Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -G

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Gadibe ngalye : ng’embwa ebunza omuzigo – Let the fat (amasavu) remain (without finding a buyer) so that I can eat it : so the dog thinks, when he is sent to hawk fat for sale
2. Gafuma (= gamala okufuma) : bagabejjereza taaba; nti nnabangogoma alina emmindi? If the teeth (amannyo) are getting discoloured : they blame it on the tobacco; has the grasshopper a pipe? The lazy rich man does not take the trouble to clean his teeth and retorts that tobacco cannot be the reason – , ,
3. Gakuweebwa munno : empogola egawa mususi – (amagezi) ( Amagezi gaku- weebwa: ; Ompadde amagezi: ) Wisdom is given to you by your friend : the banana (boiled in the skin) gives it to the peeler (because the boiled banana splits and shows the eater where to start peeling)
4. Gakuweddeko : ng’ayombera gy’asaka; nti jjo toliddayo? ( Amagezi gaku- weddeko: ) You have no sense left : like the man who quarrels, where he works for food; will you not go there again to-morrow? –
5. Gakyali mabaga – We are only at the beginning
6. Gaali masane : ate ente enzirugavu okuzaala amata ameeru! What a marvellous thing : a black cow giving white milk! Rub – C
7. Gaali masane : omusota okulinnya omuti, nga sigulina magulu! What a marvellous thing : a snake without legs climbing a tree! –
8. Ga luleeba : ganywebwa wa mwoyo – The water which is in a luleeba (bath made of banana-leaves in a hole in the ground) : is drunk by one who is courageous (takes risks)
9. Ga mulubaale : osiima olabyeko – (amagezi) You are pleased with the shrewdness of a lubaale-priest : when you understand it
10. Ganaakalira ku nnyago : tiyekkaanya agafumbye – (amazzi) The water (from washing the hands) will dry uon the sarshafts : (so says the husband after eating and washing his hands) and he goes away without thanking his wife who has cooked the matooke
11. Ganaakona : tegabuulirwa muliro mungi – The bananas that have no inclination to ripen : won’t do so even with a big fire
12. Ga nnyana : ganywebwa muwangaazi – (amata) The milk of the calf : is drunk by one that is to live
13. Gaanya bba : ng’alabye obugyo – (or: Agaanya bba – – ) A woman who starts to oose her husband : has found a ace to go to
14. Gatutabye : tatta wa ggwanga – (amafumu) The sars have brought us together : (one who says so) will not kill a revengeful rson
15. Gayita ku kibi : ne gasekera ekirungi – (amannyo) The teeth often pass over (= forget) a sad event and laugh about a good thing (e
16. Genda eri e Mbaale mu Baganda banno – Go to Mbaale to your brethren, the Baganda (their cradleland)
17. Genkanyenkanye : y’amala atoma – ( Byenkanyenkanye: ) (One who says) The lumps of matooke (portioned out) are equal : is (in reality) annoyed (he only pretends to be satisfied)
18. Geerwanyalwanya : gaagala nnyini nnyama – ( Ageerwanyalwanya: ) The men (gasajja) who were fighting each other (over the division of the meat) : intended to kill the owner of the meat
19. Ggambo bbi :,lisangwa ku mwoyo (or: wamwenge alisanga ku mwoyo) – An evil thing (word or deed) : beer (intoxicating drink) finds it in the soul
20. Ggufa kkalu : bbula bulumo – From a dry bone : there can be no gnawing any longer
21. Ggwanga lya mwenge : liggwa na mwenge – ( Eggwanga n’eggwanga: ) Revenge (resolved un) at a beer-rty : comes to an end at another beer-rty
22. Ggwe oh mulimba nga jjembe : lisula ku kikondo, bwe bukeera enkya, nti nva Buvuma – You are a liar like a charm : during the night it has been hanging on the pole (in the house of the mulaguzi), and in the morning it announces: I come from Buvuma
23. Ggyako omwoyo : nga muk’omubbi bwe yaggya ku kwebaza – ( Okuggyako: ) Take your mind off it (don’t mention it, forget it) : as the thief’s wife did, when she did not thank (= congratulate) her husband (for the stolen leg of the goat)
24. Ggyawo ekikyo ng’omwana aliko nnyina tannajja – Take away your property which the child is playing with, before its mother has arrived
25. Gindi wala : nga tekuliiko muganda wo – ( Egindi: ) That place is far away (you say) : if there is no relation of yours
26. G’oziriza omulyango : ogasanga ku Mayanja – ( Gw’osussa emmwanyi: ) You might meet the waters which you prevent from passing (getting through) at the river Mayanja (where they might drown you!)
27. Gubasaza mu kabu : enswa nnene – (omukwano) Their friendshimakes them divide the little beer-fly : in comrison to that the flying ant is big
28. Gubula yeeguya : tegukala – (omukwano) Friendship which does not court favour (with the other party) : won’t last
29. Gugaba : munnange nno okoze! A noble spirit (omwoyo) is generous : my friend, you have been good to me! Expression of gratitude –
30. Guggwereddewo : ng’akukubye ku nnyindo wa luganda – (omusango) That’s enough (you say) : if the one who has hit you on the nose is a relation
31. Gujabagidde gujabagiza) : ) ng’omunafu azadde kaliira; ) nga ku ndali kuliko ensenke – ( Entokotoko: ) The case becomes complicated : ) when a lazy woman brings forth a glutton (a child with voracious appetite); ) when to a squint of the eye blindness of the cornea is added
32. Gujaala : gwe gusibirwa empina – (omwenge) Where there is plenty of beer : there it is adorned with banana-fringes (there banana-fringes are worn to the dance)
33. Gulemye : eyalemera e Mmengo – (omusango) The case cannot be settled : (as the one said) who could not settle it at Mmengo (i
34. Guluma yaguzza : enziku teruma kkundi – (omusango) Bad behaviour hurts the one who is guilty of it : gonorrhea does not hurt the navel
35. Gunadda ne nnywa : ) alinda okutoma; ) talwa kuwuuba ndeku, nti mugu- mazeemu?; ) asamba endeku – (One who says) Oh, there will be more beer coming; I shall drink then : ) is waiting to comain (that he got nothing); ) will soon
36. Gundi ky’ajje yeetikke : ng’akootakoota – As soon as so and so has started carrying a load : he begins to stoop (he wants to show that they have given him too heavy a load)
37. Gundi wamu : ng’akubye ne kojjaawe akaliga – (omwoyo) I feel happy : (so one says) when he has killed a lamb with his uncle
38. Gundi yeetala : ng’omufumbo atalina ngabo – So and so is running to and from : as a married man (called up for war) who has no shield of his own
39. Gundi yeeyolodde : atyatyala butyatyazi – So and so has pulled himself out of poverty : (and now) he is rolling in pleasure
40. Gunsinze : aliwa bitono – (One who confesses) The case goes against me : ys a small fine
41. Gunzise mu vvi : nga ye yamwezaalira (= nga wa luganda, omusango gwe gusi- nze) – ( Gutusse mu vvi: ) The case (omusango) has come down on my knees (I am guilty) : (says the father or a relation of the accused) if he has brought him forth (or: if the one who is guilty is a relation of his)
42. Gusula : ) ne gutakusinga, nga mulungi ; ) gwe gukuwa empoza – If a judgement is postponed over night : ) and it did not go against you, it is a good one; ) it gives you a chance of defence
43. Gute ngutole : ng’Omuganda awoza n’Omunyolo (= Omuyima anaawoza n’Omuganda) – Leave off pleading and let me go on : (so an experienced Muganda judge says) when a Muganda pleads in court against a Munyoro
44. Gutta nnyinigwo : nga guzise – A case (crime) that kills the criminal : is finished
45. Gutta ento : ne gutasubwa – (omuyiggo) Even if the hunt kills small game (ensolo) only : it is no failure
46. Guweddeko entontogolo : ennyonyi ziyita e ttale (= kkuutwe) – When the (wild) figs are finished (on the tree) : the birds fly past it to the un- filled land
47. Guwedde mirembe : akiina muyiisa – (omwenge) (also: Kasita guwedde – – ) It got finished without trouble : (one who says so) is sarcastic to the brewer of the beer
48. Guwedde : ng’afunye gw’engabo (= ekyengabo) – I have got my share (mugabo) : (says one) who has received the top-row of the banana bunch
49. Guyimbye embwa n’okugulu : nga gulemye omusigire – The dispute has tied the dog (neck) and foot : (so they say) if the dispute is too complicated for the deputy chief
50. Gwa gonja gunadda : nga yayiisizza gwa mazzi – ( Okekkera ng’Omunnabu- siro ayiisizza: ) Gonja-beer will come soon : (so one says consolingly) if he has brewed weak (watery) beer
51. Gwaka nga musana : kaakiro tabulamu (or: ak’ekiro tabulamu) – The moon shines like day-light : yet the nature of the night is not missing entirely
52. Gwala mubisi : tegwala mwenge – There is plenty of mubisi (sweet cider) : but not plenty of (fermented) beer
53. Gwali musala : gwafuuka kitentegere – It was bark of the second (or third) peeling (i
54. Gwa ngalabi : tegunywebwa atudde wamu; bagunywa na kuleekaana – The beer at the ngalabi-dance is not drunk by one who remains at home; they drink it with great shouting
55. Gwannema : tateganyako – (One who says) It was too much for me : does not try
56. Gwansinga : asinga emmere ewooma – (One who confesses) The case has gone against me (I am guilty) : is more welcome than tasty food
57. Gwa ntendewala : ) nga w’ayunja wagazi; ) nga yazimba Bukoba mu ma- tooke amangi – (If they say of somebody) He is a generous host (who prepares more food for his visitors than they can manage) : ) then the place where he can cut down banana-bunches, is big; ) then he lives in Bukoba (Nnaggalama district), where there is plenty of food
58. Gwe bakwatira mu kituli : nga ye mubbi – The one they catch in the hole (digging into a house) : is the thief (i
59. Gwe batakigambye : ) gwe kitalumya mutwe ; ) y’agamba nti atadde ebiga- mbo – One whom they have not talked about (in an evil way) : ) does not get a headache from it; ) says: Oh, he only talks nonsense (if they had talked about himself, he would take it seriously)
60. Gwe batakutte : talema kwegaana – He whom they did not manage to catch : will not fail to plead not guilty
61. Gwe battira nnyina, si gwe bamuliyira : Lubya baamuliyira emituba – A man whose mother they have killed, is not the one to whom they pay damages : they cut the forest on the Lubya-river (Busiro) and made up for it by planting mituba-trees
62. Gwe batuma okuwera engalabi : tamala kuzina n’alyoka awera ngalabi – The man they send to prevent (stop) a dance to the ngalabi-drum : should not, first dance (with them) and then stop it
63. Gwe baayogeddeko kambe kaawaase : tekaggwa masanda – One who has been the object of slander is like a knife that has been peeling matooke : the sap (latex) remains on
64. Gwe kitaliiridde nnyina : nti linda bukye (= nti ka bukye) – He whose mother has not been taken by the wild animal : (can say) Wait till morning (before going after the animal)
65. Gwe nnywedde : gukwata engo mu mannyo – The beer I have drunk : gets hold of the leopard by its teeth
66. Gwe wabbanga naye : bw’asula emiryango teweebaka – If the man with whom you have been stealing slee in your ddiiro, you keeawake (you do not trust him)
67. Gwe wajjirira : teguba mulimu? – Is it not work (cooking) you have come here for? So says the husband to his wife who refuses to cook in the morning
68. Gwe watumanga : ng’agenda mbiro; naye bw’olaba yekkaanya, ng’agenda ku- senguka – If you (as master) send somebody on an errand : he will go quickly; but if he hesitates, he is thinking of leaving you
69. Gwe wazaala jjo : akukubira pnoma n’ozina – ( Ne gw’ozadde: ) One whom you have brought forth yesterday : beats the drum for you and you dance
70. Gwe weeyigira : gwe gukussa (= gukukubya); ejjenje lifa bulanzi – The work you have learnt : will kill you; the cricket dies by prophesying
71. Gwe zisanga azigumira : ejjanzi terigenda na nzige – He who meets trouble, has to bear it : the cricket does not travel with the locusts
72. Gw’ogaliirako : gw’oseera? Do you cheat the one from whose food (matooke) you eat? Reproach for one who does not give his dues to the chief; lazy tenants etc – Rub
73. Gw’ogayunjira : y’akuyita Nnalyambe – ( Agakuyunjira: ) The man for whom you cut down matooke : calls you Nnalyambe (using the big knife lavishly, without considering his own family)
74. Gw’okiiya : oluvannyuma gw’obeera naye – The man you despise : will be your friend one day (when you are in need)
75. Gw’olekera abato : gwe gunyuma – (omuzannyo) A game which you leave (first) to the children : later interests you too (and you play it yourself)
76. Gw’olinda obuto : akulinda bukadde – ( Olukula luyonka: ; Gw’ose-nvuza: ) The boy whom you look after in his childhood : will look after you in your old age
77. Gw’ologa amaaso : y’akugoba oluwufu – ( Gw’owonya eggere: ) He whose eyes you heal : follows your trail
78. Gw’ologa (= owonya) eggere : y’alikusambya – He whose toe you heal : will make it kick you
79. Gw’olulambuza : y’alusalako – (olusuku) One whom you show through your bananary : will take a piece of it
80. Gw’olumirwa omwoyo : alumwa (= akulumirwa) mutwe – The man whose moral welfare you worry about : worries about your headache
81. Gw’oluteebeza : si gwe lutta – (olumbe) The one whose death you conjecture (predict) : is not the one it kills
82. Gw’olya naye enkejje enjokerere : y’akuyita dduma bikalu – ( Akwokera: ; Enke* bwe muzirya: ) He with whom you eat roasted enkejje (small fish) : calls you a devourer of hard things (a glutton)
83. Gw’olya naye : ) y’akubala embiriizi; ) y’akuziga – ( Saagala kunziga: ) He with whom you eat : ) counts your ribs (he knows your weakness and your secrets and talks to others about them); ) ses on you
84. Gw’omanyi enfumita : tomulinda kugalula – The man whose skill in throwing a sar is known : you don’t wait till he brandishes it (at you)
85. Gw’omanyi gw’osaagirasaagirako : evvuuvutunira lisaagira ku mutta-mpindi, eri omwennyango terigendayo – ( Omuto asaagira: ) Rub
86. Gw’omenyera mu nkejje : ewuwe alya luti – He to whom you give half an enkejje (small lake fish) : at home eats a whole twig-full
87. Gw’omma amazzi : omusanga ku ssengejjero – ( Gw’osussa emmwanyi: ) One to whom you refuse a drink of water : will meet you (pay back) at the beer-filter
88. Gw’onooyota : togulinda kugwa manda – A fire at which you intend to warm yourself : do not let its coals burn out
89. Gw’onyoomera mu kkubo : eka we nga mugagga – The one you despise on the road : is a rich man at home (perhaps)
90. Gw’osenvuza mu buto : akusenvuza mu bukadde – ( Gw’olinda: ) One whom you help to walk in childhood : helps you to walk, when you are old
91. Gw’osoose obuliika : ow’omukago talawa – The one on whom you inflict a heavy fine (for the first time) : will not raise the alarm, if he is a blood-brother
92. Gw’osussa emmwanyi : omusanga ku yanja, ng’awungula – ( Gw’omma amazzi: ) The one whom you pass by distributing coffee beans (which is a sign of friend- ship and hospitality) : you meet at the yanja (river ferry)
93. Gw’otaayogereza naye : olaba awerekera ensusso – ( Awerekera ensusso: ) You notice that the man who failed to accompany you on your engagement visit, accompanies the girl (after you have taken leave and alienates her from you)
94. Gw’oteeresezza mu mboozi, gw’owasa : nga mukyayogera bulungi – The one whom you don’t leave out of your conversation is the one you will marry : provided that you talk well about her
95. Gw’otokuza : tomubuulirira – Do not reprimand a child that is not yours
96. Gw’otooliyise : takwonoonera kikyo – One whom you won’t make pay a fine : don’t let him spoil your property
97. Gw’otonnakaddiya : toguyita gugwo – (omubiri) If you have not yet made your body reach old age : don’t call it yours
98. Gw’otoyise (= otayise) naye : si muzibu kulimba – It is not difficult to tell lies (about something you have seen) to one who has not been with you
99. Gw’otozinanga naye : bw’asituka okuzina nga ggwe otuula – If there is one with whom you never have as yet danced : remain sitting, when he gets up for a dance
100. Gw’owola otudde : omubanja oyimiridde – ( Ky’owola otudde: ) While giving a loan to somebody you might be in a sitting sture : but
101. Gw’oyagala : omusalira omusango n’omuweerera ebintu by’okuliwa – If you really love somebody (who has transgressed the law) : you condemn him and you supply him with the where-with-all to pay the fine
102. Gw’oyigiriza okulima : bw’ayeza takuwa – He whom you teach to cultivate : does not give you anything of what he grows in abundance
103. Gw’oyigiriza okwesa (= ekyeso) : akugobya enkaaga – He to whom you teach the mweso-game : beats you with sixteen (in the ssa)
104. Gw’oyita obulungi : y’akuyitaba kkabyo – He whom you call in a friendly way : answers you offensively
105. Gy’ava gaggya : ne gy’agenda gaggya – Where he comes from, the home is burning : and where he goes to, it is burning
106. Gye babiyigga gye bidda : gonja omunene omusanga mu ssogolero – ( Gye babutta: ) Where they hunt the animals, there they turn up again : you find a big gonja on the very site of the brewing place
107. Gye babutta : gye bweyuna; ettooke eddene mu ggwaatiro – Where they kill the animals : there they go again; like the big banana (that grows) on the peeling place
108. Gye banzaalira mmanyiyo : ng’alina mukadde we amubuulirayo – I know the place where I was born : (says one) who has been told by his mother
109. Gye bazireegera : si gye zivugira – (ennoma) (also: Gye zireegerwa – – ) The drums are not beaten where they are made
110. Gye biva tibirirema kuddayo : gw’okwata ku nkoona, naye akukwata ku nkoo- na – Where things come from, there they will go again : one whom you try to hel(by getting hold of the back of the head – as one does with a slow walking child), will get hold of your head one day
111. Gye nva bangobyeyo : gye pnenda bannyazeeyo – ( Gy’ava gaggya: ) Where I come from, I have been driven away : where I am going to, I have been robbed
112. Gye watudde : nga bakulaga mulage – ( Ataakwalize nnanda: ) Where you have been sitting : they point out the place (where you have been sitting and tell them who you are)
113. Gy’otosula : togerekerawo bibya – Where you do not live (where you have nothing to say) : don’t divide the bowls
114. Gy’oyazika embazzi : tossaayo matu – Where (to whom) you give the loan of an axe : do not put your ears