Compliments

1. Ni igisagara ciza cane

   It is a very beautiful city

   Usage

   For praising a town

   Grammar Note

   ni is "is", igisagara is a large town, ciza is "good, beautiful" (agreeing with the igi- class) and cane is "very"

2. Uburundi ni igihugu ciza cane

   Burundi is a very beautiful country

   Usage

   For praising the country you are visiting

   Grammar Note

   Uburundi is Burundi; igihugu is "country" and ciza is "good", agreeing with the igi- class

3. Uravuga icongereza neza

   You speak English well

   Usage

   For praising someone who can speak English

   Grammar Note

   u- (you) + -ra- (present) + -vuga (speak) + icongereza (English) + neza (well)

4. Murakoze kunyakira neza

   Thank you for welcoming me so well

   Usage

   A thank-you for hospitality; same pattern as Murakoze kwumviriza. (thank you for listening)

   Grammar Note

   murakoze (thank you) + a ku- verb; kunyakira is ku- (infinitive) + -n- (me) + -akira (receive)

5. Ufise ubwenge cane

   You are very clever

   Usage

   For praising someone's cleverness

   Grammar Note

   ufise (you have) + ubwenge (wisdom) + cane (very); the dictionary lists the idiom kugira ubwenge, "to be clever"

6. Uri umutetsi mwiza

   You are a good cook

   Usage

   When someone has cooked for you

   Grammar Note

   uri (you are) + umutetsi (cook) + mwiza (good, in the form used for people)

7. Uri umugenzi wanje

   You are my friend

   Usage

   To tell someone you have grown close

   Grammar Note

   uri (you are) + umugenzi (friend) + wanje (my)

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