4pm, Maghrib [Evening] 7pm, Isha [Night] 8pm):
Bismillahir rahmanir rahim
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil alamin
Arrahmanir rahim
Maliki yawmiddin
Iyyaka na budu wa iyyaka nasta'in
Indinassiratal Mustaqim
Siratalladhina an'amta 'alaihim,
Ghairil maghdubi alaihimwa
(Amin!)
[In the name of GOD, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise be to GOD, the LORD of the Worlds, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind
Master of the Day of Judgement
YOU alone do we worship
From YOU alone do we seek help
Show us (the next step along) the Straight Path of those earning YOUR favour
Keep us from the path of those earning YOUR anger
Those who are going astray (Amen!)]
Lugbara Anthem (Approved by Lugbara Kari from a competition won by Mercy Deogratious Ajedra and launched on Wednesday 6th October 2021 in Mvara, Arua):
1. Ama Lugbara ru, ama 'ba aluni
Afa azi maco ama esele ku
Leta asianzu be ama eselea
Ama 'ba aleru, e'yo ada lepi ni.
2. Ama a'bi 'ba ama, ovuzu suru nduni
Wudrikurua 'di eyi ma eselea dria.
Suru drile, opi, Agofe amani,
Lugbara Kari eci ama tualu.
3. ADRO fe amani lonyi capini 'bo:
Nyaku, pati, yi, anyapa, oli be
Ama eciti tualu, angu amani ezozu,
Ama nga paso okporu Lugbara ru..
Buku Biblia Ala-a [Books in the Holy Bible]
Buku Okuri [Old Testament]
E'doza (Buku Musa ni sile aluri) = Genesis
Efuza (Buku Musa ni sile iriri) = Exodus
Kalafe (Buku Musa ni sile nari) = Numbers
Azita Amvizu (Buku Musa ni sile suri) = Deuteronomy
Yosua = Joshua
'Ba E'yo Lipi ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri (Aluri/ Okori azini iriri) = 1st and 2nd Judges
Rutu = Ruth
Samueli 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Samuel
Opi 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Kings
Suru ma E'yo 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Chronicles
Ezira = Ezra
Nehemia = Nehemiah
Esiteri = Esther
Yobu = Job
Zaburi = Psalms
E'yo O'beza = Proverbs
Eklesiaste = Ecclesiastes
Ongo Sulemani ni = Songs of Solomon (Songs of Songs)
Isaya = Isaiah
Yeremia = Jeremiah
Imvo Ongo = Lamentations
Ezekieli = Ezekiel
Danieli = Daniel
Hosea = Hosea
Yoeli = Joel
Amosi = Amos
Obadia = Obadiah
Yona = Jonah
Mika = Micah
Nahumi = Nahum
Habakuki = Habakuk
Zefania = Zephania
Hagai = Haggai
Zekaria = Zechariah
Malaki = Malachi
Buku O'diri [New Testament]
Matayo = Matthew
Mariko = Mark
Luka = Luke
Yohana = John
'Yeta 'Ba Ojioru ('Diyi) ni = Acts of the Apostles
'Ba Roma-a ('Diyi) = Romans
'Ba Korinto-a ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Corinthians
'Ba Galatia-a ('Diyi) = Galatians
'Ba Efeso-a ('Diyi) = Ephesians
'Ba Filipi-a ('Diyi) = Philippians
'Ba Kolosi-a ('Diyi) = Colossians
'Ba Tesalonika-a ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
Timoteo 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Timothy
Tito = Titus
Filemoni = Philemon
'Ba Ebraniani ('Diyi) = Hebrews
Hamesi (also Yakobo, Yamisi) = James
Petero 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Peter
Yohana 1ri, 2ri azini 3ri = 1st, 2nd and 3rd John
Yuda = Jude
E'yo Ece = Revelation
AZITA MUNGUNI MUDRI 'DIYI [THE 10 COMMANDMENTS], Excerpts from Exodus 20:3-17 in Biblia [The Bible in Lugbara] by the Bible Society of Uganda [and The New English Bible]
1. Mi ma ovu mungu azini be ku, kiri ma-i [You shall have no other gods before me]
2. Mi ede mi dri wura inzile inziri ku, kani wura i-sipi afa 'bua ururi berile, kani afa vaa nyakua, kani afa yi nyaku etiari ma aliari-i ti; mi osi mi kumuti yi drilia ku, mi nga azi yini ku; a'disiku ma YEHOVA MUNGU miniri, ma MUNGU a'yaruri, ma atapi ma e'yo onzi ofe yi ma anzi ma rua-a 'ba ma ngupi onzi 'diyi dri kpere a'bianzi nari kani suri vu, te ma asi ndriza ece 'ba ma lepi azita mani ma ta mbapi 'diyi dri kpere cazu alifu alifu [You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your GOD am a jealous GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments]
3. Mi co YEHOVA MUNGU mini ma ru toko toko ku; a'disiku YEHOVA ngani 'ba eri ru copi toko tokori ku pirini e'yo kokoru ku [You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes HIS name in vain]
4. Mi ega o'du sabatoni ma e'yo, tani mbazu alaru. Mi ma nga azi mini o'du azia, mi ma 'ye azi mini dria; te o'du aziriri ovu sabato YEHOVA MUNGU miniri dri; o'du nderisi mi ma nga azi aluni ku, mi-i, mi mvi pie, mi zi pie, ati'bo mini agupiruri pie, ati'bo mini zamvaruri pie, anyapa mini pie, ani'bo ovupi aku miniari pie dria; a'disiku o'du aziasi YEHOVA 'ba ndra 'bu pi nyaku be, miri pi afa alenia 'diyi be dria, te o'du aziririsi YEHOVA li ndra avani; e'yo 'disi YEHOVA 'ba ndra asi ndriza o'du sabatoniri ma dria, eri 'ba eri alaru [Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your GOD; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it]
5. Mi inzi mi ati pi mi andri be, ewu mini ma ovu ani izu angu YEHOVA MUNGU minirini fele mi driri ma alia [Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your GOD gives you]
6. Mi 'di 'ba ku [You shall not kill]
7. Mi 'ba ali ku [You shall not commit adultery]
8. Mi ogu afa ku [You shall not steal]
9. Mi eza 'ba azini ma ru inzosi ku [You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour]
10. Mi 'ba li 'ba azini ma josi ku; mi 'ba li 'ba azini ma okusi ku, ati'bo erini agupiruri pie, ati'bo erini zamvaruri pie, ti erini pie, akanya erini pie, kani afa ngoni 'ba azinini ovuzu yi be 'diyi ti [You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour's]!
eka = red/ crimson/ scarlet
orenji/ orenzi = orange
yelo = yellow
grini = green
blu = blue/ indigo/ cyan/ aqua/ sky blue
pinki = pink/ magenta/ hotpink/ fuchsia
papo = purple/ violet
ini (inikini) = black (darkish)
inibiricici (inicici) = very dark
imve = white
imve silili, whilili = very white, pure white
enisi-emvesi, korikori = black and white
maruni/ marooni = maroon
horohoro, perepere, walalaru = light
foro(foro), foroto = grey, greyish (England or UK English), gray, grayish (American English)
okaza, okazaru, okalamgba, wara wara (walala), okata, oka, brawuni = brown (brown skinned), becoming brownish, become brownish with dirt
The verb "to be"
I am = Ma
He/ She/ It is = Eri
We are = Ama
They are = Eyi/ Yi
(Past tense for I and we is expressed by starting a sentence with a- before the verb [though pronounced differently] or ending for all with (ta and) ra = (then and) affirmative eg Amu (ta) ra! = I/ We went then! or 'bo = already eg Amu 'bo! = I/ We have gone already! Present tense for sb or sth is shown by following the subject with ni = is eg Uganda ni onyiru! = Uganda is good! Future tense is shown by nga = will eg Eri nga gu. = S/he will laugh.)
Kalafe [Numbers]
0. Toko/ ogbo
1. Alu
2. Iri/ eri
3. Na
4. Su
5. Towi/ tawu
6. Azia
7. Aziri
8. Aro
9. Oromi
10. Mudri (also modri)
11. Mudri (dri)ni alu
12. Mudri (dri)ni iri
20. Kali iri
21. Kali iri drini alu
22. Kali iri drini iri
30. Kali na
40. Kali su
50. Kali towi
100. Turu alu
101. Turu alu (drini) alu
102. Turu alu (drini) iri
110. Turu alu mudri
111. Turu alu mudri drini alu
112. Turu alu mudri drini iri
120. Turu alu kali iri
121. Turu alu kali iri drini alu
122. Turu alu kali iri drini iri
200. Turu iri
300. Turu na
400. Turu su
1,000. Alifu alu
2,000. Alifu iri
3,000. Alifu na
1,000,000. Milioni alu
47,000,000,000. Bilioni kali su drini aziri
5,000,000,000,000. Trilioni towi
Ari alu [One Blood]
Lugbara Relationships [The Clan]
Grandfather (a'bi)
Grandmother (dede, e'di, dii, dapi)
Grandmother's clan (a'bipi[ka])
Grandson, brother's son (mvia)
Granddaughter, brother's daughter (zia)
Parent[s] (ti pi[ka], 'ba matiba)
Father (ati, ata, atapi, baba, dadi, papa)
Mother (andri, andre, ayia, mama, mami)
Step-mother (andria, ayia ogu, andrapuru)
Husband (agupi, ago, culu)
Wife (oku)
Co-wife (oku pi, ai azi - because they can lend salt to each other)
Groom (izio, mugole)
Bride (amuroo, arusu, mugole)
Fiance ('ba lepi mi jepiri)
Fiancee ('ba mini le jeri)
Boyfriend (agiago)
Girlfriend (ezo)
Friend (agi, agyi, agoyi, alipi)
Family (ori'ba, aku)
Child (mva)
Children (anzi)
Son, boy (mvi, agupiamva)
Daughter, girl (zi, zamva)
Illegitimate child (ali mva)
Brother[s] (adri, adripi[ka], adripisi)
Sister[s] (amvi, amvipi[ka], amvupisi)
Siblings (tipika anzi azi)
Brotherliness (adrizi, arizi)
Uncle[s] (paternal - atapiru[ka], atapuru[ka], atipiru, ata ogu, adropi; maternal - adro, adroyi[ka])
Aunt[s] (paternal - awupi/ owupi, a'wi, a'wizi, waco; maternal - andrapi[ka], andrapuru, andripiru[ka])
Maternal uncle's wife (o'dii, o'da)
Cousin (atapurumva)
Cousin brother[s] (adrii, [atapuruka (agupi)anzi])
Cousin sister[s] (amvii, [atapuruka ezopi/ ezoanzi])
Nephew[s], sister's son (adro mva [adro (agupi)anzi])
Niece[s], sister's daughter (adro eza, ezapi, za, zapi [adro ezoanzi])
In-laws (otupi)
Father-in-law (anya)
Mother-in-law (idrii, edra, idra, idrapi)
Brother-in-law (otuo, otii), to wife (onyizi)
Sister-in-law (onyere, ayipi)
Relatives ('ba pi)
Kin and kith (ori'ba azini agi or agyi)
Neighbour (jo ejele, jirani)
Lugbara Relationships [The Clan]
Grandfather (a'bi)
Grandmother (dede, e'di, dii, dapi)
Grandmother's clan (a'bipi[ka])
Grandson, brother's son (mvia)
Granddaughter, brother's daughter (zia)
Parent[s] (ti pi[ka], 'ba matiba)
Father (ati, ata, atapi, baba, dadi, papa)
Mother (andri, andre, ayia, mama, mami)
Step-mother (andria, ayia ogu, andrapuru)
Husband (agupi, ago, culu)
Wife (oku)
Co-wife (oku pi, ai azi - because they can lend salt to each other)
Groom (izio, mugole)
Bride (amuroo, arusu, mugole)
Fiance ('ba lepi mi jepiri)
Fiancee ('ba mini le jeri)
Boyfriend (agiago)
Girlfriend (ezo)
Friend (agi, agyi, agoyi, alipi)
Family (ori'ba, aku)
Child (mva)
Children (anzi)
Son, boy (mvi, agupiamva)
Daughter, girl (zi, zamva)
Illegitimate child (ali mva)
Brother[s] (adri, adripi[ka], adripisi)
Sister[s] (amvi, amvipi[ka], amvupisi)
Siblings (tipika anzi azi)
Brotherliness (adrizi, arizi)
Uncle[s] (paternal - atapiru[ka], atapuru[ka], atipiru, ata ogu, adropi; maternal - adro, adroyi[ka])
Aunt[s] (paternal - awupi/ owupi, a'wi, a'wizi, waco; maternal - andrapi[ka], andrapuru, andripiru[ka])
Maternal uncle's wife (o'dii, o'da)
Cousin (atapurumva)
Cousin brother[s] (adrii, [atapuruka (agupi)anzi])
Cousin sister[s] (amvii, [atapuruka ezopi/ ezoanzi])
Nephew[s], sister's son (adro mva [adro (agupi)anzi])
Niece[s], sister's daughter (adro eza, ezapi, za, zapi [adro ezoanzi])
In-laws (otupi)
Father-in-law (anya)
Mother-in-law (idrii, edra, idra, idrapi)
Brother-in-law (otuo, otii), to wife (onyizi)
Sister-in-law (onyere, ayipi)
Relatives ('ba pi)
Kin and kith (ori'ba azini agi or agyi)
Neighbour (jo ejele, jirani)
O'du Wiki ni [Days of the Week]
A day is called o'du in Lugbara; 1 week is wiki alu, yumala alu, yumula alu, sabatu alu, sabiti alu or yinga [Lingala for week] alu
1. Sunday (Sande, Sabiti, Sabatu, Sabatoni [Greek First Day of the Week]; O'du Engata YESU niri; O'du Sabatuniri ma vutia; Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1 and 19)
2. Monday (O'du alu, Wiki ma o'du alu, Mande)
3. Tuesday (O'du iri)
4. Wednesday/ Midweek (O'du na/ Wikiagaa)
5. Thursday (O'du su)
6. Friday (O'du towi, O'du Otuzuri [Preparation Day]; Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:31; Koran 62:9 Al-Jumu’a [The Assembly Prayer])
7. Saturday (O'du azia; O'du Sabatuni; Sabato; Sabatu [Jewish Shabbat/ Seventh Day Adventist Sabbath]; Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1, Luke 23:54 and 56; John 19:31)
A day is called o'du in Lugbara; 1 week is wiki alu, yumala alu, yumula alu, sabatu alu, sabiti alu or yinga [Lingala for week] alu
1. Sunday (Sande, Sabiti, Sabatu, Sabatoni [Greek First Day of the Week]; O'du Engata YESU niri; O'du Sabatuniri ma vutia; Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1 and 19)
2. Monday (O'du alu, Wiki ma o'du alu, Mande)
3. Tuesday (O'du iri)
4. Wednesday/ Midweek (O'du na/ Wikiagaa)
5. Thursday (O'du su)
6. Friday (O'du towi, O'du Otuzuri [Preparation Day]; Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:31; Koran 62:9 Al-Jumu’a [The Assembly Prayer])
7. Saturday (O'du azia; O'du Sabatuni; Sabato; Sabatu [Jewish Shabbat/ Seventh Day Adventist Sabbath]; Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1, Luke 23:54 and 56; John 19:31)
The simplest way to refer to months or moons [mba in Lugbara] is to use numbers, for example January is Mba alu, February is Mba iri not to be confused with July [Ir(r)i which is Mba aziri], May is Mba towi and so on. But below is the other latinized (and seasonal) way of mentioning them. The coming of each month used to help and still helps the Lugbara people to prepare what to plant in their gardens. This was/ is done according to the months/ seasons:
1. Januari (Ocoó Ko Pa Hwio, Oco 'Dupa Sere)
This is a term describing how "dogs which are seen running around lift up one of their front legs" due to the sweltering heat from the hot ground or soil. It is a period of no rain.
2. Feburuli (Kulu Ni)
Kulu is grasshopper (but not Ise).
It is a time of seeing young lads moving around with long sticks/ canes whose ends are strapped with sticky saps (from Laru tree) to trap/ catch the grasshoppers. In short, it is a time for catching grasshoppers. There is still no rain at this time. Intentional grass burning to prepare fields ready for tilling is rampant during this period. Sometimes grasses catch fire by themselves due to the intense sweltering heat.
3. Marici (Zengulu or Ndukulu)
This is when the sound of a distant thunder is heard. The start of the rainy season is approaching.
4. Aprili (Ayi Ti)
This is the start of the wet season. Literally translates into "The mouth of the spring season" or the beginning of the spring season with light rains still punctuated with sunny days. Groundnuts are planted in specially prepared gardens.
5. Mayi (Ayi Eti)
Also translates as "the back of the spring season" or the end of the spring season. It is a period when rains would halt temporarily and the hot sunny days return but not like the one in Ocoó ko pa hwio.
6. Juni (Emveki)
The term literally means "Push On". It is a season of mild hunger and women get unripe millet (planted during Ayi Ti) from the gardens for making millet flour for porridge or for baking millet bread called "Anya Enya".
7. Julayi (Iri)
The term Iri means "after effects" of something. In this month, the after effects of the mild hunger during "Emveki" [June] are still present. The light rain during this period also encourages the farmers to plant beans.
8. Agoslo (Iripaku)
This is a term which mockingly looks back at the period of the mild hunger during the previous two months. It merely means "hunger cannot retain its foothold forever". This is a time when the millet is ready and some sorghum interplanted with millet has almost matured for harvest. Pangs of hunger are disappearing. Here, groundnuts are harvested.
9. Sebitemba (Lokopere)
A season of eating raw quashed beans. Lokopere (or Loperete) is a traditional Lugbara dish made from quashed beans. Others call it Anguduru. At the start of this month, simsim is planted.
10. Okitoba (Abibi)
A period of delight when food is plenty. "Abibi" in colloquial Lugbarati, merely means "merry making". Drunkards are heard ululating here and there because millet, sorghum or corn brews are plenty. When they reach home, food is there waiting for them.
11. Novemba (Waa)
This means a circle or a period. The end of a period of ups and downs is almost over. Remember, colloquial Lugbarati uses a lot of paradoxes. Food is still in plenty and local brews are consumed as much as possible as if there is no tomorrow.
12. Desemba (Anyu Ti)
Sometimes, it is referred to as "Anyu Fi (E)kuma". Literally, they are rejoicing about the ripe simsim in the gardens which are ready for harvest, i.e "Bye bye to the tiny little simsim chuffs" which they used to collect for making paste.
(NOTE: The concept of Enguli [a local potent cassava gin] was foreign to the Lugbara people; introduced by the Alur settlers. Others these days call it Camiya, Ngolito, Ola yi, Tapua, etc. The month descriptions are based on the upland Lugbarati dialect of Ayivu Möni, spoken southeast of Arua City)
Marks for Simple Tones:
´ High tone (h.t.) e.g. tí [cow]
- Mid tone (m.t) e.g. tī [strangle]
` Low tone (l.t.) e.g. tì [give birth]
Mid tone is the most common tone in Lugbarati!
Word Classes include:
1. Ecipiri (Conjunction)
2. Obi (Adverb)
3. Ru (Noun)
4. Ruparia (Pronoun)
5. Usuta (Interjection)
6. Vutivutia (Postposition)
7. Wura (Adjective)
8. 'Yeta (Verb)
Lugbara Phrasebook
I do not understand you. = A va mi ku.
Speak slowly (slowly)! = E nze e'yere e'yere!
Help me! = E ko ma aza!
How are you? = Ngoni?
OK (I'm fine)! = Muke (Ma muke)!
How is home? = Aku ngoni?
Home is good! = Aku onyiru!
What is your name? = Mi ru a'di-i?
My name is Leila! = Ma ru Leila!
I'm a businesswoman. = Ma biasara azi nga.
I'm 40 years old! = Ma eli 40!
I'm Deno. = Ma Deno-i.
I'm a doctor at my clinic. = Ma daktari ni ma kliniki-a.
I stay in Oluko. = Ma aa Oluko-a.
I'm Muslim! = Ma Silamu ni!
I'm a Christian! = Ma Kristiani ni!
I originate from Bunyoro. = Ma efu Bunyoro-a.
What do you sell? = Mi a'du ozi?
I sell food and pots. = Ma nyaka ozi azini imvu.
What time is it? = Saa si?
Exactly 4 O'clock! = Saa mudri (10) 'dere! [Time is told as the reverse number from the hour hand like in Luganda, so 1 O'clock is saa aziri (7); 2 O'clock is saa aro (8) and so forth]
4pm! = Etu 10! [that is 4 during the day, before the sun sets]
Give me one! = Ife mani alu!
This one is beautiful! = 'Di ndri ra!
How much is it? = Aje ni si?
2,000 UgX! = Silingi alifu iri!
The price has reduced! = Aje 'ba isi ra!
Give me a good one! = Ife mani ala ni!
Where are you going? = Mi mu ngoa?
I'm going to Pajulu. = Ma mu Pajulu-a.
What do you like about Arua? = Afa mini apizu Arua si a'duni?
Peace and friends! = Asianzu azini agi ki!
I want to go to Congo. = A le mu Congo-a.
I love my job! = A le ma azi ra!
GOD be with you! = MUNGU ma aa mi be!
I will see you again! = Ma nga mi ne dika!
Peace be still! = Ido mi ciri!
Let good wind/ air blow on you! = Oli alari ma vu mi rua!
E'yo O'beza [Lugbara Proverbs]
Abiri ma eli ma si ci ku = Hunger does not kill overnight
Aco si adreni aza oye ku [Using a hoe is not madness for nothing] = Digging is valuable...
Afa ada 'ba nzeni woro ku [Something true is not spoken in full]...
Agu gadi gadi mipiri vu (aku-a) 'ba afa aipiriki yo [Translated to Luganda: Asindika ekigali taba na balebesi; In a cartwheel pusher's home there are no beggars]...
E'yo O'beza [Lugbara Proverbs]
Abiri ma eli ma si ci ku = Hunger does not kill overnight
Aco si adreni aza oye ku [Using a hoe is not madness for nothing] = Digging is valuable...
Afa ada 'ba nzeni woro ku [Something true is not spoken in full]...
Agu gadi gadi mipiri vu (aku-a) 'ba afa aipiriki yo [Translated to Luganda: Asindika ekigali taba na balebesi; In a cartwheel pusher's home there are no beggars]...
Agupi econi ica oku ku; oku econi eca agupi ku [A man cannot become a woman; a woman cannot become a man]...
Agupi ni aku ma ediafe [A man is the pillar of a home]...
Ajobe odru fu ni [Ajobe was killed by a buffalo. Ajobe, an individual was warned about something but did not listen, so a buffalo killed him] = Listen to the correction you are given
Amvu ambori 'ba 'ya oyasi [A big farm is dug with payment]...
Andri azini yo/ Ayia ma ndu yo [There is no other mother] = You can only be conceived by one mother...
Anyu ni mbepi ma ti du [A bee stings the licker's mouth]...
Aparaka ma tibi agobi [The sauce (food) for carelessness is pumpkin leaves] = Frivolity is bad...
Aria driori ni o'bu alari nya (ni) [The early bird (is the one that) eats the good worm]...
Aria gaa ti anya ose [A small bird dropped big millet faeces] = Do not underrate people...
Au fe mva ni ku [A chicken does not give to its young]...
Awoko so ti andre [Anger pierced the cow's tongue]...
Ayia nduri ozuku fi ni! [A stepmother/ Another mother is (like) a porcupine's intestines] = Stepmothers are (stereotypically) bitter and unpleasant...
Ayiko ni ondi ma mva [Happiness is sweat's child]...
'Ba alu pamvu siria/ lurua ru [One person's footprint (track) is narrow]...
'Ba azaza ma afa anyo ni [A mad person's wealth is brokenness]...
'Ba azi alupi anyu le ni yo [There is noone as sweet as honey]...
'Ba edeni o'buka mva alia risi ku (also Tanzanian Proverb: Do not make the dress before the child is born) = Do not prepare a baby carrier before a baby is born...
'Ba yori ni, 'ba je oku ku [For someone absent, people do not buy a a wife]...
Agupi ni aku ma ediafe [A man is the pillar of a home]...
Ajobe odru fu ni [Ajobe was killed by a buffalo. Ajobe, an individual was warned about something but did not listen, so a buffalo killed him] = Listen to the correction you are given
Amvu ambori 'ba 'ya oyasi [A big farm is dug with payment]...
Andri azini yo/ Ayia ma ndu yo [There is no other mother] = You can only be conceived by one mother...
Anyu ni mbepi ma ti du [A bee stings the licker's mouth]...
Aparaka ma tibi agobi [The sauce (food) for carelessness is pumpkin leaves] = Frivolity is bad...
Aria driori ni o'bu alari nya (ni) [The early bird (is the one that) eats the good worm]...
Aria gaa ti anya ose [A small bird dropped big millet faeces] = Do not underrate people...
Au fe mva ni ku [A chicken does not give to its young]...
Awoko so ti andre [Anger pierced the cow's tongue]...
Ayia nduri ozuku fi ni! [A stepmother/ Another mother is (like) a porcupine's intestines] = Stepmothers are (stereotypically) bitter and unpleasant...
Ayiko ni ondi ma mva [Happiness is sweat's child]...
'Ba alu pamvu siria/ lurua ru [One person's footprint (track) is narrow]...
'Ba azaza ma afa anyo ni [A mad person's wealth is brokenness]...
'Ba azi alupi anyu le ni yo [There is noone as sweet as honey]...
'Ba edeni o'buka mva alia risi ku (also Tanzanian Proverb: Do not make the dress before the child is born) = Do not prepare a baby carrier before a baby is born...
'Ba yori ni, 'ba je oku ku [For someone absent, people do not buy a a wife]...
Drileba aga ondua [Blessing is better than intellect]...
Drinzasi okuku dra jorovu-a [Because of shyness, the tortoise died in its shell]...
E ka ne iriti ki okuria, mi aa ngonde ozoo yi kozu [When you see clouds gathering, prepare to catch rainwater]...
E ka ndri ki ofi drio ku, iki iriaga(ga)/ obu ci [If you don't lead the goats to their shelter early, they will eat worms (on the grass they chew at dusk)]...
E ka te ise osiza ma nga mi ti-a, mi te sawa izu tu [If you wait for roasted grasshoppers to fly into your mouth, then you wait a very long time]...
E'bi ma dri ka e'do ma 'bo, sobi ni nga vini ma ra [When the head of a fish starts rotting, the tail will also rot eventually] = One bad thing can cause an avalanche of disaster...
E'yere e'yere, okuku mu re [Slowly slowly, the tortoise went far]...
E'yere nya ni [Slow(ness)/ Patience is the one who ate]...
Drinzasi okuku dra jorovu-a [Because of shyness, the tortoise died in its shell]...
E ka ne iriti ki okuria, mi aa ngonde ozoo yi kozu [When you see clouds gathering, prepare to catch rainwater]...
E ka ndri ki ofi drio ku, iki iriaga(ga)/ obu ci [If you don't lead the goats to their shelter early, they will eat worms (on the grass they chew at dusk)]...
E ka te ise osiza ma nga mi ti-a, mi te sawa izu tu [If you wait for roasted grasshoppers to fly into your mouth, then you wait a very long time]...
E'bi ma dri ka e'do ma 'bo, sobi ni nga vini ma ra [When the head of a fish starts rotting, the tail will also rot eventually] = One bad thing can cause an avalanche of disaster...
E'yere e'yere, okuku mu re [Slowly slowly, the tortoise went far]...
E'yere nya ni [Slow(ness)/ Patience is the one who ate]...
E'yo erikurisi ewa ma si zo ra [Because of not listening, the elephant's trunk grew]...
Ediako ma efi ni 'de ediako ma eti-a [The seeds of the ediako tree fell at its bottom] = Like parent, like child/ Like father, like son/ Like mother, like daughter...
Embeleke ka i-agi ma eti ne, eri gu si be imve [When a chimpanze sees its friend's (pink-red) behind, it laughs with white teeth] = Mock nobody because you also have fails behind you...
Etu ka mi le ra, mi ora 'bi'bio ki si a'dusi [If the sun loves you, why worry about the stars]...
E'yo ni imu abiri le, iere (e'yere), erimiteria [Problems come like hunger, slowly, they are waiting for you]...
E'yo ni mi te angu ka owu 'bo [Issues are waiting for you when the day breaks]
Icikili alu alu ni i-ma otii ma avu 'du ni [Every small black ant carries its brother-in-law's carcass]...
Imvu iniri ni mucele a'di imve [The black pot cooks rice white]...
Ini bi aria drisi [The darkness caught the bird with a hand] = Anything can happen at night...
Isakua luni i-eti ceni ku [The isaku sieve does not create holes in its bottom by itself]...
Izoanzi angu vo re [Girls slash very far] = Girls are like slashers and can go anywhere. If girls are found and married, they don't stay; they are taken away but prepare a path for their relatives to go to a new place...
Kaka ni ka 'ba sikokori ni (/vu) indi [Maize ripens for people without teeth too] = Good things also happen to people who least need them...
Ediako ma efi ni 'de ediako ma eti-a [The seeds of the ediako tree fell at its bottom] = Like parent, like child/ Like father, like son/ Like mother, like daughter...
Embeleke ka i-agi ma eti ne, eri gu si be imve [When a chimpanze sees its friend's (pink-red) behind, it laughs with white teeth] = Mock nobody because you also have fails behind you...
Etu ka mi le ra, mi ora 'bi'bio ki si a'dusi [If the sun loves you, why worry about the stars]...
E'yo ni imu abiri le, iere (e'yere), erimiteria [Problems come like hunger, slowly, they are waiting for you]...
E'yo ni mi te angu ka owu 'bo [Issues are waiting for you when the day breaks]
Icikili alu alu ni i-ma otii ma avu 'du ni [Every small black ant carries its brother-in-law's carcass]...
Imvu iniri ni mucele a'di imve [The black pot cooks rice white]...
Ini bi aria drisi [The darkness caught the bird with a hand] = Anything can happen at night...
Isakua luni i-eti ceni ku [The isaku sieve does not create holes in its bottom by itself]...
Izoanzi angu vo re [Girls slash very far] = Girls are like slashers and can go anywhere. If girls are found and married, they don't stay; they are taken away but prepare a path for their relatives to go to a new place...
Kaka ni ka 'ba sikokori ni (/vu) indi [Maize ripens for people without teeth too] = Good things also happen to people who least need them...
Kulu ago eri ngopi ya [How big is a male grasshopper]? = Never underestimate sb who is small in body size for you do not know their responsibilities nor the burdens they carry
Kuni 'ba funi dri apinaka mva be = It is only young hedgehogs that you cannot meet; we will meet somewhere in future...?
Ma eco mbu ra, te ma eco nga ku [I can jump, but I cannot fly]...
Kuni 'ba funi dri apinaka mva be = It is only young hedgehogs that you cannot meet; we will meet somewhere in future...?
Ma eco mbu ra, te ma eco nga ku [I can jump, but I cannot fly]...
Mbusua ma mva ka dra, ti owu ku [When a cat's offspring dies, a cow does not cry]...
Mi api afa were MUNGU ni fe miniri si [Appreciate the small thing GOD has given you]...
Mi owu lesu i-adapi'bo risi ku [Do not cry over spilt milk] = You cannot change the past by crying or complaining...
Mundu ni 'ba ere ere [The Whiteman scatters people] = Formal courts split people...
Mva alia ri ni, 'ba edeni/ jeni o'buka ku [For baby in the womb, a babycover is not made/ bought] = Never count your eggs before they hatch...
O'bi'bia si, etoo jo ve ra [Because of copying, the hare's house burnt] = Be yourself...
Oce mini imbaleri ni mi ci ni [The dog you teach is the one that will bite you] = It is your Best Friend who will betray you...
Oci ni mi so raka, mi le silipa je ndo [A thorn first pricks you, then you desire to buy slippers]...
Ociki za nduari ‘ba inze si si [The thorn in the meat is removed with teeth]...
Mi owu lesu i-adapi'bo risi ku [Do not cry over spilt milk] = You cannot change the past by crying or complaining...
Mundu ni 'ba ere ere [The Whiteman scatters people] = Formal courts split people...
Mva alia ri ni, 'ba edeni/ jeni o'buka ku [For baby in the womb, a babycover is not made/ bought] = Never count your eggs before they hatch...
O'bi'bia si, etoo jo ve ra [Because of copying, the hare's house burnt] = Be yourself...
Oce mini imbaleri ni mi ci ni [The dog you teach is the one that will bite you] = It is your Best Friend who will betray you...
Oci ni mi so raka, mi le silipa je ndo [A thorn first pricks you, then you desire to buy slippers]...
Ociki za nduari ‘ba inze si si [The thorn in the meat is removed with teeth]...
Ocoo dri iza ndre, eri nzu, eri mundrokole ga [When a dog sees meat, it runs, it refuses mundrokole greens]...
Ocoo ini ri atuluku ma dria [A black is sitted at the fireplace] = No dinner or food has been (nor will be) cooked this evening...
Ocoo ini ri atuluku ma dria [A black is sitted at the fireplace] = No dinner or food has been (nor will be) cooked this evening...
Ocoo o'du-a ri ni, 'ba 'ba enya ku [For the sleeping dog, food is not placed]...
Odi'dia nya puro ebi [Newness ate raw grasshoppers] = A newcomer can be made to do anything...
Odru fu Anira ni te/ Odru fu An(dr)era ni te [A buffalo killed Anira (who thought he knew it all)/ An(dr)era (who thought she had seen it all)] = Listen to advice...
Odru vile ri ma ndua ari wiri [The last buffalo will bleed or suffer; it will be speared to death] = Lesson here is that we should do things with people, don’t be alone...
Odrukudru alu ini yi mile woro [One frog dirtened all the water]...
Otuo ni adri azi [A brother-in-law is another brother]...
Ovaa go vile Ovaa go dri dra dri [The Waterbuck came back, it returned to its death] = If you find something bad somewhere, don't go back because you might meet your death there...
Ozoo angiri ma vutia, gari ci [After a flood (heavy rains), there is a rainbow]...
Pati amburi (ambori) 'ba omveni oce ni ku [A big tree is not called a forest]...
Pati ifi i-'deni re ku [The seed of a tree doesn't fall very far] = A parent's behaviour can be reflected in his or her children...
Si imve ma etia ari eka ci [Behind white teeth there is red blood]...
Odi'dia nya puro ebi [Newness ate raw grasshoppers] = A newcomer can be made to do anything...
Odru fu Anira ni te/ Odru fu An(dr)era ni te [A buffalo killed Anira (who thought he knew it all)/ An(dr)era (who thought she had seen it all)] = Listen to advice...
Odru vile ri ma ndua ari wiri [The last buffalo will bleed or suffer; it will be speared to death] = Lesson here is that we should do things with people, don’t be alone...
Odrukudru alu ini yi mile woro [One frog dirtened all the water]...
Otuo ni adri azi [A brother-in-law is another brother]...
Ovaa go vile Ovaa go dri dra dri [The Waterbuck came back, it returned to its death] = If you find something bad somewhere, don't go back because you might meet your death there...
Ozoo angiri ma vutia, gari ci [After a flood (heavy rains), there is a rainbow]...
Pati amburi (ambori) 'ba omveni oce ni ku [A big tree is not called a forest]...
Pati ifi i-'deni re ku [The seed of a tree doesn't fall very far] = A parent's behaviour can be reflected in his or her children...
Si imve ma etia ari eka ci [Behind white teeth there is red blood]...
Suru 'ba oji yi si ku [Nationality/ Tribe is not washed away with water]...
Toko andri dra 'bo [The mother of free gifts is dead] = Nothing is free...
Yuku dezari ni vini au mva bi ra [An old kite can also catch a young chicken] = A mad person can also do something sensible...
Yuku ni oku 'du [The kite takes the woman]...
Don't sing while eating at the table, you may choke...
Don't sit in the road or else your mother will die...
Don't sit on the Atuluku (fireplace) or else you will remain short (Sometimes, it may be hot and burn you)...
Don't wear the itisi [Coiled cloth or other material on which a pot is put while being carried on the head] around your foot or hand. In other words, don't play with it so that it doesn't get spoilt or stuck on your hand...
He who has a hairy bottom should not jump over fire...
If you escort a visitor for a long distance from your home, then s/he may take long to re-visit you...
The Heaviest Thing you can carry is a grudge...
The pot breaks at the door...
When you eat meat or drink milk, don't let them remain around your mouth so that they don't smell (Clean yourself)...
In the Book Lugbara Proverbs, Fr. A. T. Dalfovo collects some nine hundred (900) Proverbs of the Lugbara People of northwestern Uganda. Dalfovo collected 22 Proverbs having a personal Name as their Subject like Ajia, Badigo, Cuku, Guzu, Ngungu, Ombadra, Yangi, etc.
Below are a few others I copied in the order I found them in his Book prefaced by John Middleton (Yale University):
The worth of a cattle-pen ensues from the cattle = The worth of a home is given by its people...
The verandah floor is clean because of people moving to and fro and sweeping it clean with their feet...
Man is the ediafe [pole] of the house...
Fear is the dress of women...
A girl should creep to be like the erindi grass (which spreads over the ground) = A woman should proliferate and spread by her many offsprings...
The kite does not take the orphan = No hope for sudden change in the condition of an orphan...
What is looked for in vain is a brother = Having a real brother guarantees the solution to any problem...
The shea butter nuts fall under the shea butter tree = A person naturally falls in with his relations...
Different maternal aunts is something bad = Because of the influence and esteem they enjoy, maternal aunts can be a potential source of division...
People come to know of things at their maternal uncles' place...
The bellow of cattle is the cry of women...
The cattle-pen near the house means people...
The poor man sleeps alone in the house...
A single one looks with the eyes...
The colour of a visitor is shyness...
The grass on his grave grows tall = There is no relative to take care of foreigners...
There is no wall without supporting poles...
Beer does not ferment by itself...
The leader of the song does not sing...
The one who does not dig does not eat...
No hoe, no food...
The hoe does not dig by itself...
An elephant begets an elephant...
One does not support a person because of his beautiful hairs = Observation distinguishes between appearance and reality...
The big termitehill has nothing inside (No termites may be found inside an impressive termitehill)...
Beneath a potato heap, there is nothing (No potatoes may be found under a potato heap covered with flourishing leaves)...
You do not allow yourself to be eaten because of a he-goat = A male goat sometimes looks fierce and frightening but can be harmless...
It is the machete that is used on one side...
Millet chaff generates millet...
The old hoe is ever a friend...
The residue of beer can feed the chickens = One learns where true value lies...
Man eats from the soil and returns to the soil; death is blind; death knows no friend...
Co-wives are talkative, weaver-birds are not talkative...
The unsettled one is the gossipy trickster...
Push the tongue into your nose...
The cow that bellows much has no milk...
No handle, no food...
Meat burst an elder...
Death has one leg...
The horns of ignorance are large...
Ignorance killed his relative...
The goat eats at the place it has been tethered in = A person should naturally exploit the position he occupies and draw from it the means to satisfy his basic needs...
The black ant took the corpse of the brother-in-law...
An elder can engage another elder to do something...
A wall does not deteriorate by itself...
The soil does not swell up by itself...
The sieve does not perforate by itself...
The pot does not fetch water by itself...
No walls without poles...
Water does not return...
No beauty in pride...
Toko andri dra 'bo [The mother of free gifts is dead] = Nothing is free...
Yuku dezari ni vini au mva bi ra [An old kite can also catch a young chicken] = A mad person can also do something sensible...
Yuku ni oku 'du [The kite takes the woman]...
Don't sing while eating at the table, you may choke...
Don't sit in the road or else your mother will die...
Don't sit on the Atuluku (fireplace) or else you will remain short (Sometimes, it may be hot and burn you)...
Don't wear the itisi [Coiled cloth or other material on which a pot is put while being carried on the head] around your foot or hand. In other words, don't play with it so that it doesn't get spoilt or stuck on your hand...
He who has a hairy bottom should not jump over fire...
If you escort a visitor for a long distance from your home, then s/he may take long to re-visit you...
The Heaviest Thing you can carry is a grudge...
The pot breaks at the door...
When you eat meat or drink milk, don't let them remain around your mouth so that they don't smell (Clean yourself)...
In the Book Lugbara Proverbs, Fr. A. T. Dalfovo collects some nine hundred (900) Proverbs of the Lugbara People of northwestern Uganda. Dalfovo collected 22 Proverbs having a personal Name as their Subject like Ajia, Badigo, Cuku, Guzu, Ngungu, Ombadra, Yangi, etc.
Below are a few others I copied in the order I found them in his Book prefaced by John Middleton (Yale University):
The worth of a cattle-pen ensues from the cattle = The worth of a home is given by its people...
The verandah floor is clean because of people moving to and fro and sweeping it clean with their feet...
Man is the ediafe [pole] of the house...
Fear is the dress of women...
A girl should creep to be like the erindi grass (which spreads over the ground) = A woman should proliferate and spread by her many offsprings...
The kite does not take the orphan = No hope for sudden change in the condition of an orphan...
What is looked for in vain is a brother = Having a real brother guarantees the solution to any problem...
The shea butter nuts fall under the shea butter tree = A person naturally falls in with his relations...
Different maternal aunts is something bad = Because of the influence and esteem they enjoy, maternal aunts can be a potential source of division...
People come to know of things at their maternal uncles' place...
The bellow of cattle is the cry of women...
The cattle-pen near the house means people...
The poor man sleeps alone in the house...
A single one looks with the eyes...
The colour of a visitor is shyness...
The grass on his grave grows tall = There is no relative to take care of foreigners...
There is no wall without supporting poles...
Beer does not ferment by itself...
The leader of the song does not sing...
The one who does not dig does not eat...
No hoe, no food...
The hoe does not dig by itself...
An elephant begets an elephant...
One does not support a person because of his beautiful hairs = Observation distinguishes between appearance and reality...
The big termitehill has nothing inside (No termites may be found inside an impressive termitehill)...
Beneath a potato heap, there is nothing (No potatoes may be found under a potato heap covered with flourishing leaves)...
You do not allow yourself to be eaten because of a he-goat = A male goat sometimes looks fierce and frightening but can be harmless...
It is the machete that is used on one side...
Millet chaff generates millet...
The old hoe is ever a friend...
The residue of beer can feed the chickens = One learns where true value lies...
Man eats from the soil and returns to the soil; death is blind; death knows no friend...
Co-wives are talkative, weaver-birds are not talkative...
The unsettled one is the gossipy trickster...
Push the tongue into your nose...
The cow that bellows much has no milk...
No handle, no food...
Meat burst an elder...
Death has one leg...
The horns of ignorance are large...
Ignorance killed his relative...
The goat eats at the place it has been tethered in = A person should naturally exploit the position he occupies and draw from it the means to satisfy his basic needs...
The black ant took the corpse of the brother-in-law...
An elder can engage another elder to do something...
A wall does not deteriorate by itself...
The soil does not swell up by itself...
The sieve does not perforate by itself...
The pot does not fetch water by itself...
No walls without poles...
Water does not return...
No beauty in pride...
Covetousness suits dogs...
Man dies once...
Afterwards does not exist...
The warbling of birds is varied...
Each cock has its crest...
Nobody is as sweet as honey...
All have their stomach content...
A monkey laughs at the tail of another monkey (thinking it has no funny tail)...
The Booklet entitled "The Hidden Wisdom of Lugbara-Aringa" features 116 Proverbs. A Copy used to cost 10,000 UgX from Bombasa Rasul (+256-779-496927). Furthermore, Voice Of Life and Radio Pacis broadcast Programmes where Children share common as well as very rare Riddles plus Proverbs, so enlightening...
O'du Peza/ Nyo [Lugbara Idioms]
Adriko pi Matua be eza pi si be [Adriko and Matua are like meat and teeth, always together] = They are in good terms and like each other...
Angu ri ti pi omvu be [The place sits or is located like the mouth and nose] = The place is near...
'Ba 'di, emi andru ewa za a'di [You people, today are you cooking elephant meat] = Why is it taking long to cook, is it elephant? (Terego)
E dro mi pamvu [Chase your footprints] = Evaluate yourself!
E ka nga de mabe ku ni [You will finish with me] = Warning!
Emi we emi yofe si [Sweep yourselves with a broom] = Come in huge numbers!
E'yo ma ndri a'bua le [Things should be nice like bananas]...
E'yo mbe ma tibi ('bo) [An issue has (already) licked my sauce] = I have a problem...
Eza nya maaku maaku [Eating a lot of meat like potatoes]...
Mi dra ma adri o'du [Your death should be like sleep]...
Mile iga [Dig an eye] = Interest sb...
Onya su-i aci-a ceni [The whiteant put itself in the fire by itself] = Deliberately look for trouble...
Man dies once...
Afterwards does not exist...
The warbling of birds is varied...
Each cock has its crest...
Nobody is as sweet as honey...
All have their stomach content...
A monkey laughs at the tail of another monkey (thinking it has no funny tail)...
The Booklet entitled "The Hidden Wisdom of Lugbara-Aringa" features 116 Proverbs. A Copy used to cost 10,000 UgX from Bombasa Rasul (+256-779-496927). Furthermore, Voice Of Life and Radio Pacis broadcast Programmes where Children share common as well as very rare Riddles plus Proverbs, so enlightening...
O'du Peza/ Nyo [Lugbara Idioms]
Adriko pi Matua be eza pi si be [Adriko and Matua are like meat and teeth, always together] = They are in good terms and like each other...
Angu ri ti pi omvu be [The place sits or is located like the mouth and nose] = The place is near...
'Ba 'di, emi andru ewa za a'di [You people, today are you cooking elephant meat] = Why is it taking long to cook, is it elephant? (Terego)
E dro mi pamvu [Chase your footprints] = Evaluate yourself!
E ka nga de mabe ku ni [You will finish with me] = Warning!
Emi we emi yofe si [Sweep yourselves with a broom] = Come in huge numbers!
E'yo ma ndri a'bua le [Things should be nice like bananas]...
E'yo mbe ma tibi ('bo) [An issue has (already) licked my sauce] = I have a problem...
Eza nya maaku maaku [Eating a lot of meat like potatoes]...
Mi dra ma adri o'du [Your death should be like sleep]...
Mile iga [Dig an eye] = Interest sb...
Onya su-i aci-a ceni [The whiteant put itself in the fire by itself] = Deliberately look for trouble...
Si dri 'de ku, ari ni ra ni [If teeth do not fall, then blood will flow]...
Tu burusu sia [Climbed onto a pigeon-pea tree] = Used vulgarity and obscene insults...
LUGBARA TOTEMS [SYMBOLS or EMBLEMS]
Lugbara Tribe = O'du/ Odhu [Leopard]
Aringa = Ojuruko [Termite]
Ayivu = Pala bi [Jute]/ Ti [Cow]
Koboko = Yekeye [Red safari ant]
Logiri (Vurra) = Ago [Pumpkin]
Ma(')di Adjumani (East Moyo) = Au ago [Cock]
Ma(')di Moyo = ?
Ma(')di Okol(l)o = Ndri [Goat] or Aswa [Translated to Luganda: Enswa]? [Whiteants mixed in paste like kumura]
Maracha = Kulu, Ise [Locust, Grasshopper]
Terego = Odro (like Anabia, Omba omba) [Rat]
Vurra = Oboloko [Fox]
LUGBARA TOTEMS [SYMBOLS or EMBLEMS]
Lugbara Tribe = O'du/ Odhu [Leopard]
Aringa = Ojuruko [Termite]
Ayivu = Pala bi [Jute]/ Ti [Cow]
Koboko = Yekeye [Red safari ant]
Logiri (Vurra) = Ago [Pumpkin]
Ma(')di Adjumani (East Moyo) = Au ago [Cock]
Ma(')di Moyo = ?
Ma(')di Okol(l)o = Ndri [Goat] or Aswa [Translated to Luganda: Enswa]? [Whiteants mixed in paste like kumura]
Maracha = Kulu, Ise [Locust, Grasshopper]
Terego = Odro (like Anabia, Omba omba) [Rat]
Vurra = Oboloko [Fox]
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"Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker is a foreigner to me..." - 1st CORINTHIANS 14:10-11
"Languages matter [Lugbara Translate: Ti yi ma e'yo okporu]..." - UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
"46th Indigenous Community in Uganda as at 1st February 1926..." - 1995 CONSTITUTION OF UGANDA
"Very interesting, met a wonderful person as a good friend, very calm, lovely young guy but he made me like the Lugbaras that's why I searched for their ways though we used to pass Koboko, Arua going to Kabalega also Kidepo where my dad worked in my young years. Thanks for the description! How do they write the words in Lugbara - U have my heart though I can't be yours?" - NEFERITA (ritanantongo@hotmail.com), 17th December 2008 (From The Netherlands)
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"Commendable blogger... I am more interested in knowing more about Lugbara marriage practices... Aikographics... I would suggest you document the breakdown of the ingredients of this ceremony eg animals, the kind of animals usually required, symbolic items like spears, etc..." - LEONARD OKEMA (www.lwani.blogspot.com)
"Great research..." - CHARLES KIRIKIRI BUA, Sunday 15th November 2009
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"Mucele ma ru Lugbara tisi ngoni... Borehole ma ru? Ma adripi borehole ma ru Lugbara tisi mani ma oku niri semenikia adreni chuma (yini) ku, enzo onzi! You have given me wrong answers, please brother, don't lie people, thanks..." - BATISTA ATRICI (0772-978078)
"I'm a Lugbara but raised in another place (Kampala) so I just want to practise it en as I was on Google I came across ur dictionary en I got ur number for more help... I still know some few words though sometimes making sentences is hard for me... If you have some Lugbara gospel or worship u can send me..." - DENNIS (0780-809251) on Monday 26th June 2023
"You pronounce Enyau like people from Buganda..." - My cousins in Aliba on Saturday 1st July 2023
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"Thanks for the detailed information I appreciate..." - BARON PHILIP KASOZI (Thursday 22nd February 2024)
"Do you have a PDF of your dictionary?" - DENNIS JUNG
LUGBARA SUPERMOBILE (Ongo)
Machines (AI or Artificial Intelligence) can be programmed to use Lugbara. Engineers, Designers as well as Technology Students in Ugandan Schools have always tinkered with this Possibility. Machines can also teach themselves Lugbara through Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or Artificial Superintelligence (ASI). Some great advancements towards this goal include the Lugbara Gboard in Android phones plus mobile apps in Lugbarati; wow! Below are translated Commands you might see in the mega, super-smart Videophones of the future [Vidiosimu] or at a GSMA Mobile World Congress:
On [Idri]
Power [Aci]
Menu, Selection or Options [Pezu/ Peta]
Home [Aku]
Back [Vile]
Select or Choose [Pe]
OK [MUKE]
Call or Dial [Gba]
1 Missed Call [Gbata icezaru 1]
Receive [Ai]
Reject [Ga]
Ringtones [Awu]
Radio [Redio]
Volume [Omgbo]
Music [Ongo]
Recorder [Rekoda]
Sound(s) [O'duko]
Phonebook [Simubuku]
Sim Card [Simokadi]
Settings [Otita]
Manage [Oce]
Edit [Otu]
New Contact [Ru O'di]
Cancel or Cut [Li]
Erase [Ini]
Delete or Remove [Wi]
Scan [Amvi]
Search [Nda]
Exit [Fu]
Message [Waraga]
Open [Nzi]
Send or Forward [Edri]
Press [Ikpa]
Attach [Ipa]
Inbox [Sandukua]
Sent [Edri 'bo]
Calendar [Mba o'du]
Time/ Clock [Sa(w)a]
Date [O'du]
Calculator [Kalikuleta]
Camera [Kamera]
Images, Pictures or Photos [I'da]
Video [Vidio]
Play [Avi]
Pause [Pa so/ Tu pa]
Fast Forward [Avi drile mbele]
Rewind/ Playbac [Avi vile]
Stop [Atri]
Torch [Toci]
Alarm [Lulu]
Facebook [Fesibuku]
WhatsApp [WatsApu]
Bluetooth [Si-blu]
Internet [Indaneti]
Enter [Fi]
Go [Mu]
Connecting [Iciria]
Page cannot open [Peji nzi-i ku]
Saved Pages [Peji tambari]
Bookmark [Bukualo]
History [E'yo agapi'bo/ Histori]
Memory Card [Memori Kadi]
Format [Fomati]
Bluetooth [Si-blu]
Internet [Indaneti]
Enter [Fi]
Go [Mu]
Connecting [Iciria]
Page cannot open [Peji nzi-i ku]
Saved Pages [Peji tambari]
Bookmark [Bukualo]
History [E'yo agapi'bo/ Histori]
Memory Card [Memori Kadi]
Format [Fomati]
Clean [Nyi/ Oji]
Repair [Ede]
Chat [Adisi]
Games [Avita]
More [Azini]
Off [Anyu]
Repair [Ede]
Chat [Adisi]
Games [Avita]
More [Azini]
Off [Anyu]
Lugbarabantu Comedy (Just for Fun):
Obuze! = Worm faeces eg O'bu ize 'dia yo!
Mukenenya = Eating small silverfish eg Mukene nya banda si.
Bambi! = 'Ba mbi [Let us make love]!
(Ba)guma = (They) laughed at me.
Kiki? = Cici [Greeting enthusiastically with a smile, emphasizing: S/he swallowed or bit sth]
Mbu = Jump
Ani oyo = I know Oyo.
Bigambo = Big-big
Amazi = Greeting or asking us/ We are asking.
Semakula = Pulled the sweet potatoes to read
Amanya = We are eating.
Rukundo = The name sounded later.
Aine = Looking at salt
Mbabazi = Greeting moon people/ The moon is greeting people.
Akiki = Let us swallow!
Kabaka = The Kaba shone.
Onyango = Where are the whiteants?
Mukisa = They went to bury.
Kimani = It's the one that swallowed me.
Onzita = Tolerating bad (Pronounced onji ta)
Mbale = Like the moon
Kabale = When s/he or it loves people
Masindi = My tooth pinched.
Nyakato = Fill sth with food
Sembabule = Pulled the moon like Heaven
Buvuma = The grave blew me.
Busia = In the teeth of the grave
Kalungu = When it smells
Tororo = Carry a hive
Mbarara = The moon melted or flowed (like a liquid.
Kira = S/he or it swallowed.
Mabira = I will catch.
DREAMCAST (OJAPI, LUGBARA TRANSLATE)
When I was in Senior 5 (during 2001), I told my hostelmates that one day there will be a radio device that converts words spoken on air into text and displayed on a screen. I was labelled "mulalu [Luganda 4: mad]" but dreams are not hopeless; GOD's Time brings them to life like Google Assistant, Meet (In-chat captions), Apple's Siri, TranSay, Logbar ili, OpenAI's ChatGPT, etc. Twitter Spaces is also not very far from my Ongo vision. Zero-Shot Machine Translation tech is a model that can learn to translate words into another language without having to see any examples... Meta's Universal Speech Translator is a very ambitious AI research project that might improve language-mixing or Computer-Assisted Translation like Google Translate does... LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications) which Blake Lamoine labelled "sentient" was originally introduced as Meena in 2020. It's a conversational Large Language Model (LLM) built by Google... The Madi-Lugbara language is related to the languages of Southern Nigeria eg Yoruba, Igbo, Edo, Iduma, Igala, Igbira, Gbari and Nupe. In addition, we can include Ijo and Kalabari of the Niger Delta plus the Bariba north of Yoruba and Aja (Ewe) spoken in Southern Dahomey (Benin), Togo and South-Eastern Ghana... Some people consider Lugbara a dialect of Madi but many do not accept this theory. In fact, a survey was conducted and it concluded that the Rigbo, Okollo and Ogoko dialects (which are considered Southern Madi) should be categorised as dialects of Lugbara. Besides, we share the same names... In 2020, with support from the Hewlett Foundation, Sunbird AI commenced the African language technology project. They created a large multilingual parallel text dataset of Ugandan languages, with translations in Acholi, Ateso, Luganda, Lugbara and Runyankole... It was very unreal to discover on Sunday 10th September 2023 while googling for "Lugbara AI" that the 55 year old Google AI Lead Jeff Dean's mother speaks "fluent Lugbara"; she lived in West Nile when Jeffrey was 5 years old. I guess she knows that Lugbara is learnable by machines... Meta introduced its own AI on WhatsApp a few days later...
[This one-page Lugbara Dictionary is dedicated to Cynthia Letasi, aka Rejoice (The Beautyful One born in 1995) who changed my worldview between 2001-6; made me feel like Bob Harris in Arua. To be honest, she was my first true crush within Arua (West Nile) though I never told her my reality for years (just tried to show it silently until she confessed something I still treasure) plus resembles Tonto Dikeh (Nigerian), Sheebah Karungi and Betty Mpologoma as well as Spice Diana who automatically became my all-time favourites. Obsession is not a crime, just harness it like human electricity; Rejection or Disconnection is Redirection! Too much love will heal you. Love is infinite: I admired Cynthia's supadupa fluency at a very tender age of 6-11 and felt inspired to polish my own linguistics by reading Lugbara afresh since I learnt my mother tongue in Busoga (Birth to 11 years) and Buganda only by listening to Lugbara people talk. Even though I spoke and understood it, I couldn't transcribe Lugbara well like English but when I met our Mt. Wati Road (Arua) neighbour's adorable brownskinned daughter, I was motivated to re-study this vernacular from northwestern Uganda in black and white plus perhaps grasp it the way ShaoLan Hsueh created Chineasy, then fabricate my own Synthetic Artificial Lugbara Technology (SALT). Language has to be preserved through documentation and transmitted to anyone connected or interested because cultural heritage represents a collective identity of values, diversity, traditions and assets passed around from generation to generation eg my parents to me. Some relatives and natives would laugh at my pronunciations or choice of words but it didn't phase me. I've never been ashamed to be called omulugwara even if it is a byword for stupidity, Naked People and backwardness among some communities. One day, I bypassed two dudes on Acacia Avenue in KLA and heard them speak what sounded like broken Lugbara; I reasoned later that it might have been Madi language. Also, Aringa is like Lugbara patois or Filipino. During May 2023, someone asked me why I study Lugbara yet it is not useful and I told him not to diss my mother tongue like that; garbage or waste appears worthless until it's recycled and given value: Lugbara is a multinational language spoken mainly across three colonial borders which converge at Salia Musala (about 2 hours by car northwards from Arua City). I strongly believe Generative AI can learn Lugbarati and make it reuseable and applicable in various fields; Deep Learning Indaba (DLI) or Lugbara GPT type-of-way. Tonal Lugbara literature with its many character symbols seems crowdily complex and scares away learners, but the simpler version is legit too... Live translation of President M7's speeches by people like Fred Bada plus other arrangements like crusades, etc can also be a reference... In 2013, the Lögbarati Language Board proposed an Orthography Guide... Lugbara funeral songs have been replaced with church hymns... In my Allegory of Artificial Ignorance: For machines to learn Lugbara, humans (both self-motivated and paid contributors) must train them or organise datasets for AI to decode unsupervised... The data gathering is open and democratised at platforms like www.crowdsource.google.com. Use your abilities to improve the building blocks of AI...]
[GODisgreat!]
AIKO (Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Organiser)
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