Language
The national language in Rwanda is now English. However, not everyone has adapted to the transition and Kinyarwanda is still more commonly used in smaller towns and villages. Here are some helpful phrases to help you in your travels.
Basic words and phrases in Kinyarwanda
ENGLISH KINYARWANDA
Personal Pronouns
I Jye
You (informal) Wowe
You (formal/plural) Mwe
He/She We
We Twe
They Bo
Greetings:
Hello Muraho
Good Morning Mwaramutse
Good Afternoon Mwirrwe (Mwirirweho)
Good Evening Mwiriwe (Mwirirweho)
Good Night Muramuke (Muraramukeho)
Goodbye Murabeho
A common expression for Goodbye would be to say Sowa Sowa, which is actually Swahili, but is widely used throughout Rwanda.
Also, the Rwandan alphabet does not differentiate between the “R” and “L” sounds. Rwandans use them interchangeably, for instance, “Mwiriwe” is pronounced “Mwiliwe,” but “Muraho” is pronounced just how it is spelt, with the “R” sound.
Basic Expressions:
Thank You Murakoze
Thank you very much Murakoze cyane
You’re welcome Ntacyo
Yes Yego
No Oya
Excuse Me Mumbabarire
How are you?/ Amakuru
What is new?
How is it? Bite?
Fine/ They are good… Ni meza
I am pleased to meet you Birannejeje kubamenya
Do you speak English? Muvuga icyongereza?
A little… Gicye…
Can you translate? Mushobora gusobanura?
Help me… Mfasha…
What does this mean? Ibi bisobanura iki?
What is your name? Mwitwa nde?
Where are you from? Muturuka he?
Where do you live? Muba he?
I live in Musanze Mba Musanze
Where? Hehe?
Where is the market? Isoko riri he?
Where is the bathroom? Aho kwituma ni he?
Where are you going? Ugiye he?
What is this? Iki ni iki?
What do you call this? Iki cyitwa iki?
What does this mean? Iki gisobanura iki?
Speak slowly Vuga buhoro buhoro
How much? Ni angahe?
Where can I find …? Ni he nabona…?
Where can I buy …? Ni he nagura…?
How much does it cost? N’ angahe hariya?
Common Verbs
To go kugenda/kujya
To work gukora
To read gusoma
To drink kunywa
To eat kurya
To walk gutembera
To write kwandika
To laugh guseka
To cry kurira
To run kwiruka
To help gufasha
To sleep gusinzira
Numbers
1 rimwe
2 kabiri
3 gatatu
4 kane
5 gatanu
6 gatandatu
7 karindwi
8 umunani
9 icyenda
10 icumi
11 cumi na rimwe
12 cumi na kabiri
13 cumi na gatatu
14 cumi na kane
15 cumi na gatanu
20 makumyabiri
21 makumyabiri na rimwe
30 mirongw’itatu
40 mirongw’ine
50 mirongw’itanu
60 mirongw’itandatu
70 mirongw’irindwi
80 mirongo munani
90 mirongo cyenda
100 ijana
1000 igihumbi
1000000 miliyoni
1000000000 miriyari
Food
Food ibiryo
Water amazi
Banana igitoki
Ripe bananas iminuke ihiye
Rice umuceri
Mangoes imiyembe
Corn ibigori
Sugar isukari
Coffee ikawa
Tea icyayi
Irish potatoes ibirayi
Sweet potatoes ibijumba
Peas amashaza
Beans ibishyimbo
Tomatoes inyanya
Carrots ikaroti
Meat inyama
Vegetables imboga
Passion fruit amatunda
Oranges amacunga
Onions ibutunguru
Pepper uruseenda
Lemon indimu
Pineapples inanasi
Sugarcane igisheke
Chicken inkoko
Tongue ururimi
Liver umwijima
Beef inyama y’inka
Goat inyama y’ihene
Pork ingurube
Milk amata
Colors
Black umukara
Blue ubururu
Brown ibihogo
Gold izahabu
Gray isengo
Green icyatsi kibisi
Pink roza
Purple viyore
Red umutuku
Silver umuringa
White umweru
Yellow umuhondo
Time Reference
Day umunsi
Today uyu munsi
Tomorrow ejo
Yesterday ejo hashize
Now ubu / nonaha
Tonight iri joro
This morning iki gitondo
Soon vuba
Later nyuma
Days of the Week
Sunday Kucyumweru
Monday Ku wa mbere
Tuesday Ku wa kabiri
Wednesday Ku wa gatatu
Thursday Ku wa kane
Friday Ku wa gatanu
Saturday Ku wa gatandatu
Months
January Mutarama
February Gashyantare
March Werurwe
April Mata
May Gicurasi
June Kamena
July Nyakanga
August Kanama
September Nzeri
October Ukwakira
December Ukuboza/Kaboza