When we moved to Uganda, we were happy to know that the official language is English. And while there are more than 70 different tribal/local languages, English is common. But the funny thing that we realized after spending time here is that it’s not the same English we are used to speaking. It turns out we speak American, or more precisely, Texan. So we have had to learn to speak “English” with a Ugandan accent and different words / phrases. For fun, we thought we’d share some words and phrases that may be new to you but are everyday language for us (NOW):

• A kavera is a plastic grocery bag and rubbish is trash.
• A boda is a small motorcycle, a piki is a bicycle, and a matatu is a public taxi.
• “Even me” is used instead of “me too,” and “Ok please” is understood as “ok thank you.”
• We stand in a que, and we go for short call or long call instead of the bathroom (which is called a toilet since the bathroom is for bathing and often separate from the toilet).
• At a restaurant, when we want to pay we ask for the receipt instead of the bill.
• “Well done” can tell someone they’ve done a good job, a thank you for whatever they just finished, or a general greeting…it is one of the most commonly used expressions with a wide variety of connotations. This makes it both versatile and confusing!
• We “take tea or coffee” but “drink water or sodas.”
• “On the way coming” is another versatile and confusing phrase. It can mean the person is arriving shortly or just beginning their journey to you; it could be 15 minutes or 3 hours.
• And “journey mercies” means safe travels.
• Words like sticky, chunk, jug, pitcher, or sauté do not translate – these, along with many other words, I have found myself having to find other ways to describe.
• What we know as pants are underwear here, so the pants we know are called trousers.
• Items are often measured in grams and milliliters, so I have to convert from what I know in ounces.
• Quarreling is used instead of the words arguing or fighting.
• “Somehow” is a great word that allows flexibility in the conversation. It usually means whatever you’re talking about is almost right, but not quite; but it can also mean that someone is not fully well after being sick (another option for this would be “50-50” to mean “I’m in the middle”).
• There aren’t first, middle or last names here; it’s just other names. “What are her other names” meaning, what name does she go by, what is her family name or clan name. Ugandans have many different names, so you often have to ask to clarify.
• About is another great word with multiple interpretations. “Where are you?” “I am about.” This would mean that you’re near, but again that’s a relative word and has a litany of different understandings.

Learning these words and phrases makes every day an adventure, especially since communication is crucial for ministry. We are always learning new words and phrases, so it keeps us on our toes and fills our daily interactions with laughter, usually at our expense.