Luganda

ISO 639-3: lug

Major language of central Uganda

Language Details
Family Lineage Niger-Congo › Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Bantoid › Southern Bantoid › Bantu
Countries Uganda
Approximate Speakers ~8,000,000
Notes Language of the Buganda kingdom with early written tradition

Hebrew Comparisons

Word Meaning Hebrew Word Transliteration Hebrew Meaning
ebbuwu stone אֶבֶן ʼeben (Aramaic) corresponding to אֶבֶן; {a stone}; stone.
ebiwaawa wings (of a bird) אֵבֶר ʼêber from אָבַר; a pinion; (long-) wing(-ed).
okwesanga to find oneself; to come upon אָגַר ʼâgar a primitive root; to harvest; gather.
damu blood אָדַם ʼâdam to show blood (in the face), i.e.; flush or turn rosy; be (dyed, made) red (ruddy).
okulya to eat אָכַל ʼâkal a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
kubola to rot, decay בָּלַהּ bâlahh a primitive root (rather by transposition for בָּהַל); to palpitate; hence, (causatively) to terrify; trouble.
baana children בֵּן bana from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
omwana child, young person בֵּן bên (Aramaic) corresponding to בֵּן; {a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense}; child, son, young.
funa want בְּעָא bᵉʻâʼ (Aramaic) or בְּעָה; (Aramaic), corresponding to בָּעָה; to seek or ask; ask, desire, make (petition), pray, request, seek.
kakata to cut sharply, slice, sever בָּצַר bâtsar a primitive root; to clip off; specifically (as denominative from בָּצִיר); to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification); cut off, (de-) fenced, fortify, (grape) gather(-er), mighty things, restrain, strong, wall (up), withhold.
gata to cut, to split בָּתַק bâthaq a primitive root; to cut in pieces; thrust through.
omuggodi pit, mine גֵּב gêb from גּוּב; a log (as cut out); also well or cistern (as dug); beam, ditch, pit.
egamba shell, rind, skin of root crops (esp. cassava, yam, etc.) גַב gab from an unused root meaning to hollow or curve; (compare גֵּו and גּוּף); the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc.; back, body, boss, eminent (higher) place, (eye) brows, nave, ring.
fa die גָּוַע gâvaʻ a primitive root; to breathe out, i.e. (by implication) expire; die, be dead, give up the ghost, perish.
kata to cut גָּרַז gâraz a primitive root; to cut off; cut off.
mukulu elder, grown-up, elder sibling גָּרֹל gârôl from the same as גּוֹרָל; harsh; man of great (as in the margin which reads גָּדוֹל).
ekikulu the main/important/principal thing; the official palace גָּרֹל gârôl from the same as גּוֹרָל; harsh; man of great (as in the margin which reads גָּדוֹל).
okusaga to grind, crush גָּרַס gâraç a primitive root; to crush; also (intransitively and figuratively) to dissolve; break.
gusa to touch גָּשַׁשׁ gâshash a primitive root; apparently; to feel about; grope.
zaabu gold דְּהַב dᵉhab (Aramaic) corresponding to זָהָב; gold; gold(-en).
waka to catch fire, to burn דָּלַק dâlaq a primitive root; to flame (literally or figuratively); burning, chase, inflame, kindle, persecute(-or), pursue hotly.
damu blood דָּם dâm from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
faanana to resemble, look like דָּמָה dâmâh a primitive root; to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider; compare, devise, (be) like(-n), mean, think, use similitudes.
kukandamiza to oppress, suppress, press down הָדַךְ hâdak lemma הָדךְ missing vowel, corrected to הָדַךְ; a primitive root (compare דָּקַק); to crush with the foot; tread down.
goba to chase away, expel, drive away הָדַף hâdaph a primitive root; to push away or down; cast away (out), drive, expel, thrust (away).
zaawadi gift, present זֶבֶד zebed from זָבַד; a gift; dowry.
zzaabu gold זָהָב zâhâb from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.
kuzalirira to despise, look down on זוּל zûwl a primitive root (compare זָלַל); probably to shake out, i.e. (by implication) to scatter profusely; figuratively, to treat lightly; lavish, despise.
kuzona to herd, to take livestock to graze זוּן zûwn a primitive root; perhaps properly, to be plump, i.e. (transitively) to nourish; feed.
sunga to tie, bind זוּר zûwr a primitive root (compare צוֹק); to press together, tighten; close, rush, thrust together.
eina kind, type, category, sort זַן zan (Aramaic) corresponding to זַן; sort; kind.
kamba rope, cord חֶבֶל chebel or חֵבֶל; from חָבַל; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as if tied together); also a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin; band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling.
omwezi moon; month חֹדֶשׁ chôdesh from חָדַשׁ; the new moon; by implication, a month; month(-ly), new moon.
kyeru white חוּר chûwr from חָוַר; white linen; white.
kaza to tighten, to make firm, to hold fast חָזַק châzaq a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
kita to cut (to sever, kill) חָטַב châṭab a primitive root; to chop or carve wood; cut down, hew(-er), polish.
ekiko lap; the hollow formed when sitting חֵיק chêyq or חֵק; and חוֹק; from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom (literally or figuratively); bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within.
gaba to give out, distribute, apportion חָלַק châlaq a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er).
kimera creature, organism, sometimes small animal/worm חֹמֶט chômeṭ from an unused root probably meaning, to lie low; a lizard (as creeping); snail.
kosa to err, be at fault, mistake חָסֵר châçêr a primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen; be abated, bereave, decrease, (cause to) fail, (have) lack, make lower, want.
ennyumba house, home, chamber חֻפָּה chuppâh from חָפָה; a canopy; chamber, closet, defence.
-kata to cut חָצַץ châtsats a primitive root (compare חָצָהlemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה); also as denominative from חֵץ; properly, to chop into, pierce or sever; hence, to curtail, to distribute (into ranks); to shoot an arrow; archer, [idiom] bands, cut off in the midst.
kakata to cut precisely/sharply חָתַךְ châthak a primitive root; properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) to decree; determine.
kasa to cut חָתַךְ châthak a primitive root; properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) to decree; determine.
kutumbikiza to immerse, to plunge into, cause to enter deeply טָבַל ṭâbal a primitive root; to dip, to immerse; dip, plunge.
okusaga to grind (maize, etc.) טָחַן ṭâchan a primitive root; to grind meal; hence, to be aconcubine (that being their employment); grind(-er).
tamu sweet, tasty, delicious טְעַם ṭᵉʻam (Aramaic) corresponding to טָעַם; to taste; causatively to feed; make to eat, feed.
akaso sweat יֶזַע yezaʻ from an unused root mean to ooze; sweat, i.e. (by implication) a sweating dress; any thing that causeth sweat.
zaala to give birth, to bear יָלַד yâlad a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
Aseka he laughs יִצְחָק from צָחַק; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham; Isaac. Compare יִשְׂחָק.
kweyongera okukula to increase, to grow (of children: okukula, ‘to grow up’) כֶּלַח kelach from an unused root meaning to be complete; maturity; full (old) age.
kukula to grow, increase, mature כֶּלַח kelach from an unused root meaning to be complete; maturity; full (old) age.
kula to grow, to become mature כָּלַל kâlal a primitive root; to complete; (make) perfect.
okubikka to cover, conceal כָּמַס kâmaç a primitive root; to store away, i.e. (figuratively) in the memory; lay up in store.
-kana refuse כָּנַף kânaph a primitive root; properly, to project laterally, i.e. probably (reflexive) to withdraw; be removed.
kata to cut כָּסַם kâçam a primitive root; to shear; [idiom] only, poll. Compare כִּרְסֵם.
kusirika to be angry כַּעַס kaʻaç a primitive root; to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant; be angry, be grieved, take indignation, provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have sorrow, vex, be wroth.
kifu hole, pit, cavity (less often 'cave') כֵּף kêph from כָּפַף; a hollow rock; rock.
okupinda to bend, to turn, to curve כָּפַן kâphan a primitive root; to bend; bend.
kàta to cut כָּרַת kârath a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces); be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want.
ekuta wall (structure) כְּתַל kᵉthal (Aramaic) corresponding to כֹּתֶל; {a wall (as gathering inmates)}; wall.
okunaka to be tired, to grow weary לָאָה lâʼâh a primitive root; to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted; faint, grieve, lothe, (be, make) weary (selves).
ekikete snare, trap לֶכֶד leked from לָכַד; something to capture with, i.e. a noose; being taken.
amazzi water מַיִם mayim dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
Malaika angels מֲלְאָךְ malakh / malaika from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
okumika to support, to prop up, to reinforce סָמַךְ çâmak a primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense); bear up, establish, (up-) hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain.
kw--era to climb, ascend עָלָה ʻâlâh a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
-yimirira to stand, to remain standing, to persist עָמַד ʻâmad a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
seka to laugh צָחַק a primitive root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport; laugh, mock, play, make sport.
isaka Isaac (name, related to laughter) צָחַק a primitive root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport; laugh, mock, play, make sport.
kuseka to laugh צָחַק tsâchaq a primitive root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport; laugh, mock, play, make sport.
okuseka laugh צָחַק tsâchaq a primitive root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport; laugh, mock, play, make sport.
okuwa to rise, to stand up קוּם Qum a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
zula tear away (rare dialectal) קָרַע qâraʻ a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them); cut out, rend, [idiom] surely, tear.
Seka to laugh שָׂחַק sachaq a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play; deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.
okwesanyuka to be happy, to rejoice, to be glad שִׂמְחָה simchâh from שָׂמֵחַ; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival); [idiom] exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(-ing).
kakanyala become hard שָׂקַד sâqad a primitive root; to fasten; bind.
hinduka change תְּשׁוּבָה tᵉshûwbâh or תְּשֻׁבָה; from שׁוּב; a recurrence (of time or place); a reply (as returned); answer, be expired, return.