Basic Words

1. Ego

   Yes

   Usage

   Affirmative answer; say Ego! for emphasis

   Grammar Note

   Ego is invariable and simply means "yes"

2. Oya

   No

   Usage

   Negative answer; Oya, urakoze. (no, thank you) politely turns down offers and street sellers

   Grammar Note

   Oya is an invariable "no". Add urakoze (thank you) to refuse politely

3. Ndagusavye

   Please

   Usage

   Put it before a request; an imperative follows right after

   Grammar Note

   n- (I) + -da- (present) + -gu- (you) + -savye (perfect of saba, "ask"): "I ask you"

4. Urakoze

   Thank you

   Usage

   The casual "thank you" to one person; use Murakoze for elders, strangers or several people

   Grammar Note

   Urakoze is a form of gukora (to do) with u- (you, singular)

5. Mbabarira

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologise lightly

   Grammar Note

   Imperative of kubabarira (to forgive); m- stands for "me"

6. Mbabarira cane

   I'm very sorry

   Usage

   A fuller apology; cane means "very"

   Grammar Note

   Mbabarira (forgive me) plus cane (very). A reason can follow, as in Mbabarira kugutuka. (sorry for shouting at you)

7. Ni vyiza

   It's fine

   Usage

   A reply meaning "it's fine" or "that's all right"

   Grammar Note

   ni is "is" and vyiza is "good", in the vy- form that agrees with plural things

8. Nta kibazo

   No problem

   Usage

   Also works as "you're welcome" or "never mind"

   Grammar Note

   nta means "there is no" and ikibazo means "problem"; after nta the initial i drops, giving kibazo

9. Sinumva

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Use it when you cannot follow what is said

   Grammar Note

   si- (I do not) + -numva (hear, understand). A language can follow, as in Sinumva igifaransa. (I don't understand French)

10. Ndumva

    I understand

    Usage

    A reply when you have followed what was said

    Grammar Note

    n- (I) + -umva (hear, understand). An object can follow, as in Ndumva ico uvuga. (I understand what you say)

11. Ndarangije

    I'm finished

    Usage

    Tells people you have finished a meal or a task

    Grammar Note

    n- (I) + -da- (present) + -rangije (perfect of kurangiza, "to finish")

12. Tegereza gato

    Wait a little

    Usage

    To ask one person to wait; for several people or elders use Mutegereze gato

    Grammar Note

    tegereza is the imperative of gutegereza (to wait) and gato means "a little"

13. Ndagusavye, subira kubivuga

    Please say it again

    Usage

    When you did not catch what was said

    Grammar Note

    subira kubivuga is "say it again"; bi- means "it" and goes between ku- and the verb

14. Vuga buhoro buhoro

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Asks the other person to slow down

    Grammar Note

    vuga is the imperative of kuvuga (to speak) and buhoro buhoro means "slowly"

15. Mvuga gato

    I speak a little

    Usage

    A modest answer when asked about your language ability

    Grammar Note

    m- (I) + -vuga (speak); the n- subject prefix becomes m- before v

16. Uravuga icongereza?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    For finding someone who can use English

    Grammar Note

    u- (you) + -ra- (present) + -vuga (speak) followed by the language icongereza (English); a rising tone makes it a question

17. Ndagusavye, mfasha

    Please help me

    Usage

    Asks for help in a difficult moment

    Grammar Note

    mfasha is the imperative of gufasha (to help) with m- for "me"

18. Hano

    Here

    Usage

    Points out a place; clearer with a gesture

    Grammar Note

    hano means "here" and is an unchanging adverb

19. Hariya

    Over there

    Usage

    For pointing to a place at a distance

    Grammar Note

    hariya means "over there"; it is a demonstrative of the ha- (place) class

20. Iki kintu

    This thing

    Usage

    For something you can point to; "that thing" is Kiriya kintu

    Grammar Note

    iki is "this" (demonstrative of the ki- class) and ikintu is "thing"; the initial i drops after the demonstrative

21. Kiriya kintu

    That thing

    Usage

    For a thing that is further away

    Grammar Note

    kiriya is "that over there" for the ki- class; it changes with other noun classes

22. Jewe

    Me

    Usage

    The emphatic "me", as in Kubera iki jewe? (why me?)

    Grammar Note

    jewe is the emphatic "I/me"; in ordinary sentences the n- on the verb already means "I"

23. Wewe

    You

    Usage

    The emphatic "you", as in Nabigiriye wewe. (I did it for you)

    Grammar Note

    wewe is the emphatic "you" (singular); the plural is mwebwe

24. Hamwe

    Together

    Usage

    Used to invite someone along

    Grammar Note

    hamwe is an adverb meaning "in one place, together"

25. Vyose

    All

    Usage

    For all of several things, as in Vyose ni vyiza. (everything is fine)

    Grammar Note

    -ose means "all" and changes with the noun class: vyose for plural things, bose for people

26. Basi

    That's enough

    Usage

    When you want no more, such as when food is offered

    Grammar Note

    basi is a word of Swahili origin used as an interjection meaning "that's enough"

27. Nonaha

    Right now

    Usage

    When you need something done right away

    Grammar Note

    nonaha is an adverb meaning "right now, here and now"

28. Igice

    Half

    Usage

    Used when dividing something; it can also mean "part" or "piece"

    Grammar Note

    igice means "half" or "part"

29. Umuntu umwe

    One person

    Usage

    Gives a head count for a seat or ticket

    Grammar Note

    umuntu (person) with the numeral umwe (one) agreeing; the plural of person is abantu

30. Abantu babiri

    Two people

    Usage

    Gives a head count for a table or a vehicle

    Grammar Note

    abantu (people) with the numeral babiri (two) agreeing in the ba- class

31. Abantu batatu

    Three people

    Usage

    Gives a head count

    Grammar Note

    abantu (people) with the numeral batatu (three); higher numbers take the same ba- prefix

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