Greetings

1. Amahoro

   Hello (peace)

   Usage

   The typical Burundian greeting; the reply is also Amahoro (or N'amahoro)

   Grammar Note

   amahoro means "peace"; as a greeting it wishes peace, and the other person answers with the same word

2. Mwaramutse

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting; the plural form is used even to one person to show respect

   Grammar Note

   Built on mu- (you, plural), the respectful form; to a close friend a u- form is normal

3. Mwiriwe

   Good evening

   Usage

   Greeting from late afternoon into the night; the plural form shows respect

   Grammar Note

   A respectful mu- (plural you) form that can be followed by Mumerewe gute? (how are you?)

4. Murakoze cane

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   The standard thank-you; the plural form suits elders and strangers

   Grammar Note

   Murakoze is a form of gukora (to do) and cane means "very"; to a close friend say Urakoze cane

5. Kaze

   Welcome

   Usage

   Greets a guest, as in Kaze iwacu! (welcome to our home)

   Grammar Note

   kaze is a short "welcome"; follow it with a place, as in Kaze muri ... (welcome to ...)

6. Amakuru?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The everyday "what's the news"; common answers are Amahoro or Ni vyiza

   Grammar Note

   amakuru means "news"; the full form is Amakuru yawe? (what is your news?)

7. Mumerewe gute?

   How are you? (polite)

   Usage

   A polite tone for elders or people you have just met

   Grammar Note

   mu- (you, plural) + -merewe (be in a state) + gute (how): literally "in what state are you"

8. Bite?

   How's it going?

   Usage

   A casual "hi / how are things" between friends; not for elders

   Grammar Note

   bite is a short "how?" and can follow a noun, as in I muhira bite? (how are things at home?)

9. Ijoro ryiza

   Good night

   Usage

   Said at bedtime or when parting in the evening

   Grammar Note

   ijoro means "night" and ryiza "good" (agreeing with the ri- class): literally "a good night"

10. Tuzobonana ejo

    See you tomorrow

    Usage

    Said when parting; ejo can be "tomorrow" or "yesterday", but the future tuzo- makes it tomorrow

    Grammar Note

    tu- (we) + -zo- (future) + -bonana (meet each other) + ejo (tomorrow)

11. Turabonanye

    Goodbye

    Usage

    A farewell that carries the sense "we will meet again"

    Grammar Note

    tu- (we) + -ra- (present) + -bonanye (met): literally "we have seen each other"

12. Nta kibazo

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply to thanks, using the same form as "no problem"

    Grammar Note

    nta means "there is no" and kibazo means "problem"

13. Simvuga ikirundi

    I don't speak Kirundi

    Usage

    Warns up front that you do not speak the language

    Grammar Note

    si- (I do not) + -n- + -vuga (speak) gives Simvuga. The language is Ikirundi, written ikirundi inside a sentence

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