tewali buzibu
The Luganda phrase for "no problem" is tewali buzibu.
tewali buzibu is used to indicate that no apology is necessary.
Meaning: no apology is necessary (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "there is no difficulty". The word tewali is the negative form of wali (there is or exists), and buzibu is the noun for difficulty or problem.
Did you know?
- The concept of 'difficulty' in buzibu can also refer to a complex puzzle or a riddle, meaning the phrase can literally imply 'there is no riddle here'.
- If you use the word buzibu to describe a person instead of an abstract situation, you might accidentally imply that the person is a 'troublemaker' or a source of difficulty.
- While tewali buzibu is used for apologies, Luganda speakers often use the phrase Kale as a more versatile 'okay' or 'no problem' in casual agreement.
Examples in context
- Tewali buzibu.No problem.This sentence shows how to use tewali buzibu.Tatoeba #12963888 by ecorralest101, translation #551443 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Namono accidentally bumps into Kato in a hallway.
- NamonoNsonyiwa nnyo, Kato.I am very sorry, Kato.
- KatoTewali buzibu, Namono.No problem, Namono.
- NamonoOli bulungi?Are you okay?
- KatoEe, ndi bulungi.Yes, I am fine.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
