Category: Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated Luganda Proverbs

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- W

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -W

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Wa baana bangi : tasala musango – A chief who has many children (relations), does not settle disputes (does not give judgement)
2. Wabisegguusi mwana : ne Waluggi mwana? The child of the inside of the house is called child : but is the child of the door (outside) also called mwana? : yes; the child born by father and mother is their child (muzaalire ddala); but the child born by the brothers and sisters of father and mother (kitaawe muto nnyina muto) is also their child –
3. Wagenda engabo : n’effumu we libeera – (= Awagenda – – ) Where the shield goes, there also is the spear (ready for the defence and ready for the attack)
4. Wagendagenda : y’afuna ekisulo – If one travels he finds his living place
5. Waggumbulizi ky’aba nakyo : ky’awa munywanyi we – ( Aba n’ebingi: ; Atamanyi mwo: ) What a or man ssesses : that he gives to his friend
6. Wagumba ennume : n’enduusi we zibeera – ( Awagumba: ) Where there are bulls : there are also cows
7. Wagwa kinene : watuukibwa (ng’afudde mugagga) – (= Awagwa – – ) Where something big has fallen : people gather (if a rich man has died)
8. Wakabibi afuluma ng’asiba ag’akake – ( Azaala abangi: ) The portulaca-plant (creeper similar to purslane) spreads whilst tying the legs of its offspring to itself
9. Wa kalogojjo nga mubumbi : asula watonnya ng’essubi amalira ku nkoomi – ( Oli wa kalogojjo: ; Weewulira ng’omubumbi: ) He is out of his mind like a potter : he lives where the rain comes in, and the thatch he uses for his oven (burning his pottery)
10. W’akaalo ke : bw’asanga bw’ayisa – He who has his own home, behaves in his own fashion (makes his own laws)
11. Wa kamwa : tabulako musiri gwe – A braggart (scandalmonger, quarrelsome person) also has his field (where he works, namely his mouth)
12. Wa kanyumiza tiwaala nkoko : waala amayiba – ( Awa kanyumiza: ) At the home of an interesting talker the hens do not increase, but the pigeons increase
13. Wakka awunya : nga ggwe omulumbye ku nswa ze – The wakka (stinking black ant) stinks, when you have attacked it among its flying ants
14. Wakonkomi lw’assa : lw’anegula – When the big (green-red and blue) lizard crouches down, he gets up again
15. Wakubirwa mubaka : tiwakka mirembe – (= Awakubirwa – ) Where a messenger (of the king etc
16. Wa kunyumiza tiwaala nkoko : waala ebyoya – ( Wa kanyumiza: ) Where there is pleasant talk, the chickens don’t increase, but there is an increase of feathers
17. Wakyemalira ng’engalo ensajja – A person acting independently (an odd fellow) like the thumb! It always points in a direction different from the other fingers
18. Walabye malinnya : amakka ganaabula – (= Awalabye – ) Where a man has seen his way of climbing up : there might be no coming down
19. Walabyewo ki? : akusinza omusango – (If a cross-questioner asks you) What have you seen there (i
20. Wall akadiba : waagala kasambajjo – Awali – – ) Where there is a little pond, one needs a fishing net
21. Waluggyo akalanga bya banne – The potsherd (frying pan) fires other people’s things
22. Walumbe atebuka – Death catches (you) unexpectedly
23. Walumbe sowaanya : alina akake akeeriire – ( Ky’ofa togabye: ) Death is a trouble maket- : (therefore) let one who has possessions use them up for himself
24. Walumbe talya : atereka buteresi – ( Kitaka talya: ) Death does not eat (its victims like a beast of prey) : it only puts them aside
25. Walumbe tawoza : akutta n’ensonga – Death does not plead in court : he kills you and all (your unavailing) arguments
26. Wali akaloka : embizzi w’ezza omumwa – ( Awali akaloka: ) Where there is something sprouting out of the ground : the pig puts its snout to it
27. Wamala okulya obwakabaka : tokyalina kye weetaaga – You have become king : there is nothing more that you could desire (i
28. Wa maanyi abulwa w’avuba : Nnamalere yabulwa omwalo – Even a powerful man might have no place for fishing : Nnamalere had no har-bour
29. Wambula dda : bw’atakuzinga muggo, akuzinga bugenyi – ( Twalabagana dda: ; Akukeera enkya: ) (One who meets you with the words) I have not seen you for
30. Wa mbuzi akunga wa maliga – The owner of goats exaggerates the riches of the owner of shee Exession of envy
31. Wam omukazi, wam nte? Nti bw’erifa ndigiryako emikalo? When you gave me a wife, did you give me a cow? When she dies, can I eat her dried meat? The husband, whose wife died, does not want to keeufriendly relations any longer with father- or brother-in-law, and says: All that you gave me is finished and id for – If it had been a cow, I could at least have dried the meat and used it
32. Wam wazaayirwa – Buganda bwe btunu : azaayira mitala wa mugga – ( Awa-m: ) Even near home one can be a stranger – Buganda is one and the same land : still one can be a stranger to the man on the next hill (or across the river or on an oosite arm of the lake)
33. Wa mukisa ng’aliibwa ngo : yava munda ate adda munda – It is a blessing for him to have been eaten by a leopard : he came from the womb (eya nnyina) and returned to the womb
34. Wandekera entate – You have put me into an impossible position (you have jeopardized me)
35. Wannaana tafa ddogo : ng’era Wammamba bw’atafa ttama – The hornbill does not give uits horrible voice, even when dead : just as the lungfish does not give uits cheek
36. Wango tabuukira walungi : buli w’abuukira, nti ebadde endidde – ( Ngo tebuukira: )
37. ankoko by’azaala : bye byenunulo – What the hen oduces : serves as ransom
38. Wano situukawo : bw’ovaawo assaawo mmanvu – (One who tells you) From here I can’t reach it (a coveted thing like fruit) puts a mortar there (to stand on it) as soon as you have gone away
39. Wante taliiko kabi – There is nothing useless in a cow
40. Wanyooka akakka – Where there rises a little smoke, there the hungry man invites himself
41. Wanziringitanya ng’ejjembe ly’enkoko : lyalekerera omutwe ne limera ku kugu-lu – ( Weereeze ng’emlaata: ) You have been fooling me like the sr of a cock : it left its ace on the head and grew on the leg
42. Wasaanye (= awasaanye) : wataali – Where something (or somebody) has sunk down (in the grave or in the water) : there is nothing left
43. Wa Ssenkole lufuuzi : tunaayogera olutaggwa? ( Tunaayogera olutaggwa: ) –
44. Watuuka (= awatuuka) akambe : enkumbi tetuukawo – Where a knife fits in : a hoe does not fit
45. Weebale, weebale : akumalira ebibyo (or: amala ebintu) – One who often says to you thank you, finishes off your things
46. Weebale, weebale : azuukusa mbwa mu kyoto – He who shouts for joy Well done, well done, rouses up the dog from its place on the hearth
47. Weebambalika : ng’omunafu akeera okuggulawo – ( Okwebambalika: ) You have made an useless effort : like a lazy woman coming out of the house (bed) early
48. We batemera ebbamba : siwabula ssaasaaniro – ( Awagwa ekku: ; Awagwa ekinene: ) Wherever they cut a big mmamba (lungfish) to pieces : there is bound to be there a big gathering
49. Weebuga : ng’essukka-mugga – You are excited like a mason-was You are fidgeting about, be quiet!
50. a Weebugabuga : ng’omwavu akomera enju – You are taking over much trouble : like a poor man fencing in his house
51. Weebuuza kabaka ggye? Are you inquiring whether the king has an army? Asking the obvious –
52. Weedibonkola : ng’ow’amalibu addiza ekibumba – You have done a silly thing : like the toothless person who refuses (a piece) of liver
53. Weefudde : ng’anaakuboola mu lumbe – (He who says to you) You have changed your character, will disown you (disinherit you) at the burial rites
54. Weegagasa : ng’omwavu atalya masavu – You are particular : like a poor man who refuses to eat fat
55. Weegendereza : ng’ayafumbirwa ow’amayuuga – You are careful like the wife of one with protruding jaw-bones
56. Weegendereza : ng’ow’amayuuga ayita ku lutindo – You are walking carefully like one with otruding jaw-bones, walking over a bridge
57. Weeginga : ng’omukazi afumbye gonja abiriridde – ( Weegambya: ) You give yourself airs : like a woman who has cooked very soft gonja
58. Weegulirawo omuwa-butwa : ng’omulaba – You buy yourself a wife who is a wizard (poisoner), whilst seeing her (i
59. Weeguluma nga bijanjaalo : enkumbi ebirima esula wansi, byo Walla waggulu ku mpagi – You are overbearing like beans : the hoe that cultivates them, sleeps on the ground but they are high up on a pole
60. Weejalabya : ng’omubi awonga – ( Ekibi kigwana wala: ; Maziribano: ) You pretend to be rich (make a show) : like a bad man offering sacrifice to the gods
61. Weekakire : omugenyi yeekakira taaba mubie (If the host says) Fill it as much as you like : the visitor fills his pipe with bad tobacco – If the visitor had been welcome, the host himself would have filled the pipe for the visitor with good tobacco
62. Weekambazza ng’ow’effumu erimu : nti sikukuba manyago – You are bragging like one who has only one spear saying: I am not killing you with spears (shafts)
63. Weekennenkula nga bbugga : balyaye kibbo lidda munda – You are disappointing like bbugga (vegetable leaves) : people plucked them by the basketfuls, but the leaves shrink together
64. Weekennenkula nga mukyawe : leero akukyawanga n’akugulira enkumbi; nti abaganzi balimya nkobazangu? ( Weeyogeza ng’omukyawe: ) You are imagining things, saying your husband hates you and yet he buys you a hoe; do his favourites hoe with a needle? –
65. Weekennenkula ng’embooge (= ng’omubooge) : bagunoga kibbo, gudda muga-nda – ( Weekennenkula: ) You are disappointing like a heap of embooge (vegetable) : people collect it by the basketfuls and it shrinks to a handful
66. Weekiina nga Kasuipu, nti: Embuga nnaagikuba mu ggulu – You are exaggerating like the Kasujju (ssaza chief), when he said: I shall put up my headquarters at Ggulu (place in Busujju)
67. Weekiina ng’ow’ettulu akiika embuga, nti bakira omwami ayogera nga mmusi-mbyeko abiri – ( Okekkera ng’ow’ettulu: ) You are bluffing like a one-eyed person who went to court and reported (afterwards): when the chief spoke, Mixed my eyes on him
68. Weekolera mbyone : ng’omulwadde eyeewolera nte – You act in a careless manner : like a sick person getting the loan of a cow (think-ing: my relations will give it back)
69. Weekolera mbyone : ow’obusa by’akola ewaabwe – ( Akola bya mbyone: ) You act carelessly, as an unmarried girl does at home
70. Weekuube : omukazi omunafu yeekuuba ttaka – Smear yourself! : even a lazy woman smears herself with soil (pretending to have worked well in the garden)
71. Weekuumiiza ng’ow’ekirevu ayasizza ekita; nti zino ewuzi ku mumwa, tizilkitu-nge? ( Okekkera ng’ow’ekirevu: ) You are haughty like a bearded man who has broken a beer-calabash (and wants others to give him reiring material); (rey) what about those fibres round your mouth?, can’t you sew the calabash together with those? –
72. Weekunye : totaase wa muliraano – You feign to be very busy : you will not be of any help to your neighbour (who sounded the alarm)
73. Weekutte enkolo n’akambe? Do you keep hold of the food and the knife? You don’t give anybody a chance to eat –
74. Weekuza nnyo ku nnyama nzibe : nze mukulu – ( Leka kwekuza: ) You are very arrogant with the stolen meat : (saying) I am the leader (of this gang)
75. We kyenkanawo : ng’akuwadde – ( Ka beene: ) (One who says) That is all I can give you, at least gives you something
76. Weemagaza ng’omukazi ataterekedde bba – You are in a scrape : like a woman who has put no food aside for her husband
77. Weemazemaze ng’atta enjaliko : ng’enkulu ekyatudde – You are considering it carefully (on the mweso-board) like one who is going to pick an enjaliko (single luwiki) whilst the big heap is still remaining
78. We mbalemera : takuza baana – ( Baana bannemye: ) That’s the thing in which I cannot manage them : (a parent who talks like that), won’t educate children –
79. We mmala okulya, simalirawo (bigambo) byange : ng’anaalya ku bbiri (= n’awalala) – ‘Where I stop eating, I do not stop talking (says one) who intends to eat in a second place
80. Weenaanya ng’omulungi akomba ensaka – ( Weewoomya: ) You are fastidious like a clean person licking a small cooking pot (being careful not to be stained by the soot)
81. Weenaanya : ng’ow’enviiri ensale – You are mighty careful : like a syilitic rson after a haircut (being anxious not to show the sickness)
82. W’endya-mbi : tabula gw’alya naye – A great eater won’t fail to have somebody else eating with him (i
83. Weenyumlikiriza : ng’alya obutooke obutono – You are exaggerating like one who eats small (unripe) matooke
84. Weenyumiikiriza : ng’azaala omumpi – You are flattering yourself (you are an optimist) like the woman bringing forth a fat stumpy child (and saying: when its stomach straightens out, it will be taller)
85. Weesuumusa : ng’omumpi akka e siira – ( Weeyiringisa: ) You are popping up and down : like a short stumpy person going downhill at siira (village)
86. Weetaaganyiza : nga lumonde akona – You go to useless trouble : like an underdone potato,
87. Weetekedde ekitakwetekedde : embuyaga tenyeenya kutu – You care about something that does not care about yoU : wind does not move the ear
88. Wettula : ng’omwana omulizi – You act on your own initiative : like an habitually crying child
89. We twagala : nga likutte ekitooke – ( Obulwa bukula omusaayi: ) That’s where we wanted it (namely the spear) to go : (so they say), when the spear (that was meant for a person dear to them), has hit a banana stem
90. Weetwale : enkejje w butta – ( Yeetutte: ) Be off (hurry up) : like sprats on posho
91. We twava emmanju nga kiwedde : musale wa matu – When we came from the back of the house, all was finished : (says the) fellow whose ears were cut off
92. We twenkana : yeeyitira abassi – (The man who shouts to the enemy) We are as strong as that, calls the killers upon himself
93. Weetyabidde za kukwokya : kijja-na-nnenge ku kkubo – You have collected firewood with which you will burn yourself, as a kijja-na-nnenge (baby born feet first) on the road
94. Weewanise ng’omuwazi : bw’akakana ng’ali ku za birenge ; bw’aba awala asooka mutwe n’alyoka addira ebirenge – You are acting obstinately in your own way : like a dresser of skins, starting from the ends; a dresser starts from the head of the skin and then works towards the ends
95. Weewanise : ng’akabiika mu nkanaga – You are aiming too high (you are daring) : like the little bird that is breeding high up in a nkanaga (thorn-tree)
96. Weewola kivunya musango : ng’omulwadde eyeewola ente – ( Weekolera mbyone: ) If you get the loan of something and eat it (finish it off), you commit an offence, like a sick man getting the loan of a cow (and eating it)
97. Weewoomya : ng’omulungi akomba ensaka, nti tensiige! ( Weenaanya: ) You take meticulous care of yourself : like a beautiful woman cleaning out a cooking t, saying: let me not get soiled by its soot –
98. Weewulidde bubwa : tekannazibula nga kasutama – ( Mujagujagu: ; Oli kajagujagu: ) You are self-conscious like little dogs : when it has not yet oned its eyes, it sits u When it is grown u it will climb roofs!
99. Weewulira nga kassukussuku : kajjira mu kibondo ate keetikka ssanja – You are self-conceited like a kassukussuku (kind of mushroom) : it grows in a sack and carries dry antain leaves on its head
100. Weewulira nga nkoko : eyagifuna akuba nsindirirwa nga yo ekuba muzinga – You are conceited like a hen : its owner charges (the gun with) powder and the hen fires the gun
101. Kukuba muzinga has two meanings: to fire a gun and to grow a rump (the sickly growth on the extremity of a chicken’s backbone – a peculiarity imported into Buganda mu Mikaabya) –
102. Weewulira nga nkoko : eyagifuna asula wansi mu nkukunyi, yo ng’ebeera waggulu – You are as overbearing as a hen : its owner sleeps below among the fleas and it sleeps on top (on the laths of the hen-roost)
103. Weewulira ng’omubumbi : enju asulamu etonnya, ng’essubi ayokya lukumi – You are as silly as a tter : the house he lives in is leaking and (in his courtyard) he burns grass by the hea
104. Weeyagaagula : ng’azinira mu kye yeebikka – You are doing a risky thing : like one who dances in poor clothing
105. Weeyagaagula : ng’ow’ensimbu atabaala – ( Weesigudde: ) You are taking a risk : like an epileptic going to war
106. Weeyagaze : akubbya mw’osula – (The importunate petitioner urging you to) search for what I asked you will make you steal in your own house
107. Weeyiringisa : ng’omumpi akka e Masinga – You are rolling downhill : like a short stumpy person walking down to Masinga (Busiro?)
108. Weeyinula : ng’omunaku avuma amagufa; nti ggwe bwe banaagakuddiza too-kaabe? (or: nti owuwo waali?) ( Kye nkola bannange: ) You are insulting yourself : like the man who has lost his own mother and abuses others about their own dead mother (nnyoko!); if they return the insult, will you not lament? (or: is your mother still alive?) , , , –
109. Weeyisaayisa : ng’omumbowa amwedde – You are parading up and down like an executioner after shaving his hair
110. Weeyogeza : ng’afumbye amaluma – You are boasting like a woman who has cooked food without vegetables
111. Weeyogeza : ng’afumbye ekikongo, nti lyako ebibiriridde! You are exaggerating : like a woman who has cooked kikongo (kind of yam) and says: eat it, it is soft (soaked with water – ) Reply: Will a stone in the lake ever soften with all the water round it?
112. Weeyogeza : ng’anaakugoba mbuga – You are exaggerating : like a man who wants to frighten you away from the chief’s place (by saying: he is raving mad today etc
113. Weeyogeza nga anaakoola omuddo; nti ka nnende nkoole entungo; kazzi ali ku muddo – You are talking like one about to start weeding, and saying: I am going to weed out the semsem, although he means to weed out the weeds
114. Weeyogeza nga asibiikirira embuzi : nti aliba omulamu alirya wa ku nnyama? You are talking (to yourself), like a man who ties up a goat in the grass (saying) Where should one get meat to eat (with all the misery about)? Reply: Is what you tie up there not meat? – Unnecessary worries –
115. Weeyogeza ng’ekitaalimye : nti baaba (or mulamu) vaayo nfumbe – You are overbearing like a (lazy) fellow who has not worked in the field and says to his sister-in-law: move away and let me cook
116. Weeyogeza ng’olwanoba luzadde : nti taba mwana wange, sandizze – You are talking like a woman who has run away (from her husband) after having had a child and said: if it had not been for the child, I should not have come
117. Weeyogeza ng’omukazi agamba, nti olusuku Iwange lundaluseeko – You are talking like a woman, saying: My bananary has made me mad
118. Weeyogeza ng’omukyawe : nti bbalo akukyawanga n’akugulira enkumbi – ( Weekennenkula nga mukyawe: ) You are talking (spitefully) like a hated woman : (saying to the favourite) your husband hates you also! he has bought a hoe for you
119. Weeyogeza ng’omutulu ava mbuga : nti omwami abadde ayogera nga ntaddewo abiri; nti eddala lyameredde e mbuga? ( Weekiina ng’ow’ettulu: ) You are talking like a one-eyed person who came from the chiefs place saying: when the chief spoke, I set my eyes on him; (question) has the other eye per-haps grown there? –
120. Weeyogeza ng’ow’amalibu ayigga ayasira – ( Okwegambagamba: ) You are talking (nonsense) like a toothless man on the hunt, urging on the dogs
121. Weezaalira ekirikutta : ng’omwana w’ekitooke – You bring forth for yourself what will kill you : as is the case with the young shoot of the banana tree
122. W’oddiza omulalu mu kyama : ng’ayogera obulungi – ( W’otereereza: ) If you ask a simpleton in secret, you have found somebody who might give good advice
123. W’ofunira ebingi : nga kitaawo ne nnyoko tebakyaliwo (= baafa dda) – Where you have plenty : your father and your mother are no longer there
124. W’oligwa nange we ndigwa : bwe bafa tebaziikibwa wamu – Where you will fall, I, also, shall fall : (says he, but) when they die, they are not buried together
125. W’olimalira omulimo ogwo : nga eza Nnakakedde luwe – By the time you will have finished that job, the hair of a clean-shaven person will have grown into Iuwe (hair of about mm) (i
126. W’olumira ku ly’ogenda okukoza : ng’ekiri munda kikuli bulungi? Where you bite the ttooke before diing it into the sauce, (they might ask you) does what is inside you (i – e
127. W’omubiri gwe : y’agwonoona – (= Ow’omubiri – ) One who does harm to his body : does it to himself
128. W’omugongo omutono : talya ka Mugolooba – (= Ow’omugongo – – ) One who shows no energy (has no persistency) : will not get anything from the Mugolooba
129. W’omutala (= ow’omutala) gwe : bw’asanga bw’ayisa (= w’asanga w’akola) – ( W’akaalo ke: ) He who lives on his own land : lives as he pleases
130. W’omwana afuluma amdnya wuwe – (= Ow’omwana – – ) Every one knows and loves his own child (more than he loves others)
131. W’ondaba omala : yettira obuko – Wherever you meet me, you can settle your business! : one who speaks like this deprives himself of friends (relations)
132. W’osuula engabo : obulwa (= olutabaalo) we bukoma – Where you throw the shield away : there the fighting stops
133. W’otereereza mmomboze: nga gwe wawasa ng’omulaba? ( W’oddiza omulalu: ) Would you trust (anything) to a stranger (slave woman, concubine), even though you had one whom you married (i – e
134. W’otonnatuuka : we balya eky’enkya – Where you have never yet called : there (you imagine) they have lunch
135. W’otonnava : toyonoona mu kisulo! A ace you have not left yet (your kibanja) : do not let it fall into disorder (do not soil it)! You might decide to stay and would have to restore order –
136. W’ova toyombye : w’otera okudda – You like to go back to a ace, where you had no comaint
137. Wulutu, wulutu : ng’amazzi ku lutimpatimpa; olukomako nga gayiika – ( Ka-bala butegero: ) Slithering (sliding, rolling) away : like the waterdrop on an arum-lily leaf; as soon as you touch it (the leaf), the drop slides away (without leaving a trace)

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- V

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -V

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Va eri engabi (= ku ngabi) : ) tosimira mbwa lumonde; ) simira mbwa lumo-nde! Away from the bushbuck! : ) you do not dig potatoes for the dog; ) first dig potatoes for the dog! You have brought nothing for the hunt – ,
2. Vaawo, nkusasule : teri badda – Get away, I’ll pay you! (those who talk like that) will not come back (to pay the debt)
3. Vaawo, twogere! : ng’akumanyiiko muze – Get away from here, that we may talk : (one who says so) knows your weak-ness (namely that you cannot keeit to yourself)
4. Vviivi we livaako enso : omuggo nga bakutemera – (= Evviivi – ) If the knee-cap comes off your knee: then they cut a stick for you (i
5. Vvule ekkadde : lye baasomera okwasa (= lyabalobera okwasa) – He is like an old muvule tree which they w+C18anted to split, (but couldn’t)

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- T

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -T

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. invites you) Sak to us about yourself (your family or business) : but when you have gone, he ints his finger at you
2. Taabalamule : nti bawe emiggo bafa – (= Ataabalamule – – ) He who does not intend to separate the fighting parties : (says) give them sticks and they die
3. Taaba w’omuyombi : akalako luuyi lumu – The tobacco of a quarrelsome person : dries on one side
4. Tabyetisse : tamanya buzito bwabyo – (= Atabyetisse – ) ( Atamanyi mpewo: ; Eyeebikka: ) He who does not carry loads himself : does not know their weight
5. Takyawulizikako mluwujju : ng’akabajjo k’ekiwuubiiro – ( Ambuzeeko n’emluwujju: ) He is not heard of at all : like a sinter of a cuing horn (which is thrown away)
6. Talutambudde : nti baziriko bazirya – ( Atalutambudde:+C18 ) The man who did not make the journey (with the others) : (says to himself) They are now at the chickens, eating them
7. Talutambudde : y’aluyita olwangu – (olugendo) He who has not made the journey : calls it an easy one
8. Tamukedde : y’amutenda endya mbi – (= Atamukedde – – ) He who did not come as early as the other : speaks about him as devouring his food
9. Tamukutte : y’agamba nti situla okube eri! (= Atamukutte – – ) One who is not wrestling himself (with him) : can easily say: Lift him up and throw him there! To give advice is easier than to follow it
10. Tamuzadde : amutikka jjinja – ( Atakuzadde: ) He who is not the father of the child, puts a stone (a heavy load) on his head
11. Tazzanga musango : ayokya luyiira – ( Sizzanga musango: ) (One of whom you say) He never was guilty of a crime : (one day) causes a grass fire (and burns other people’s food or houses)
12. Tazzibwawo : afudde – A person who has died, will not be sent back
13. Tebakiddangamu : ng’ow’ennungu anyaze engatto – They will not do it again : like one with syilitic (cracked) feet who has stolen shoes
14. Tebakikola nze ne ntuula : akuttira bufumbo – ( Tekiri mwange: ) (A woman who says to her friend) I should not stay, where they treated me like that : spoils your marriage
15. Tebakula bumu – Men do not all grow up in the same way
16. Tebambalira : y’amiza omukulu – They have no consideration for me (i
17. Tebeebaaga : batta batte – Heroes do not kill themselves : (others) kill them (in the battle)
18. Tebinfa : aluma ku y’omukyawe – I do not want to lose (says one who) bites off a piece from his neighbour’s chunk of meat and gives the rest to whom he dislikes
19. Tebukumanyisa akwagala – (obwavu) verty does not let you know who loves you
20. Tebyasa mutwe : nga tebabyogera ku ggwe – ( Ebigambo tibyasa: ) Words do not crack one’s head : (so you might say), if they have not been talking about you
21. Teefe etuusa omugenyi – (= Enkoko eteefe – – ) The chicken which is not going to die : will bring visitors
22. Tegassa mwe bagaliira – The bananas don’t bear where they eat them
23. Teguzzibwa omu : n’Omuzungu aguzza – Mistakes are not made by one only (all make them) : even the White Man makes them
24. Tekayira kavunaana muwendo – (akatale) The market does not resound from quarrelling, but from bargaining
25. Tekiibe kyalo : nga bakulangidde nnyoko – ( Ebya kuno tebiisoboke: ) This is no place to live in : (so you say) if they accuse your mother of witch-craft
26. Tekibula musombi : Kimbagaya yakisombera Balama – ( Okansombedde: ; Tikabula: ) Evil has always a bringer : the kimbagaya (a giant vulture) has brought it over the Balama (the members of the ennyonyi clan)
27. Tekiri mwange : akuttira obufumbo – ( Tebakikola nze ne ntuula: ; Siba nze ne ntuula: ) (A woman who says to her woman friend) That would not happen at my home (i
28. Tekiwoomera matama abiri – ( eeme katale: ; Omunnyu tiguwoo-mera: ) The same thing does not taste the same to two different mouths
29. Tekoobedde : egudde mu kyayo – (ekitimba) The animal did not keep outside the hunters’ ring : and fell right into the net
30. Tekyali kya kumanya : ng’eyakwagala akuyita embwa – There is no more to be heard (said) : as it is with the rson who loved you once and calls you now a dog
31. Tereere : ng’ennyindo y’ente – Unharmed : like the nose of a cow
32. Tereere : omututuuli ku mna – Fitting naturally : like a sturdy dwarf dancing with banana fringes round his waist
33. Teruggwa nneebaza : ng’enkoko y’omwavu – ( Enkoko y’omwavu: ) The tongue (lulimi) never stops thanking : like the hen of the poor man
34. Terulaga nnaku – (olumbe) Death does not announce the days of its arrival
35. Teruloboza : lutta engeri z’ebintu zonna – ( Terulongoosa: ) Death does not pick and choose : it kills all kinds of things
36. Terulongoosa : lukuttako gw’oyagala ne lulekawo gw’otoyagaa – Death is not partial : it kills the one you like and leaves the one you don’t like
37. Terumanyi awonga – (olumbe) Death knows no offerer (knows no bribery; otherwise the rich would never die)
38. Terwanninda – (olumbe) Death has not waited for me
39. Tewali ayagaliza ya munne kuzaala nduusi – Nobody wishes his neighbour’s cow (or goat) to bring forth a female young
40. Tewali w’e Nnamataba (Mulindwa) – The one of Nnamataba is not here (namely Mulindwa)
41. Teweetenda bulima : ng’ensambu kwe balaba – Do not praise your work in the field, when they (i
42. Tezibula mukwate – (ensimbi) The prisoner will not fail to get them (ensimbi or rupiya)
43. Tezifudde : ajja na lusoggo (or: adda na kasoggo) – They did not swarm (properly) : (one who says so), comes with a lusoggo (banana leaf rolled up as funnel)
44. Tezikuba misinde – (ennaku) ( Tirukuba misinde: ) Sufferings do not come stamng (are soft-footed)
45. Tibalirira muko : balirira omuwala – They are not weeping over the son-in-law (whose wife died), but over their own daughter
46. Tibaalirira muko : baalirira omuwala – They are not spreading the mat for the son-in-law, but for their own daughter
47. Tibatya ngabo : batya nnyiniyo – They are not afraid of the shield, but of the man behind it (not of the defence, but of the attack)
48. Tibiggwaamu : nga bya munyago – There is no end to bigambo : they are as plentiful as war-booty
49. Tibiriika nnyinibyo : omulezi takubirwa nduulu – The feet (ebigere) do not exact payment from their owner (for having to walk) : they do not raise the alarm over a mother nursing her child (because she is supposed to do her best in looking after it, even when the child cries)
50. Tigabala wamu : atya omulimu – (amatooke) The matooke do not bear in one place only : (one who says so) is afraid of work
51. Tigambuguma : alya gawoze – ( Sigambuguma: ) The matooke do not warm my bowels : (one who says so) eats them cold
52. Tigulagwa wa bbanja – (omwezi) The moon (month) is not shown to one who has a debt
53. Tigukirangawo : akusengezza omuto – (omwenge) (A man who tells you) There was never any better brewed than this : makes you draw unfermented beer
54. Timunenya bakyala : nga gy’ava taliddeyo – Don’t blame the women (c-ooks) : (so one says), if he has had nothing to eat, where he came from
55. Tirukuba misinde – (olumbe) Death does not come tramng (has soft footste)
56. Tizikya bbiri – (ennaku ennungi) Lucky days do not dawn a second time
57. Tizirawa nnumba : nga basse w’emitala – The drums are not beaten without cause (says one who has heard that) they have slaughtered on the next hill
58. Toba ggwe : we wawonerwa (= w’owonedde w’owonerwa) – (Where a man tells you) If it had not been you : there it is you escape the punishment (for a bad deed)
59. Tobukuta kibe : nga tikinnakenena ndusu – Don’t tackle prematurely a (wounded) kibe (fox), as long as it does not dribble saliva
60. Togaanira mngere mu kisenge! Do not desse the millet grain in the room (it has a hidden wer, fermenta-tion) – Do not minimize (underestimate) others! Munno
61. Togaya bitono : enkoko emala abagenyi – Do not despise little things : a hen is enough for (several) visitors
62. Togaya bitono : enkukunyi togissa luyi – (= Togayanga batono – ) Do not desse little things : you cannot kill a flea with the lm of the hand
63. Togaya kigalamidde : emmanvu etta embaala (or: emmanvu eva wansi n’etta enswa) – Don’t despise what is on the ground : people put the little trough on the anthill, drum on it and entice the ants to swarm (or: the little trough is on the ground and still it kills the flying ants)
64. Togaya (or togaana) kyama kya muto – Do not condemn the secrets of a child
65. Togayira ggyirikiti mu ntooma : bwe likula osanga litikkidde ya mujunga – Don’t despise the kiyirikiti-tree (Erythrina tomentosa) in the new green grass : when it grows up, you find it crowned with tassels
66. Togayira Magala mu ddiba – Don’t despise Magala wearing only a skin
67. Togayirira bitono : enkukunyi emegga embwa – ( Agayirira ebitono: ) Do not desse small things : a flea can throw a dog on its back
68. Togolokosa mbwa yeebase! Let sleeping dogs lie!
69. Tokemereza agudde : bw’agolokoka akubuulira – Do not importune with questions one who has fallen : he will tell you, when he gets up again
70. Tokliya nnonge nto : bw’ekula ogyambalako eddiba (= enkoba) (or: ob’oli awo n’ogyambalako engatto) – Do not desse a young otter : when it grows u you will wear its skin (or: rha one day you will wear it as shoes)
71. Tokkuta oseka : ebijanjaalo bidda kiro – ( Omusango bijanjaalo: ) You don’t feel like having had enough and you laugh at the warning : (but wait) the beans (you have eaten) will swell up in your stomach at night and give you stomachache
72. Tokyawa mulongo : ng’oyagala olukoba – ( Ayagala omulongo: ) Don’t despise the umbilical cord, if you like its wrapping
73. Tolifa? Ggw’olifuuka jjinja? (Do you think) you won’t die? Will you become a stone? Question put to a person who behaves, as if he could never be punished for his bad deeds (stealing, cheating) –
74. Tolumba mulalu : nga tolina jjinja – ( Saagula mulalu: ) Don’t attack a madman : if you have no stone at hand (to defend yourself)
75. Tomala gakola : kola bulungi by’okola – Do not do things negligently : what you do, do well!
76. Tomanyi bwe nzaala! : akuguza omututuuli – You don’t know how well I can produce children (says the father who is keen to get dowry for his daughters) : and then he offers you a dwarf for marriage
77. Tosala (= towuliriza) gwa kawala : nga tonnawulira gwa kalenzi – (omusango) Do not give judgement in favour of the girl : before you have heard the eading of the boy
78. Tota mabi : omutwe gw’ente nga si mukube – Do not utter bad words (magambo – accusations) : when the head of the cow is still over the fire
79. Totta nkya : n’olindiza ggulo – ( Sitta nkya: ) Don’t kill in the morning : and then wait till evening to eat
80. Tova mbwa w’eyotera : n’ogenda gonja w’akalira – Don’t move away from the ace where the dog warms itself, in order to go where the gonja (large sweet banana) is roasted
81. Tovumirira egwa wala : enjala bw’ekuluma osakirawo (or: bw’ezza emmere osakirawo) – Do not curse the rain that falls far from your ace : rha, when you are hungry, you will have to go there for food (or: when it brings food, you will have to fetch it from there)
82. Towakanira ebaagwa : nti munda mulimu ento – (ensolo) Do not argue about an animal which is being skinned (obstinately maintaining) : it is with young
83. Toyima mu nkondo za mbuzi : n’owakana n’ababaka – Don’t stand near the pegs where the goats are tied up (when the men of the chiefs want to take you for work), refusing to follow them
84. Toyiteko kalambiko : ekibbo kiyita ku mugenyi – Don’t pass (without looking at me) : the food basket passes by a guest like that
85. Tubisike : awerekeza Kiwanuka – (He who says) Let’s take the things (and encourages the others to go on a thieving campaign with) May Kiwanuka – a lubaale – accompany you (does not go with them and is not caught, although he is the main culprit)
86. Tubuuze abakulu : ennyindo kibegabega – Let us ask the old oe : the nose asks the shoulder
87. Tudde eka, tukube abakazi : akuba muziziko (= bisenge) – Let us go home and beat our wives : (one who talks like this) beats only the dark emy ace behind the door
88. Tudde ku butaka : azzaayo kiwanga (= si bulamu) – (He who says) Let us go back to our ancestors’ land : takes his skull there (or: will not be alive long)
89. Tufaanane : si kyalo – ( Empiiga n’empiiga: ) Two people who say Let us be equals : do not provide peace in the village (because each one is jealous of the other’s progress)
90. Tufudde tuweddewo : akiina abaafa – ( Lutumazeewo: ) (A man who says) We are dead, we are finished (i
91. Tugende mangu : mitanda gye gimusiibula – Let us go quickly : it’s only strips of barkcloth with which he dismisses his guest
92. Tuggyeemu ow’e Luwunga (= Kagenda) – Let us get out the one of Luwunga (namely Kagenda)
93. Tukkuse : taba wa babiri – We have enough : (this statement) does not hold good for two (rsons)
94. Tukube ababaka : tagenda ku kibuga – Let us beat the messengers : (a man saying so) will not go to the king’s place
95. Tukulunnanira : amafumu adda n’abiri – (The coward brags) We are fighting hard : and returns home with both his spears
96. Tukutuse bwa mpiso obutakyadda mu ssasa – ( Nkutuse: e) We have split like a broken needle : never to go back to the forge
97. Tukwanye emikka : ng’abakondeere – ( Abakondeere: ) We blow the trumpets together : like the trumpeters
98. Tuula lubuti : omubi bw’atuula mu balungi – ( Otudde olubuti: ) ,
99. Tuula twogere : ) bw’ovaawo akwetissa enju (= nti abadde agyetisse); ) oluvaawo ng’ageya – ( Gira tunyumye: ) Sit down, let us talk (he says to you) : ) and when you have gone, (he says) that you have lifted the roof with your incessant talking; ) and afterwards he saks evil about you
100. Tuli banaku babiri : akussa emirimu – (He who says to you) We are both weak persons : overburdens you with work (leaves the hard work to you)
101. Tuli bangi : tanuuna mu lirye – (ejjembe) We are many (says the warrior) and omits to suck (strength and courage) out of his fetish
102. Tuli bataka n’abataka : embazzi tetema mbwa (kubanga bonna basula mu kyoto) – We are both landowners : the axe does not hurt the dog (both are near the fire place at the end of the day and live in peace)
103. Tulibatta beefunye : ggongolo abuukira mu mulyango – We shall kill them whilst they are rolled up (asleep) : as one kills (steps on) a ggongolo (millipede) that wants to pass the doorway
104. Tuli bukwata : amalusu n’eddookooli – We are griing each other, essing against each other, in ssing, like the sttle and the Adam’s ale
105. Tuli byuma na byuma : akambe tekasala mpiso – We are all tools (so let us have peace) : the knife does not cut the needle
106. Tulifa babiri : engalo ku mutwe – We shall die together : (so a man promises; but when the real danger comes) he holds his hands over his head (i
107. Tuligalya amadda : bagalya mu kibanja (= basanga Idbanja) – We shall eat (the amatooke), when we come back : (the visitors say so who want to be off), but they eat on the empty plot (= they find the empty plot)
108. Tuli kakomo : tugendera ku mukono – We are like a (brass) bracelet : we are fixed to the arm
109. Tuli ppoma : tuvugire amatuine (or: tuvuga amatume) – We are like drums : we sound the message which was given to us
110. Tuliraba : ye kojja (or ssenga) w’abammi – ( Tunaalaba: ) We shall see : (one who is in the habit of saying so) is the uncle (or aunt) of all refusers
111. Tulirabira ku ndwadde : bwe buliika bw’omusawo – (The quack, asked about the price of the treatment, says) We shall judge that by the sickness : that’s the way the quack cheats you
112. Tulo tuzira : tumegga n’ab’amaanyi – Sleep is courageous (powerful) : it throws down even the strong
113. Tulye agawooma : akuliisa n’omugenyi – Let us eat the tasty matooke (says the guest) : but he offends against good manners and makes you eat with the guest
114. Tulye ku by’amagulu : w’alinnya mu busa, asanguliza ku ssubi; nti lya busa bw’olinnyamu – (He says) Let us eat from the work of our legs (stamping budongo or treading bikamulo) (let us use our gain) : but when he steps on cowdung, he wipes it off on the grass; (remark) eat the cowdung you stepped on
115. Tulye ku bya ssavu : ekkovu aleka mu lusuku; nti wandiridde ekkovu, anti lye lisinga amasavu – ( Tuva mbuga okulya: ) Let us have some fat meat (he says) : but the snail he lets lie in the bananary; he should eat the snail, because it is very greasy!
116. Tulye ku maanyi : asaayira kibaala – (He who says) Let us try hard frees the mushroom-anthill of the grass
117. Tulye tumalewo : akuyombya n’ow’omuliraano (nga tomuwadde) – Let us eat and finish the food (says the visitor) and makes the neighbour quarrel with your host (because a neighbour coming afterwards gets nothing to eat)
118. Tunaabiwulira : tadduukirira nduulu – (One who says) We shall hear the news : does not run in the direction of the alarm
119. Tunaagabanira mitala (= ku kikande) : y’akuseera – (He who says) We shall divide up the things on the other side of the valley (or: on that overgrown bananary) : cheats you
120. Tunaagenda naawe akalannamo : ettooke ekkulu na mumizi – We shall go together at ease : as the seasoned matooke goes down the throat of a gourmand
121. Tunaalaba : ye kojja w’abakodo – ( Tuliraba: ) We shall see : (one who says so) is the uncle of (all) misers
122. Tunaalyamu eyidde (= agayidde) : ng’erumye omukazi (= ng’esoose kuluma mukazi) – ( Leka egwe: ) We can eat that rt of the mmere (or: matooke) which is done : (so says the wife) if she is hungry (or: if she is hungry before the man)
123. Tunaayita mbuga : ng’ayambadde bulungi – We shall pass through the chief’s place : (so says one) if he is well dressed
124. Tunaayitanga babiri : ng’akulabyeko ebibisi – Let us be friends : (so one talks to you) if he has seen you with beer
125. Tunaayogera birungi byereere : ng’abazze ku buko – (The man says to his wife) We shall talk only easant things : if those who came (on a visit) are of the relations-in-law
126. Tusiimye : y’akuba ennyama ekigwo – (The visitor says) Thank you’? : (but as soon as he has gone away) he throws the piece of meat down (saying) that is all he has given me! Dissatisfaction
127. Tusisinkanye : omumizi n’omuwuwuttanyi – ( Abasa n’abasa: ) We are a ir : the fast eater and the one who turns hot food in his mouth
128. Tussa kimu : nga nkuyege – We heleach other : like the white ants (when they sound the alarm)
129. Tutemya bukofu : magi (= enkwale) eraga obudde – We are awake like the guinea fowl : the crested crane (or: the rtridge) is announcing the day
130. Tuva mbuga okulya masavu : bw’alinnya ekkovu, ng’agasangula; olya! nti ge masavu – ( Tulye ku bya ssavu: ) We come from the chief’s place, where we ate fat meat : (so he says) but when he has stepped on a snail, he wipes off the fat (on the grass); (remark) eat it, it is also fat!
131. Tuzze buteesagga : nga kikere – We have come without driving the flies away (in a hurry) : like the frog (which can not drive them away, because it has no tail)
132. Tuzze emboozi egwa amakerenda – ( Emboozi k’egwe: ) We arrived when the long interesting talk came to an end
133. Tuzze twetunula ku nnyindo : ng’abagole, We have come looking down our noses : like brides – Joke on beautifully dressed people
134. Twabuna musaasaano : nga eyabazaala yafa – We have dispersed all over the world : (so say children) whose father is dead
135. Twafudde : enswa eruma mumwa – ( Zansanze: ) That is the end of us : says the flying ant arid bites the lip of the person who is going to eat it
136. Twagala okuyomba oluleekereeke : omukazi omunafu aluyomba mu lusuku, nti bansalidde ku mpangi yange! ; nti omuddo gw’oleka eka toguyomberanga! Let us have a proper quarrel, as the lazy woman has it in her bananary, com-plaining: they have taken away a piece of my garden! ; (reply) the weeds which are in your compound you never quarrel about! –
137. Twagalana : bw’amira amalusu takubuulira – Even the man who says We love each other does not tell you that he is swallowing his sttle
138. Twagawujjane : ng’omukazi akoza ne bba – We used to eat the matooke together, (says the woman) dipping the ennoga alternatively with her husband into the sauce
139. Twagenda Buganda kulya nnyama : ge maddu agassa enunandwa e Masajja – We went to Buganda to eat meat : that is the passion which killed the lubaale-priest at Masajja
140. Twakulunnanyira amafumu : adda n’omuganda – ( Tukulunnanira: ) We fought hard in the spear-fight! (one who says so) comes home with a bundle (of spears)
141. Twakwana masogola: omusambi w’ekikanja akoma ku ndeku (or: omusogozi akoma ku bikanja) – We have been brewing beer together (so one complains who has been helping to brew beer) : but the one who has been treading the grass (used for making beer) gets only a full calabash (or: gets only the dregs which he can use once more to make weak beer)
142. Twalabagana dda : bw’atakuzinga muggo, akuzinga bugenyi – ( Wambula dda: ) (He who says) We have met before : if he does not cover you with sticks, he covers you with presents
143. Twalabagana dda : empale akuwa enkadde – We knew each other formerly (says the rich man to his former friend) and gives him an old pair of trousers
144. Twalyanga mbidde : nga nnamukago all ku Buganda – (A man says) We have been eating mbidde (beer bananas) : if he finds nnamu-kago (good eating bananas) in Buganda
145. Twamukutte : mutenge twegendere! ( Atamukutte: ) We have caught him (the thief) : throw him down and let us go! Encouragement given by one who is not in the fight –
146. Twasse akaffe : mukazi we y’amulumika – We have killed our own (kabuzi etc
147. Twazze mugga : kuggwa kko – ( Ogenze mugga: ) We are coming from the river (well) : (that means) that all the dirt is washed away
148. Twekisize : akira tunamma – (He who says) Let us hide it (store away the good things for ourselves) : is wiser than (one who says) we shall refuse (to give it)
149. Twenkana : abeera mu kamwa – ( Byenkanyenkanye: ) (One who says) We are equally strong (rich, famous, learned) : is working his mouth (is exaggerating, is bragging)
150. Twerimire : bw’ayeza kasooli we takuwa – (If the one who said) Let us cultivate for ourselves : gets a big croof maize, he will not give you part of it
151. Tweriire (= tweriire byaffe) : akukyawanya n’ow’omuliraano (= ng’akuggya-ko ow’omuliraano) – (He who says) Let us eat our own food (and not give it away) : causes enmity with your neighbour (or: robs you of a good neighbour)
152. Twerwanire : tewabula mulungi agwa – (If they say) Let us fight for ourselves : then certainly a good man will fall
153. Twesindise mamaanya – We have adoed King Kamaanya’s method (of fighting sham-battles as e-ration for war)

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- A

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -A

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Ababiri babibira ebigambo : naye abasatu babisattula – Two make plans : but three frustrate them
2. Abaddeko kizimu – He was in a whirlwind (under the influence of a sudden fancy, not his usual self)
3. Abafugibwa ngabo : atannagikwatamu ye agitenda obwangu – Those who are ruled are like the shield : who never got hold of it, thinks it light
4. Abagagga n’abagagga baagalana : ekirevu kiyita ku bisige ne kigenda kyegatta n’enviiri eziri ewala – ( Kisige: ) The rich love each other (find each
5. Abaagalana tebafunda – Those who love each other need only a small place
6. Abaganda bakaabira ekitali kyabwe : amaziga ne gajja – The Baganda quarrel about a thing that does
7. Abaganda baakalya olumanyo : buli ajja nti Nkonge wuuyo – The Baganda just had an intuition (felt it instinctively) : because everyone coming said: There is Nkonge
8. Abaganda busa bwa mbogo : bukala kungulu, sso munda mubisi – ( Busa bwa: ) The Baganda are like buffalo-dung : it dries on the surface, whilst it is soft underneath
9. Abaganda kye bavuma kye balya – ( Kye bavumagana: ) The Baganda eat what they decry (e
10. Abaganda mwennyango : bagweyokya balaba – The Baganda are like the stinging nettle : they sting themselves on it with open eyes
11. Abaganda mwetooloola emiyagi : nti tuloga akafumbe – (If you tell the Baganda) You go round the miyagi-bushes (i
12. Abaganda nswa engabo bazisuuliranga ku mabega – The Baganda are like flying ants : they put their shields on their backs
13. Abaganda nswa : zeebikka kungulu – The Baganda are like flying ants : they cover themselves superficially
14. Abaganda nswenke : kasukusuku tikalina nkuyege – The Baganda are useless fellows (lit
15. Abagenyi makondwe : agamu gasegulira gannaago – Visitors are like banana-stum : they make room for others that follow
16. Abakadde ka batabaale : nga talina wuwe; naye obanga alma, Abakadde bayinze – Let the old men fight (one might say) whose father is not there; but if his father is there, he says: Ah, no, the old people are beyond that
17. Aba-kali-buti baseka : naye aba-kali-maanyi bakaaba – ( Ab’omugumu: ) The relations of a coward laugh : but those of a mighty fighter wail
18. Abakondeere : bakwanya mikka – The trumpeters (horn-blowers) : blow in harmony
19. Abakopi mayenje : gagwa walime – asants are like crickets : they establish themselves where the soil is prepared
20. Abakopi muwemba : bw’ogusaayira, kudda mulala – asants are like millet : where you break up the soil (on which millet has been growing), new millet grows
21. Abakulu balya bulungi : ye agwa n’olusuubo – The parents eat good food (says the greedy child) : and falls with the packet of food (hanging from the roof)
22. Abakulu n’abakulu tibaleekaana : ) singa Nnamasole ayitiriza Mulere; ) ekigere we kifuluma kiwakanya kinnaakyo – Big people don’t quarrel with each other : ) otherwise the mother of the king would interrupt the Mulere
23. Abakulu n’abakulu tibaseerana mukubi (nva) : nga za mazzi (= nga si za munnyu) – Grown-ups don’t quarrel about vegetables (little things) : if they are watery (if they are tasteless)
24. Aba keno tebanjagala : nga ayambadde buzina – The people here don’t like me : (so says) who has only rags to dress himself
25. Abala ennage : ava ku emu (ng’aweza omuwendo gw’ayagala) – ( Kamu kamu gwe muganda: ; N’ow’emu akoomera: ) One who counts mpafu-stones (kernels) : begins with one
26. Abalamu baseesa gwaka – (omuliro) ( Baseesa gwaka: d) The living keeuonly the burning fire
27. Abalamu magoma : gavugira aliwo – ( Magoma gavugira: , Abantu magoma: )
28. ople are like drums : they sound for one who is alive – He might soon be forgotten
29. Abalenzi bagabega nga bagaaya : abaguliza omukazi – (One who remarks) The boys help themselves to matooke and are chewing (heartily) : is giving a hint to the woman
30. Abalenzi, mugawe ebyala : nga w’atwala w’afunze – Boys, put them (the matooke) into your claws (fingers), dive into it : (one who says so) has only a narrow place where he could put (more food)
31. Abali awamu : tibalema kuyomba – People living together won’t fail to quarrel (now and then)
32. Abalirira ekigula (= ekyagala) enkumbi : tawa munne ssooli ddene – One who counts in a miserly fashion the price of a hoe : does not give his neighbour much maize
33. Abali wano : balwanira ebifo – Those present here fight for their places (for precedence)
34. Abalungi mbwa ya nnamaaso : bw’etebba n’eyigga – The beautiful are like a dog with big (beautiful, strange) eyes : it might turn out to be a thieving dog or a good hunter
35. Abalungi ndagala nnamu : teziggwa mu lusuku – Beautiful women are like fresh banana-leaves : they never come to an end in the bananary
36. Ab’amaanyi babiri : ennyumba emu – ( Empanga ebbiri: ) Two powerful (forceful) persons : and one house (will come to no good)
37. Ab’amannyo amabi : Katonda b’awa ennyama – Those who have ugly teeth : God gives them their meat
38. Abaami basatu : entebe emu – Three chiefs : but one throne
39. Abaana ab’omwavu : bakuza ab’omugagga – The children of the poor man : make fat those of the rich one
40. Abaana ba Kintu : tibaggweerawo ddala (= tibaggwawo kufa) – The children of Kintu (legendary ancestor of the Baganda) never die out
41. Abanaku bamanyagana : empologoma bw’erwala, ensiri y’erumika – ( Encwa-mpa: ) The poor ones know each other : when a lion is sick, the mosquito does the cupping
42. Abaana tebakkuse : ng’alabidde ku lulwe – (olubuto) The children have not enough yet (says he) : but he thinks of his own stomach
43. Aba n’ebingi ng’abimma : aba n’ebitono ng’abigaba – The person who has many things is mean (refuses to give) : he who has few things gives them away
44. Abangi babi kulya : naye ku mirimo balungi – A crowd is bad for eating : but good for work
45. Abangi be batta ensonzi – If many hel they will catch the nsonzi (small fish)
46. Abangi bwe bakusiima (= bakwebaza) : ng’olubimbi luweze – If many congratulate you on your work : your day’s cultivation is at its end
47. Abangi tebawulira : wabula enkuba y’ebawuliza – A whole crowd does not obey : but rain makes them listen
48. Abangi tibasiimira ddala – Where there are many, they won’t agree entirely
49. Abangi : tiwabula atoma (= anyiiga) – Where there are many : somebody will be offended
50. Abangi we basimba olunwe : we kyabikira – (ekizimba) If many people touch the boil (put their finger on it) : it will burst
51. Abantu balamu : bitooke bisalire; tibyekwekebwamu – Peoe are like cleaned banana-stems : one cannot hide in them
52. Abantu balamu : omwennyango bagweyokya balaba – Peoe are like the stinging nettle : they get stung by it whilst seeing it
53. Abantu balamu : tebeesigwa; Jjunju bamutebuka okutta Mayembe – ( Sseba-lamu tibeesigwa: ) The living are not to be trusted : they cunningly got round (king) Jjunju to kill (his Katikkiro) Mayembe (who was his best friend)
54. Abantu basiima bakyagaaya – People are grateful as long as they are eating
55. Abasajja mivule : giwaatula ne giggumiza – ( Ennaku ennungi: ) Men are like mivule (trees) : they shed their leaves and grow them again
56. Abasajja nsolo : ezimu zirya zinnaazo – ( Basajja nsolo: ) Men are like wild animals : some eat their own kind
57. Abasajja ssubi : erimu lisiba linnaalyo (= buli erifuluma lisiba linnaalyo) – Men are like grass : one stalk is used to tie the rest
58. Abasa n’abasa : abatasinrjana mka (= tibaseerana) – ( Tusisinkanye: ) Two clever rogues comnsate each other (in their cheating)
59. Abatabaazi (or: ababaka) basula ku luba (= basula kumpi) – The warriors camp on our side
60. Abataka abaagalana : be balima akambugu – Farmers who like each other : dig up the lumbugu (grass)
61. Abataka mbizzi : bakkuta ekiro – Farmers are like pigs : they eat properly at night
62. Abataka nkwenge : gw’olya naye ye akutta – Landowners are like parrots : the one with whom you eat, kills you
63. Abataka tebeesigwa : omuntu enviiri z’azaalibwa nazo, bw’afa nga zivaako, ng’asigaza amannyo agaamera obukulu – Farmers are not trustworthy : man loses the hair he was born with, when he dies and retains the teeth which he had grown in later age
64. Abatongole bikya bya mbuzi : tibyegaana mugwa – The citizens are like the necks of goats : they don’t refuse the rope
65. Abatono : balwanira mu ssanja – (= Obusajja obutono bulwanira – -) Small men fight (under cover) under dry banana-leaves (like the nkuyege)
66. Abayita ababiri bajjukanya (= bejjukanya) : enviiri zikulaga (= zikutegeeza) engo, bwe weesisiwala – Two who walk together warn each other : your hair, bristling, gives you warning of the leord
67. Abaziika abafu okumpi : be babaleetera okululuma – Those who bury the dead in a shallow grave (or: near the house) : cause them to haunt the living
68. Abeegeyera ku nsiko : be bawa abataka empoza – Those who take a counsel (plot together) on the uncultivated land
69. Abeggami b’enkuba bagenze? : nkuwe erimonde lyo eddene – Have the people, who took shelter from the rain gone? : now let me give you the big potato
70. Ab’emka ababiri : sibawala luga – If two men fight for a stick (with equal force) : neither will get it
71. Abeera awawe tabulako ky’akola : ekirevu kizina kirabye emmere – The man who is at his own home has always something to do : the beard dances, when it sts food
72. Abika atali wuwe : abika ayanjala engalo – One who brings the death-notice of a person who is not his relation : spreads out his hands
73. Abikka ebibiri : tabojja – (ebiswa) The person who covers two anthills (at the same time) : does not pick up flying ants
74. Abikka ku maddu : nti malako ompe eggumba; nti ogenda kulyambala mpogo? He barely hides his desire : (who says) finish off the meat and give me the bone; (question) do you want to use it as an anklet? –
75. Aboogezi abangi : batwala embwa mu katale – A crowd of loud talkers : leads the dog to the (meat) market
76. Ab’oluganda baagalana : nga bombi bali mu ngoye (= nga bonna bali mu mwera) – Relations love each other : as long as both parties are rich (or: as long as they are all in funds)
77. Ab’oluganda balimpolera : kazzi abola – My relations will revenge me (says the man who has been wounded to death) : but perhaps he perishes unrevenged
78. Ab’oluganda bita : bikoonagana ne bitayatika – Relations are like beer-calabashes : they bumagainst each other, but don’t break
79. Ab’oluganda bwe bayomba : tossaawo kikyo – When relations quarrel : don’t put your oar in! Don’t meddle in other people’s business
80. Ab’oluganda n’oluganda tibaagalana : essanja lyokya ebitooke – Relations do not love each other : the dry banana-leaves burn the green banana-plants
81. Ab’oluganda olaba nga basuulana embazzi : nga banaagikumma – If you see that brothers (relations) blame each other for having mislaid the axe (which you came to borrow) : they intend to refuse it to you
82. Ab’omugumu baba bakaaba : ng’ab’omuti baseka – ( Aba-kali-buti: ) The relations (friends) of a courageous fighter wail : whilst those of a coward laugh
83. Abonaabona n’omulwadde : si ye amusikira; enswa tezibuukira mu mpampaga-ma – ( Ajjanjaba omulwadde: ) The one who suffers with the patient (who nurses him) : does not (as a rule) inherit from him; the flying ants don’t swarm into the hole of the anthill (in which they live)
84. Abuulira alowooza : asirika akira – One who talks, thinks : but one who kee silent, thinks more
85. Abumba mbi : assaamu n’ekibya – One who moulds a bad (water) pot : adds a bowl to it (in order to attract the buyer)
86. Addinnana amawolu : y’agaggyako omukkuto (= y’agejjako) – One who eats often (in many places) cold food (left over) : also gets his fill
87. Afudde kituyu : ng’amenvu – He died in absolute helplessness (with no possibility of resistance) like the bananas (in the beer-vat)
88. Afuna : aduula – One who possesses makes fun (of others who have nothing)
89. Afuna abangi : tayombera kalali – ( Omwaza-kinyumu: ) One who has many (guests) : does not quarrel about a burst of laughter
90. Afuuye ennombe : nga talagaanye na bayizzi – He has blown the horn : without making arrangements with the hunters
91. Agabira abangi : abula gw’akkusa – He who distributes (things, food) among many : satisfies no one
92. Agafaayo? : tugasuula ku nsiko; agammuka ge tunywa – (amenvu) What is the news? (so one asks) : (but they intentionally misunderstand him and pretend to hear the ripe beer-bananas, what do you do with them, and they answer) We throw them into the bananary; those which ooze out mubisi, we use for drinking
93. Agafunda : gadda ku mwala – (amazzi) If the water (in a river) decreases : it concentrates in the middle (from where it started spreading)
94. Agalabagana : gatyannana;aga Mbajja ne Mugema – (amaaso) Eyes that look into each other : respect each other as those of Mbajja and Mugema
95. Agalamidde : tabula gw’atta – One who lies in ambush : will no doubt kill somebody
96. Agali awamu : ge galuma ennyama; ow’amalibu akiina wa ngereka – ( Abangi be batta: ) Teeth without gaps : chew the meat; one who has gaps sneers at one who has protruding teeth
97. Agambagamba enfuuzi : y’agituubyatuubya – One who reminds the orphan of his misery : makes him cry (even if it is done with kind compassion)
98. Agamyuka omutezi : ge gamyuka n’akasolo – (amaaso) What tires out the one who sets the trap : also tires the animal (when it is caught)
99. Agaana bba : abula obugyo – ( Gaanya bba: ) A woman who refuses her husband : has no place of refuge
100. Aganaalya n’agataalye : gonna ku nte – (amaaso) The eyes (of those) who will eat and (of those) who will not eat : are all looking at the cow (being slaughtered)
101. Aganaanyuma : tegalinda nnoma – (amazina) Dances that promise entertainment : do not wait for the drum to start
102. Aganywebwa omuto : omukulu y’ayiwa – (amata) The milk that is drunk by the little one : the mother throws away
103. Agaasaaka ge gattula : ng’akuddako mulungi (= ng’omulungi azze ku mu-lungi) – ( Enda mawogo: ) The strength (amaanyi) that beats the barkcloth in the first (rough) treatment is the same as that in the final treatment : (just as in bringing forth children) when a beautiful child follows another beautiful one
104. Agatali maawule : gookya ngalo (or: gookya emimiro) – (amatooke) Undivided lumps of matooke : burn the fingers (or: the throat)
105. Agatataba : tegaluma nnyama – (amannyo) ( Agali awamu: ) Teeth that are not standing together (with gaps between) : do not chew the meat
106. Agatawulira mukama waago : gabikka entembo – (amatu) Ears that don’t listen to their master : cover (= are thrown on) the young banana plantation
107. Agenda alira : tekikulobera kumulagiriza – (The fact that) one goes away weeping : does not prevent you from sending kindest regards
108. Agenda e Bulyankolo : taleka kambe – A man who goes to a ace where they eat nkolo (root-stock of banana, famine-food) : does not leave his knife at home
109. Agenda ewaabwe : tazibirirwa budde – One who goes back to his home : does not consider the night too dark
110. Agenda gy’amanyi : tazibirirwa budde – If a man goes to a place he knows : he is not overtaken by the night
111. Agenda n’omulungi : azaawa – If a person goes away from home with a good friend : he does not mind being in foreign lands
112. Agenda y’alaba : ow’ebbuba talaga nnaku – (A suspicious husband, asked, when he intended to come back, answers) One who travels, sees (what will happen)
113. Agenekera : atuma asa – The man who washes out the salt (into the lusoggo, the funnel made with a green banana-leaf) : gives orders to the one who grinds the l The latter does the heavier work
114. Agenze butasiibula : nga museveni – He went away without saying good-bye : like a soldier (th army) going to war
115. Agenze kafuuwuula mwu – He went away in a great hurry like the mwu-termites (when swarming)
116. Ageya Nnanfumbambi : yeeteesa – One who saks evil of another who calls herself a bad cook : won’t listen to objections from her, because she does not claim to be a good one
117. Should the one who got such a present not let the donor participate in the meal? Custom of kuddiza –
118. Agoberera : y’asamba; nga si gwe balese – One who follows (others) : hurries (to catch up with them); unless they have left him purposely
119. Agudde n’agolokoka : nga mututuuli – He fell and got up quickly : like a hunchback (omuntu w’ebbango)
120. Agummye n’aguwanga : agenda lw’eggulo – (One who complains) He refused it (the beer) and very decidedly : goes (in search for beer) in the evening (when they have finished it all)
121. Agya amangi : ye agamanya kye geddira – (amayembe) He who has many fetishes : knows the taboos of each one (e
122. Agya erya nnammere : teyeekaanya bagenyi – (eddagala, ejjembe) He who has obtained his food through the medium of the fetishes, should not be annoyed, if visitors come to eat with him
123. Ajaganya ng’akimezezza okw’enjala : bwe siikoze nnaawuuta – (ekitiko) He is dancing for joy like one who has managed to grow a big mushroom in famine time (and exclaims) : if I have no food to dip into the sauce I can sip the sauce
124. Ajja ekisana : tasooka mukeeze kukyusa buwufu – He who arrives when it is already hot : does not turn back before the one who came early in the morning (to t uagain the grass which is trodden down)
125. Ajjanjaba omulwadde, si y’amusikira – ( Abonaabona n’omulwadde: ) The one who looks after a sick rson : is (as a rule) not the heir
126. Ajjukiza Busemba : y’agikuba – The one who draws the attention to Busemba : will beat it
127. Ajjukiza : y’alwanya eggye – One who reminds (somebody) of an offence suffered : gets a whole army to fight
128. Ajooga omutaka : asookera ku bikajjo – (The mutongole-chief) who bullies the landowner : starts by breaking his sugar-canes
129. Akabangala : nsigadde mu malye – (I am like) an edible rat : I am left with the remnants of the food (in the field)
130. Akaabidde mu babe : ng’alabye bamuwa – (The poor man) laments among his people (relations) : seeing (feeling) that they will give him something
131. Akabi kaliva gy’oli : ng’omuntu akuba n’omusota omukago – The evil comes from yourself (you have only yourself to blame for) : like one who makes blood brotherhood with a snake
132. Akabimbi akatono : kakira ekyosi – A day’s work, though small : is better than a holiday (doing nothing)
133. Akabi nga kanajja : lubaale akwata mukyawe – If evil is to come : the evil spirit gets hold of a woman who is despised and prophesies through her
134. Akabi tekabula musombi : Kajabaga yasomba Abaganda – ( Ekibi tekibula: ) Misfortune has always a bringer : Kajabaga brought the Baganda (into Buddu)
135. Akabi tikeekisa – An evil does not hide itself
136. Akabuzi akato tekeevumbulira ggenekere lyako? : ng’oli avuvuba omuto ku bibye – Do you think the little goat will not find its tasty bits by itself? : (this is what one asks his neighbour) if he interferes with a little child’s business (interests)
137. Akabwa ke weeyolera : ke kakuluma enteega – The little dog that you have brought up for yourself : is the one that bites your calves (lit
138. Akafa omukkuto : tikaluluma – The animal that dies from over-eating : will not haunt (the living)
139. Akaganda akatono : kakira mukwano (or: kakira ekkwano eddene) – ( Omu-kwano gukira: ) Relationshi even remote : is better than friendshi Friendshimay cease altogether, but relationshiremains
140. Akagenda kalya : tikalaba nnaku – What travels with food : does not see trouble (does not suffer hunger)
141. Akaggo akakuba muka balo : w’akalaba akakasuka – If one of the wives sees the stick that beats her fellow-wife : she throws it into the wilds (or: into the fire)
142. Akagoma akatono : kakutuusa ku ggoma ddene – A small drum (chieftainship) : leads you to a big one
143. Akagufa k’emmale : sikanyigirwa mu ttooke – ( Kagumba tekanyigirwa: ) The (little) bone of a mud-fish : is not kneaded together with ttooke
144. Akajabangu ak’omubumbi : ) g’azimba g’ayokya; ) w’asula watonnya, essubi n’alissa omuliro – The stupidity of the potter : ) the houses he builds (with sticks and grass to burn his pots) he burns again; ) the rain comes in where he sleeps and yet he destroys with fire the grass (which could be used for thatching)
145. Akajanja : kasimya omuwuulu oluzzi – Thoughtlessness makes an unmarried fellow dig a well
146. Akajenjegule akazinya atanywa mwenge – Lack of reserve that makes one, who does not drink beer, dance
147. Akakadde ak’obuggya : amaggwa gakafumita emirundi ebiri – The old fellow full of envy : the thorns (on the road) pierce him twice
148. Akakuli mu linnyo : tikaganya lulimi kutereera (= kwebaka) – The little morsel between your teeth : gives your tongue no rest
149. Akaakyama amamera : tekagololekeka; bw’ogolola omenya bumenyi – (akati) What grew crooked when young : cannot be straightened (later)
150. Akalagaane tekaggya buliika – What is according to agreement : does not bring special interest
151. Akalengule : kaalobera Ngobya okuzaala – Constant roaming about : prevented Ngobya from begetting children
152. Akaliba akendo : okalabira ku mukonda – What will become a or calabash : you can judge by its stalk (dicel)
153. Akalimi ka mwewoze : kajja kawewedde – The tongue of a borrower : is smooth in its aroach
154. Akalina abiri : otega kalaba (or: olonda ejjinja kalaba) – (akasolo or akanyonyi) An animal that has two eyes : sees where you put the trap (sees when you look for a stone to hit it)
155. Akalogojjo akasengusa ennyonyi : ng’ewa musolo – ( Olina akambayaaya: ) Unreasonable behaviour, like that of a bird changing its nesting place : as if it had to pay poll-tax
156. Akaluma munno : bw’okalaba okookya omuliro – ( Akawuka akaali: ) If you see an insect biting your friend : you destroy it by fire
157. Akamegga enjovu : kenkana wa! A thing that causes an elephant to fall : how small may it be! It is not strength (bulk), but cleverness that beats the mighty –
158. Akaami akatono : ) kakira omumyuka; ) okanyoomera mitala wa mugga – ( Kaami katono: ) Being a small chief : ) is better than being second in command
159. Akamira eyiye : ) taginyoola; agamba, nti nnakiyumba gireke egejje; ) tagiseera mata (= tagimma mata) – The milker : ) does not turn away the calf’s mouth (from the udder); but he says: let nnakiyumba (name of the calf) suck and get fat! The milker : ) does not cheat his own calf out of its milk (leaves always suffi-cient milk for the calf in the udder)
160. Akamwa kangu : kakuyitabya ow’ebbanja – A hasty tongue : makes you answer your creditor
161. Akamwa akangu : kassa nnyiniko – Too quick a retort : kills the one who has made it
162. Akamwa k’omuntu : si ka nte – A man’s mouth : is not a cow’s mouth (which ruminates)
163. Akanajja : ne nkabojja – (akaswa) As soon as the little nswa appears : I shall pick it
164. Akaana k’obulenzi : tokaweera mpindi mu ngalo – You don’t give a little boy beans with a bare hand
165. Akatabagano katta omutezi n’omwokyi – The agreement binds the trapper (the man of the nets) and the one who roasts the meat
166. Akanatta obuguzi : kaba katono – What can spoil a bargain : is (often) a small thing (amount)
167. Akanatta : tikabula muga – (akatiko) Even a deadly mushroom tastes nice
168. Akaneene bwe kaluma omuya : nga tekalumye ngalo – If the kaneene (an otter-like animal) has bitten through the net (basket) : it has not bitten your fingers
169. Akanidde nnyo : ng’akigoberera embuga – (ekisolo) He (the mukopi) is trying hard to keep the wild animal away from the chief’s place
170. Akanyiigo akakwata embwa : omuyizzi takamanya – The hunter does not know how disappointed the dog is
171. Akasanke kafuuyirira zirwana – ( Nfuuyira zirwana: ) The little kasanke (small red finch) encourages the fighting cocks (in order to get feathers for its nest)
172. Akasibe akabi : ke kaleesa ettambiro okumpi – A little prisoner (led away to be killed) who is obstreperous : brings the killing place much nearer
173. Akasiriikiriro : ) kalwanya eminya; ) kazaala embiro – Silence : ) makes the lizards fight (they feel safe); ) causes hurry
174. Akasolo kabaka ke yeebaagira : ettungulu – (Which is) the animal that even the king skins himself? : the forest-onion
175. Akasolo tekannafa : nti Omukira gwa jjembe lyange – The animal is not dead yet : (and you say) I add its tail to my charms
176. Akasubi kamu : bwe kava mu nju, tetonnya – If one grass-stalk falls from (the roof) of the house : it won’t leak
177. Akasugga kagoba kisambu – ( Ekkerenda: ) The kasugga (vegetable plant) takes shape according to the soil it grows on
178. Akasuka ly’ali nalyo : taba mutt – A man who throws the sar he has : is no coward
179. Akasukka (= akasusse) omumiro : nga tikakyabalibwa (= tekabalwa) – What has passed the gullet : is not counted any longer (if one is not satisfied yet) Charity is soon forgotten
180. Akasuula obwoya : kakangula obusolo – ( Kasolo akagenda: ) An animal that passes (voids) feathers : puts the (other) animals on guard (also human beings)
181. Akatakenga : ke kafa omutego (akasolo) – ( Kateeyanira: ) The animal that is not on its guard : dies in the tra
182. Akatale ak’ettunzi : katunda bwesaanya – A market with many wares and moderate prices : sells out
183. Akatale ka mmese : katunda keekuba ensiko – The market place of the rat : sells when it (the rat) has gone to the wilds
184. Akatali kabbe : eggumba osuula mu mulyango – What is not stolen : its bone you throw through the doorway
185. Akatavumbuka : kalinda mbwa – (akasolo) ( Engabi eneefa: ) The animal that does not run away : is waiting for the dogs
186. Akataazimbe : emmuli kazitwala buklika – (akasajja) The little man who won’t build a house : is the one who carries the reeds cross-wise
187. Akateesize : tekakuba bbiri – An animal that mistrusts itself : does not bring forth twins
188. Akatiko kaasa ettaka : ng’osima? If a mushroom just breaks through the soil (in your courtyard) : will you dig it out at once? Better wait and let it grow fully – – Impatience
189. Akatono akatuuse : kakira ekinene ekisuubize – A little thing that is there : is worth more than a big thing that only has been promised
190. Akatono ak’omukwano : kasinga ekinene eky’empaka – (akantu, akalabo) A little service out of friendship : is worth more than a great service which is forced
191. Akatono kakuweesa ekinene – (akalabo) A small gift (service) received : makes you give a big one
192. Akatono kazira mu liiso – Even a small thing is taboo in the eye
193. Akatta : tekabula muga – (akatiko) ( Akanatta: ) Even a poisonous mushroom is tasty
194. Akawala kaatuma Kyabaggu omuliro – (akazaana) The slave girl sent to king Kyabaggu for fire (light)
195. Akawe tikasiimwa wabiri – A gift (okuwa) is not equally appreciated by two different persons
196. Akawuka akaali kakulumye : bw’okalaba okookya omuliro – ( Ssekawuka: ) The insect that has once bitten you : if you see it, you destroy it by fire
197. Akawuulu akagezi : kagenda okunywa ogw’obusogozi, nga kamaze okweyalira – ( Kawuulu kagezi: )
198. Akawundo k’emputtu : ) bakasalira mu muzinnoonyo gwa lulagala; ) kage-ndera mu ndagala – The (insect-eating) bat is a silly thing : ) they cut it up in the rolled-up banana-leaf; ) it enters the banana-leaves (and is caught therein)
199. Akawunguko : emmandwa mu bikajjo – In an instant, quickly : as the lubaale priest disappears between the sugar-canes
200. Akaayanira omukwano : taliwa – One who is keen to restore friendship : does not pay damages
201. Akayiira : kavunaana omuwendo – A little grass-fire : is the cause of a big compensation
202. Akayiseeko amazzi tekakirwa : ejjinja erisula mu nnyanja, balinyiga ennoga? ( Akayitiddwako tuzzi: ) (They say) What has been cooked in water is unsurpassed (is better than fried or roasted things) : but what about the stone that lies in the lake; do they knead it like a morsel (of ttooke)? , –
203. Akayitiddwako tuzzi tikakirwa : ejjinja lirikira obutta okugonda? ( Akayi-seeko amazzi: ) (They say) Food (akamere) that has been in water is unsurpassed : (answer) will a stone (that is in the lake) be softer than porridge? –
204. Akekkera – – ( Okekkera: ) Akaziga ka mmese : kajja n’ekimasu – ( Maziga ga mmese: )
205. Akazigizigi : kalitta eggye – Clouds of black smoke : will kill a whole army
206. Akendo we kawoomeza amazzi : we kaatikira – When the ladle makes the water sweet : it breaks
207. Akeesiga : ke kazaala ebbiri – ( Akateesize: ) The small goat that has confidence in her udder : brings forth two kids
208. Akiika embuga : amanya ensonga – He who attends the chief’s court : is informed on current affairs
209. Akikinadde : ng’eggabi ekkasuke omwambe – He is looking alarmed : like a big bushbuck at which the knife is being thrown
210. Akirimbye : nti Abalungi baagenda – He is not telling the truth, saying the good (nice) oe have all gone
211. Ak’obwangu : okalya mu nsawo yo – (akantu) You purchase a thing quickly : if you have its price in your pocket
212. Akola bikolemu : ng’atikkula ava emugga – He does what is done already : like one who takes the water pot off the head of the one who comes from the well
213. Akola (= akoze) bya mbyone : ow’obusa by’akola ewaabwe – He (she) acts in a the devil may care-manner : as an unmarried girl does at home
214. Akombye mu (kikuta) kya kkobe : eky’ettungulu kiwoomerera – He has licked the skin of the kkobe (aerial fruit of yam-species) : that of the ttungulu (blood-red fruit of the forest-onion) is sweet
215. Ak’omulamu : si ka nte, nti gye yakaabira jjo ne leero – (akamwa) ( Akamwa k’omuntu: ) A reasonable man’s mouth is not a cow’s mouth
216. Ako nno katiiro : akatiiza embwa n’eggumba – That is now fidgeting about (nervousness, suscious restlessness, jealousy) : that causes a dog with a bone to take it from one ace to another (lest another dog should find it)
217. Akooye : banyaga – (ente) He is tired : (the others) raid
218. Akuba abaana : bonna abakubira ddala – He who beats the children : beats all of them
219. Akuba endeka-mwoyo : ng’addaabiriza ogwafa – ( Omukwano guva mu ngabo: ) One who saks soothingly (about an uneasant exrience of the st) : restores the friendshithat had been uet
220. Akubaguliza : oyagala wa kigwo? He is warning you (with a discreet wink) : do you want one from a wrestler? The wrestler gets hold of you and forces you – Ein Wink mit dem Zaun-ahl! ,
221. Akuba kulatta : nga nnyinimu abba – ( Abutise amatama: ) He pretends to be unconcerned : like the master of the house who steals (vege-tables, meat, salt etc
222. Akuba entungo tayogera : ng’alabye gw’atayagala – ( Omulwadde taggya: ) One who beats out semsem-seed does not talk : if he sees somebody whom he does not like
223. Akuba owuwe : Akuba awumba engalo – One who beats his own child : beats with half-closed hands (fingers)
224. Akuba ssemukiti : ng’embwa eyogereza – He is overdoing it (is importune) : like a dog wooing
225. Akuddira mu luyimba : talukuwoomeza (= takulongoosa) – One who comments on your song : does not make it sweeter (better)
226. Akufumbira ey’omutwe : omufumbira ya bigere – ( Akuliza amaziga: ) One who cooks meat for you from the head : you cook for him the meat of the feet
227. Akugoba : tabulako ky’akusuuza – ( Akukanga: ) One who pursues you : does not fail to make you drop something
228. Akugoba ye akuwa ekkubo (= ye akuwa amagezi) : nti Ab’emmanga, mbawee-rezza – The one who rsues you shows you the way (of esca) : (he shouts) You down there! I am driving him towards you! Hearing that you naturally branch off
229. Akujjukiza : akira akuvuma – One who reminds you : serves you better than one who abuses you
230. Akukanga : tabula ky’akusuuza; bw’atakusuuza malusu n’akusuuza eminyira – One who frightens you : is sure to make you drop (what you are holding); if he does not make you lose your spittle, he makes you lose snot
231. Akukeera enkya : ) bw’atakuzinga muggo, akuzinga bugenyi; ) bw’atakuvu-ma, asunza – ( Wambula dda: ) One who visits you early in the morning : ) if he does not bring a stick to beat you, he brings you presents; ) if he does not abuse you, he praises you
232. Akukira eka : ne mu kibira – If one is your superior at home, he is your superior even in the forest
233. Akukola obubi : ggw’omukolera bulungi – One who does evil to you : you repay him by doing good
234. Akukonedde : ebigenge ngalo – He has defrauded you (robbed you of your goods) : (as) leosy does to the fingers
235. Akukongoola emabega : akuwa ekitiibwa (= akutya) – One who makes faces at you behind your back : respects you
236. Akukongoola mu maaso : akulya bujonjo – One who makes

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- S

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -S

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Saagala kunziga mu ddiiro – I don’t want to be spied upon in my ddiiro (eating place)
2. Saagala kuyomba : asookera (= atuukira) ku kutoobaana – (A man who says) I don’t want to start a quarrel : begins to be awkward
3. Saagula mulalu : nga sirina jjinja – ( Tolumba mulalu: ) I won’t scratch a madman (annoy him), if I have no stone at hand (to defend myself)
4. Sala ku kino, owe kayombera : nga y’alidde ekikira – Cut from this and give it to the grouser : (says) the one who has already eaten a bigger piece (of meat)
5. Saalya nte : nnalya bbamba – I have not bought a cow : I have bought a heap of trouble
6. Sazza musango : nnazza olubanja lwa Nnamunkululu (= Nnamunkukulu) oluta-ggwa mu nju – I have not committed a crime : but I have contracted a huge debt, the debt of Nnamunkululu (namely a tremendous affair), which does not come to an end in my house
7. Seegomba nnyindo mnvu : neegomba kussa – (mukka) I do not desire a long nose (considered a sign of beauty) : I only want to breathe
8. Segulira, emmandwa etuule : nga bye yamulagula byatuukirira (= byalaka) – Make room for the soothsayer to sit : (so says one) to whom the soothsayer has prophesied what became truth
9. Seeteekera lugambo lwa njala : ng’omuganzi aliiridde – I have nothing to do with (your) row about hunger : (so says the man) when his favourite woman has taken the food (of the others)
10. Seetikka kitali kyange : enswera ekutte ku mugugu – ( Ssebageya nnyonyi: ) I do not carry what is not mine : (so he says; but he does not think of) the fly that sits on the bundle (he is carrying)
11. Siba nze ne ntuula : asula ku miggo – If I were you, I would not stay (with such a husband, so says a woman to her friend who is often beaten) : but she herself suffers under the sticks (and does not go away)
12. Sibeera kujja : emmere eno tiyaliweddewo – If I had not come, this food would not have been finished
13. Siibisobole : ng’agenze; amannyo ag’engulu ogasanga ku kiwanga enviiri n’a-matu ebyajjirako nga bigenze – Those things beat me (I cannot understand them) : as it is with a dead person; the upper teeth you find still in the skull, whilst the hair and the ears which were born on it, are gone
14. Sibula kambe mu kibira : nga yaluma ku kibowabowa ekikaawa – I am not without a knife in the forest : (so says one) who has bitten off a bitter climber (liane)
15. Sibuuza : taba mugezi (= amanyi bitono) – ( Amagezi gakuweebwa: ) (A person who habitually says) I do not ask others : is not a wise man (or: knows little)
16. Sibuuzibwa ddagala : ng’azanla abayonka – I am not asked for medicine : (says the woman) who has children who suck lustily
17. Siffirwanga : ye mwavu – I never lose anything : (one who says so) is a poor man
18. Sifugibwa : afa abunga (= ajeera) – The man whci says I shall not be ruled dies a vagabond (a ur)
19. Sifugwa mwami : asenga kwa Nnamasole – The man who says I am not going to be ruled by a chief, becomes a tenant of the king’s mother
20. Sifukamirira mwami : tosibayo nkoko yo! One who says I am not going to kneel to a chief : don’t give a chicken to him to keefor you! It won’t be safe there, because he will get into trouble with the chief, who will requisition it for disobedience –
21. Sigaba bikunta : nga sinnaggyamu kya kwebikka – I do not give away (distribute) bedding : without first taking from it what might be useful for my bed
22. Sigambuguma : alya agakakanyadde – ( Tigambuguma: ) One who says The matooke don’t feel warm in my stomach : eats them (cold and) hard
23. Sigaanira nsiko : ng’abaguliza (nti yeekwese mu nju) – The man who says I don’t say that there is anything in the jungle (a wild animal or a snake) : is giving a warning
24. Sigatta mugugu na mmandwa : bw’esamira terwa kugukutikka – You say I don’t want to carry a load with a musamize : when the spirit comes over him (on the road), he will soon put it on your head (and you will have to carry two loads)
25. Sigeyebwa : olubugo iwe aluggyamu nsawo – ( Sivaawo: ) (He who says) They don’t speak evil of me : has to sit so long that his bark-cloth bulges out on his seat like a bag
26. Sijjukiza mugagga : ng’alina ky’aliira – I do not remind a rich man : (says one) who has enough to eat (namely to remind him of something he has omised me)
27. Si ka baana : ng’asigadde mu ddungu – Not even for the sake of the children : (says the one) who is left in the wilderness
28. Siikasuule : kamwokya – (kalulu) (A man confronted with the necessity of submitting to an ordeal says) I am not shunning it : and it bums him (he loses the court case)
29. Sikirabanga : ) bamukubira ku buko; ) y’amala n’akiraba; omukazi tayita njala kujja – (One who says) I never saw such a thing : ) is being beaten at his wife’s home (a son-in-law is never beaten by his mukoddomi; not even his dog may be beaten); ) sees it there and then; if the woman complains about famine, she does not want it to come
30. Sikiiya nnonge nto : bw’ekula, ogyambalako lukoba – ( Tokiiya nponge: ) I don’t despise a baby-otter : when it grows up, it will furnish you with a skin
31. Siikuleke mu kijjire : ngiakulabyeko ekibisi – I shall not desert you in your work of cutting grass (for thatching) : (so one says) if he has seen beer (at your home)
32. Sikutte kiti : nkutte mbazzi – I have not a mere piece of wood in my hands : but an axe
33. Si kweyama, kuteza : bw’awona taleeta – ( Kye weetema olwadde: ) This is not a request for a remedy against sickness, but for a preventative : (one who promises the doctor a reward under such circumstances) does not bring anything, when he is out of trouble
34. Sikyabaliko, ndizaala abalala : nga bagenda okumutta – I don’t care about them (the children) any longer, I shall beget others : (so speaks the father) when the children intend to kill him
35. Sikyaddinnana : aggalawo misana (endwadde ekula ekiro y’aziika omuliro) – ( Endwadde ekula ekiro: ) I am not going in and out any more (today, says the old man) and shuts the door, whilst it is still daylight (the sickness gets worse at night – he thinks – and covers the fire with ashes)
36. Sikyageza : ) emikono girl emabega; ) tata muze – (He who says) I shall not do it again : ) has his hands on the back (his hands are tied on the back and that makes him say so); ) does not give up his evil inclination (sorrow does not always mean betterment)
37. Sikyaliko bye ntenda (= gwe mbitendera) : nga takyaliko gw’abibuulira (or: nga takyalina gw’ayogera naye) – I have nothing more to tell : (says the talkative person) if there is nobody left to listen to him
38. Sikyatta mukago : asula ewa munywanyi we – (The man who protests) I am not going to make blood-brotherhood again lives already with a blood-brother
39. Simala kulya : ne ndyoka njogera kindeese – I don’t want to eat first and then to speak about what has brought me here
40. Siima lw’oyagala : omufumbo ku muganzi – Choose the one (lubugo, lugoye) you like : (says the) husband to his favourite woman
41. Si musiru, muto : obugole abuyita buganzi – ( Ssebusiru, buto: ) He is not silly, only inexperienced : (such a person) calls marriage love
42. Sinywa mwenge : bw’atuuka awali enguuli, ng’atereera; nti ogwa kabula gwe gusinga enguuli obuka – I never drink beer (says the man) : but when he comes to a place where there is waragi (spirits), he settles down; we might ask: is the beer made of kabula-mbidde perhaps stronger than waragi?
43. Siriiko kye nkukisa : bw’akyama gy’oli akubayo mabega – I hide nothing from you (he says); but when he goes aside, he turns his back to you
44. Sirikuleka wabi : akuleka ku mmere nnuma – I shall not desert you in trouble (in an evil ace) : one saying so may desert you, because you offer him food without vegetables (or meat)
45. Sirikwabulira : ennyama eyabulira magumba – ( Wam wazaayirwa: ) I shall not dert from you (a man says) and yet even the flesh rts from the bones (the body becomes emaciated)
46. Sirina kye nkukisa : bw’aba yeesiba, akukuba mabega – I have nothing to hide from you : (she says) but when she dresses, she turns away from you
47. Siringi ky’eremwa : ow’enkata tazinga – If the money does not suffice (to pay for a thing) : the carrier does not roll up his head-pad (to take it away)
48. Siringi zaabula : asiiba waka; nti sings ze zijja nga zikunoonya? I have lost my money (he says) : and stays at home; why don’t you go and look for it? Do you think the money will come and look for you? –
49. Siringi ze nfuna, simanyi gye zidda : awasa banobye – I can’t understand where all my money goes to! : (says one) who married women who have run away from their husbands
50. Siriva kuno : olw’omwana lumuggyako – I shall never leave here (a mother might protest) : but sickness of her child will move her
51. Siriva wano : gwa mbwa gwe gumuggyawo – I shall not move from here (I shall always remain with you) (so one assures you) : but trouble with the dog (musango gwa mbwa) gets him away
52. Siroota kibula : addusa ekyalo – (He who maintains) I do not dream what does not happen : drives the whole village away
53. Sirya : ayolesa mubiri – (One who says) I don’t eat (I have nothing to eat) : shows his emaciated body (to make oe believe that he is hungry)
54. Sirya kabi : nga nnyoko tannakookola – ( Sirirya bibi: ) I don’t eat anything bad : (so one says) if his mother has not yet contracted cancer
55. Sirya katono : ye awunya akamwa – He who says I don’t eat little : has foul breath (remains hungry)
56. Sirya mbiririvu : akawunga amira bugobo – I don’t eat soaked matooke : (one saying so) swallows buugi (pap) without chewing
57. Sirya nunere mbiririvu : obutta y’asooka okubega – ( Sirya mbiririvu: ) I don’t eat soaked food : (says the host), but first he serves porridge
58. Sirya mutima : aguliira mu nswa – ( Ssebulungi bwa nswa: ) I don’t eat the heart (of anything; taboo) : (one who says so) does eat it, when he eats flying ants
59. Sita kambe : nga tekamusalangako – I don’t let go the knife (says the stubborn child), as long as it has not cut him yet
60. Sita kange : ttooke y’e Katente – I don’t give up what belongs to me : (says) the banana plant of Katente (which does not shed the bracts of the kiwago)
61. Sita kulya kya nkya : ng’olusuku lulimu omusso – ( Ekisigula nnyana: ; Totta nkya: ) I don’t leave off eating (also) in the morning : (so one can safely say) as long as there is plenty of ttooke growing in the bananary
62. Sitta Munyolo muto : bw’akula y’akusuuza entala – I do not kill a young Munyoro (in battle) (I prefer to keep him as my slave) : (but) when he grows up, he will make you lose your market wares (they are good businessmen)
63. Sitta nkya : ne nninza ggulo – I do not kill (an animal for meat) in the morning and wait (with eating) till evening (i
64. Siva nnyuma : nga waliwo ekyamukanga (= ng’alina ekyamutiisa) – I am not moving from the back : (says one) who is threatened (or: frightened) by something in front
65. Siva (= siive) we boogera : ) y’abuuka n’akabalangulo mu mutwe; ) ze mbale – I am not going away from where they
66. Sivaawo banyumye y’agenda n’embale n’ekiwundu – I am not going from here, let them talk : (one saying so) goes from there with bumps and wounds
67. Sivaawo ne bangeya : ) olubugo asigaza nsawo; ) olubugo yeesiba lwa nkundulu – (He who says) I am not going away from here, although they speak evil of me : ) leaves his barkcloth (dress) looking like a bag; ) wraps his barkcloth round him like a bag of banana fibre (from the long sitting)
68. Siive wano : lwa kulya lumutwala – (Although he says) I am not going to leave this place : hunger moves him
69. Siwakana zituula : ng’alabye gw’amegga; naye obanga tamumegga ng’agamba sizibaako – (mka) (The man who says) I am not going to argue whilst sitting down : has seen somebody he is able to throw (in wrestling) (meaning: get u fight!); but if he sees that he will not manage him, he says: I have nothing to do with the affair
70. Siwa muto lugero : nga talumanyi (= nga lumbuze) – I do not speak in proverbs to a child : (he says so) because he does not understand (remember) them himself
71. Siwanjaga : nga si mukwate – I am not crying for mercy (so one etends) : as long as he is not caught
72. Siiwemuke : y’afa n’omwami – (He who says) I shall not be put to shame (I shall not act shamelessly) : dies with the chief
73. Siwoleza mukazi gye yanobera : ng’alina omulala – ( Enkima tesala gwa kibira : ) I am not going to plead at the place where my wife has run away to : (so one says) if the woman is with another husband
74. Siwoza, amaanyi gambuze : ng’omusajja azaala – ( Amaanyi gampweddeko: ) I can’t talk, I have no strength left : like a man giving birth
75. Siiyimbe mwana na ttooke : nga gy’ava akkuta – I am not going to carry the child and the ttooke (nkota) : (says the lazy woman), if she has eaten enough at home
76. Siyita mu kyoto : ) nga tumuli ky’ayokyamu; ) nga tofumbiddwa wa mumwa (luwazo) – I am not going to pass through the fireplace (she says) : ) when there is nothing to be roasted; ) if she is not married to a man who is a hard master (and beats her) (in this case she tries to escape even through the fire)
77. Siyita omu : ng’akuddako w’ali – I do not want to go alone (you say to your younger sister), if there is one
78. Siyomba : nga by’atereka abisangawo – ( Omukadde wa muno: ) I am not quarrelsome (so he or she says) : finding the things in their old place
79. Siyombera bya mu lumbe : bw’atuuka mu kkubo ng’abala mu ngalo – I do not quarrel about things (which are divided) when somebody has died (one who says so) can only count his fingers, when he goes away (empty-handed)
80. Siyombera mukwano : nga gwe yakwana emitala gukaze – I am not vexed (jealous) about my (girl) friend (one might say so) : if the love, he had on the other hill, has cooled down
81. Siizaaye mubiri n’olulimi – ( Ozaayisanga omubiri: ) I shall not be in foreign lands with my body and with my tongue
82. Sizzanga musango : ayokya luyiira – ( Tazzanga musango: ) (One who says) I have never done anything wrong : (one day will get into trouble, when) he starts a grassfire
83. Sook’okoze : akulenga nnoga – Dip your morsel first into the sauce : (so one says) who measures carefully your nnoga (morsel, what you take)
84. So, olaba nnyinimu ayimba ez’engero : nga ggwe ekikunta ozza ku mutwe – ( Bakulagula enfumo: ) Although you notice that the master of the house sings overbs : you ll the blanket over your head
85. Ssajjabbi : liwoomera mu ngabo (or: liwoomera mirimu) – An ugly man looks charming, when he is in battle-dress (when he works)
86. Ssajjabbi : tiribulwa kye lisiimwako (= tabulwa ky’asiimibwako) – A bad man does not lack qualities which are pleasing in him
87. Ssanyu lye nnina : lya mwokyi wa ggonja – ( Essanyu ly’omwokyi: )
88. Ssavu : ssenda baguzi – Fat : is an attraction for buyers (of meat)
89. Ssebabinga : mugabe – The man who is nearest to the enemy in pursuit : is the real leader
90. Ssebabi : tibazza mwoyo – Ugly people do not make one sick
91. Ssebadda kuvuba : tibeeramba luggya – Those who come back from fishing `nsonze don’t pass straight (openly) through the courtyard
92. Ssebaddukanya musibe : nga naye aweevuuma – ( Gamyuka mutezi: ) He who makes the isoner hurry : is also nting himself
93. Ssebaddusa enteme : baleka emisala mu kyalo – They run away with the cuttings of the mutuba tree : but the good bark on the old tree they leave behind in the village (where they lived)
94. Ssebagayaaza kkuuku : enkya banaakoola kasooli – Those who let the corncockle grow (do not weed out the maize field in time) : will next pull out the maize plants (with the roots of the cockle)
95. Ssebagayaaza muddo : nti tugende tukoole entungo – Those who let the weeds grow (let them in peace) : (say) let’s go and weed out the semsem! And they will pull out the semsem plants with the weeds
96. Ssebagayunga : eryenvu erimu aliyita entwere – A liar (swaggerer) : a single banana he calls beer
97. Ssebagema kuzaala : beerabira obukadde – Those who do not want to get children : forget their old age
98. Ssebageya nnyonyi : nga nnamunye ali ku nju – ( Seetikka kitali kyange: ) The slanderers are like birds : as the wagtail on the house
99. Ssebaggala miryango : ne beerabira emyagaanya – They close the doorways and forget the gaps (between door and wall)
100. Ssebakiina jjenje : nti lino ssaabi; nti omuzigo liguggya (= lisaabira) mu ttaka? They make fun with the cricket : (saying) this is well smeared in; (rey) does the cricket get the fat out of the soil (or: smear itself in the soil)? , – ,
101. Ssebakiina luwombo : nti lukira ekibya; olumalamu enva ng’asuula – They make fun of the banana leaf (in which food is cooked) : (saying) it is handier than a bowl; when one has finished the food, one can throw it away
102. Ssebakiina musibe : omukiina akukibia; ng’omugamba omusango gukulumya omwoyo gwa kukutta; naye ng’addamu ppenda okugulekera nga ggwe wagu-zza – People are nasty with a prisoner : you sneer at him and he sneers at you; you say to him: Your evil deed is worrying you, because you will have to die for it; but he gives back: I am going to bequeath it to you, as if you had com-mitted it yourself’
103. Ssebakisa muliro : alinda okuboolwa – He who hides the fire (which he was to fetch) : is waiting to be abused
104. Ssebakisa mulwadde : ) okukuba kulimuloopa; ) owulirira ku nkoko – When they hide a sick person (the sickness of a person) : ) beating about with a stick will reveal him; ) from the cackle of the hens you can hear (that some-body is there)
105. Ssebakweka nsaamu – One who hides his mallet (i
106. Ssebarriala kwetta : nti lubaale y’atutta – Those who kill themselves (say) : the spirit kills us
107. Ssebaana bangi : sikubula alya nnoma – Somebody with many children : one of them will certainly receive a chieftain-shi
108. Ssebaana bannemye : ) nti alibakugambirako ani? ; ) nnyinibo y’abalemya – The father says: the children are impossible : ) but who will be able to exercise authority over them (if not you, the father)?; ) their owner (the father) makes them impossible
109. Ssebanaku beekiina : nti embuga ndiddeyo omukono gw’embuzi (= essunsa) – The beggars are exaggerating : (one says) I ate at the chief’s ace a whole leg of a goat (or: vegetable leaves)
110. Ssebanenya akyadde : nti y’atuleetedde olumbe – They blame the person who has stayed out long on a visit : (saying) he has brought sickness into our home
111. Ssebayita baayita bokka : kwavanga ku ddagala lya biswa – (The musawo says) The sick call me on their own account (for their own good) : as it is with the medicine blown into the termite hill (to make the termites come out)
112. Ssebeevumya nsogobe : eriiso teriva mu kyoto – (The balaalo) speak contemptuously about the still-born calf (not much good for eating) : but the eye does not leave the meat over the fire place
113. Ssebingi bwe bikwalira : ogamba nti tebirimbula – If your riches multiply : you say: I won’t lose them
114. Ssebugenyi bwa nsanafu : bwe bukukyalira tiweebaka (= gwe zizinda teyeebaka) – When red ants y you a visit (or: surround you), you won’t slee Said of oe whom you cannot trust
115. Ssebugulu bwa nnyomo : bukaliriza omuwanda – The tiny legs of the nnyomo (small ants) : make the path smooth
116. Ssebuguzi bwa nnume : tebubulako nteera – The successful sale of an ox : must not pass without a bakshish (given by the seller)
117. Ssebuko bunaafa : olabira ku nsugga (sso nga edda walyanga enkoko) – If relationship (love) is going to die : you can judge it by the nsugga (vegetable)
118. Ssebukoko buto : bukunga kye bunaamalawo – ( Ssebusiru bwa nkoko: ) The little chicks look wonderingly at what they are about to eat
119. Ssebukulu bwa nte : buli efuluma yeetuukira (= buli evaayo yeesitukira) – Old cows : each single one going out of the kraal gets uherself
120. Ssebulungi bwa nswa : n’atalya mutima alura omwo – ( Sirya mutima: ) The tastefulness of flying ants : makes one eat the hearts in them, even if one does not eat the heart of a goat etc
121. Ssebusiru buto : obugole abuyita obuganzi – The bride in her silliness and inexrience : calls marriage love
122. Ssebusiru bwa njoka : zitta ziruma) nnyinizo; nti mmwe munaalarnira wa? The folly of a stomach-ache : lies in the fact that it is a self-inflicted evil (pain, death); how can you fare well (remain healthy), doing such a thing? As you brew so you must drink – French On est puni par oil roil a pechr
123. Ssebuwufu bwa ngo : tebuyitibwamu mbwa (= nnantayitibwa mbwa) – The tracks of a leopard : are not trodden by a dog
124. Ssebwato : bumanywa muggolomozi – ( Eryato limanyibwa: ) The owner of the canoes (who loads) : knows how much they can hold (and how they have to be handled)
125. Ssebwavu bwali dda : abejjereza (= awaayiriza) omunyago – His poverty is an old fact : he only slanders people (relations) saying that they have robbed him
126. Sseddume w’embwa : nnantaweebwa bagenyi – A big male dog : is no present for visitors
127. Ssegayonkwa muwala : nga naye baligamuyonka – As the baby-girl treats (sucks) the breasts (of her mother) : so they (her children) will treat her own breasts
128. Sseggwanga gy’akomya emyewaniko : n’emisiwa – When the cock stops his crowing : his muscles also relax
129. Seeguya ambikka – I don’t care about the man who covers me
130. Sseeguya asula wa Nneeguya – An obstreperous person lives in the house of a good-natured man
131. Ssekabugira-buguzi : eddamu limugoba – Too eager a buyer : the answer (of the seller) frightens him away
132. Ssekkadde lya munno : nti ekkadde lya gundi likulukumba – (Seeing) the old father of your neighbour (walking) you say: That miserable old fellow (the father of So and So) is strutting along! If it was your father, you would say: the or old man has no strength any longer
133. Ssekammira bya tere : ensimbi emu emummya ekyasa – The miser who refuses to give trifles : one cent (he refuses) causes others to refuse him cents ( kauris) (which they otherwise might have given)
134. Ssekamwa : akayita ku kibi ne koogera ekirungi – An evil tongue : (is the one) that passes over its evil qualities and speaks about the good ones
135. Ssekanyolya, ggwe muwanvu : tubuulire eby’ekibuga! Grey heron, you are tall : tell us the news of the city! Visitors coming from town are greeted like that –
136. Ssekawuka akaali kakulumye : bw’okalaba okadduka (= okeesamba, = okoo-kya) – ( Akawuka: ) If you see the insect that has once bitten you, you go out of its way (or: you shake it off, you burn it)
137. Ssekibakati (or: Ssekimakati, Ssekimeketi) eyiiza amagezi : ntodde mmese, nsibye ku kugulu – Hunger oduces cleverness : I took a (dead) rat and tied it on my leg
138. Ssekikubo (e)kitutte ente : n’omulunda (= omusumba) gy’omunoonyeza – On the th that leads away the cow : you can also look for the herdsman
139. Ssekimuli kya luwoko : nnantaliibwako – The flower of the luwoko-bush : is not edible (poison)
140. Ssekinyomci- ekitwala-enswa : azikuuma – The kii-iyorno-ant which takes the flying ants, guards them
141. Ssekiriba kya ttaka mawo atalikyambala – ( Ebweru teremerwa: ) The garment of clay (i
142. Ssekisolo ekibuulira abantu : nti abaana b’empisiiyisi be bambuulira – The animal (kibe) that is telling the people (says) : the children of passers-by have told me
143. Ssekiswa kim : kimala kifa enswa emnvu – Although an ant-hill may be small : it still can yield many flying ants
144. Ssekiyuuni ekiriibwa omukulu : tikibula nsaano – The arum-lily (vegetable) that is eaten by the master : does not lack taste
145. Ssekkono tawaanyisibwa – The real heir cannot be changed
146. Ssemadane : ng’omuddu azadde omulenzi (omuddu) – Useless! As when a slave has brought forth a boy (slave)
147. Ssemamwa agaakugeye edda : we gakulabako gasaanyiriza (or: ge gayimba oku-loopa n’okuwolereza) – Lips that slandered you before : will pretend friendship when they meet you (or: do both, accusing you and defend you)
148. Ssemanda : gamenya embazzi ne gayunga (= gayimba okumenya n’okuyunga) – Charcoal : breaks the axe and joins it again
149. Ssematiko agaggyibwa omuwuulu : omufumbo (= nnyinimu) y’agagaba – Mushrooms (that) are collected by the unmarried : the married one (the master of the household) divides them
150. Ssemiti gya jjuuni : basimba beegekkereza (= beegeketeza) – The young shoots of the arum-lily are anted slantingly
151. Ssemiyagi (= Ssemuyagi) gulambulwa : atagulambula alya amaluma – The njagi-plant should be visited (watched) : one who does not watch it, eats without vegetables
152. Ssemmango : bamutta na lubango – The one who fights with spears : will be killed with a spear
153. Ssemoogere : tigaba gamu – Words (opinions) are different
154. Ssemla nnume : azza mugongo – He who takes the loan of a male animal (for breeding rses) : brings back a female one
155. Ssemukulu akusoose ekibi : nti abato ba leero tebaasoboke – The rent has sinned before you : (is the right answer to the comaint) the children of now-a-days are unmanageable
156. Ssemusota gusimbye (= guli) mu ntamu : ogutte toolye, oguleke toolye (or: bw’ogutta toolye, bw’oguleka toolye) – If a snake rises from the cooking t : you won’t eat, whether you kill it or whether you leave it alone
157. Ssemutego gwa mki : ogugwako ng’olaba – The trick of the mweso-seeds catches you, whilst you are looking
158. Ssemutego tegulwala mugongo : nga kye bagutuma tegunnakikwata – A hunting trap has no back-ache : when it has not yet caught what it has been set for
159. Ssemuto w’attira eggege : w’addianya omuya – Where the small boy has killed (caught) a big engege : there he will again cast his net
160. Ssemutunulo gwa mbwa : tegukugaana kulya kikyo (= tegulayirira alya ekikye) – The expectant look of the dog does not prevent you from eating your meat
161. Ssemutwe guttidde : omukulu gwe bayita ekiwalaata – A head that is free from weeds : (that is) an old man whom they call bald-head
162. Ssemuze gukuwadde balo : ab’ebweru bayima ku lusozi ne balangira; nti eki-gwagwa kya munno, anti weegaana Id? The evil trait of character has given you your husband (i – e
163. Ssemyano gitaakule : gigwera ku kambe – ( Kitaakule: ) The unripe banana bunches which will not ripen : are those that are cut down with the knife (before their time)
164. Ssemyungu myeru : ogibikka gyebikkula – You cover white pumpkins and they uncover themselves
165. Ssengavuddemu : ngazzeemu – I have come out of it : (and) I fell into it again
166. Ssenkuba ya ggulo : bw’etekuba mubbi, ekuba musezi – If the evening rain does not fall on a thief, it falls on a night-wizard
167. Ssenkufugenkufuge : ng’enkandaggo – A mutual dependence (reliance) : like the tripod (used for stripping the bark off the mutuba)
168. Ssetiktiliimenkulume : ng’eggumba (= eggufa) ly’ensikya (= ly’essengere) – Let the hurt you : (says) the bone to the gullet
169. SseiikusigulenkusiguIe : ogw’engulu gusigula ogw’emmanga, nti tulye (= tuwuu-te) ebyokya; bwe bijja, nga gwo gukikinala – Let me tem you : says the uer lito the lower, let us eat the hot food; when the food comes, the uer likee aloof
170. Ssenkusigulenkusigule : ng’ow’ettulu, nti mutunule nnyo, tunaabukeesa – Let me encourage you : like the one-eyed rson, who says: keeawake, we carry on till morning! He need only keeone eye on; the other is aslee – Suggesting is one thing -and doing is another
171. Ssenkuzaalenkuzaale : ng’omwana w’obulenzi – Let me be your father : the infant-boy (can say to his aunt, when he inherits his grandfather)
172. Ssennyama mbi : ekira amaluma – ( Ennyama enkapa: ) Bad meat is better than no meat
173. Ssenyuvu teriibwa nnannyiniyo : wabula Ssuuna – One does not eat his own flesh (may it be ever so savoury) : except King Ssuuna II
174. Sseruba lwa mbuzi : sirubula kye lwegaaya – The jaw of the goat : has always something to chew (ruminating!)
175. Sseruggula bifulukwa : aggudde ekirimu muntu – A person who opens deserted houses : will (one day) open one in which there is a man (who will deal with him roughly)
176. Sserugoye oluli eka : sirubula kye lusiba – A good plantain fibre (ekyayi) which you have at home : won’t fail to be used for tying up something
177. Sserukama mayute : olunyiga ku lirye ng’akaaba (= bwe bakama agage ng’akaa-ba, = bwe bakwata ku lirye ng’awoloma) – When they touch his own boil, then the one who squeezes other oe’s boils, cries out
178. Sserukundugga : akunduzza eza banne, ng’czize zigejja – The miser makes thin the goats of his neighbour, whilst his own get fat
179. Sseruli ka : terubulako kye lukola – An old dried up person (lusajja, lukazi etc
180. Sseruliko mwenge : terubulako akubagiza – If there is beer at a mourning : comforters won’t be missing
181. Sserulume lubi : luwazisa mu lugo lwalwo – The miserable old bull : attacks the cows in the kraal
182. Sserulya-mayenje : ebinnya aleka byasaamiridde – The imdent cricket-eater : leaves the holes (which the crickets made) wide on (after catching the cricket)
183. Sserusambo lwa nnyoko : olukinnimbamu ng’akyaliwo – You walk over the old field of your mother as long as she is alive
184. Sserwajja okwota : lukira (= lukiza, = asinza) nnyinimu entannama – The (miserable) visitor who came to warm himself claims greater comfort (rights) than the owner of the house
185. Sserwali lundi : omusibe tayita Jjimbo (= Ggimbo) – (Remember) the day of old! (Since then) no isoner sses the th to Ggimbo in fetters
186. Ssesema erimu tirikuziyiza njagi – ( Essesema: ) Vomiting once does not prevent you from eating enjagi again
187. Ssessolye bw’atafa : atuuka ku lyengedde – If the ssessolye (bulbul) does not die (as long as he is not dead) : he will get to a ripe ppaapaali (or ttooke)
188. Ssewaali nte : olabira ku kalandaugo – A place where formerly cows were kept : you recognize by the (luxuriant growth of the) kalanda-lugo-grass

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- O

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -O

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Oba tonnagwa : tolaba kikusudde – As long as you have not fallen yet : you don’t know what has thrown you down
2. Obeera ndegeya : wakunzimbye ku mumwa – If you were a weaverbird : you would build a nest right on my mouth
3. Obikka ku maddu : nti malako ennyama, om eggumba – You are disguising your desire : (saying) finish the meat and give me the bone
4. Obisse bibiri : toobojjerere – ( Abikka ebibiri: ) If you have covered two distant termite-hills : you won’t be able to ck the termites (eating them on the st)
5. Obonaabona n’otafa – ( Zikusooka ne zitakuva: ; Ennume ebonaabo-nanga: ) Keeon suffering and don’t die! It is better to rsevere and not to give u Lat
6. Obonyeebonye : anti alaba alonda – You have seen trouble : well, the one who sees, finds
7. Obubaka tibufa nga butunzi – The respect for a (former) chief does not come to an end as does that for a former trader
8. Obubbi ntadde : omukazi ali mbuga – I have finished with stealing (says the husband who has been stealing) : if they have taken his wife (as a hostage) to the chief’s place (till he gives himself up)
9. Obubuiwa : bukuliisa (ettooke) eriri mu maaso ga mumw – (= Obubulwa buku-tooza – – ) Having no food in front of you : makes you take the ttooke from your neigh-bour’s helping
10. Obubulwa ggye : busembeza emmandwa ku lubu – The absence of an army : brings the lubaale priest to the front rank
11. Obudde butuukira mu muti ne bukya – (other form: Ennyonyi etuukira – – ) Dawn comes un the tree and the day starts
12. Obudde bwe buziba : ennyonyi yeeyuna omuti – When the day comes to a close : the bird takes shelter in a tree
13. Obufuzi bw’emmese : bulabika ng’omaze okuzimba enju – The fact you are put in charge of rats, is seen as soon as you have built your house
14. Obugagga ntuuyo : zittulukuka ng’ogenda, bw’owummula nga zikuggwako – Wealth is like perspiration : it abounds when you are active, but comes to an end when you rest (on your laurels)
15. Obuganzi bukayanirwa – Favouritism is passionately struggled for
16. Obugayaavu : buzaala obunafu – ziness begets weakness (physical and moral)
17. Obugezageza bwatta ssessolye – Trying repeatedly for the bait in the trap killed the ssessolye (little birds eating menvu)
18. The tcher goes so often to the well, that it is broken at last – Dutch De kruik gaat zo lang to water tot zij breekt
19. Obuggya dda : bukaza omuvule – To be of olden times : makes the muvule wither
20. Obugulu obutono : sibumegga nnyinibwo; singa nnamunye atambula agwa – Short legs do not throw down their owner; otherwise the wagtail would fall whilst walking
21. Obugwagwa nnyumba mbi : ogiyingira ogiraba – ( Kiryango kibi: ) Immorality is like a dirty house : at the very entrance itself the filth is obvious
22. Obukaba bukulya amaaso : nti Wamala yansiiwa – Immorality is eating your eyes, and you give as reason for it: The lubaale Wamala has rubbed ashes into my eyes
23. Obukadde buwoomya ki? : wazira ttooke – ( Mpa kikula kiwooma: ) What becomes sweeter through age? : bananas only
24. Obukadde obusinda amaluma : bwetisse mukene all ku mutwe – Old age which complains of plain food : is carrying a headload of mukene (small lake fish – excellent nva)
25. Obuuka ebikoomi ng’atalya bbugga – You are jumping over ground, where a heap of grass has been burnt, like a man who does not eat bbugga (vegetable)
26. Obukaajumbe : anaabusereka akeera – He who wants to t old thatch on the roof again : does so early in the morning
27. Obukojja bwa munno si bukojja bwo – The marriage relations of your friend (or your marriage partner) : are not yours
28. Obukopi bugezza effuba : ng’omutono ye mwami – ( Omwami: ) To be a peasant swells the chest (makes proud, cheeky) : if the chief is a small man
29. Obukulu buwoomya ttooke – ( Obukadde buwoomya ki: ) Ripeness makes ttooke sweet
30. Obukulu ndege : tezivugira mu mazzi – ( Omukulu takulira mpya bbiri: ) Authority is like ankle-bells : they do not ring in water
31. Obukya buziba : omwana alwa ddaaki n’ayisa amuzaala – After the morning comes the evening : the child finally overtakes the rent
32. Obukyala gwe bunaalema : abuwa musebeyi – One who is going to be tired of being principal wife, gives her powers away to one of the concubines (e
33. Obukyawe bukira eddogo – ( Bakukyawanga n’otogya ddogo: ) To be hated is better than to be involved in witchcraft
34. Obulamu kye kiwango : akiina Baabutiko – (One who says) Life is long living : makes fun of the people of the mush-room clan
35. Obulamu ttooke : bugenda n’abulabirira – Life is like ttooke : it goes (perishes) when the cultivator goes
36. Obulema tebujja dda – Lameness does not come (only) in later life (like old age) (it is possible also in childhood)
37. Obulimba bussa nnannyinibwo – ( Ky’olimba obuko: ) A liar is killed by his own lies
38. Obuuliridde nfuuzi : kwennyamira – ( Babikidde enfuuzi: ) If you talk to an oran (about his rent) : he (or she) feels grief again (remembering the loss)
39. Obulonda mke : tebugaana njala kugwa – The finding of just one ear of corn does not keehunger away
40. Obulo sibubadde bwange : bubadde bwa Ggulu-ddene – The millet corn was not mine : it belonged to the eleant
41. Obulungi : bukira obugagga – Beauty is better than riches
42. Obulungi bw’enswa : atalya mutima gwa mbuzi, aguliira mu nswa – The beauty (taste) of flying ants : one who does not eat the heart of a goat, eats it in a flying ant (it is not butchered)
43. Obulungi obwemanye : ) bukuvumya akusinga; ) bukuyisa ku balya – ( Obuteeraba: ) Selfconscious righteousness (beauty) : ) causes you to abuse one who is better than you (ide); ) makes you ss by oe who are eating (against good manners)
44. Obulungi obw’ensozi : obulaba oziri wala – The beauty of hills you admire : when you see them from afar
45. Obulungi si ddya : (wabula emsa) – ( Bulungi si ddya: ) Beauty is not the same as a hay marriage : (but the behaviour)
46. Obulwa bukula musaayi : nga si ggwe bafumise oba nga tebafumise wuwo – A fight gets lively, when blood is drawn : (so one says) only if it is not you who has been speared, or if they have not speared your own relation (son, father, brother)
47. Obulwa dda : ) blikaza ekkubo ku lwazi; ) bukutula empalaata – Walking on a rock for a long time : ) makes a visible path on it
48. Obusajja bukirana – The strong qualities surss each other
49. Obuuse nga wajjiibwa – You fly high, but not far : like the pigeon
50. Obusenze bukala mmuli – ( Busenze: ; Ekitta obusenze: ) Tenancy is firmly established by (bringing) reeds
51. Obusenze butta munaanya – Serfdom kills the lazy man
52. Obusenze bwe bubula : enswa entunda ezimba ku mpawu – If the entunda-termite does not want to work on its own anthill, it builds on the hill of the mpawu-termite
53. Obusigire bwassa Kisolo – Stewardship killed Kisolo
54. Obusigire tibugenda na kabukuto – To be a representative does not go well together with urging on people impor-tunely
55. Obusiro tebutuukirwako : ajja okulya, atuukira ku ndagala – Busiro (the king’s place) is not reached at once : one who is going to eat, reaches first the banana leaves (spread out as table cloth)
56. Obusiru obwakukutte bwa nkoko : bugizaalisa mu kyalo – The madness that got hold of you is that of a hen : it makes her lay eggs in the village (away from home)
57. Obusolo bwa kuno tebufa : atega gumu – (One who says) The animals of this ace do not die : sets only one tra The hunter who is more rsevering and lays tra all over the ace, will get more
58. Obusolo gye babutta, gye bweyuna (= bweyunira) : ) ettooke eddene mu ggwaatiro; ) omumonde omunene gukula mu lusalosalo – ( Gye babutta: ) Where they kill the animals, there they go again : ) like the big banana at the eling ace itself; ) a giant tato grows in the ditch
59. Obusungu mugenyi : ) akyala n’addayo; ) amala kuboonoonyesanga yeege-nderera – Anger is like a visitor : ) he comes and goes; ) first it caliijjuses you to do evil and then it goes away
60. Obusungu obungi : bukulagiriza emmese olusuubo – ( Omwogezi ayinga: ) Great anger : makes you show the food parcel to the rat (because in your anger you talk to yourself, whilst hanging up the food parcel, saying: I’ll hang it up here and the rat will find it)
61. Obusungu obungi tebukkutibwa (= tibukkutwa) : Nnamunkanga eyabukkuta ekifuba kabanika – Great anger is never satisfied : the dragon-fly that got its fill, got a distended chest
62. Obutaagalana bukusabisa mukazi wo gonja – ( Okulwawo kukusabya: ) Absence of mutual love makes you ask your wife for a roasted banana
63. Obutajja kundaba nnasiba embwa ku lumbugu n’egaana okululya? Is the reason that you never came to see me : because I have tied the dog to the lumbugu (grass) and it refused to eat it? What have I done, that you shun my company? –
64. Obutalya ku kimu bwassa wajjiibwa – Eating not only one (caster-oil-berry) : killed the geon
65. Obutamanya bya mwaka : ng’emmese esula omw’omulima – Not knowing the time of the year (season) : means being like a rat that lives in the house of a farmer
66. Obutamanya nnaku : bukuzza gye baakutunda – Not knowing the misery (that awaits you at home) : makes you run back to the place where they have sold you
67. Obutamanyirira : bukussa n’omuyombi omukago – Lack of experience : makes you contract blood-brotherhood with a quarrel-some person
68. Obutamanyirira butabaaza anaafa – Being unexperienced makes one fight and meet death (risking too much)
69. Obutamera kirevu ; njuba ya kikome, ekuliisa lwa ggulo – Beardlessness is like a cloudy day (overcast sky) : which makes you take your suer early
70. Obutannaziba : tobusindikirako maluma – When it is not yet evening : do not complain that there are no vegetables (meat, fish, greens, termites etc
71. Obutasaba baabulekera (= bwalekerwa) mbwa – Taking without asking they considered as befitting a dog only (not man)
72. Obutaseeranye : tibugulibwa – Without mutual bargaining in trading (buguzi) : there will be no sale
73. Obutateesa buliisa abasatu amaluma – Not talking things over : makes three people eat without vegetables
74. Obutazimbye : bumanyibwa nnyinibwo – ins (bulumi) which show no visible signs (swellings) are only understood by the patient himself
75. Obutekkaanya : bukutindiza balugu (ng’enva ze balya zirandira wansi) – Thoughtlessness makes you lead up the balugu-plant (yam) (because what is eaten of that plant, is not above, but below ground)
76. Obuteeraba : bukuvumya akusinga – (= Obuteemanya – – ) Not to shout ku lwa Kabaka (when saring an animal) : means enmity
77. Obuteeraba : bukuyumya akusinga – Obuteemanya – – ) Not knowing one’s own failings : makes you blame one who is better than yourself
78. Obuteerowooza : ng’omuwuulu asaba eggobe – ( Balusaggya: ) To be thoughtless : as a bachelor is who asks for ggobe (vegetables)
79. Obutetenkereza : bukonya obuto – ( Ntetenkanyiriza: ) Slow cooking leaves unripe bananas underdone
80. Obuteewuliriza bunyooza ennanga amatu – Not answering quickly to the tuning-efforts causes a harp (i
81. Obuteezhnbira bwassa wangiri – Not building its own house : has killed the wild pig
82. Obutise amatama : nga nnyinimu abba – ( Ntudde entende: ) You cover your jaws (you keep your mouth shut) : like the owner of the house who steals
83. Obutooke obuto : bugwana nva – Unripe matooke ought to be offered with enva (vegetables)
84. Obutta bumenya omulawo : oleeta kibaya – If the (tough) porridge breaks the stick (used for stirring) : do you bring a papyrus-stalk (to stir with)? If strong measures did not bring success, will weaker ones do?
85. Obuwa si bugabane – To give is not to share
86. Obuwulize : bwe buganzi – ( Muddu awulira: ) Obedience means affection (favouritism)
87. Obuyingirwa : bwambaza embwa olukoba – Forced obedience ts the collar round the dog’s neck
88. Obuyisi bw’omu : nsega y’ebika (= bulangwa nsega) – The passing away of the lonely traveller is made known by the vultures (circling over the body)
89. Obuzadde bulima : obusuutira we babwagala (= okwenyumiikiriza we bakwaga-la) – Parenthood is like tilling the land : they (the parents) like to be praised for it
90. Obuzadde buwonya embooge – Bringing forth saves the mbooge (vegetables) from being killed (plucked)
91. Obuzaaliro si bwe bukuliro – The place where one is born is not the place where one grows old
92. Obuuza nga Munyolo : akulaba n’ensuwa, nti ogenda iziba? You are greeting like a Munyoro : when he sees you with a watert, he says: are you going to the well? Lunyoro iziba corresnds to Luganda emugga –
93. Obuziina gye babwagala : gye babwaliirira – Where they like the rags : they spread out the mat for them
94. Obwami ddiba lya mbogo : terizingwa omu – Chieftainship is like a buffalo-skin : it cannot be rolled up by one man
95. Obwami kyambalo kyazike : nnannyinikyo bw’akikuggyako togaana – Chieftainship is like a borrowed garment : if its owner takes it away from you, you cannot object
96. Obwami obutono : bukubuuzisa gwe watumye – A small chieftainshimakes you question the one you have sent (with a mes-sage)
97. Obwangu bw’okuwa : bukuweesa atalikuwa – Being quick in giving : makes you give things to one who won’t give you any-thing in return
98. Obwavu bukuliisa ebikonde – ( Omwavu aluma: ) Poverty makes you eat your fists
99. Obwavu bukuliisa nnyoko – Poverty makes you eat your mother
100. Obwavu si bbanja – Poverty is not (as bad) as having debts
101. Obwavu : tebukozza – verty does not make one thin
102. Obwavu tebukumanyisa gw’oyagala (or: akwagala) – Poverty does not let you know whom you might love (who might love you)
103. Obwayiise : tebuyooleka – (obulamu) What is ured out, cannot be gathered again
104. Obw’effumu : si bwa ddogo – (obulwadde) Sickness from a sar-wound and from witchcraft are not (to be treated) alike
105. Obw’ekiro : buzimbya enkadde – (entwiri) Night-time : makes old rancour grow
106. Obwemage bwe balanga : enjobe mu lusa – (A person whom they accuse) without reason : is like an antelope in the marsh (accused of having damaged the crop)
107. Obw’enkya : si bwe buziba – ( Bwe bukya: ) The weather in the morning is (often) not the same as in the evening
108. Obwerabize obungi : bukusabya gwe wamma – Great forgetfulness makes you ask something from a person, to whom you have (in the past) refused a request
109. Obwesige bull nnyanja – Trust (safety) is found on the lake
110. Obwewussa bussa (= bulitta) emmandwa – Hypocrisy kills the sorcerer
111. Obwezizingirire empogola erwana mu ntamu – To be tied up all round ,: is like a banana in the jacket, fighting in the cooking pot
112. Obw’olubuto : butwala obw’omutwe – (obuwadde) Illness of the belly : brings along illness of the head
113. Obw’omu buwola(ko) oluuyi – Porridge (obutta) served to one man gets cold on one side (the one he is not eating from)
114. Obw’omulimba : tibukeerera – The time which a liar mentions (in his narrations) is not disputed
115. Obw’omutambuze tibuziba : enjuba egudde ng’agamba: npenda emisana – For a traveller it does not get dark : although the sun is down, he says: , it is still light!
116. Obwosi : buluma gwe bwaddako – The sickness obwosi (of children who are deprived of breast-feeding) hurts more those children born before (by the same father)
117. Odaagana (= otaagana) : ng’olwatta Mpoobe e Kibiri – You make vain attempts (to escape your fate) : like Mpoobe (who was killed by Walumbe) at Kibiri
118. Oduula nga musibe : nti tunaalaba okusula nga tutunula – You speak sarcastically like a blind man : (saying) we shall find a place for sleeping, while we still see (whilst it is still day-light)
119. Ofanga n’otodda : ng’omuntu anyaze omukazi – Die and don’t come back (be courageous and don’t fear death) : like a man who fights for a woman (in the battle)
120. Ofubye ng’akagobera embuga : nti bwe kanaalya omwana wa beene – You are solicitous like one who drives a wild animal away from the chief’s ace : (fearing) it might eat somebody’s child (the chief’s)
121. Ofudde lwa nnabamba : kawumpuli lwatta omuwazi – You died of a contagious sickness : plague killed the tanner
122. Ofunda n’ekkubi : n’otobeera na ddiirawamu – You prefer an ekkubi (big bird of prey which sucks only the blood of the animal killed) to the big grey eagle, which takes the booty along
123. Ofunda ne ndikutunda : n’otobeera ne ndikutta – You efer to be with one who says I shall sell you, rather than with one who says I shall kill you
124. Ofunda n’omuko omwavu : n’akulambula – ( Omuko omwavu akanya: ) It is better to be content with a poor son-in-law : he will come personally to help you, when you are in need
125. Ofunda n’omuliika : n’anunula (= n’akukuliza) abaana – ( Bayita n’omuliika: ) You bear with an usurer, if he redeems your children (from slavery)
126. Ofuuse gw’e Kanyanya : mugenzi tazze – You have become like the edible-rat of Kanyanya : once gone (escaped) it did not come back
127. Ogandadde nga mubbi ow’omunnyu : bakuba omwana – ( Obutise amatama: ) You lie on your back (saying nothing) like one who has stolen salt (and does not confess) : although they beat the child for it
128. Ogenda Mbaale mu Baganda banno – You are going to Mbaale to your Baganda-brethren
129. Ogenze mugga : okuggwa kko? ( Twazze mugga: ) Do you go to the river : to get rid of the dirt? Said of somebody who wants to get rid of his debts –
130. Oggye ku mutwe : otadde ku kibegabega – You have taken (the load) from the head and t it on the shoulder (i
131. Ogira ekiniga : ng’omusezi alya menvu – ( Okinagguka ng’omusezi: ) You are spiteful : like a nightdancer eating menvu (eating-bananas)
132. Ogitte : eva mu nnyiniyo – (The order) kill it (the cow or the goat) can only come rightly from the mouth of the owner
133. Ogobedde munya mu ssubi – You have driven the lizard into the grass (the thatch of the house)
134. Ogubula eyeeguya : tegukala – (omukwano) Friendshithat is lacking in mutual interests (consideration), does not last (is not solid)
135. Ogudde ddalu : kuwona mabanja – (If) you become mad : (that means) you get rid of debts
136. Oguddinnanwa : gwe guwunya ensiwo – (omwenge) Beer that is mixed again with ferment : makes the brew tasty
137. Ogufa : tegumanya yasooka – (omukwano) Friendship that comes to an end, no longer knows the one who started it
138. Oguggwa : tiguba muka – ( Okulya ennyingi: ) Beer that is finished : has no taste (was not strong enough)
139. Ogugutana : ng’ow’ejjanga aloga muliro – You are disputing something (muttering to yourself) : like one with sick (bleary) eyes, kindling a fire
140. Oguliko omuseesa : teguzikira – Fire that has a ker (stirrer), does not go out
141. Ogummuka gwe gukuwa nsogola – The expectation of the mubisi being tasty (pleasant to drink), encourages you to brew
142. Ogunaanyula : tegubuulirwa muwemba, ne bw’ossaako omungi – Unfermented banana-juice (mubisi) that is going to be good beer : is not influenced by muwemba (millet, added for fermentation) even if you add much of it
143. Ogusula gwe gukuwa emza : nga mulungi – (omusango) A case which is stned (for another day) gives you a chance of defence : if it is in your favour
144. Ogutaggwa : guboolanga abataka – (omusango) Incessant strife : brings mutual hatred among the land-owners
145. Ogutaliiko mpeera : gugenda n’okwebaza – Work for which no payment is asked : goes with thank you
146. Ogutali mutume : tegukalaza (= tigukaluba) – (omulimu) Work which is not a command : does not make one angry (or: is not irksome)
147. Ogutannammuka : tigukukubisa mwana – (omubisi) Since the mubisi (banana juice) has not yet oozed out : this (fact) causes you to refrain from beating the child (if he takes and sucks a lyenvu)
148. Ogutateganya : siguzza nvuma – (omulimu) ( Ayagala okunyiriza: ; Ky’oyagala kikuseeza: ) Effort which does not persevere : does not bring back the slave (who has escaped)
149. Ogwa gonja (= olwa gonja) teguggwe? : nga y’alidde eky’engabo – Will the affair with the gonja not come to an end? : (says the one) who has already eaten the best part of it (ekiwango ky’engabo)
150. Ogwa kasajja gundeebuukanya : nga ggwe wamwezaalira – ( Gunzise mu vvi: ; Kwata n’owaayo: ) The case of the little man (son) has caused me a lot of hard work : (you say so) if you have brought him forth
151. Ogwayambadde : teguyita bwereere (= teguyitira awo) – A body that is clothed : does not walk naked
152. Ogw’edda : tigukutwaza lubugo lumu – Old friendship : does not make you take one barkcloth (for the burial)
153. Ogw’embuga : gutta atagenze – (omulimo) Work for the chief : kills the man who refused to go
154. Ogw’embuga : ) gutta ogw’obuko (ng’abakazi alina babiri); ) tigulekeka – (omulimo) The work for the chief (communal work) : ) comes before the work for the father-in-law (if one has two wives); ) cannot be left alone
155. Ogw’embuga : tigunywebwa atudde wamu – (omwenge) The chief’s beer is not drunk by him who remains at home
156. Ogw’enzikiza : ayogedde ku bule – (omusango) One who accuses another of a crime committed in the dark (without witnesses) : talks about little clouds (i
157. Ogw’okulya : gusuula emmese mu kita – Gluttony throws the rat into the beer-calabash
158. Ogw’omulimba : tiguggwa mpoza – (omusango) The trial of a liar never comes to an end (in arguing)
159. Ojaganya ng’eyakimeza okw’enjala : nti obutiko bugenda kukuloga enjala? You are rejoicing like one who has watched a mushroom grow in famine-time : are mushrooms going to aease your hunger? Mushrooms do not nourish – – Taking easure in worthless things
160. Ojaganya ng’ow’amalibu alonze erinnyo – You are rejoicing, like a toothless fellow, who has found a tooth
161. Ojjanga kwa nkuba : omusana guleeta enjala – Come during the rainy season! : the hot season brings famine
162. Ojjanga n’olya : y’akuyita Lubuna miryango – Come and have food with me (he says) : and then he calls you a miserable hungry fellow, hanging round all doorsteps
163. Ojjukidde okwebikka : ng’obudde bukedde – You think of covering yourself (to go to sleep) : when the dawn is breaking
164. Ojjukire okwebikka : nga bukyali! ( Ojjukidde okwebikka: ) Think of your bedding (place for sleeping etc – ), when there is still day-light
165. Okaabidde mu lwabya : wakasanke mu lwa mngu – You wail at the mourning-rites : like the kasanke (small red finch) at the mourning for the eagle
166. Okaddiwanga mubiri : n’otokaddiwa mwoyo – You become old in your body : but you are still young in your mind
167. Okalaliddwa : atali muwadde okuyoya obusera – You are (unreasonably) angry : as it is unreasonable of one who is not sick to clamour for rridge (buugi)
168. Okambagga (or: Akambagga) : ng’embidde ematirewo – You are a sour fellow : like freshly eled mbidde (beer-bananas)
169. Okamaze : omufumba kafu lw’eggulo – You are the limit : you cook (for your husband) only a tiny bit in the evening! Laziness, stinginess!
170. Okangabadde : ng’ebyanika taba – (ebiriba) You are difficult (crooked, stubborn) : like cow-hides on which tobacco is dried (in the sun)
171. Okansombedde : kimbagaya yakasombera Balama – ( Tekibula musombi: ) You have brought evil over me : as the Kimbagaya has brought it over the Balama
172. Okantyabidde : akalimu obuwuka obw’okunnuma – (akaku) ( Omwana ali-ntyabira: ) You have collected firewood for me : in which there are stinging insects
173. Okekkera ng’afumba ekiro : nti ssebo tunaaliira mulyango – You are talking (nonsense) like a woman cooking late in the evening : (saying) ssebo we can eat in the doorway (in the moonlight)
174. Okekkera ng’afumba obutooke obuto : nti ewaffe tulya ga bisiisa – You are talking (nonsense) like one cooking unri bananas : (saying) at home we eat caterllars
175. Okekkera nga agula endiga (= ente), nti yaswala amagulu – You are talking like a man who buys a sheep (cow) and complains about its ugly legs
176. Okekkera ng’agula nnandere : nti taliimu maaso; k’oli nti ogula wa kukuuma waka? You talk nonsense like one who buys a nnandere (small fish in Lake Kyoga), saying: but it has no eyes! ; (reply) do you buy it for watching your house (in your absence)? If these fish are kept for long, nnyenje or rats might eat their eyes; a sign that they are not fresh – Munno
177. Okekkera nga muk’omugoma; nti ow’omwange leero agireese n’amayembe gaayo? Are you joking like a drummaker’s wife, who says: Oh today my husband has brought his fare with the horns on? When cattle were killed in the lubiri (king’s enclosure), the drummers were given the heads and the women greeted their husbands with this joke –
178. Okekkera nga nnakawere omuli w’omunnyo : nti nnawonyezza kigongo – You are talking like a mother whose newly born child has died, because the mother has taken salt during her pregnancy, saying: I have saved my kigongo (my life)
179. Okekkera nga nnakyeyombekedde asima kandi : nti kuliko nsajjalala; nti ekiku-suza wekka mu nju, ng’abasajja ball mu ttaka kiki? You are talking like a spinster digging up kandi (kind of yam) and saying: there are tasteless ones among them; (sarcasm) why do you live alone in your house, if there are men in your soil? Lusajjalala has two meanings: ) tasteless, inedible yam; ) manikin, miserable specimen of a man –
180. Okekkera ng’ava eri omulwadde, nti twasuze ku bugubi – You are exaggerating like one who comes from visiting a sick person, saying: we have stayed with him till the cry of the quails (early morning)
181. Okekkera ng’eyakafiirwa, nti leero nadda wa? : nti abaflirwa edda balaga wa? You are talking like one who has just lost (a near relation) through death, saying: where shall I go now? : (answer) where did those go, formerly, who lost their relations? p –
182. Okekkera ng’eyeekubye ekigere : nti simanyi kye kinanviiramu – You are talking nonsense like one who has hurt his toe and says: I do not know what will come out of it (i
183. Okekkera ng’omufumite : nti omusaayi gupnenze munda; bulijjo gubeera wa? You are talking like one who has been speared : (saying) my blood is flowing into my body; (answer) where is it otherwise? , –
184. Okekkera ng’omugemuzi agamba, nti enkukunyi zampaatidde ku kibuga – You stretch a point like one who has taken victuals to the bbooma and says: the fleas have attacked me in the chief’s place
185. Okekkera ng’omugenyi eyaliiridde amaluma : nti omutwe nnassa wa? nti zinga mu ddiba ly’embuzi – You are talking like a visitor who was given food without vegetables (addi-tional dishes), saying: where shall I put the head (meaning his own head, for the night’s rest)?; (answer of the host) wrap it up in the goat’s skin
186. Okekkera ng’omukazi agamba, nti emmanga eyo tekyayita kambe – You are talking like a woman, saying: down there (in the lusuku) a knife cuts no more (matooke) (i
187. Okekkera ng’omukazi omuzadde : omwana bw’akaaba, nti bwandu bwe bumu-kaabya – You are talking like a mother, whose son is crying (saying) : it is stomach-ache that makes him cry
188. Okekkera ng’omulimi w’empindi agamba, nti empindi zange zali ziri matuba, ennyonyi zizirya – You are exaggerating like a planter of beans, saying: my beans over there are as big as figs and the birds feed on them
189. Okekkera ng’omukunku eyeekoonye : nti ekigere nkimazeewo; nti kyakume-zeeko ggulo? You are talking like one without toes who has stumbled : (and says) I have ruined my toe!; (sarcastic answer) has it (the toe) just grown this evening? (formerly you had no toes) –
190. Okekkera ng’omulwadde agamba, nti kasookedde ndwala siryanga ka mu ntamu wabula obusera bwe nnawuseeko eggulo bwokka – You are exaggerating like a sick person (complaining) : since I have been sick, I have not eaten anything cooked in a cooking pot; I have sipped only a little porridge in the evening
191. Okekkera ng’omulwadde anywa taba : nti kasooka ndwala siriimu mukka – You talk (nonsense) like a sick man who is smoking : (saying) since I fell sick, I have no breath
192. Okekkera ng’omulwadde nti lulinzita nga lummazeemu amaanyi – You are talking like a sick person who says: the sickness will kill me as my strength is finished
193. Okekkera ng’omulwadde nti olumbe lwanzimba munda – You are talking (nonsense) like a sick person : (saying) the sickness caused a swelling inside my body
194. Okekkera ng’Omunaawa : nti Kabaka yandeka nga ndi gongo; nti kaakano oli muluusi? You are talking like a certain naawa (ganda of wokota) saying: When the king died, I was at gongo (place on the saka road); (the other under-stands: I was a mugongo (female animal bearing), and asks) and now you are a muluusi (animal not yet bearing)? , –
195. Okekkera ng’Omunnabuddu : nti Kabaka yantuma lwokyo; nti olwokya Kaba-ka baluggya Buddu? ( Oyogedde bitajja: ) You are talking like a man from Buddu : (saying) the king has sent me on an urgent errand; (reply) does the branding iron (that cauterizes the sores of the king) come from Buddu? In Lunnabuddu lwokyo means in a hurry; in Luganda branding iron – ,
196. Okekkera ng’Omunnabusiro asima balugu : nti laba Kabaka mwe yakkira! ; nti owuwo ali mu ttaka? You are talking like the man in Busiro, digging for yam and exclaiming: look here, the king (big tuber) is down here! ; (rey) is your king living in the soil? , –
197. Okekkera ng’Omunnabuyaga : nti leero Kajeerero ali Nkira, nti edda ggwe wamukiranga? You are talking (nonsense) like a man from Buyaga (county) saying: Today the Kajeerero (chief) lives at Nkira (place); (reply) have you formerly surpassed him? sunderstanding the expression: ali Nkira (he lives at Nkira), and inter-preting it as alinkira (he will surpass me) –
198. Okekkera ng’Omunyolo : nti okulya enkolo, ndya lumonde; nti enkolo, nga lumonde gw’olabye? You talk like a nyoro (yima) who says: I should prefer to eat potatoes, rather than banana-stumps; (reply) where you eat banana-stumps do you find any potatoes? Banana-stumps are only famine food; therefore where you see people eating them, you can be sure potatoes are no longer there – Castles in the air
199. Okekkera ng’omunywi w’emmindi : nti mundeke, sikyalimu mukka – ( Oke-kkera ng’omulwadde anywa taba: ) You are talking lies like a pipe smoker who says: Leave me alone, I have no breath left
200. Okekkera ng’omusasi : ) nti nnyabo nnyinyika! ; ) nti nnyabo tompeereza mutwe? You are talking nonsense like one who wants to work for food : ) (saying) madam, give me work! Okunnyika has two meanings: to put to work or to immerse – The madam seems to understand the latter and asks teasingly: Don’t you know that the man Mpisi whom they put into the lake Mutukula (in Ssingo – Hoima Road) never came back? You are talking nonsense like one who wants to work for food : ) (saying) madam, won’t you put more on top (of the food basket)? The woman takes mutwe in the literal meaning and asks: If your mother has not given you a head, when you were born, how can I give you one now? /
201. Okekkera ng’omusumba w’enkoko : nti ez’ewange ziwalalira emiyagi; nti ggwe, nnannyinizo owalalira emivule? ( Amampaati aga nnyini: ) You are exaggerating like one with a hen-farm : (saying) those hens at my home leap over miyagi shrubs; (sarcastic reply) and you, their owner, probably leap over muvule trees? –
202. Okekkera ng’Omuyima (= Omulaalo) : nti nnalidde enjuba; nti eyiyo eri munda? You are talking like a yima (herdsman) saying: I have eaten the njuba; (reply) oh! your sun then is inside the body! In Luganda njuba means sun; in Luyima it means blood cooked from the lancing of a cow –
203. Okekkera ng’Omuzungu : ndiyo; nti wabuna nsi? You talk nonsense like a White man, constantly saying ndiyo; are you all over the place? Ndiyo means yes in Kiswahili, but I am there in Luganda –
204. Okekkera ng’omwavu gwe bakwatira ku kibuga : nti singa bantadde ndaba omugagga mu kyalo, mmugwako – You are talking like a poor man they have caught in the town (without musolo-ticket) : (saying) if they would let me free, I would go and see a rich man in the village and beseech him to help me
205. Okekkera ng’ow’ebbango, nti bwe nnatuuka, nnagwa bugazi – You are talking like a hunchback, saying: when I arrived, I fell on my back
206. Okekkera ng’ow’ebikaata ava embuga : nti tukutte mu gabuguma – You are talking like one with syphilitic hands, coming from the chief’s place and saying: we got hold of some hot things (hot meat)
207. Okekkera ng’ow’ejjanga abika, nti gundi yafa : nti naffe tulabye bw’okaaba – You are talking like one with inflamed eyes, bringing a death notice, So and so died : (reply) we also see how you are weeping
208. Okekkera ng’ow’ekirevu akuma omuliro : nti bampeeyo essubi nkume omuliro; nti eryo lyonna erikuli ku mumwa? You are talking like a bearded fellow lighti

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- N

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -N

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. N’aganaafa : gasalirwa essubi – Also for the mabidde (beer bananas) which will perish (which will prove unfit for brewing beer) : grass is cut
2. Nammwe mutuulanga bubi : gw’ayagala ye all ku ludda oluliko ekitono – But you are sitting quite in disorder : (so the host says) when the one whom he likes sits on the side where there is the smaller ece
3. N’asirika amanya : ekikere bakibikira kwa kyeya ne kikaaba ku nkuba – Also the silent man can have knowledge : the frog is proclaimed dead in the dry season, and still it croaks again in the rainy season
4. N’asirikirira amanya : ekikere bwe bakibikira okw’ekyanda, olumbe kwa ttoggo kwe kyabiza – Also the silent man can have knowledge : if they proclaim the frog dead in the dry season, it puts an end to the funeral rites in the wet season
5. Na tte eryawuumanga : bw’erimala okugwa wansi, nga n’abaana abato bagituula mu mayembe – It is so, even with a cow that was fierce before : when it has fallen down (when it is dead), even the small children sit between its horns
6. Na wano lulyabirawo : nga lwa mwavu – (olumbe) The finishing of the funeral rites (kwabya olumbe) can also take place here (says the one who is responsible for it) : if it is for a poor person
7. Ndaba : gwe batta – (One who – when warned that he is in danger of being killed – says) Oh, I see (and neglects the warning) : he is the one they will kill
8. Ndaba ng’onsuula ngajaba – I see that you throw me away without any compunction
9. Ndaba ongalabanja : ng’akukyawa takubuulidde – I see that you are neglecting me : (so you say to one) who despises you without telling you so
10. Ndabidde ku nnamusa – I see from the way you are greeting me (that you don’t like me)
11. Ndiba nsaba ki? : ye asaba kooterezo – Whatever shall I be asking? : he who asks such a question, should ask for a kooterezo
12. Ndibiraba ne nziruka : ye agenda na bapere – ( Asugumbira akabi: ; Ekiwero tekiriraana: ) I shall notice the danger and shall run away : (says the silly girl) and goes away with a man (and is spoiled)
13. Ndibirya ne bimpitamu – I shall eat them (eby’okulya n’okunywa) and they will go through me
14. Ndifa n’agange : omukadde ku ssogasoga – I shall die with my strength : (says) the old man, breaking a stalk of the castor-oil-plant (fondly imagining that the feat required strength)
15. Ndifiira bwereere : asika evviivi lya nte – Shall I get nothing at all (no meat at all)? : (one who says so) snatches the knee of a cow (better that than nothing)
16. Ndifiira (= nnanfiira) ku kinene : ) ensanafu ku ggere ssajja (= ku kigere eki-sajja); ) ensanafu ku ntumbwe – I shall die on something big : ) (says) the safari-ant, biting the big toe; ) (says) the safari-ant, biting the calf
17. Ndifiira mu bakazi bannange : bamuyisa mu musiri gwa ntungo – I shall die amongst my women-friends : (she says) when they lead her through a semsem field
18. Ndifiira mu bangi : bamuyisa ku musiri gwa ntungo (or: afiira mu lukangaga Iwa ntungo) – I shall die among many : (he says) when they lead him through a semsem-field (or: he dries on the frame for semsem-drying)
19. Ndifiira mu basajja bannange : bamuyisa mu musiri gwa kasooli – I shall die among my men-friends : (he says) when they lead him through a maize-field
20. Ndifiira mu ppanda zange : nga n’akamwa kalungi (= ng’ayogera bulungi) – I shall die among my relations (he says) : (but that will happen only) if he does not offend them
21. Ndifiira wabuguma : ennyenje ku kibanyi – Let me die, where it is warm : says the cockroach on the banana-shelf (underneath is the fire place)
22. Ndifiira waggale : bamuyisa ku kifulukwa (= ku kifulukwa ayitako kkutwe) – (or: Ndifiira ndirwanira – – ) I shall die where there are closed doors : they lead him st a deserted house (or: but a deserted house he sses in a hurry)
23. Ndiga tekimba : olukimba ng’etomera butomezi – A sheep (ram) does not show its anger beforehand (like a dog etc
24. Ndigudde : abula agumwetikkira – In walking I am hampered, by my fatness : (one saying so) does not find anybody to carry a load (mugugu) for him (her)
25. Ndigula kalungi : n’agula enkejje empumbe – I shall buy something precious (he says) : and then he buys a wrapped-up enkejje (small fish)
26. Ndikibuulira ani? : nga taliiko mukwano gwe yeesiga – Whom could I tell it to? : (says the man who) has no friend of his whom he can trust
27. Ndikibuulira omulungi : bw’okibuulira omu, kibuna ekyalo – I shall confide (the secret) to a trustworthy person : (so you say), but if you tell one, it will go through the whole village
28. Ndikirya jjo : bakimutikka – I shall eat it to-morrow (says the thief) : then they catch him with it and make him carry it (to the chief)
29. Ndikirya na munnyu : akirya na mazzi – I shall eat it with salt (says the poor man, when he gets a piece of meat; but before he can get ash-salt) : he will eat it with water
30. a Ndikugula : akunkumula lutembe (= matembe) – (He who says to somebody else’s wife) I shall buy (marry) you : shakes only matembe-seeds (in his bag) (things of no value)
31. Ndikulyako ki? : nga ndikulya minyira – What can I get from you? : dirt from your nose? Rough expression for one who has shamelessly appropriated somebody else’s property, e
32. Ndikutuusa : takutuusa – (One who assures you) I shall get you there : (very often) does not get you there
33. Ndikwata ne mpaayo : nga yasikira musikire – ( Kwata n’owaayo: ) I shall take it and hand it over : (one who says so) has only inherited (the child)
34. Ndi mufu muggya : simanyi bifa magombe – I am a newcomer amongst the dead : I don’t know what happens in the under-world
35. Ndi mugezi : nga mubuulire – I am wise : (that statement is true only) if I agree to be advised
36. Ndi mukazi mutundwa : nneesibira okunywera – I am a saleable woman : (says the female slave) I am tying up my garment firmly (for the journey to another master)
37. Ndi mutuba mulami : n’omuto atema ensimbo – I am a barkcloth-tree of good quality : even a child cuts branches from me
38. Ndi muzibi wa maaso : akange ndya nkutte mu ngalo – ( Muzibi alya: ) I am a blind man : I eat my food with my own hands
39. Ndi nnanti nkalu : ye azimba ku nnanti embisi – I am a dry being : (one saying so) builds on a green (alive) being
40. Ndi nkoko mpanga : ntambula ntolooma – I am a cock : I walk grumbling (angry)
41. Ndi ntamu nkadde : siterekwa ewa munnange – ( Omukazi ntamu nkadde: ; Ssentamu nkadde: ) I am an old cooking pot : I cannot be stored up at my friend’s house
42. Ndirwanira mu bakulu bannange : omukadde bamuyisa mu jjobyo – (The old man exclaims in his old fighting spirit) I shall fight together with my old leaders : (therefore) they lead him through (a plot of) jjobyo (penta-phylla plant)
43. Ndituusa wa? : ka lunzite mpeere – Where shall I go now? : let the sickness kill me and let me go to rest
44. Nditwala kalungi : mu kibira avaamu atyo – ( Nnoonya akalungi: ) Munno
45. Nditwala kinene : afa tatuuse ku buko – I want to take a big thing (to my future parents-in-law) : (a suitor who talks like this) will die, before he ever reaches at his parents-in-law
46. Ndiwulira : bamufumbira mu kasooli (or: banuulira mu kasooli) – (One who says) I shall listen (obey) : will be cooked with the maize cobs (or: they break (him) off with the maize cobs)
47. Ndiyimbira mu nkambi e Lubaga – I shall sing in the camp at Rubaga (residence of king Muteesa I
48. Ndudde okwewagira : ) enkolo azirya n’ekiro; ) muwogo alya na miti – (One who says) It’s a long time, since I ate well : ) eats banana stumps at night (in day-time he is ashamed to do so, because formerly he laughed at the poor people eating the stumps); ) eats the cassava together with the woody part (in the tuber)
49. Ndya kya bukaba : ng’emmese ey’omu ggwanika – I am eating in a shameful way : like the rat in the cupboard
50. Ndya wabiri : ng’olubuto lw’emmandwa – I eat for two : like the stomach of a lubaale-priest
51. Ndyebaza ndya : tagunjula munafu – (One who tells his wife) I shall say weebale, when I have my food : does not train her, if she is lazy
52. Ne gw’oyagala : gw’osalira omusango ne gumusinga; n’omuweerera envuma (or: ng’omuliyirako) – ( Gw’oyagala: ) Also one whom you love, you have to condemn, if he is guilty; but you can suly him with a girl slave (or: you can y the fine for him)
53. Ne gw’ozadde : akukubira ennoma n’ozina – ( Gwe wazaala jjo: ) Even your child might beat the drum for you while you dance
54. Ne munno : akutebya – Even your best friend can disappoint you
55. Newandibadde tetonnye : ebire tubirabye – Although it has not rained (yet) : at least we have seen the rain clouds
56. N’ezikookolima : gaali magi – Also those which crow : were once eggs
57. Nfulumire ku mugumu : nga y’anaasika – ( Okwerinda si buti: ) Let me go out (into the dark) under protection of a strong man (so says a prospective heir who has been warned of danger) and he will reach his in-heritance
58. Nfuuyira zirwana : wakasanke mu lwa mpanga – I urge them (the cocks) on, when they fight : says the kasanke (small fire-finch) at the death of the cock
59. Ngabo nzira : ogirabira (= ogimanya) ku biwundu – A courageous shield (used by a courageous man) : is recognized by the scars (received in the battle)
60. Ngabo tekyala – A shield does not go visiting (it goes robbing and plundering)
61. Ngalaba : ng’alinda luwombo – I see it (the water for washing the hands) : (one saying so) waits for the luwombo (containing a special dish, meat, fish, chicken etc
62. Ngalo njereere : ziwoomera nnyinizo – Empty hands are pleasant for their owner (and nobody else)
63. Nnaana bizitowa : ontikka muzigo (oba bbumba)? I refuse (to carry) heavy things : and you want to put butter (or clay) on my head? Both heavy things –
64. nda nnyingi : ow’essimba akubula – My relations are many : (you might be correct), but you have no trustworthy one
65. Nga ndi masane! : enzirugavu okuzaala amata ameeru! What a marvellous creature I am! (says the black cow) : a black cow to produce white milk! Also said of an ugly parent bringing forth a beautiful child –
66. Nnaana tabuulirwa kaama – A hornbill is not spoken to in a whisper
67. Nga onoobiyinza? : nga bawadde gw’atayagala – Will you be able to eat that? : (so one remarks) if they have given (a big piece) to one he does not like
68. Nga toba ku ebyo : ataalimye anaafumba? ( Weeyogeza ng’ekitaalimye: ) How inconsiderate you are : will not the one who has not been working in the field have to cook? So says one woman to her muggya –
69. Nnenda eno : lw’aguzza lw’akubuulira – (If one says to you) I am going my way (without answering your question where?) : when he gets into trouble (musango), he tells you (afterwards)
70. Nnende nfumbire omusajja : bwe ligwa mu vvu, y’asooka okulya – Let me go and cook for my husband (so says the woman) : but when a piece of ttooke falls into the ashes, she starts eating (before her husband gets any-thing)
71. Ngo tebuukira walungi : buli lw’ebuuka, nti ebadde endidde – The leopard does not prowl about, where it is safe : whenever it is prowling (you say) : It was going to attack me (eat me)
72. Ngujuuba : bw’egabega bw’egalya (or: bw’agabega bw’agalya) – As great poverty dishes up the matooke : so it eats it
73. Njala akukulidde mu kibondo – He keeps his claws hidden in their sheaths
74. Njala : ) ebuza amagezi; ) ekeeta; ) ekimbya – Hunger : ) causes stupidity (can make one mad raving); ) is painful (raises up the gases in the throat); ) makes one look furious
75. Njala : evumbula – Hunger finds out
76. Njasa biggu : ng’omusamize akuba emiggo – (He is) a madman : like one possessed by a lubaale, who beats with sticks
77. Njawukana : eva ku mugga – The dispersion comes from the well
78. Njogera bye ndaba : nti emmese tenywa mwenge; nti mu kita ebadde enoo-nyemu ki? I speak what I see : a rat does not drink beer; but what was it looking for in the calabash? (there was semsem in it) – ,
79. Njogera bye ndaba : nti Gatuulemu wuuyo ajja – I sak what I know (says who insists on being believed, whatever he says) : (and they say about him) Hush! There comes Gatuulemu (amagambo)
80. Njogere nsambye : kabaka amuyita kalaka (= kalatu) – Let me talk quickly (i
81. Njola ki? : ng’ayola akagubi – What am I bringing up? : (one who asks such a question) is bringing up a kagubi (mischievous bird)
82. Njuba ebireese – (ebigambo) The sun has brought the news
83. Nkaabira mubikire : naye ankutukidde mu ngalo! I bewail the death of one, whose death notice came from far : but what shall I do, when somebody dies in my arms! I help people in distress who live in far-off lands; what shall I do, when distress is near? –
84. Nkaajumbe : temala nju mpya – ( Ebiddawo tibyenkanankana: ) Old thatch (taken off and put on again) : will not be enough for a new house
85. Nkalakkalira : ng’ensiriba y’ejjanzi – (That is) something permanent (unchangeable) : like the amulet (on the neck) of the grasshopper (permanent growth)
86. Nkalubo : ekira amaluma; w’osikasikanya oliira – Tough meat is better than no meat at all; where you ll off the meat, you eat
87. Nkalye nkawulire : asula tiyeebase – Let me eat and feel that I have eaten it : (one who says so) snds the night without slee Overeating or overdrinking results in a bad night
88. Nkejje nfu : ekira ennamu okutambula – A dead enkejje (small fish) : travels further than a live one
89. Nkerettanyi : bw’ogitega (or: bagitega) amenvu, erya bibombo – (He is like) an enkerettanyi (cute animal) : if you try to catch it with (a bait of) menu (ri bananas), it eats bibombo (creers) only
90. Nkoba za mbogo : zeggya zokka mu bunnya – The buffalo gets out of a hole by its own skin
91. Nkoko njeru : yeeyoleka kamunye – ( Ndi nkoko njeru : seekweka kamunye: ) A white hen cannot hide itself from the hawk (wild animal)
92. Nkoko nnyoole : yalema Abaadi (= Abawadi) – A strangled chicken : is not eaten by Muslims
93. Nkoko tekuba -A hen does not belch If it belches, it is dying
94. Nkoko teyota : bw’olaba eyota nga bagiwujja – A hen does not warm itself at the fire : if you see it warming itself, they fan it (i
95. Nkoko yange ebuuka emiyagi : nnyiniyo obuuka omuvule? ( Okekkera ng’omusumba w’enkoko: ) –
96. Nkoko yange eyo yeeyambula bbombo : nnannyiniyo we yeeyambula aba- longo – That chicken of mine sheds its first down : (then probably you) its owner, discard also the umbilical cords (of the twins)
97. Nkole mpoomye : Nnalunga yagoya amayuuni – Let me get busy and make it tasty : (said) Nnalunga, when she mashed the arum-lily tubers (instead of simply boiling them)
98. Nkolola nsajja egoba ngo – The cough of a man : drives the leopard away
99. Nkolo tenyigwa – The banana-rootstock cannot be moulded (between the fingers like matooke)
100. Nkomaga ka mwana : ye nkomaga mbi – ( Mesa ka mwana: ) I am beating out a barkcloth (kabugo) for a child : that is bad workmanshi
101. Nkonge bw’etekukuba magenda : ekukuba amadda – ( Amagezi gasalwa: ; Kaabulindiridde : ng’enkonge: )
102. Nkonge ya muvule : nnantagwira kyeya kimu – The stump of a muvule tree : does not fall in one hot season
103. Nkubaguliza nga lw’ebibo – I am warning you, as the door made of kibo-palm branches does
104. Nkubye mu kisaka ejjinja : kuwulira bivaamu (= okulaba ekinaabuukamu) – I have thrown a stone into the thicket : to hear what is going on in there
105. Nkuagirira okutega : bw’olitta olimpa (= n’oleeta omwange)? I show you how to set a trap : if you will kill (an animal), will you give me (meat) (or: bring meat to my home)? He who has led you to success, ought to get his due from you – – Gratitude
106. Nkumanyi muze : takuganya (= takulinda) kwetonda – I know your evil inclination : (one who says so) does not give you a chance to defend yourself
107. Nkusuulidde mwoyo : – nga nnakyeyombekedde akufumbira embaala
108. Nkutabadde : omunafu atabaala omulima – I am attacking you : the lazy fellow attacks the tiller
109. Nkutaddeko abiri : ow’ettulu g’ateeka ku basengezzi – I am looking at you attentively (with both my eyes) : (says) a one- eyed fellow, looking at those who filter the beer into the calabashes
110. Nkutuse buyiso : sikyadda mu ssasa – ( Tukutuse bwa mpiso: ) I am broken like a needle : I am not going back to the smithy
111. Nkuwawaabidde : takuviirako awo – (One who says to you) I accuse you : does not give you peace (till you give him compensation)
112. Nkuwe nkuwadde) ekyanya : ow’amalibu ky’awa ennoga (= akiwa ennoga) – Let me give you room : as the toothless fellow gives room to the morsel (he throws into his wide-open mouth)
113. Nkuyiire nkuwe akanyama akabisi owuute otuzzi – Let me be good to you and give you a little fresh meat, so that you can suck the juice! Special sign of friendship; from fresh meat one can get more than from smoked meat
114. Nkwane ono nkwane : talema kugwa mu kabi – Let me be friend to this one and that one : (one who is careless like that in choosing his friend), won’t fail to get into trouble
115. Nkwatanyekwatanye : Kalambi ne Bbira – Intimately connected : like Kalambi and Bbira (two villages in Busiro with no natural boundaries)
116. Nkwatiraako : si bumbowa (= tafuuka mumbowa) – Give me a helping hand (to make such a request) does not mean that one is asked to be an executioner
117. Nkwegaanyi : omuggo akwekwesa – ( Ssebayita mbwa: ) I shall do you no harm (he says) : but he hides the stick from your sight
118. Nkwesambye : Nnasswi mugalabi – I keep away from you : (says) the little finger to the ngalabi drum
119. Nkwesiga : omukazi munafu yeesiga nnyazaala we – I reckon on you : as the lazy woman reckons on her mother-in-law
120. Nkwettire : amasanda gettira enswera – Let me kill you : as the glue kills the fly
121. Nkyatudde ku mmere ya baze – I am still sitting (busy) dishing uthe food for my husband
122. Nnaabalira ku lugoye : entungule ziwubira – I shall count (the cents) on the string : those which are not strung up get lost
123. Nnabaana bangi : eggobe ntitti (= ttitti) – A mother of many children : has no ggobe (leaves of beans) left
124. Nnabe-ffulula-biswa – The nnabe (termite eating red ant) makes the anthills (i
125. Nnabe zzisa : ng’ekiti ky’embazzi ekizisa ginnaakyo – (emiti) A ruthless destroyer : like the handle of an axe that destroys its fellow trees
126. Nnaabikyusa : ng’omuganzi aloopa (banne) – I shall change round (the information for my purposes) (says the double- dealer to himself) : like a favourite (who tries to get information from his friends) and uses it against them (before authorities)
127. Nnabugwamu : ng’ow’e Ssambwe – (He is one) who meddles in a conversation which he has misunderstood : like the chief of Ssambwe (Bulemeezi) (whose title is Nnabugwamu)
128. Nnabwekomba : nga kadduubaale asebeya – A person doing jobs for herself (which should be done for her by others) : like the chief-woman (of the king or an other big man), attending to somebody else
129. Nnabyejeeguula ng’enswa : tennaba kutuuka gy’egenda, ng’embugo esuula – A thoughtlessly snding rson is like a flying ant : it has not yet reached its destination and throws away the clothes (wings)
130. Nnabyejeeguula : ng’omuwuulu agaba nsimbi – A spendthrift : like a bachelor squandering his money
131. Nnabyewanga : ng’akaliga akaliira mu nte – A etentious rson : like a lamb that grazes amongst the cows
132. Nnaagazina dda : ye agenda nago (= nga tagayinze) – ( Linda kiggweeyo: ) I shall dance later (says the old man) : and wants to wait till the others have gone
133. Nnagenda ne kye bannambye (=– bakuwammye) : ng’enuneeme etodde – I went with what they told me : the heart being full with it
134. Nnaggerenjula : bw’akuyita okulya akugeyera emmere – A twister (double-dealer) : (is a man) who invites you to a meal and talks about your voracity afterwards
135. Nnaggerenjula : ng’eddimi ly’enjala – ( Gw’olya naye enkejje: ) A twister (double-dealer) : like the tongue in famine time
136. Nnaagunywanga ne nsulayo : nga gy’agunywedde gy’akwanye – I shall drink (beer) there and sleethere : (one who says so) has a friend there, where he drinks
137. Nnagutta : n’alindyamu olukwe – I have made blood-brotherhood (with him) : and he will betray me (by causing others to do me harm)
138. Nnajja kulaba nnyabo : bw’atambula (= atuuka) abuna ekyalo – I came to see my mother (says he) : but when he comes, he roams about in the village
139. Nnajja n’ebyange : bitanga ayonzesa mbuga – I came with my own property : like the spotted goat suckling her young in the chief’s place
140. Nnajja n’ebyange : ne binyiriza embuga – I came with my own property : and that has embellished the chief’s place
141. Nnajja okumala : tamala mbale – I come to finish (the job) : but he never finishes quickly
142. Nnajjukiranga ne nseka : nga si ggwe bakigambye – I thought of it and I laughed : (so you say) if they have not been talking about you
143. Njakablito teyeesigwa – A favourite girl is not to be trusted
144. Nnaakalyako ani? : abula gw’akkusa – With whom shall I share this little ece? : (one saying so) satisfies nobody
145. Nnakamwa ntette : ng’ageya gw’ayita naye – An idle talker : like a man who speaks evil of his companion
146. Nnakamwa ntette : ye yabuulira nnyini ttooke, nti ettooke ly’emmanju lyenge-dde – An idle talker : tells the owner of the banana bunch: the bunch behind the house is ripe
147. Nnakapanka : ng’omukazi akalakata nkumbi; nti osiimuulako ki? kuliko ttaka? A humbug : like a woman scraping clean a hoe (where there is nothing to be scraped off any longer); they ask her: what are you scraping off?, is there still any soil on it? She wants to give the impression as if she had worked hard –
148. Nnakatandaggizi : talera wa mugumba – A person who beats children badly : does not bring up the only child of a woman
149. Nnakatintigiri : ng’omuzaana adduka obuko – A woman clad only with a loincloth : is like a female slave who avoids her marriage relations
150. Nnakawangiza-nkoto : ng’omukazi aloota ennoma ezirawa – A pretentious person (one who holds her neck erect) : like a woman dreaming that the war-drums are sounding
151. Nnakawere akankana : ng’alabye amuweereza – A woman in childbirth trembles : if she sees somebody helping her
152. Nnakawuka : we kagwa mu nvubo amansula – If a kawuka (harmful insect) falls into the nvubo (hole dug in front of the anthill to gather the flying termites) : a person also called Nnakawuka throws it out
153. Nnakikubye : tatuuka ku nsonga – (One who says) I hit my old hag (wife) : does not give the real cause
154. Nnakkwale tanfuga : nga si mugole we – ( Kaddulubaale tanfuga: ) A dwarf does not rule me : (so one concubine says to her fellow-woman), if that rson is not her mistress
155. Nnakubyejuula : ng’omusanvu gw’oku nju; ne nnyinimu gumukuba – A bullying rson : is like the twigs that are t at the side of the house (to event tresssing); they might easily get the owner of the house also into trouble
156. Nnakuddamu ntya, jjo? : bw’akukwata takuta (or: akusiba; akunyweza) – (A man who asks you) What answer did I give you yesterday (to your ex- cuses)? : will not let you go (unpunished) (or: ties you up)
157. Nnaakukomeka effumu : omukadde akomeka luggi – I shall fix you with a spear : like the old man who fixes his door (from inside) with the (slanting) stick
158. Nnakula sibbye – I have grown up without stealing
159. Nnaakuliriranga : ebiwaata ngululu (= mawaata ngululu) – I shall become very fat (I shall eat my fill) : (says one who sees) a big heap of banana-peelings
160. Nnaakumala amamiima : nnabanfuddu ge yamala nnabbubi – I’ll get you into my crushing grip : as the nnabanfuddu got the spider
161. Nnakumanyanga : eyakumanyanga bw’avaawo, ekkubo liziba – I knew you from olden times (therefore you may pass over my ground) : but when the one who knew you goes away, the path is closed
162. Nnaakussa ekkande : nti kasooli wa kuno tayera awunda awo, ng’ogwa nna- kande kusaawa – I shall cultivate diligently that overgrown banana plantation (so one says who has been told) : in this soil maize does not just grow well, it flourishes, and he throws himself into clearing the plantation
163. Nnaakuyigiriza ag’enkolwa – (amagezi) ( Onsalidde ga nkolwa: ) I shall teach you the wisdom of the mongoose
164. Nnaku z’abato : n’atazaala akuba – (That is the) misfortune of children (inferiors) : also one who is not a parent beats them (chiefs, schoolmasters etc
165. Nnakyemalira : ng’engalo ensajja – An indendent being : like the thumb
166. Nnaakyesaga : nga ttu ly’empande – I shall examine it : as one examines a parcel of mpande (peanuts)
167. Nnakyeyitize : ng’ezzimu eggumba – A person wandering about aimlessly : like the spirit of a dead person who had no children
168. Nnakyeyombekedde gw’ayiisa : gwe gumusambya (= gumukubya) – The beer which the (unmarried) woman-householder brews : brings her the kicks (blows) of the drunkards
169. Nnali nkirabye : enseenene eva ku mumwa gwa nsawo – I have seen it before : (says) the grasshoer, trying to esca from the oning of the bag
170. Nnaalinnya : omukazi talinnya nnyumba n’egwa munyale – The title Nnaalinnya does not indicate that the woman climbs on a roof and the soot falls down
171. Nnaaliira mtofu : ng’alina gy’aliira – ( Nnaalya kawotose: ) (If one says) I shall eat dried meat : (you know that he) has other meat he can eat
172. Nnalubamba : ng’amatu g’omulwadde – A sensitive person : like the ears of a sick man (every noise is pain)
173. Nnalukalala : muzira asegulirwa mu kkubo – A fierce (difficult) character : is like a hero
174. Nnalukoola : all mu kibira; amayu gaggya – A solitary settler : is (like one) who lives in a forest; when the fire comes, the huts burn down
175. Nnalumanya ne Saalumanya : ffenna mwe tugendedde – (The one who says) I knew the kind of death that would kill me and (he who says) I did not know it (both have to die once) : we all are going the same way
176. Nnalwalwayo ajja n’ettu : akira Nnayanguwako – He who says I am late, but comes with a parcel (a gift) : is more welcome than (one who says) I came in a hurry and brings nothing
177. Nnalwanjo : alya mu basenze abaggya, ng’emmere bajja nayo mu migugu – A shameless rasite : one who goes to eat with new tenants who came with the food in their bundles
178. Nnaalwayo : ng’omuweesi ayota omuliro – (One who says) I shall stay a little longer : is like a smith who warms himself at somebody else’s fire
179. Nnaalya bibiri : y’ayombya ennyama – I want to get two pieces (bifi) : (one demanding that) causes a quarrel over the meat
180. Nnamaka abirye : afa enjala – He who has two homesteads : is likely to die from hunger
181. Nnamaka abirye : tawongera mwami – One who has two homesteads : does not give the chief his dues
182. Nnambaalaala : omwenge agunywa kisajja – A woman with shrunken breasts (virago) : drinks beer like a man
183. Nnampa-Idmalo : ng’ekkisa ly’embwa – A useless person : (as useless) as the collar of a dog
184. Nnampa-we-ngwa : ng’ekituuti kya mayiro – An irresolute person (a sit-on-the-fence) : is like a boundary stone
185. Nnampa-we-ngwa : ng’envubu; ab’oku ttale bagibuuza omusolo, nti ndi wa nnyanja – A sit-on-the-fence : like a hippopotamus; the shore people demand the tax (and the hippo says) I belong to the lake
186. Nnampa-we-ngwa : ng’omukatoliki atalina mudaali – A sit-on-the-fence : like a catholic wearing no medal (rosary)
187. Nnamugalula : eyagalula ejjembe ly’enkoko, eribeera ku mutwe gw’embuzi n’eribeera ku kugulu kw’enkoko – ( Nnamugereka: ) The great Disposer (God) who gave a place to the horn of the chicken and a place to the horn of the goat (on its head) put the horn of the chicken (its spur) on its leg
188. Nnamugenyi-mubi : y’asuza omulungi enjala – An unwelcome visitor makes a welcome one suffer hunger
189. Nnamulanda : ng’ekibere ky’embwa – A huge banana-plantation : (is like) the teats of a dog (reaching from the thigh to the chest)
190. Nnamugereka : eyagereka amayembe ag’enkoko n’agaggya ku mutwe n’agassa ku magulu – ( Nnamugalula: ) The great distributor (i
191. Nnamuldsa : ajjula emyungu n’emikonda – A lucky person (cook) : who manages to take the myungu (vegetable marrow) out of the cooking pot, with the fruit-stalks still on (and dishes them up like that)
192. Nnamulimi akutuse olwala – The ant-bear has broken its claw (i
193. Nnamungi tafumba : ayokya – A great number (of guests) does not cook (the food) : it burns it
194. Nnamunnoona : ebbala erimu terimubuusa na nnyange – One white patch does not make the (white-shouldered) crow fly with the egrets
195. Nnamunkanga tadduka buko : kubanga bw’osimba effumu n’ajja n’agwako – A dragon-fly does not avoid its relations-in-law : because if you stick your sar into the ground, it comes and sits down on its to No fear
196. Nnamunye tamala kubala nnyumba : buli ezimbwa ng’agirinnyako – The wagtail is not particular about houses : it flies down on any house that is built
197. Nnamunyi w’atubira : ) enkofu teyitawo; ) aali tatengejja (= ayisa mu lyato) – Where the wagtail sinks : ) the guinea-fowl won’t ss; ) the crested crane won’t float (= sses by boat)
198. Nnamusava w’olumu : ) takusisa lunnyo; ) takusuuza ntula – A big fat cow that is going to be eaten (by many people) in one day : ) does not make you erect a frame (for drying the meat, because all the meat is going to be cooked and eaten the same day); ) does not make you throw away the ntula (vegetables) (because tomorrow you will have no meat)
199. Nnamusenga edda : effumu akwata lya nnembe – ( Okubwesooka si kubu- lya: ) (A man who has only one claim, saying) I became his tenant long ago : gets hold of a bad spear
200. Nnamwanjula : nsawo y’Abagwe – A esenter (introducer) : like the nsawo of the Bagwe
201. Nnaamwatulira : abulako munywanyi we (= abulwako munne, = tabaako munne) – (One who says) I shall tell him only (a rson who reoaches one blic- ly) : has no friend
202. Nnandiwunye mu kabwebwe? Should I try to find the hiding place by smell? Question put by somebody who has purposely hidden an article and still asks: Where did that thing go to? – Kabwebwe = lusu –
203. Nnangalongya : ng’atukula ogumu, agabanya ebiri – A person with one white hand (from syphilis) : like one who has one clean hand and shares out with two
204. Nnannimi-bbirye : ng’Omunyolo ow’oku muzibo – A double-dealer : like the nyoro on the language-boundary
205. Nnannyini kabya : tayasa, abumbirira – The owner of the little bowl (who has broken it accidentally) : does not smash it altogether, but lovingly holds the broken pieces together
206. Nnannyini kasooli : y’amuwa abaayi; bw’aba azikiriza, nti atuuse ekiryabaayi – The owner of the (growing) maize : gives it to the marauders when it is half-ripe, (saying) it has reached the state of ekirya-baayi (= ekiryabatabaazi)
207. Nnannyini kiggwa ye akiweebuula : anti ng’akiriiramu emmwanyi – ( Nnyini: ) It is the owner of the shrine himself who dishonours it, by eating coffee beans in it
208. Nnannyini kitiko : akkuta kibisi (= bubisi) – The owner of the big mushroom eats his fill, whilst it is fresh
209. Nnannyini maka : y’agoonoona – The owner of the household spoils his home (through bad example or negli-gence)
210. Nnannyinimu ayomba : nti newakubadde ewunya, nze empoomedde – The master of the house (and not the guest) has a right to complain about the food (or to reprimand the personnel) : although the food tastes badly, the guest must say: it is sweet to me (I like it, it tastes nice)
211. Nnannyinimu bw’atabaawo : ebikere bitemba enju (= beetemba enju) – ( Nnyini nju w’atabeera: ) When the master is not about : the frogs take charge of the house
212. Nnannyini mufu : ye akwata awawunya – The owner of the dead person (nearest relation) gets hold of the stinking corpse
213. Nnannyini mulimo : takeera kwota One who has work to do : does not sit near the fire in the early morning – The work will make him warm
214. Nnannyini ndwadde, nkugamba nti siisulewo; nti leka kundwaza mwoyo – The sick person (says) I tell you, I am not going to live to-morrow; (reply) stop worrying me!
215. Nnanoga taba : ne mbulwa emmanvu – I have plucked tobacco leaves : but I have no trough (to pound the leaves)
216. Nnantabwaza (= nnantabweyaliza) : akuba mu ly’enkejje obusomyo (okunyu- nyunta eggumba lyayo) – A poor man sucks the marrow out of the bone of an enkejje (small fish)
217. Nnantagambirwa muka-sse : aligambirwa nnyina – He who does not listen to a concubine of his father : will listen to his real mother
218. Nnantagambwa kabi : ng’ekkubo erigenda mu ffumbiro (= ng’ekkubo ly’omu kiyungu) – One about whom nobody speaks evil : is li

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- M

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -M

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Maddu ga ddenge : ofuuwa bw’okomba – There is passion in blowing a whistle (horn) : you bow, whilst you are licking
2. Maddu tigaggwaako mulamu – The longings of a living being never come to an end
3. Mafuta ga nte : gava mu nte ne gadda mu ddiba – The fat of the cow : comes from the cow and goes back into the hide of the cow (in tanning)
4. Mafumu ogabuulira eyali agalwanyeeko – You can speak about spears only with a man who has fought with them
5. Magezi amaggye ku bugenyi : gaakubya Wakayima ku mutwe – ( Kawakuzi awakula: ; Mbuukire baaba w’abuukidde: ) What Mr
6. Magezi g’atagenze : kaakano baziruma ebirenge (= ebinuulo) – ( Ataluta-mbudde, nti kaakano: ) This is what the one, who remained at home, imagines : Now they are gnawing the lez
7. Magezi g’omu : gaakisa Bigambo ku kkubo – ( Amagezi g’omu: ) The wisdom of one : made Bigambo hide himself next to the road
8. Magulu ga ntungo : gasigala mu ssibiro – The stalks of semsem : remain in the place, where it was hung up for drying
9. Majja-nkunene : ng’enswa egoba ennyonyi – Marvellous! (= oli wa kitalo) : like a flying ant following uthe birds
10. Makoomi ga mwaka : n’omunafu akuma – Even a lazy person burns the rubbish (on the field) during the planting-season
11. Makulane : ng’emmese esula omw’omunafu – Just the same : as with the mouse that dwells with the poor man
12. Makunale : ng’entanda eriko ekibya (or nva) – A strange thing : like a bedstead on which there is a bowl (with vegetables)
13. Mala okulya : ava ku mmindi ya taba – Eat first : (one who says so) omits to offer a smoke (to the guest)
14. Mala okulya : enjuba temulinda – (If they tell a man) Eat first (before you go) : the sun does not wait for him
15. Mala okulya : takubuulira kiri ku mmere – (He who says to you) Eat first : does not tell you about the additional dishes (to whet your aetite)
16. Mala okulya : bw’ovaawo ye agamba, nti abadde amira ebitole – (One who says to you) Eat first : when you leave, he says (to the others) But that fellow swallows lumps of matooke!
17. Mala okulya : ye akugeyera emmere – (One who says to you) Eat first : talks about your ravenous appetite
18. Malizi masajja : galira gavuumira (= gavuuvuuma) – The sobbing (wailing) of men : is wailing like rumbling talk (not like that of women, who shriek their laments)
19. Maluulu ga kyalo : tegakusuuza bbuzi lyo – An alarm raised in the village : does not make you neglect your goat
20. Malya-nkolo : tegalagaana – Eating enkolo (famine-food) does not find understanding (with eating plenty)
21. Mamu, maamu : gye migogo – The greeting amu-maamu : means bananas
22. Mannyangwa : nga lumonde ow’omu kibanja – ( Nnantalabikalabika: ) Wonderful (unusual) things : as potatoes on a deserted homestead
23. Maanyi ga tulo : gava ku lukokola; bw’otofunyako tiweebaka – Sound sleep comes from the elbow; if you don’t fold it (and put your hand under your head), you won’t sleep well
24. Manyiira ku mwoyo : ng’endeku ey’obulago – Keep it to yourself : like the calabash with the long neck
25. Masannanzira : gatta omubuuza n’omubuuzibwa – Crossroads kill the one who greets and the one who is greeted
26. Masavu ga npaana : gasaala gakka kibira – ( Amasavu g’ennaana: ) The fat of the hornbill is sizzling, when flying down to the forest
27. Masenge ga muyiisa : tegaggwaamu mwenge – ( Ebisenge: ) In the rooms of a brewer there is always beer (namely for his friends)
28. Maseeneeko : ng’okugulu kw’ejjenje – ( Oli mugabi: ) Temporarily attached : like the leg of a cricket
29. Maaso mabi : tegayiwa tato – ( Katono ko: ) An ugly face : does not prevent you from sleeping
30. Maaso matono : gasinga ebitangalijja – Small eyes : are worth more than things that glitter
31. Matankane : ng’empale y’omuseveni; mpanvu si mpanvu, nnyimpi si nnyimpi – Doubtful (uncertain) : as the trousers of a th-army-man; they are long, but not long enough, they are short, but not short enough
32. Mateerero : nti enkoko yange ebiika mu kyalo – Rash judgement : (to say) my hen is laying eggs in the village
33. Matole manene : teganyaga nnyini mwana – Big lum (of ttooke) will not alienate the child from its mother
34. Matu ga mubaazi : gawulira kya mbwa etwala ennyama yo; omusaba takuwa – The ears of a butcher : hear (if you tell him) The dog is stealing your meat; but if you ask him for a piece of meat, he does not give it
35. Matu tegasula njala – The ears don’t suffer hunger
36. Mavivi ga mukulu : tigafukaamirira bwereere – Gray hairs (old people) do not like to kneel without reason
37. Mavumirizi : tegatta gwe beeyana ennyo – ( Bikongoolo: ) Maledictions do not kill the one they speak evil of
38. Mawolu tegatta ntamu – Cold food does not break the cooking pot
39. Mayanja assa bigere Lukumbi : ng’omutwe guli Sseguku – The river Mayanja has its feet (at Lukumbi), whilst its head (source) is at Sseguku (Kyaddondo)
40. Mayirikiti gatikkira kwa mwaka – ( Leka kunyoomera kiyirikiti: ) The kiyirikiti-tree puts on its bloom in the sowing season
41. Maziga ga mmese : gajja na kamasu – The tears of the rat come, when it is caught in the tra Belated sorrow
42. Maziga ga musota : gajja na muggo – The tears of a snake : come with the stick
43. Maziribano : ng’omubi awonga; nti ekibi kigwana wala – A complicated mess : as when an ugly man goes to bring an offering to the lubaale; (he says) may the evil go away from me
44. Mazzi masabe : tegaloga (= tegamala) nnyonta – Water obtained by begging : does not quench the thirst
45. Mbadde nnalwemanya : ng’omunafu (= omukadde) atabaaza embazzi – ( Nnalwemanyidde: ) I used to be well prepared (good at fighting) : (answer) probably like the weak old man (who said so, because) he went to the war (lutabaalo) with an axe (and whenever the warriors brought booty, they called him to kill the cows and he got the neck-portions (hump) of them)
46. Mbayiiyira ndya : agabira w’ebweru; ng’ab’omu nju basula njala – ( Anaa- seera owuwe: ) I pour food on them (I treat my guests lavishly) : (a man saying so) gives to an outsider, whilst the members of his household go to bed hungry
47. Mbeera n’abiri : ne nnannyini nkoko nandimuleese – ( Weenyumiriza ng’olugunju: ) If I had two eyes (says the one-eyed rson) : I should have brought the owner of the chicken also
48. Mbidde ky’ekutuma : togaana – Where the desire to drink beer sends you you can hardly refuse to go
49. Mbijjukidde : omuwuulu enswa azimalira ku kiswa (= omuwuulu aziriira ku kiswa) – I remember things : (namely that a bachelor has nobody at home to prepare the flying ants) therefore he eats them at the anthill
50. Mbikyusekyuse : enjuba tegwa e Bulemeezi – Let me turn them over (namely the things spread in the sun for drying) : the sun does not go down in the direction of Bulemeezi
51. Mbiro ntono : zikira okwekweka (= okwekisa) – (Running away) slowly : is better than hiding oneself
52. Mboneredde : ) ali ku nkoomi; ) tata muze; ) y’amala abikola – I am sorry : ) (says the sorcerer) when he is at the stake (to be burnt); ) (says the evildoer) but he does not give up his evil desires; ) (says the disobe-dient child) but at once it does it again
53. Mbuga ekwagala : ekira emitego gyonna – The chief’s place, where you are a favourite, is better than all the traps
54. Mbuga ekwagala : ekuzimbya ku lwazi – ( Mwami akwagala: ) The place of a chief who likes you (where you are a favourite) : attracts you to build on rock (unfertile ground)
55. Mbuga eramula – The chief’s place settles matters (disputes, cases)
56. Mbuga teba lusuubo – The chief’s place is no lusuubo (a food parcel suspended on a string in the hut, to protect the food from rats)
57. Mbuga teba mmanga – The chief’s place is not in a backward place
58. Mbuga terimba – The chief’s place is not supposed to tell lies
59. Mbuggubuggu : ng’amazzi g’ekiryo – A clever (marvellous) thing (or person) : like the water in the leafstalk (petiole) of the vegetable-plant
60. Mbugo mbi : zinyoomerwa ku katale – Bad barkcloth is not appreciated in the market place
61. Mbuzi mulanga : amaziga bule – A goat crying without tears
62. Mbwa ekira ente – A dog is more useful than a cow
63. Mbwa etta na muyimbi – The dog kills even the singer
64. Mbwa ya kkoligo : eruma agisemberedde – A dog that is tied u: bites the one who comes near it
65. Mbwa zaafa : amagunju gayinaayina – ( Bubulwa mbwa: ) (When) the dogs have died : the weasels rejoice (become the masters)
66. Mikono ffeeza – The work of the hands is money
67. Mimwa etoloba : ng’ageya bwe bajja – A chatterbox (whose li have no rest) : talks uncharitably about anybody who comes
68. Mirembe gye giseguza – ( Mirembe ngalo: ) Times bring changes
69. Mirembe ngalo : buli oguddawo gukira gunnaagwo – ( Emirembe ngalo: ) The times are like the fingers : each subsequent one is different (longer or shorter) from its neighbour
70. Mirimu gya mu ttoggo : gikooya buli omu – The work of the rainy season (March-April-May) makes everybody tired
71. Miti gy’amayuuni : basimba bayegeekereza; bwe gikula ne gyesimba – When they t the arum-lily ants into the ground : they have to suort them; when they have taken root, they stand erect
72. Mivule giwaatula – The muvule-trees burst into new leaf
73. Mizimbo teekale – ( Nnawalubwa: ) There is no luck in houses
74. Mmaali yatokomoka : agula nsuwa – One says, My things are destroyed : and then he buys a waterpot (as if that could not be destroyed)
75. Mmandwa mbi : evumaganya agisamirira – A bad lubaale-priest (medium) : brings abuse upon himself by the person who comes to consult him
76. Mmanya nnenda : nti abalenzi kaakano bazizza – If I had known that, I should have gone (to war) too (says one who has remained at home) : because now the boys bring them (i
77. Mmanyi byonna : bbaluwa ebuna kyalo – (One who says) I know all (Mr
78. Mmeeme eteebuuza : efubutula eggambo – A heart that does not reflect : will speak a thoughtless word
79. Mmeeme katale – ( Tekiwoomera: ; Emmeeme katale: ) The heart of man is like the market place
80. Mmeeme ya munno ky’eyagala, naawe ky’oyagala : nga mwagalana – What the heart of your friend desires, you also desire : if you love each other
81. Mmere egulwa : kwe kugikolera ekisaakaate – Food must be paid for : the tenant has to go to the chief’s place to put up the enclosure (and other work), in order to be left in peace on his own kibanja
82. Mmere eyala mbuga : ye akozza omwami – (One who says) There is enty of food in the chief’s ace : starves the chief
83. Mmere mbi : terumya njala – Food of inferior quality (muwogo, bulo etc
84. Mmere yange enfudde ki? : ye akuyita kaliira – Why have I to lose my food? (says the woman about the unwelcome visitor) : she calls you a glutton (who has come only to eat)
85. Mmuguddeko ekiyiifuyiifu : omugole ky’agwa mu nkyakya – ( Amuguddeko: ) I pounced on him : as the young wife falls on the cracks in her husband’s feet
86. Mmuteekerawo okugulu – I put my leg down for him (i
87. Mpa alwogerako – (olumbe) Nobody speaks (well) about death
88. Mpa kitakuusa : olusanja lubabula olulagala – There is nothing that could not be treacherous : the dry banana-leaf singes the green one (although they are of the same mother)
89. Mpa kikula kiwooma : wabula ettooke; ne bwe lyengera bw’olirya liba ddungi – ( Obukadde buwoomya ki: ) There is nothing old that is still sweet : except banana; also when it is ripe and you eat it, it is good
90. Mpalakitale : ng’eddiba ly’emmere – ( Oli mpalakitale: ) A difficult (stubborn) fellow : as stubborn as a (dry) skin on which they eat
91. Mpa magombe gazza : ng’embuzi eruma w’esula – The underworld gives nothing back : as it is with the goat that bites off the halter, where it snds the night
92. Mnde emu : eyiwa ekisero – One nut : urs out the (contents of the) basket
93. Mpa-nkuwange – Come here, I’ll put a handle into you! Addressing a hoe which has lost its handle
94. Mpaawo atabukuttira : ne nnyazaala wo abukuttira – (bufumbo) There is nobody who could not destroy your marriage : even your mother-in-law can
95. Mawo atagukuttira : ne nnyoko agutta – (mukwano) There is nobody who could not kill your friendshi: even your mother can
96. merese : efa waaboyo mirembe – A child given to somebody else to be brought up, dies in peace only at home
97. Mesa ka mwana : ye mesa mbi – I am forging a knife (akambe) for the child : (that means) it is bad workman-shi It does not matter very much, as the knife is only a toy for the child
98. Mpiima teseera : omwoyo gwe guseera (or: mugabi ye aseera) – It is not the knife that is cheating (in cutting the meat) : but the spirit (the divider, the man) is cheating
99. Mpola : amaanyi tigalya – Gently! : with force you achieve nothing
100. Mpolampola : eyiisa obusera – ( Bbugubugu: ; Akwata mpola: ) Slowly, slowly : cooks the pap (pudding)
101. Mulira byogere : ng’engalabi ya Nnyanzi – I hear what is said : like the drum-beat of Nnyanzi
102. Mulukutu za musota : ziwulira na muggo – (= uttululu – – ) The ears of a snake : listen to a stick
103. Mungu : kkubira ball (= ekubira bali) – The eagle is a killer for others (kills for others)
104. Munyiwunyi : eramusa (= alamusa) awaggale (= ziramusa) – A simpleton : greets closed doors
105. Mubaaga-zibi : abaaga lumu – ( Ow’embaaga mbi: )
106. Mubaana abangi (= mu bwana obungi) : timubula azza pnoma (= kalya nnoma) – Amongst many children : there is surely one who will become chief
107. Mubbi : aguza engalo – A thief pays with his (long) fingers
108. Mubi azaalwa : ne bw’ozaala omulema tomusuula – ( Kibi kyo kisinga: ) An ugly child is (also) born : even if you bring forth a lame one, you don’t throw it away
109. Mubi azitta : nga balungi balya – (enswa) Although an ugly person catches the ants : still the beautiful ones eat them
110. Mubi nga Nsanja – As bad as Nsanja
111. Mu butta : timubula mpulunguse – In the meal (flour) there are always (unground) lumps
112. Mu bwana obungi – – ( Mu baana abangi: ) Munno –
113. Muddo gwa luyiira : n’atalina mbuzi agwegomba – The green grass that grows after the burning : is looked forward to also by one who has no goat
114. Muddu akira mukazi – A slave is of more use than a wife
115. Muddu awulira : y’alya n’omwami ekyenkya – ( Omuddu: ) A slave who is obedient : eats his breakfast with his master
116. Muddu awulira : y’awangaaza amatu ge – A slave who is obedient : gives long life to his ears
117. Muddu talwewa : aluwa mukama we, nti omwami enkya anaagenda ku kibuga? (lusa) The slave does not give himself rmission for a journey : it is his master who gives it, when the slave asks: Is the master going to town to-morrow? , – ,
118. Mufumbya-gganda : tabalirira mutyabi (= tabalira basennya, = tasaasira bazaala) – One who uses a big bundle of firewood for cooking : has no consideration for one who has to gather the firewood
119. Mugagga alina ebibye : yeeguyibwa – A rich man possessing his riches : is told pleasant things
120. Muganga tiyeeganga – A witchdoctor does not treat himself (goes to another o ne)
121. Muganzi lw’azza : naawe omukyawe lw’ocacanca – (omusango) When the favourite woman commits a fault : you, the despised one, rejoice
122. Mugenda mulimbagana : nga muli balungi beereere – You will go on entertaining each other : if all of you are of peaceful mind
123. Mugenyi amanya lijja : nga wa nsumika mbi – If a visitor knows (only) the way (ekkubo) on which he came : he is badly dressed
124. Mugenyi asooka : y’ayita banne emigulungu – ( Omugenyi asooka: ) The visitor who came first : calls the following rasites, sngers
125. Mugezi awubwa : amatu tigawulira vvumbe – ( N’omugezi: ) Even a clever man may be mistaken : the ears don’t hear a smell
126. Mugoba taluma ggumba – An oarsman does not gnaw a bone (because he has to handle the oars)
127. Mugobya ne mugobya : basisinkana Kijonjo – ( Engobya n’engobya: ; Abasa n’abasa: ) The rogue and the rogue : met at Kijonjo
128. Mugonza kunyaga : tagonza mbiro? One who is inclined to rob : is he not also inclined to be quick? If he is not, he will be caught –
129. Mugya-ndibu : si ye agimala – A trouble bringer : does not take it away
130. Mujagujagu nga kabwa : tekannazibula nga kasitama – ( Weewulidde bubwa: ) A clever lad! Like a little dog : it has not oned its eyes yet, but it sits u
131. Mujogoolikana : ng’abasomosa obuliga – You make a lot of noise : like people who drive lambs (sheep) across the river
132. Mukadde tamusuza : y’amutenda eggonjebwa – ( Atamusuza: ) One who has never yet lived with an old person : praises him (her) for pleasant manners
133. Mukadde taseka : nga talabise amunyumiza binyuma (= nga tasanze amunyo- nyogera, = nga wabuze amunyonyogera) – An old man does not laugh : if there is nobody to entertain him with interesting (spicy) news (if there is nobody who tickles him)
134. Muka Jita : muka Kasirye (or: Baka Jita : baka Kasirye) – Descendant(s) of Jita : descendant(s) of Kasirye
135. Muka mufiire : talema kujula – A widow : will not fail to praise her deceased husband (in the presence of her new husband, he has given me so many clothes etc
136. Muka mwana tantya : ng’azaala mwami – My daughter-in-law has no respect for me : (so complains the husband’s mother) if her child is a chief
137. Muk’omubumbi : aliira mu luggyo – A tter’s wife : eats out of a shared meal
138. Muk’omuwuulu : tabaako matu; nti sigasalako? The (imaginary) wife of a bachelor has no ears; (because he often says: If such and such a woman were mine) wouldn’t I cut her ears off (for infidelity)? – ,
139. Muk’omuwuulu : taba n’abiri – (amatu) The (imaginary) wife of a bachelor : has not (only) two ears
140. Muk’omwavu : talondwa – A poor man’s wife is not looked for except at his home (poverty does not separate the wife from her husband)
141. Mukazi agumira ku nkumbi – A woman gets strength from her hoe
142. Mukazi muggya : kabugo kakadde; tekabulamu nsekere – A concubine is like an old barkcloth (blanket) : undoubtedly there will be lice in it
143. Mukire mukire : ow’enda akira ow’entumbi – (also: Ssenkukirenkukire – – ) Try to be better, always better : a woman with a lubuto is worth more than one with dropsy
144. Mukoddomi tambula : ng’embiro mmwembi muzenkanya – My brother-in-law (or contestant, friend, opponent) is not getting away from me : (this statement is true) if both of you are equally quick
145. Mukoloze tafa njala : ng’ali gye batamwagala, nti olukolola ng’amira – ( Omukoloze: ) One who coughs, does not die of hunger : if he is where they don’t like him, they say: if he coughs (kwekoloza), he swallows
146. Mukome wano, tweyanguye : ng’omugenyi anaakyama (= akwatiddwa bubi) – Now let us hurry, turn back : says the visitor (who has been accompanied on the road), if he is in a hurry to relieve himself
147. Muka omulamu : tafumbirikika – As long as the husband is alive : the wife cannot marry (another)
148. Muka omutabaazi : bw’aleka ekkata si bw’alisanga – The wife of a warrior (really the warrior himself) : does not find his headpad (enkata = his wife), as he left it
149. Muka omuzira : bamutwala taliiwo – The wife of a fearless husband : can only be taken away, when he is not at home
150. Mukomye ku njokye : enfumbe timuliddeko – If you have been able just to roast the meat (and raiders come upon you), the boiled meat is not eaten by you
151. Mukuba : olumbe lwamukuba – Mukuba (proper name) : death has struck him
152. Mukulu-atta-maka-ge – It is the master himself, who destroys his home
153. Mukulu ndimutuma ki? : yeerabira ogw’okumufulumya ebweru ekiro – What could I ask my father to do for me? : a child (being at a loss like that) forgets to ask to be taken out at night
154. Mukulu ne mukulu munne : nga kwa njala – An old man and his old friend : must help each other in time of famine
155. Mukulu takulira ma bbiri : endege tezivugira mu mazzi – ( Omukulu: ) A master does not rule two different homesteads : as the ankle-bells do not ring in the water
156. Mukulu talya nkanja : nga kwa kyengera – The master does not eat the dregs (of the beer) (as the women and the children do) : if it happens to be the season of plenty
157. Mukulu tava nnyuma – – ( Omukulu tava: ) –
158. Mukulu teyeetikka : amuggya (= amuleetera) bunafu – (A man who says) A master does not carry loads : becomes lazy
159. Mukulu wo bw’azaala : tokeera nkya When your elder sister brings forth : you do not go hoeing early next morning – Munno
160. Mukungubazi bonna bwe badduka ye ng’asigalawo – He is a brave man : that holds out, when all the others run away
161. Mulamu gwe bamianga : amufumbira gwa luvu – It is my brother-in-law, whom they talk evil of : (says the woman) and cooks for him with ash-salt (she ought to use better salt (ogw’ensero) to show her attachment)
162. Mulamu y’afuna – As long as one is alive : one can get things again
163. Mulangira : tasuulibwa jjinja – ( Ekkonkomi ebbi: ) You may not throw stones at a prince
164. Mulekere ddala katta-buteme si wa kuta nsiriba – Stop altogether : the katta-buteme (kind of sedge-grass) does not give up its nsiriba (little tubercles at the end of its roots)
165. Mulere gwa Ssuuna : lumoonyere – The flute of king Ssuuna : is being ayed incessantly
166. Mull bukwata : enkuyege n’enswa – ( Muzze bukwata: ) You come ling on toof one another like the worker termite and the flying ants
167. Mulimba asanga mukkiriza – ( Omulimba: )
168. Mulimba nga jjembe : liva mu buziizi, nil nva Buvuma – ( i mukuusa: ) (He is) a liar like a charm : it comes from a dark corner (of the house) and lies: I am coming from Buvuma
169. Mulimba takuza baana – A liar cannot bring up children (they cannot trust him)
170. Muliraano gwokya bbiri – ( Omuliraano: ) Neighbourliness burns two houses
171. Mulonzi tattibwa – ( Omulonzi: )
172. Mulumbaganyi ng’empalaata y’embuzi : okuleka omutwe ng’ekwata amaviivi – An intruder (taking the wrong place) is like the baldness on a goat : leaving the head alone and settling on the knees
173. Mulundira wala : alabira ku maanyi nga gamuterebuka – ( Omulundira: ) A herdsman who has his herd far away : feels (that something is wrong) when his strength is failing
174. Mulungi akunoba : enjala n’etegwa – (Although) a beautiful woman leaves you : hunger does not befall you
175. Mulungi alwa akayuka – A beautiful person who stays with you a long time : loses her charms
176. Mulungi na mulungi : wabulawo asinga – ( Enkaaga n’enkaaga: ; Ebbanja terigenda eri bbanja: )
177. Mulungi takuddukanya – Even a beautiful person makes you come to help with reluctance (if you are not well, bulwadde bubi, impeded walk etc
178. Mulungi tansukka : bye biwanga mu nguudo – A beautiful woman will not defy me : (bragging like that) will result in skulls on the road
179. Mulwadde asosola y’agezza abalamu – A sick person picking at his (her) food : makes the healthy ones fat
180. Mulwadde yanteganyanga : nga kw’otunula – The sick (child, husband etc
181. Mulya-kiro : buziba alaba – A man who eats in the dark : sees trouble in the evening
182. Mulyowa-nsozi : ye lw’alwala tezimulyowa – ( Muganga tiyeeganga: ) He who smooths out difficulties for others : has nobody to smooth them out for him, when he is sick
183. mbu : mwe muva eggye – ( Kamu kamu: ) From the unit comes the big number
184. Mu mpafu temujja mulangira – In trying to knock down the mpafu (Uganda plum) there is no preference (special treatment) for a prince
185. m w’akoma w’akwata : ensolosozi eruma atudde – A short man gri as far as he reaches : the ensolosozi (isonous ant) bites one who is sitting on the ground
186. Munafu azaala mbwa : omulima balangira – A lazy woman brings forth dogs : an industrious one inces
187. Munafu azaala mumbowa : ettooke lino walirya n’ani?; kasajja akukutte envuba – A lazy woman brings forth an executioner : with whom have you eaten this banana-bunch (which was hanging nearby)?; your little boy is tting the blame on you
188. Munaku mmese : etegwa kirungi – One in distress is like a rat : it is trapped by a tasty thing
189. Mungi atiibwa – A great number causes respect (fear)
190. Mu ngo temuli mmondo – ( Ekkerenda liva: ) In the leord there is no serval cat
191. Munkyamu : mwe muva engolokofu – Out of crooked things develostraight things
192. Munnange, ommaze enviiri ku mutwe – My friend, you finish off the hair on my head
193. Munno atunda : nti nze ngula; nti ekimutunza okimanyi? If your neighbour sells something and you say (quickly) I shall buy it; do you know what makes him sell the thing? Be careful in buying secondhand-things! –
194. Munno bw’akukola : naawe bw’omukola – ( Kye nkola bannange: ) As your neighbour does to you : so you do to him
195. Munno mu kabi : ye munno ddala – A friend in need : is a friend indeed
196. Munnyu gwa vvu : bw’obulwa amazzi tolya – If you have ash-salt, but no water : you won’t eat
197. Mu nnyumba temuba kkubo – In the house there is no road
198. Mu nnyumba timubula mukadde : enkoko eyingira ekootakoota – There is always an old one in a house : the hen goes in stooping
199. Musajja alumbwa : bw’ogenda okumulumba ogenda weenywezezza – A (fearless) man is attacked : when you are going to attack him, you go pre-pared
200. Musajja awoomera ka – (or: Omusajja – – ) A man is happy, if he has his own home
201. Musajja lumonde : akulira ku mugwa – A man is like (native) potatoes : he grows up on a rope
202. Musajja munno lukolokolo : olusika nalwo lukusika – Your man-friend is like a lukolokolo (tough thorny creeper) : (you get entangled and) you pull it and it pulls you
203. Musajja munno : omuwerera akuwerera – ( Akuwa gw’owa: ) Your man-friend : you help him and he helps you
204. Musajja tabula : bw’olaba abuze, nga basse mutte – A (courageous) man does not simply disappear if you see that he has disappeared, they have killed him
205. Musajja w’akulira : ng’alabye bingi – As a man grows up : he has to go through many a hardship (warnings, re-proaches, disappointments, punishment etc
206. Musango gwa ntamu : gubuulirwa n’omugenyi – The fault of the cooking pot is mentioned even before a visitor
207. Musenze alanda – ( Busenze muguma: ) A tenant often changes his master (reasons: sickness, bereavement, treatment, new friends etc
208. Musenze muggya : tanenyezebwa – A new tenant is not soon reproached
209. Musira-nnumbu : tabaliriza zigwa mu mazzi (or: tabaliriza zigenda) – He who washes (rubs) the nnumbu (= very tasty ingredients for meat etc
210. Musisi : tenza-ggulu – An Earthquake is a shaker of the heavens (terrific power)
211. Musisinkanye : omuti w’eggye okufumbirwa omunafu – You have met each other : (namely) one who is afraid to join the army and marries a lazy woman
212. Musogozi talya bidumo – The brewer does not eat the dregs (of mubisi)
213. Mutagubya – A quick, efficient worker (one who does not linger, especially a smith)
214. Mutego gwa mki : ogugwako ng’olaba – You fall into a train the mweso-game : whilst you see it
215. Muti gwa nnanga : ogukuba amabega, gtunala gwogera obulungi – You turn the (curved) stick of the (native) harp with its back towards the court (chief) : and still it sounds beautiful
216. Muto anyumya ne muto munne – A small child talks with his small friend
217. Mutomi taweebwa kinene – (kifi) ( Ky’owa omutomi: ) A grumbler is not given a big piece
218. Mutongole mbuzi : zirundibwa wa kamwa; bw’otomugamba okujja okukola tajja – A free citizen is like a goat : they are herded by one with an authoritative voice; if you don’t tell him to come for work, he does not come
219. Mutongole ngabi : tekooyera – ( Engabi tekooyera awatali kibira: ) The indendent citizen is like a bushbuck : he does not rest
220. Mutongole ngabi : ye eyitira ginnaayo ababi – A little chief is like a bushbuck : that – by nervous coughing – calls the enemies (hunters) un the other ngabi (in hiding)
221. Mutongole tasalirwa ku lusuku – A sub-chief should not give away part of his lusuku
222. Mutuula nnyo ensoobasoobanye : ng’ow’omuganzi atudde ku kkono – ( Nammwe mutuulanga bubi: ) You don’t sit at all in the proper order : (says the host) if the child of his favourite sits on his left side
223. Mutunda-bikadde : tatunda bbanja – A second-hand-dealer : does not sell things on credit
224. Muwambi : si muguzi – One who has reserved things for himself without paying for them : has not bought them
225. Muwayira ku ngira : ewuwe tanyumya – One who is talkative on the road : at home he does not talk
226. Muwendo mutono : bijanjaalo olya oyolesa – (One who tries to bargain in buying, says) I have little money, (showing it at the same time) : (also when) you eat beans, you show them (hold them in your open hands)
227. Muwogo akaawa : akaayira akkuse – Cassava is bitter : is bitter fol
228. Muyala akaayanira kulya – A hungry fellow is clamouring for food
229. Muyise tabaako wawe – A wanderer (vagabond) has no home
230. Muyizzi agezza ttutuma – The hunter exaggerates the size of the bottle bird
231. Muzibu-azaala-mpanga – The difficult one brings forth a cock
232. Muzibu : ng’adduka yeeyagula – (= zibu okulaba – – ) He is not easily recognized : like one who scratches himself, whilst running away
233. Muzzukulu eyatta Mukudde – It was the grandson who killed (Bwakamba) Mukudde
234. Mwagaza ekyoyoyo : Omuyima ky’ayagaza entungo – One who loves with half a will (only) : as the Muyima loves semsem
235. Mwami akwagala : ye akuzimbya ne ku lwazi – A chief who loves you : makes you build your house on rock (unfertile ground)
236. Mwami azaala bitooke – A chief brings forth banana plants (not men)
237. Mwami ndimutuma ki? : bamukwatira mitala wa mugga (= musango gw’emi-tala), nti bayite omwami, ajje anzirukire – (One asks) What shall I ask the chief to do for me? : when they catch him on the other side of the river, committing an offence, he can ask: let them call my chief to come and rescue me
238. Mwami, olidde kya nsonga : bw’avaawo akuyita ssikabindi (= ssika mild-ndi) – (The condemned person says) Chief, you have inflicted a just fine : but when he goes away, he calls you a robber
239. Mwami tambula : oluvannyuma y’azza omusango embuga – The chief is on my side (I am his favourite) : (one saying so) will take liberties and finally get into trouble in court
240. Mwami y’ankongoola : ente anyaga emu – ( Otontomereza: ; Oku-lokopya: ; Alondobereza: ) The chief despises me : (so complains the warrior) who got only one cow (on the cattle raid)
241. Mwana : ddagala – One who wants to bring up a child : needs medicine
242. Mwana ggwe, oli kasobeza : ng’omwana awoowooterwa nnyina – Child, you are rexing (beyond me) : like a (crying) child that the mother tries vainly to aease
243. Mwana mugimu : ava ku ngozi – A strong healthy child : is already strong, when carried in the cloth on the back of the mother
244. Mwana muwala mutuba : atagusimba ye asubula – A girl-child is like a mutuba-tree (fig-tree) : the one who did not ant, gets the ofit
245. Mwana na mwana : ng’omu tannakuba munne lubale – They are children : (so you say) as long as one has not yet wounded the other on the head
246. Mwana omu : ) ajjula bijogo; ) alinga ekire ky’enkuba ekimu – The only child : ) has plenty of ornaments (they heap presents on it); ) is like a single rain-cloud
247. Mwana wa munywanyi wange tagenda butalya : bye biwanga ebiri e Kitta-nte – The child of my blood brother shall not go away hungry : (so says one who has no food to offer; he goes and steals therefore bananas) that means skulls at Kitta-nte (the slaughter-place of the king)
248. Mwana wange, mbagambira abali wansi, abali waggulu bawulira – My child (my dear fellow), I tell them, those who are below and those who are above hear it
249. Mwana wange, nkubuulira : ejugumba n’emala ekona – My child, I am telling you : the food is bubbling and still it remains underdone
250. Mwana wange, olintuuza ku kasansa – My child, you are putting me on the carpet (where evil-minded people speak against me)
251. Mwana wa wanyenje : tafa mukka – The young of a cockroach does not die from smoke
252. Mwannyina omubi : amwewereekererwa – ( Omulungi ye mwannyina abangi: ) One who has an ugly sister : is the only one who accomnies her
253. Mwannyina omulalu : w’akumuweera w’omutwalira – ( Omulalu w’akuweera: ) If a madman gives you his sister (for marriage), you take her there and then
254. Mwasa-ngabo : bw’ogiteekawo agifumita n’agyasa n’akwasa ekifuba – (He is) a shield-shatterer : if you put up your shield, he pierces it, splits it and splits also your chest
255. Mwavu ayisa bukalu (= bukaba) – A poor man appears in public, provoking people
256. Mwavu y’aleeta endiira – A poor man brings robbing of food
257. Mwayombedde k

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- L

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -L

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Langi enfuuyire : terwa kufuma – Artificial paint soon fades
2. Leka, ab’ebweru balye : takkusa wuwe – (One who says) Sto let the guests eat : does not let his own child eat enough
3. Leka, bankube : talwa kulira – (Although the woman, who is being beaten by her husband, whilst others want to take her part, says) Let them beat me : still she will soon be crying out all the same
4. Leka, eggayamano liggwe : nga gw’ayagala y’ali kungulu – ( Eeka evvuma-gana: ) Stop! Let the quarrel come to an end : so says one whose friend is winning
5. Leka (= linda), egwe akasanda : ng’erumye musajja – (enjala) ( Tunaalyamu eyidde: ) Wait at least, till the sahas dried off the bananas (emmere) : (so answers angrily the wife) when the husband is hungry (and asks imtiently for food)
6. Leka, evvumagana liggwe ku kyalo : nga gw’ayagala amezze – Stop! Let there be an end to this mutual recrimination in the village : (so says one) if his friend is the winning party in wrestling
7. Leka kwekuza ku nnyama nzibe : nti nze mukulu, so nga ffenna twazze kubba – ( Weekuza nnyo: ) Stobragging with the stolen meat : (saying) I am the boss, although all of us have come to steal
8. Leka kunyoomera kiyirikiti mu luyiira : ng’ensiko tennakula, kitikkira engule – ( Mayirikiti gatikkira: ) Do not despise the kiyirikiti (tree Erythrina tomentosa) in the burnt-out bush : when the savannah is not green yet, it puts out its glorious crown
9. Leero kino kiggweeso : nga ne gw’oyagala atabadde – ( Kiggweeso: ) This is now the end (of joy) : (you say so) when the one you love has also gone to war
10. Likaliridde : ng’erigenda mu kiyungu – The path is well-trodden : like the one that leads to the kitchen
11. Limpadde envuunyuula : ng’olya ku ddene – (The generous helping of ttooke) has given me a chance to satisfy my ravenous appetite : (so you say) when you eat from a big helping
12. Limpe ndyase! (eggumba) (The insolent child says) Give me the bone, let me break it (to suck out the marrow) – As if a child could do that better than an adult! The child wants the rest of the meat on the bone
13. Linda buwere : akuzimbiriza endwadde – Wait till the pain is over : (one saying so) prolongs your sickness
14. Linda buwere : yawanguza Buvuma – Wait till all the miserable lame fellows are there : that brought the Buvuma- island under domination (of the Baganda)
15. Linda buzibe, tukwane abawala : nga mugenge! Wait till it is dark and let us have fun with the girls : (one who says so) must be a ler! A ler has no chance in daytime –
16. Linda ekijja : ow’obusa alinda lubale – Wait for another time (kiseera) to come (says the unmarried woman to her suitor, because she does not want to get married yet) : and the girl waits for blows on her head (musango, illegitimate child etc
17. Linda kiggweeyo : afumita mukira – ( Kirinde kiggweeyo: ) Wait till the animal (kisolo) comes out orly (is fully visible) : (so you advise the hunter and) he sars the tail-end
18. Lindalindako : akuguza ebibbe – (One who says to you) Wait a little : wants you to buy stolen things
19. Litemwa mukulu : nga tibannabagoba – ( Kkubo litemwa: ) The path (kkubo) is first trodden by the master : (but they say so only) as long as they are not followed by the enemies (otherwise each one wants to be the first)
20. Lubaale agoba nsonga : nga takuttidde wuwo – ( Lumututte: ) The spirit has a right (to kill) : (thus you speak) if he did not kill one of yours
21. Lubaale aliirana – The lubaale (or witch doctor) profits either way (he takes his fee, wether the sick person dies or recovers)
22. Lubaale maliba : bull afuluma alyambala bubwe – The idea of God (religion) is like skins : each one (every mortal) will adopt his own Each one chooses that religion he considers the right one for him
23. baale, mbeera : nga n’embiro kw’otadde (= ng’otaddeko n’embiro) – ( Ka- tonda, mbeera: ) Srit (heaven), helme! : (you have a right to exct hel if you exert your- self
24. Lubaale taba nda : lw’abanula lw’azaala – The sky is not (like) the womb of a woman : when it is pregnant (with rain) it brings forth at once
25. Lubaale w’ekiswa : talagwamu lunwe (= nnantalagwamu lunwe) – The spirit of an anthill : is not pointed at with the (stretched-out) fore-finger
26. Lubaale w’omulamu (= w’obulamu) : tasamirirwa – The lubaale of a living person is not overpowered (by another person)
27. Lubaale yambikkako akasubi : nga ne we yeekweka wadi wagumu (= nga yeekweka mu kikulu) – ( Lubaale mbeera: ) The spirit has covered me with a little grass : (one can say so) if he has also taken refuge in a strong place (safe hiding place)
28. Lubuto kyoto : alusennyera enku y’akoowa – ( Olubuto kyoto: ) The stomach is like a fireace : the one who has to collect fire-wood for it, gets tired
29. Lubwa lukovvu onyoomera mu kyoto : naye bwe lutuuka ku nsiko nga luwera nnemba – You despise a miserable dog, when it lies near the fire : but when it reaches the wilds, it makes a brave show (is tireless in hunting)
30. Luganda lwa mbwa : lulamusa na mannyo – Relationshiof dogs : is shown by greeting with the teeth (because they cannot talk)
31. Lugoma lukadde : eyalumanyako y’aluggyako endere – A poor old drum : a man who knows its good qualities, takes the (broken) strings off it and puts new ones on
32. Lugudde ku Munyolo : Abaganda baseke (= beesekere) – When trouble has befallen a Munyolo : the Baganda rejoice
33. Lugumira enjala : era ng’aliko k’asuddemu – (The poor old person) is bearing it patiently (hunger, want) : (so one com- miserates with a poor man) even when he has eaten something
34. Lukande lwa nnyoko : lukira olwa muka-kitaawo olulime – The uncultivated land of your own mother : is worth more than the cultivated plot of (another) wife of your father
35. Lukka ennyanja : teruleka nkanga – On going down to the lake : one does not leave behind the fish-basket
36. Lukoma nnantawetwa – The stem of the lukindu-palm : cannot be bent (even the young stems)
37. Lukuba empanga : lulekera ensenyi okutaataagana – (olumbe) When death strikes the cock : it leaves the hens in confusion
38. Lukuba emyali : ne lutakuba azibumba – ( Babika anzirako: ) Death strikes the (unfinished) pots and spares the potter
39. Lukuggya we bajjula : ne lukutwala we basaaniika – (lubwa) Misfortune takes you from a ace where they dish uthe food, and brings you to where they still cover it for cooking
40. Lukwegombya (= nze Lukwegombya) – (I am) Death makes you covet
41. Lukyakamwa terugalulirwa mbazzi – (lute) An old cow that still can be milked is not threatened with the axe
42. Luliko omwenge : terubula akubagiza – (olumbe) Where there is beer at the mourning-rites : a consoler is not lacking
43. Lulina amaddu : nga lusse muganda we – (olumbe) Death is a passionate killer : (so one says) if it has killed a relation (brother or sister)
44. Luma ggumba, amazzi gawole – Gnaw the bone and let the broth cool down! Stands for keep quiet and let me explain first!
45. Lumbe lukuba eggu ne luleka omuzima – Death strikes the unripe fruit (of the muwafu tree) and leaves the ripe one alone
46. Lumonde akuza amatooke – Potatoes prepare the soil for bananas
47. Lumonde awubira : ng’alabye mwannyina – The (sweet) potato hides itself (i
48. Lumonde omunene : yalwanya omukomazi – The big potato made the barkcloth-maker fight (with his wife)
49. Lumonde mukalubo : akuba ekikwa – Tough (underdone) potatoes : bring bad luck (a hungry stomach)
50. Lumoonyere : ng’omulere gwa Ssuuna – ( lere gwa Ssuuna: ) An interminably repeated saying (song, never ending talk) : like the flute of Ssuuna
51. Lumututte : ekingi bantu – (olumbe) Death has taken him : (somebody not much concerned about the person) answers: Ah well, many people have died (since Adam and Eve)
52. Lunaanoba : terubula ntondo – (lukazi) The woman who intends to leave you : is sure to complain about something
53. Lunatta omulwadde : nze nduwuuta – The sickness will kill the patient : and I suck it in
54. Lunaayabira emmanga : nga y’ekira oluganda (= nga y’esinga oluganda) – The finishing of the mourning-rites will be held in the other village : (so is the decision of the responsible persons), if in that village there is a person who is a closer relation
55. Lunaayabira mitala : nga y’emusinga ekinyumu – The finishing of the mourning-rites will be held on the next hill : (so they may say) if there greater amusement is to be had
56. Lungu (Iwungu) luwoome : y’aluggyako empambo – Let the vegetable-marrow plant be sweet (to me) : (one saying so) gets the seeds out of the fruit (for planting them in his own garden)
57. Lusala ekyayi : lulekera munyeera okusaasaana (= kutaataagana) – When the antain-fibre is cut away : it leaves the small ants (that have built in the trunk) scattered
58. Lusowaanya – (olumbe) Sickness sets (people) at variance
59. Lutimba lukadde : luttira n’awatali ggira – The old hunting net : kills (catches the animal) even where there is no game track
60. Lutta embwa : mu lw’ente batuula kitebe – When death kills the dog (nobody takes much notice) : but at the killing of a cow they sit up happily
61. Lutta emyali : ne lutakuba agibumba – (olumbe) ( Lukuba eggu: ) Death strikes the unbaked pots and spares the one who has moulded them
62. Lutta munno : nti nze mukaubaale? When death takes your companion : (you say) I am a prot g of the spirit (i – e
63. Lutumaze(wo) : enkoko asuula (= assa) ku luwe – ( Tufudde tuweddewo: ) Death has finished off all of us (one may say, including himself) : and still he ts the chicken on the roost (to have it in the future)
64. Luvudde ku ki? : y’akuza omusango – (luyombo) How did the quarrel come about? : (one who asks that question) makes the quarrel into a court case
65. Luwanga lwa mbwa : balunyoomera (= onyoomera) mu kyoto – ( Lubwa lukovvu: ) They are not afraid of the skull (teeth) of the dog, when it slee at the fire- ace
66. Luweddemu abakubagiza : musigadde bannyini lumbe – When the mourners (consolers) have all gone away from the burial : the bereaved ones are left to their sorrow
67. Luyindi : nnantaliibwa nkagga – ( Oluyindi: ) The small bean : is uneatable, when green
68. Luyungudde emmandwa amaziga – (olumbe) A general calamity reduces even a witchdoctor (lubaale-man) to tears
69. Luzigo lwa mumanye : bw’osanga bw’otyaba – The small firewood belonging to a man whom you know (who cut down a tree) : you gather when you find it
70. Lw’abaaga : lw’afuna munywanyi we – When the or man kills an animal : he easily finds a friend (but not a disinter- ested one)
71. Lwakya kutta bantu : nga gw’asikidde mugagga – (olunaku) The day came to kill people : (says) the heir of a rich man
72. Lwa mulungi : teruggwa ttenda (= matenda) – (olumbe) The mourning rites of a good rson : are aised a long time

April 24, 2025
Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs Translated- K

Engero Ezivunudwa – Translated to English Luganda Proverbs -K

Luganda Proverbs – English Translation (English Meaning )

These are the Luganda Proverbs and their English meaning

1. Kabaka afugira wala – The king’s power reaches far
2. Kabaka akira oluganda – A king is more than relationshi He has the wer to rdon one who has been brought to him to be killed and can even make him a chief
3. Kabaka akussa owuwo : essanja libabula endagala (sso nga ba luganda) – The king makes you kill your own son (and you cannot refuse) : (just as) the dry banana-leaf singes the green one (although they are of the same stock)
4. Kabaka muzaawula : nga wa malibu asanze we bafumba emyungu (= we balya ekibumba) – The king is a great finder (of lost persons or things) : like a toothless fellow who finds people who are just cooking vegetable marrow (or: who are eating liver) (soft food for his toothless mouth)
5. Kabaka nnamunswa : alya ku nswa ze – The king is like the queen-ant : she lives on her flying ants
6. Kabaka nnyanja : etta n’atavuba – The king is like the lake : which also kills one who does not fish
7. Kabaka nnyanja : temanyiirwa – A king is like a lake : unfathomable
8. Kabaka nnyondo : ekussa buzito – A king is like a hammer (or thunderbolt) : it kills by its very weight
9. Kabaka omuggya : agoba omukadde – A new king drives away the old one
10. Kabaka tamanyi birungi : singa ekitoogo ky’afuusa olunyago – The king seems not to know what is really good (useful) : otherwise he would use papyrus for making spearshafts
11. Kabaka tatta : omusaakiriza y’atta – ( ami tatta: ) It is not the king who kills : but the (unjust) accuser (trying to make the king personally offended)
12. Kabaka tayotebwa nga muliro – The king is not like fire, where you can warm yourself
13. Kabaka w’akuleka : si w’akusanga – The king does not find you, where he left you
14. Kabamba-ggulu : ng’obwoya obw’omu kifuba – Spread all over the sky (proper name) : as (one who has a) thick hairy growth all over his chest
15. Kabambaala : taganya nzige kusula – An interfering person (proper name) : does not allow the locusts to settle down
16. Kabanda-majjwa : n’enkanaga azibuuka – One who forces himself through thorns (proper name) : also jumps over the enkanaga-thorns
17. Ka bantende : asigaza misiwa – (He who acts according to the principle) Let them praise me : is left with his arteries only
18. Kabbiiri akira omutumba – ( Katono ko: ) A pair of trousers is better (for porters) than a load of cloth
19. Kabbo ka muwala : kajja kajjudde, kaddayo kajjudde (ng’alina essimba) – The little basket of a girl : is full, when she comes and is full, when she goes (provided that she is trustworthy)
20. Ka beene : ng’akummye; we kenkana : ng’akuwadde – ( We kenkana: ) (One who says to a petitioner) That belongs to other people, refuses to give you anything; (one who says) That’s all I can give you, does give
21. Kabeera kannya : kanditumaze – If there had been a trap-hole (outside our doorstep – dug by our enemies) : it would have finished us
22. Kabine abina abasajja banne – An undaunted (courageous) fellow conquers his fellow men
23. Kabirinnage : obulungi bwamulobera okuwanvuwa – ( Omulungi tabulako: ) Beauty prevented a kabirinnage (small person with a neat figure) from becoming tall
24. Kabizzi kato : kasigulidde enkulu ekkolero – The little wild pig sets off the trap which catches the old pigs (by roaming about among the potatoes where the trigger is)
25. Kabuga ente : ensimbi aina emu (nti ente egwe) – He who esses for the cow to be killed : has only one cent (saying: let the cow die, that we can eat, we have enty of money)
26. Kabugumire : ng’ensingo y’omunafu – A tough thing : like the neck of a lazy man
27. Kabula-bugyo : ng’omukazi ow’envuma – One who has no place of refuge : like a slave-woman
28. Kabula butegero : ng’ow’obusa asala omunnyu – An elusive rson (there is no way of catching her) : like an unmarried woman who went out to cut saltgrass
29. Kabula we kalaga : bakatema ngalo (or lunwe) – (kasajja) If the little man cannot point to anybody (who is ready to witness his state-ment) : they cut off his finger
30. Kaabulindiridde : ng’ekinnya ekiri mu mulyango ; bwe kitayasa nsuwa, kime-nya kugulu – A threatening (unavoidable) evil : like a hole at the entrance; if it does not smash the water pot (in falling), it breaks your leg
31. Kaabulindiridde : ng’enkonge y’oku kkubo; bw’etekukuba magenda, ekukuba amadda – An unavoidable evil : like a stump in the path; if it does not catch your toes when going, it will catch them when coming
32. Kaabulindiridde : ng’omusanvu oguli ku nju; bwe gutakuba nnyinimu, ne gugi-ggala – An unavoidable evil : like branches (of fire wood) lying at the side of the house; if they don’t trip the owner of the house, they block the entrance
33. Ka buwere : yawanguza Buvuma – ( Linda buwere: ) Let them all come out (of the canoe) : that brought Buvuma under domina-tion
34. Kabuze n’empulutu : anti oluwande lw’ekiwuubiiro – ( Ambuzeeko n’empulu-wujju: ) Gone altogether (entirely useless) : like a splinter of a cupping horn
35. Kabwa kabbi : kagumya mugongo – A thieving dog : makes its back tough (cultivates a thick skin)
36. Kadduubaale tanfuga : nga si mugole wo – ( Nnakkwale tanfuga: ) The headwife of the chief is not ruling me : (so you say) if she is not your mistress (both being wives of the same chief)
37. Kaafuma : ng’ensawo ey’ekiwero; bw’egwa mu mugga, towonya kantu, byonna bitobera ddala – Spoiled : like a cloth-bag; when it falls into the river, you won’t save anything, all will be wet through
38. Kafumu ka muwunda : kafumitira eruuyi n’eruuyi – A spear with an iron spike on the other end : stabs either way
39. Kagenda kalya : tikalaba nnaku – What goes away still eating : does not see trouble
40. Kagenderere ng’omukadde awuula (= akogga) – That is final : as with the old man who has become a widower (or: has grown thin)
41. Kagere kampadde : w’osanga nga balya – The toe has brought me luck : (so you say) where you find them eating
42. Kaggwa ensonyi 🙂 ng’omwana abba nnyina (= kitaawe); ) ng’omukazi awoza ne bba; ) ng’alya ne mulamu we enswa – A shameless individual : ) a child who steals from his own mother (or father); ) like a wife who takes her husband to court; ) like one who eats flying ants with her brother-in-law (his sister-in-law)
43. Kaggwa ka ttovu : kasonsomolera ne gye katafumise – The thorn of the tree-thistle affects the body even where it has not actually stung
44. Kaggye taba wabiri : ekitembe kissa lumu, wabula ekya Nnanteza – ( Kitembe kissa lumu: ) Where a mushroom (katiko) has been plucked, there is no second one (from the same root) : the wild banana sends out only one shoot, except Nanteza
45. Kagubiiru : nga mutwe gw’omusasi (= ng’ensikya y’omunafu); gugenda gwetisse, ate gudda gwetisse (= gugendera mu nku ne guddira mu matooke) – Strong and sturdy : like the head of a musasi working for food (or: like the neck of a lazy fellow); going it carries (firewood) and coming it carries (matoo- ke)
46. Kagulumale : ng’omukazi alya n’abaddu – A person giving away his dignity : like a woman eating with the slaves
47. Kagumba tekanyigirwa mu nnoga – ( Akagufa k’emmale: ; Kayinja tekanyigirwa: ; Akayiseeko amazzi: ) A little bone (of the lungfish) : is not kneaded together with ttooke (with a morsel of banana-pulp)
48. Kagumba weegoge : ng’emmere y’omulima – The food of a (rich) farmer : is like a bone in the throat
49. Kajagira obuguzi : ddamu lye limugoba – ( Ssekabugira-buguzi: ) Too keen a buyer : the answer (to the inquiry about the price) drives him away
50. Kajjamni abalagadde ku bbwa – The sorrel (ant) smarts on a sore
51. Kakejje ntabula ku mbaga – The little nkejje (fish) is ever present at a feast
52. Kakowekowe kanda : katemereza ne we kataalye – The eye-lash is a queer (difficult) thing : it blinks where it will not eat
53. Kakoloboto Kabaka yamutuma okuwera ekisiibo : n’ate n’alya – The king sent Kakoloboto to proclaim a fast : yet he ate himself
54. Kakulu asomba – Old age brings many things (grey hair, a bald head, wrinkles etc
55. Kakutungidde enkanamu : ng’ayomba n’ayonsa – Your offensive speech (kamwa) has entangled you in a court case (mutango) : as when one quarrels with a woman who suckles her child
56. Kakyali kansununwa : leka kaweze oluwombo – (kalagala) What is still undevelod (banana-leaf) : let it become a luwombo (banana-leaf made limover a flame, to have meat etc
57. Kalaba-njuki : y’addira omuliro – The one who discovers the bees (in a tree etc
58. Kalazaane : tekaggya buliika – (or: Kalagaane : tikaggya buliika
59. Kalema ka nsinjo : ekyuma kitema kinnaakyo – Kalema is like a cold chisel : one iron cuts the other
60. Kaalengeera : ng’akakka k’abatabaazi – There it went up (into the air, thin and high) : like the thin column of smoke from the camp of the warriors
61. Kaliba kaki akalikugwa ku liiso? : ng’omunaku ayombye n’omwana wa boo- wo – What can it be that will fall un your eye? : so a or fellow says when he has quarreled with a noble one
62. Kakulu takulirwa : ekyuma tikikulira jjinja (= ennyondo tekulira jjinja) – Age comes first (is not overruled) : the iron is not older than the stone (or: the hammer is not older than the stone)
63. Kalifa aleka kalifa : ekiteme okulekawo ensukusa – What is doomed to die, leaves what will also die : the cut-down banana-stem leaves the banana-shoot
64. Kalimi ka mwewoze : kaweweera majja (= kajja kawewedde) – The tongue of a borrower : is smooth when he comes to borrow (but harsh, when you go to claim your money)
65. Kalimi ka mwewozi : kwegonza; kajja ne sembera, nkubuuze – The tongue of a borrower : is smoothness; it starts with come nearer, I want to greet you
66. Kalimi ke keeru – The tongue is white (clean, harmless)
67. Kalimi-ngobya : nga Kanyolo ak’oku muzibo – ( Nnannimi-bbirye: ) One of a quick-changing tongue : like a Munyoro-child on the language border
68. Kalifa abiri : olonda ejjinja nga kalaba – (akanyonyi) A little bird has two eyes : it sees, when you look for a stone (and flies away)
69. Kalinnimi : ng’omuganzi aloo awolereza – A double-tongued fellow : just like a favourite who accuses and excuses (at the same time)
70. Kalonda : ng’omusiri gw’omunafu – A mix-up (confusion) : like the plot of a weakling
71. Kalulwe : ) nnantaliirwa mu nnyama; ) tabula ku nnyama; omumyuka tabula ku mwami – The gall-bladder : ) is not eaten with the meat (harmful things must be elimi- nated); ) is not missing, when an animal is killed; just as the second in com- mand is not missing, where there is a chief
72. Kalya amaggwa : ke kamanya bwe kagakyusa – ( Ekinywa ky’amaggwa: ) The animal (kasolo) that eats thorns : knows how to twist them (in the mouth, so that they don’t hurt)
73. Kalya bugalula : ng’omumwa gw’emmandwa – A double-dealer (two-faced person) : like the mouth of a mmandwa (possessed by a lubaale)
74. Kalya buguga : ng’ow’obusa atatereka bugenyi; nti baganda bo bwe balijja, oli- bafumbira ki? A person who eats up everything he has : like a bachelor who does not put away anything for visitors; (they tell him) If your relations come on a visit, what will you cook for them? –
75. Kalya kokka : keetenda okulya mpola – The (little) man who eats by himself : praises himself for eating slowly
76. Ka maanyi – kaliibwa na mbiro (= na ngabo) – A difficult thing is achieved by tackling it quickly and courageously
77. Kameze mu luggya : ng’osima? (akatiko) ( Asimba kasooli: ) The mushroom which grows in your court-yard : you dig up (before it is full- grown)? There is no reason for hurrying up, when things are safe for you – Impatience!
78. Kaami katono : okanyoomera (= okagayira) mitala wa mugga – A small chief : you desse him, if he is living (ruling) on the other side of the river
79. Kampwerenda : ng’ensimbi egula amaduudu – A person eating to the bursting point (inflicting evil on himself) : is like money that buys maduudu
80. Kamukago : okalya dda, kadda dda; ejjobyo liddira mu mutwe – That little coffee-bean (kamwanyi) of the bloodbrother-pact : you ate it long ago and it has its results in the far future; like the jjobyo-plant (a vegetable ntaphylla) which produces its white flowers on the head
81. Kamu, kamu : gwe muganda – (akati) One little twig with another : makes a bundle
82. Kaamukuulo : embuzi ennume erya olw’eggulo, ng’eraba enjuba egwa ng’efu- ndikiriza – (Trying to devour) all at the same time : like a he-goat eating in the evening, when he sees the sun going down ending the chances of eating more
83. Kaamukuulo : ng’ensambu ya kasooli – (Disappearing) all at the same time : like a field full of maize
84. Kamuli kansaze : nga ggwe okagoogodde (= okagogombodde) – The (small) reed has cut me (you say) : because you have stried it of its fibre
85. Kamunye ow’empaka : y’akubya nnyinimu enduulu – The forceful brown kite makes the owner (of fowl etc
86. Kamunye w’agwa : ) tewabula luyoogaano; ) we waba olugambo – Where the brown hawk swoops down : ) there is no lack of noise (raising the alarm); ) there is a peg (a skin spread out for drying)
87. Kaamuwuube : ng’engalabi y’ekyengera – One who moves from place to place (an unsteady person) : is like the engalabi drum in the season of plenty
88. Kamwa kabi : katta Siroganga (= kassa Siroganga) – An angry word killed Siroganga
89. Kamwa kanfudde : ayomba n’ow’omuliraano – My mouth made a slip (= I have said too much) : so says one who quarrels with his neighbour (thereby trying to amend and to make peace again)
90. Kamwa nga ggiira (= ng’eggiira) : aktunwesa omukyala – (The woman who says) The razor shaves like a big grass-fire : makes you shave her head
91. Kamwenyumwenyu : embwa k’eseka mu luinbe lw’ente – A smile : as the dog smiles at the death of a cow
92. Kanaakuloopa : bw’okawa (= olumuwa) omwenge, kafuka ku mpagi – A fellow who wants to denounce you : when you give him beer to drink, pours it out on the pole (in the house) (to have proof against you (from the smell of beer) that you are brewing (selling) beer)
93. Kanaakutanda : akuwa amazzi, ng’akulekera olwendo – A perplexing situation for you : if one gives you water (to drink) and leaves the gourd in your hands
94. Kanaaluzaaln : ng’omuwuulu amulisa ku mmere, y’azuula ekkovu – A trouble-maker (oluyombo) : like the young man who examines the food with a torch and finds a snail on it
95. Ka ndabe omusika : bw’alya azaala balongo – Let me go and see the heir : (so says one, when he goes to the feast of kwa- bya olumbe) when he eats there, his wife will have twins
96. Ka nduve (= ka nguve) ku ntono : ng’ow’ekibuga asanze (= ng’omuyala atuuse) we bafumba – (olugendo or omulimu) Let me stoa while on my journey (or: from my business) : says the towns- man (or: hungry fellow) arriving where they are cooking
97. Ka ndye mmalewo : yeerabira olumbe – Let me eat and finish everything (of my property) : (one saying so) forgets death (which might come, before he has finished – or might leave him in poverty)
98. Ka nnananyi : mubbi tagenda na ndege – Let me keep quiet (sirina googera) : a thief does not walk with anklebells
99. Kange kakira kaffe – One who can say that is mine is better off than one who says that is ours
100. Ka nguve ku ntono : ng’ow’ekibuga asanze we bafumba – ( Ka nduve: ) Let me rest awhile from my work : says the man when he arrives at a place where they are cooking
101. Ka nkukyukire : omwana akyukira omulezi – Let me turn to you (let me pay full attention to you) : as the child turns to the one who nurses it
102. Ka nkutte kibwamo : wambwa ky’atta amagi – ( Okutta ekibyamu: ) Let me destroy you entirely : as the dog finishes off the eggs
103. Ka nkwasire : omusamaavu w’amannyo ayasira kasooli – Let me crush you : as one with otruding teeth crushes the maize (cob)
104. Ka nkwetegule : ejjanzi lyetegula mukazi muzadde – Let me get away from you : as the grass-hopper gets away from a mother (who wants to get hold of it as a plaything for the child)
105. Kannabwala : Omuyima k’akwata eminyira – Nails (on the fingers) : that is what the yima uses to pick his nose
106. Kannantebya : ) ng’omubbi w’omunju; okumala okubba ate ne yeetaakiriza; ) ng’omulubaale ow’okumpi; kye yawulidde enkya, ky’alagula eggulo – A deceptive person (a fraud) : ) like a thief in one’s own household; who steals and then emphatically repudiates any suspicion falling on him; ) like a lubaale-priest living nearby; what he has heard in the morning, he prophesies (as his supernatural knowledge) in the evening
107. Kano nno keewaniko ng’aka makobe : gabala waggulu ne gagenda kubala nnu- nda – ( Olimu akeewaniko: )
108. Ka nsale (wo) eggoye : omuwa-butwa y’alisalirawo Bubiro – Let me cut the difficult knot : as the wizard cut it at Bubiro (Kyaggwe)
109. Ka-ntanyi kaggweerawo : kafumita-bagenge w’akufumitira w’omweggiramu – A small case (dispute, offence) is settled privately : you pull out the (spiky seeds of) kafumita-bagenge on the spot they have stung you
110. Kanyinyiggi : omukazi omunafu k’akaaba mu lumbe – Shedding bitter tears without end : just as a lazy woman does in mourning (she prefers that to hoeing in the field)
111. Ka nzigyewo akabega : Lukoda Baluubu – Let me get my shoulder out of this (i
112. Kapa w’etali : emmese yeekola ebigenyi – Where there is no cat : the mouse feels itself a guest
113. Kasakkya : n’ataayanike abuuza omusana – A spot of sun : even one who has nothing to dry, likes to see a little sunshine (during the rainy season)
114. Kaasa ttaka, nga ggw’osima? : kalisansulira mu ttaka? Do you dig out a mushroom which just breaks ground? : (do you think) it will have had a chance to unfold itself in the ground? Reproach for impatience! –
115. Kasala becca (= bekkya) : ng’Omunyolo akubagiza Omuganda – ( Oh kasala- bekkya: ) The knife (akambe) cuts sharply : like a Munyoro, commiserating a Muganda
116. Kasennya-nku ze yeetyabira : ze zimwokya – What the firewood-gatherer (insect) collects : burns him
117. Kasiru akulembera : kagezi n’ava oluvannyuma – ( Amagezi gasalwa: ) First comes folly : finally comes wisdom
118. Kasobeza nga kutu : tikunywa taaba ne kumala kuleeta ebifeetete – A strange thing, the ear : it does not smoke tobacco, and still oduces juice (ear-wax)
119. Kasobeza ng’enneebaza y’omwavu : ajja akaaba bw’omuwa, nti onnanze ki ssebo? ( Omwavu taweeka: ) A puzzling thing, like the thanksgiving of a poor man : he comes lamenting, and when you give him something, he says (crying again) What have you given me, ssebo? –
120. Kasobeza ng’omubbi ow’omu nju – A strange thing like a thief stealing in his own household
121. Kasobeza ng’ow’ekiwalaata : atudde mu mulyango nga balya; ogamba nti mpozzi atunula eno, kazzi atunula mu nju gye balya – A strange (funny) sight : like one with a bald head, sitting in the doorway, whilst they are eating (inside); you might say: Perhaps he is looking here (into the open), perhaps he is looking into the house (where they are eating)
122. Kaaso ka mpanga : kalaba n’ekiro – The little eye of a cock : sees also at night
123. Kasookedde obirya (= kasooka mbirya) : leero toobisobole – (For quite a time) you have been taking things (you are cheating me) : but today you shall have no success
124. Kasooli alituyombya – (That cob of) maize will make us quarrel
125. Kasooli w’e Ggomba : aliibwa na mbiro – The maize of Ggomba (ssaza) : is eaten in a hurry (by the warriors)
126. Kasugga kagoba Idsambu : amazzi tigeerabira gye galaga – ( Amazzi tigeerabi- ra: ; Ekkerenda liva: ) – The little nsugga (vegetable) is like the soil (on which it grows) : water does not forget, where it has to run to
127. Kaswa akam : bwe buzannyiro bw’endiga – ( Ekiwuka ekitaluma: ) A small anthill : is the ayground for shee No danger of falling
128. Katangaala : kakira omuggyemu eriiso (= eriiso eriggyemu) – ( Maaso matono: ) A little eye that still sees light : is better than an eye that is taken out – Half a loaf is better than no bread
129. Kateebulanya (= kubennanya) : ng’olutta ow’ettulu – A treacherous thing : like the killing of a one-eyed person
130. Kateegaya : ayingirira basajja banne – One who does not despise himself (who thinks a lot of himself) : attacks his fellow-men (or: alienates the wives of his fellow-men)
131. Kateetemera : alifa olw’okubambira – An individual who does
132. Kateeyanira : kafa omutego – The animal that does not (try to) free itself (from the trap) : will die
133. Kateezaala : tikaala – (The animal) that does not bring forth, does not multiply
134. Katiko ka mukyala : okakuba nnoga, nako kakukuba nvuba – The mushroom-sauce which a married woman has prepared for you : you dip your matooke-morsel into it, and that sauce will dip you (put you) into the stocks
135. Kati onsanze : tokasikira mbazzi! When the little tree (which you are about to cut down says) You have found me : don’t cut it with your axe! The spirit in the tree says: Don’t cut me down, this is my tree! – Some trees were supposed to be inhabited by spirits and could not be cut down –
136. Katonda akuwa nswa : ggwe okubirira? God gives you flying ants : and you drum them back? Not being ready with a covering for the anthill, one tries to keep the ants in by drumming on the anthill – – Seemingly not appreciating God’s gifts
137. Katonda mbeera! : n’embiro naawe ng’otadde – ( Lubaale mbeera: ) God help me! : (you have a right to pray so) if you also exert yourself
138. Katono keewaza : kakira eddene eddwadde (= erinafu) – A small thing that is thriving : is better than a big thing that is ailing
139. Katono ko (= akako) : kakira eddene erya munno – Something small that is yours : is better than something big that belongs to your neighbour
140. Katula keebisse buka : naye mu mwoyo ng’ayogeza ekisa – The little ntula (edible fruit) covers itself with bitterness : but inside he speaks with kindness
141. Ka tuwulire : asaabulula eriri mu kamwa – (ettooke) Let us listen : (one who says so) sils the ttooke which is in your mouth
142. Katyupya (= Kacupya) : ng’omunnyu ogukoza lumonde – The same attraction : like salt that is put on the potatoes
143. Kawakuzi : awakula ennombo ku bugenyi – ( gezi amaggye ku bugenyi: ) A snob : (always) as the manners he has seen, when visiting
144. Kawuulu kagezi : kagenda okunywa ogw’obusogozi, nga kamaze okweyalira – A wise little bachelor : goes to drink freshly brewed beer only after having sead his bed orly
145. Kawummunta okw’enjala : okw’ekyengera aba mulambuzi – ( Baatuuka : bee-rabira baabatuusa: ) A vagabond in famine-time : is an inspector in the season of plenty
146. Kawumpuli agenda : n’okuba misota? The plague goes away : and you beat the snakes? Snakes were supposed to be connected with plague; beating makes them angry and the plague comes back –
147. Kawunguko : ng’ow’enkedi mu nnimiro – Swiftly : like one with a shield (a warrior) running through the plantation
148. Kayaayu : olukaatula erinnya, keekuba ensiko – As soon as you mention the name of a wild cat (you have spotted), it runs away into the bush
149. Kayemba nnantabuulirirwa : alisaabala obw’ebbumba – (obwato) ( Nnanta-buulirirwa: ) Kayemba, the one who will not listen to anybody : will embark in boats of clay
150. Kayindiyindi kalangudde ebijanjaalo – The small butter-bean has made the ordinary bean tasteless
151. Kayinja tekanyigirwa wamu na ttooke – ( Kagumba tekanyigirwa: ; Akayiseeko: ) A little stone is not kneaded (into a nnoga) together with matooke
152. Kayisanyo : amalusu n’eddookooli – Passing each other : like the sttle and the Adam’s-ale
153. Kayita pirya : ng’ow’obusa agoba akayaayu – (also: Kuyita pirya – – ) Hurrying uselessly : like an unmarried woman chasing a wild cat (which carries away a hen)
154. K’eoma : kamanywa mubambi – (akantu) It is the drum-maker who knows the charm that is inside the drum
155. Ke weerimidde : kakira mbegeraako – What you have worked for (anted) yourself : is more aiseworthy than (what you got by) Give me also a ece (begging)
156. K’ezaala : k’ekomberera – The cow licks her own calf only
157. Keezimbira : tikaba kato; bw’ogenda okukwata akasanke, ogenda osooba – A youngster who builds a house for himself : is by no means small; if you are going to catch a kasanke (small bird) you stoodown
158. Kibatto : ow’ennungu ku mayinja – ( Kino kibatto: ; Kikujjuko: ) That’s strange! One with cracked (syphilitic) feet walking on gravel!
159. Kibaawo kimala : amaaso g’omulungi galoga enjala (= amaaso g’omuganzi gama- la enjala) – It is selfevident (its very presence is enough) : the face of a beautiful woman (favourite) makes (a man) forget his hunger
160. Kibaawo kimala : ennyindo y’enkoko kye kyenyi – It is self-sufficient : nose and forehead of the chicken are one (and that is enough for the hen)
161. Kibaawo : ng’ekibugo ekikuuma empindi – It is there (fulfilling its purpose) : like an old barkcloth (scarecrow) that guards the beans in the field
162. Kibaaze : ) ng’eky’omwanisi wa taaba; ) ensekere ky’eyita mu kiwalaata – A clearing (a glade) : ) like the place where one puts out his tobacco to dry; ) the louse passes it, when crawling over a bald head
163. Kibula abuuza : ng’erigenda emugga – (ekkubo) Nobody inquires about it : just as with the th to the well (everybody knows it)
164. Kibula buguzi : kiddira nnyinikyo – What cannot be sold (on the market) : goes back to its owner
165. Kibuyaga agwe mu lusuku : kamunye agwe mu nkoko – May the storm rage over your bananary : may the hawk fall over your chicken! Angry curse! When all the bananas are laid down by the storm, the hens have no protection any longer from the hawk
166. Kidda walime – (ekitooke) The banana thrives only on cultivated ground
167. Kiddimusi (= kiddumusi) : tekinyaga byenda – ( Kiwaluko: ) Diarrhoea does not rob you of your bowels
168. Kifa mukokko : ng’etonnya mu balaalo – (also: Ekifa – ) A thing of no purpose : as when the rain falls, where the herdsmen live (they don’t cultivate there)
169. Kifa omusana : nkuba y’ekinnyulula – (also: Ekifa – – ) What dies in the sun (heat) : revives again in the rain
170. Kifundikwa kirinsabira : tafuna bwami (or: ng’asubwa) – My dress will sak for me : (one thinking so) won’t get a chieftainshi(or: will be disaointed)
171. Kigabo kikadde : akyagala yakissaako omuwambiro – One who likes his old shield : puts a handle on it
172. Kigenda kudda wa? : bw’asanga bw’ayisa bwe kisanga, bwe kikola) – Where can the slave girl (kizaana) go to? : therefore she takes conditions as she finds them
173. Kiggweeso : nga ne gw’oyagala mw’agendedde (= agenze) – ( Kino kiggwee- so: ) This is the end (all hope is lost) : (so you say) when even the one whom you loved has left you
174. Kigobero : kikira obugenyi – ( Wambwa aludde okulabika: ) Going about in search of food etc
175. Kigomba kikira omwana – (Dried and cooked) bananas : are more helul than a child
176. Kigudde mu ndira : ekimonde ekinene mu maaso ga muwuulu – It fell into his hands (claws) : like a big potato in front of a bachelor
177. Kigula engabo kiddawo : ng’eyagigula wa maanyi – What is spent on buying a shield, comes back (pays) : if the buyer is a strong man
178. Kiguumaaza : ng’ente esula ku kyoto; bw’owulira efuuwa, nti ekuma muliro; obudde okukya osanga vvu jjereere mu kyoto – It is deceiving (a misleading conclusion) : as when the cow lies near the fire ace and you hear her blowing, you think she kee the fire going; but in the morning you find nothing but ashes in the fire ace
179. Kiguumaaza : ng’ow’ettulu atemya – A deceiving thing : like a one-eyed person winking
180. Kigwa mu muliro : ng’embaala (= ng’ekiwojjolo) – It falls into the fire : like a flying ant (or: like a butterfly)
181. Kigwana gonja : nga bamuzaala mu Busiro – In this place gonja should be planted : (so a man says) if he has been born in Busiro (a country famous for gonja)
182. Kigwo kya lwazi : bwe kitakumenya mukono, ne kikwasa omutwe – Wrestling on a rock : if it does not break your arm, it smashes your head
183. Kikere : ky’osammuza omuti, oluvannyuma okikwasako ngalo – The frog you drive out (of the house) with a stick : you get hold of finally with the hand (if you dip the nsuwa into the well, and a frog gets in)
184. Kikira obusa : afumbirwa muggavu w’amatu – Better than having no husband : is to be married to a deaf one
185. Kikonyogo : bakikasukira (= bakikanyugira) kulaalira ne kijja n’ekirimba – They throw up the stick even at the risk of its remaining in the tree, and it comes down with a bunch of mpafu
186. Kilcoyo : tekiriisibwa maddu (= bw’okifumbya amaddu tokirya) – Dried jjuuni-spinach cannot be eaten voraciously (or: if cooked in a hurry, is unpalatable)
187. Kikubuuseeko : ekyabuuka ku mugenyi omu – It has put you in a difficult position : as it happened to one single visitor (who could not finish all the food dished up for him)
188. Kikuffiriddeko : ng’endwadde y’enkoko – It (ekintu) is lost to you (no means of remedy) : like the sickness of a hen
189. Kikujjuko : ng’ow’ennungu ayita ku mayinja – ( Kino kibatto: ) A marvel : like one with syphilitic cracked feet walking over pebbles
190. Kikulejje : ekigenda emug,ga n’emmindi – An unheard-of thing : as going to the well with a
191. Kikuuno : ng’olabye akukuunirako – How strange (sad) : (you say) when you see somebody considering it also strange (sad)
192. Kikwanguyira : ky’olya – ( Ekikwanguyira: ) What is easy for you to get : you eat
193. Kimala okwola : bakikwasa engalo – What has cooled down : they get hold of with the hands
194. Kimaza bbiri (= nnya) : y’aliwa ogw’omugenyi – (One who says to the visitor) The banana-rack (ekibanyi) will take two (or: four) days to ripen the beer bananas : is responsible for any offence of the visitor
195. Kimira mwoyo : ng’enkoko emira ensanafu – It swallows the soul : as the chicken swallows the red ants
196. Kimmanje : bwe kita (= okuta), ensuwa nga luggyo – When the kimmanje comes off the water pot, it falls to pieces
197. Kimpowooze : ng’ogw’amenvu – (omukkuto) Imperceptibly : like getting satiated with menvu
198. Kimunkumunku : ng’omukira gw’endiga omuliire ku bijanjaalo – An unpalatable combination : like the tail of a sheep, eaten together with beans
199. Kimwa kya mugole : kijja ne siirye, kimala omuwumbo – That blessed mouth of a bride : it comes saying: I do not eat, and then finishes a whole heap of food
200. Kimwa-kitoole : ) ng’omukazi alya emmamba; ) ng’omusajja alya ebbumba – An omnivorous rson : ) like a woman who eats lungfish (taboo!); ) like a man who eats clay
201. Kimyanku ye mugabe – (The Banyoro said: this time it is not Mannyowenu, who fought us with sticks, but) Kimyanku is the leader (who has sars)
202. Kinaabataya (= kinaabasobeza) : ng’amatooke amatono; bw’ogalya omu, toga-mala; bwe mugalya babiri simukkuta – You will be at a loss what to do : like little matooke; if you eat alone, it is too much for you; if two of you eat, you won’t get enough
203. Kinaagomba : tikibuulirwa mulunnyanja – A thing that will go wrong : will not enter the head of a fisherman
204. Kinaakulyako amenvu : kituukira ku kususa; olumala okususa ng’alya – ( Ekinaakulyako amenvu: ) (A cute person) that will accept menvu from you (intends to eat) : will come, when you peel them (for brewing); he helps you in the peeling and eats them
205. Kinaataama : tekikomerekeka – (ekisolo) A ferocious animal cannot be fenced in
206. Kinaayokya nkimize – It will burn, when I have swallowed it
207. Kinene kya nkukunyi : owanda mu ngalo amalusu n’olyoka okisitula – There seems to be something big about the flea : (because) if you want to lift a big thing, you spit into your hands and then you lift it
208. Kinnanga : tekiggwaamu (= tikiggwaako) lumonde – An old potato plot : still contains some potatoes (if the visitors are welcome; otherwise they won’t take the trouble to look for them)
209. Kinnya kya mulyango : bw’otokigwamu mafuluma, okigwamu amayingira – A hole in the doorway : if you don’t step into it, when coming out (of the house), you step into it, when going in
210. Kino kiggweeso : nga ne gw’ayagala mw’ajjidde – This is the end (of trouble) : (so one says) when the one, whom he loves has arrived
211. Kino kiggweeso : nga gw’ayagala agenze – ( Kiggweeso: ) This is the end (of joy) : (so one says) when the one (he loves) has departed
212. Kino kinyeenya magi! : ng’enkoko ebiika endege – This shakes the eggs (is something extraordinary) : as when the hen lays ankle- bells (instead of eggs)
213. Kino kirungi : na kino kirungi – This is good and that is good
214. Kinsanze n’oluku – (kikome) The overcast sky (darkness) has found me with firewood
215. Kintabuli : amalibu n’omuzigo – A mess : toothless jaws and fat together
216. Kinyoola mumwa : nga gw’ageya wa kumpi – (kisajja or kikazi) That blessed individual twists

April 24, 2025