Basic Verbs

1. Kugenda

   To go

   Usage

   The basic (infinitive) form; it covers going, walking and leaving

   Grammar Note

   ku- (infinitive) + -genda. When conjugated the stem changes, as in Ndagiye kuryama. (I am going to bed)

2. Kuza

   To come

   Usage

   The infinitive; Ndaza ngaha kenshi. means "I come here often"

   Grammar Note

   ku- (infinitive) + -za. The future inserts -zo-, as in azoza (he will come)

3. Kurya

   To eat

   Usage

   The infinitive, used for people and animals, as in Murarya inyama? (do you eat meat?)

   Grammar Note

   ku- (infinitive) + -rya. A more polite verb for people is gufungura

4. Kunywa

   To drink

   Usage

   The infinitive, as in Urashaka ikintu co kunywa? (do you want something to drink?)

   Grammar Note

   ku- (infinitive) + -nywa. ikintu co kunywa means "a thing to drink"

5. Kugura

   To buy

   Usage

   The infinitive, as in Reka nje kugura umukate. (let me go and buy bread)

   Grammar Note

   ku- (infinitive) + -gura; it covers buying and being priced, as in Bigurwa angahe? (how much do they cost?)

6. Kubona

   To see

   Usage

   The infinitive, as in Ndashaka gusubira kukubona. (I want to see you again)

   Grammar Note

   ku- (infinitive) + -bona; with -ku- (you) inserted it becomes kukubona (to see you)

7. Gutegereza

   To wait

   Usage

   The infinitive; to ask someone to wait use the imperative tegereza

   Grammar Note

   gu- (infinitive) + -tegereza; it can also mean to understand after thinking

8. Ndashaka kugenda

   I want to go

   Usage

   Add a destination after it

   Grammar Note

   n- (I) + -da- (present) + -shaka (want) + a ku- verb. The -da- can be dropped, as in Nshaka gutaha. (I want to go home)

9. Ndashaka kurya

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Say it when you are hungry

   Grammar Note

   n- (I) + -da- (present) + -shaka (want) + kurya (to eat)

10. Ndashaka iki kintu

    I want this

    Usage

    For asking for something while pointing at it

    Grammar Note

    n- (I) + -da- (present) + -shaka (want) + iki kintu (this thing)

11. Sinkeneye

    I don't need it

    Usage

    To decline vendors and offers

    Grammar Note

    si- (I do not) + -n- + -keneye (a form of gukenera, "to need")

12. Ndarondera iduka

    I'm looking for a shop

    Usage

    Tells what you are looking for; replace iduka with another noun

    Grammar Note

    n- (I) + -ra- (present) + -rondera (look for), as in Ndarondera musazanje. (I'm looking for my brother)

13. Ndafise itike

    I have a ticket

    Usage

    To show what you have

    Grammar Note

    n- (I) + -da- (present) + -fise (have); the Kinyarwanda equivalent is -fite

14. Simfise amahera

    I don't have any money

    Usage

    To say you have no money

    Grammar Note

    si- (I do not) + -m- + -fise (have) + amahera (money)

15. Ndagusavye, mbwira

    Please tell me

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for information

    Grammar Note

    mbwira is the imperative of kubwira (to tell) with m- for "me"

16. Mpa amazi

    Give me water

    Usage

    A short way to ask for something; swap in other nouns

    Grammar Note

    mpa is the imperative of kuha (give) with m- for "me", as in Mpa isaha yawe. (give me your watch)

17. Nzogaruka

    I'll be back

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or lodging

    Grammar Note

    n- (I) + -zo- (future) + -garuka (come back); the future puts -zo- before the verb

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