Emergency

1. Ntabara!

   Help!

   Usage

   A shout to get help from people around you

   Grammar Note

   ntabara is listed in the dictionary as a call for help, from the same root as gutabara (to rescue)

2. Hamagara polisi!

   Call the police!

   Usage

   In a crime or accident

   Grammar Note

   hamagara is the imperative of guhamagara (to call)

3. Ndakeneye umuganga nonaha

   I need a doctor right away

   Usage

   For sudden illness or injury

   Grammar Note

   n- (I) + -da- (present) + -keneye (need) + umuganga (doctor) + nonaha (right now)

4. Ndazimiye

   I am lost

   Usage

   When you have lost your way

   Grammar Note

   n- (I) + -da- (present) + -zimiye (perfect of kuzimira, "to get lost")

5. Sinzi aho ndi

   I don't know where I am

   Usage

   Say it together with Ndazimiye

   Grammar Note

   si- (I do not) + -nzi (know) + aho (the place where) + ndi (I am)

6. Ndashaka kuja ku bitaro

   I want to go to the hospital

   Usage

   When you are unwell and need a hospital

   Grammar Note

   n- (I) + -da- (present) + -shaka (want) + kuja (go) + ku bitaro (to the hospital)

7. Ndarwaye

   I am sick

   Usage

   To say you are unwell

   Grammar Note

   n- (I) + -da- (present) + -rwaye (perfect of kurwara, "fall ill"); Yarwaye means "he was ill"

8. Ndashaka guhamagara ambasade

   I want to contact the embassy

   Usage

   After losing a passport or in a serious incident

   Grammar Note

   guhamagara means to call or phone; ambasade is embassy

9. Reka!

   Stop it!

   Usage

   To stop unwanted behavior, as in Reka kuvuga ivyo! (stop saying that)

   Grammar Note

   reka is the imperative of kureka (to stop, let go)

10. Hadutse umuriro!

    Fire!

    Usage

    When you see a fire break out

    Grammar Note

    hadutse means "has broken out (there)" and umuriro means "fire", as in Hagati y'igisigara hadutse umuriro. (a fire broke out in the middle of the city)

11. Umwivyi!

    Thief!

    Usage

    To alert people when something is stolen

    Grammar Note

    umwivyi is "one who steals", from kwiba (to steal); it is one of the dictionary's words for thief

12. Fata umwivyi!

    Catch the thief!

    Usage

    To get people to stop a fleeing thief

    Grammar Note

    fata is the imperative of gufata (to grab, take)

13. Hari umuntu yanyivye

    Someone stole from me

    Usage

    When reporting a theft to police or staff

    Grammar Note

    hari umuntu is "someone"; yanyivye is ya- (he) + -n- (me) + -ivye (perfect of kwiba, "steal")

14. Polisi iri hehe?

    Where is the police?

    Usage

    When looking for a police station or officer

    Grammar Note

    polisi (police) + iri (is located) + hehe (where)

15. Hari uvuga icongereza?

    Is there anyone who speaks English?

    Usage

    To call out to people when you cannot make yourself understood

    Grammar Note

    hari means "there is", uvuga is "who speaks" and icongereza is English

16. Hari agisida

    There has been an accident

    Usage

    To report a road accident or similar

    Grammar Note

    agisida is a loan from French accident, as listed in the dictionary

17. Bifise impanuka!

    It is dangerous!

    Usage

    To warn of danger

    Grammar Note

    bi- (they, things) + -fise (have) + impanuka (danger): literally "it has danger"

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