Uglish

(originally posted on 2/1/12, with some additions)

Here are some very commonly used Ugandan-English words and phrases... also known as Uglish.

Nice time. = Have a nice time/Have a good day.
Long time! = It's been a long time since I've seen you!
You’ve been lost./ You are lost. = I haven't seen you in awhile. Where have you been?

Disturbing me = bothering me

Pick = get (pick him from school, pick the phone) 

Are you having…? = Do you have…?

Such a… = a compliment (“He’s such a guy,” …the adjectives are left out)

Short call = going to the bathroom (#1)

Balance = your change from a purchase

Move = walk

Shift = move from one living accommodation to another

Where do you stay? = Where do you live?

Extend = Move over, make room

I am used. = I am used to it. It's normal for me.

Let me come./I’m coming. = I’m leaving now, but I will be back. 

Smart = put together, well-dressed, good-looking

They are over/finished. = Something is gone or out of stock (“The eggs are over for today.”)

She/he =  interchangeable pronouns used for either gender

You are fat. = it's a compliment…

She is called… = Her name is…

Digging = farming and gardening

Vernacular = local language

Big man = rich, important person

Somehow = slightly, occasionally, can imply doubt (“The water heater is working somehow.”)

A push = to walk with someone for some distance (“I will give you a push to the road.”)

Ehhhh =  yes, okay

Beep me. = let the phone ring once or twice before hanging up to signal that you want the person to call you back

Maids = bridesmaids

Snaps = photos
Slippers = flip flops

Chips = fries

Crisps = chips
Sweet = candy; can also mean "tasty" or "delicious" ("The meat and rice are sweet.")
Ka = small or trivial ("Where is my ka pen?") (comes from the Runyankole word kakye, which means "small.")

My stomach is paining. = My stomach hurts.
I am reaching. = I am almost there.

Sure?! = Really? Is it true?!

Are we together? = Do you understand?
I am fearing them. = I am afraid of them.
I'm leaving now now. = I'm leaving right now.
Slope = turn ("Slope left at the corner.")
Just here = right here ("Slope left just here.")
Assist me. = Give me. ("Assist me with 5,000.")
I have ever... = I have... ("I have ever been there.")
Keep = to put away ("Keep your sweater in your desk.")
He can always win me at that game. = He can always beat me at that game. ("Beat" is only used in a very literal way to mean physical abuse.)
We go. = Let's go.
It's okay. = Yes.