Kinyarwanda phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

Kinyarwanda (Ikinyarwanda) is a sole native language that is widely spoken in the country of Rwanda. Kinyarwanda language is spoken not only in Rwanda but also in Great Lakes Countries, some of those countries include Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania. There are some neighboring countries of Rwanda which has languages which are slightly seems to be like Kinyarwanda like the Kirundi language from Burundi, and some other different languages from Uganda, and Giha language in Tanzania.

Kinyarwanda is one of the main pillars that preserve the Rwandan culture and heritage as well as history. And this is widely seen in Rwandan literature which includes dances (imbyino), riddles (ibisakuzo), myths (ibitekerezo), pastoral songs (amahamba), hunters' song (amahigi), sailors' song (amasare), praising songs (ibisingizo), Lullaby or cradle song (ibihozo), tongue twisters (amagorane), spellcasting (ibitongero), proverbs (imigani), poems (ibyivugo).

Kinyarwanda language is one of four official languages used in Rwanda, which are Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a

like in father. (: a)

e

like in set. (: ɛ)

i

like in see. (: i)

o

like in boat. (: o)

u

like in food. (: u)

Consonants

b

like in boy. (: b)

c

like in chalk. (: tʃ)

d

like in do. (: d̪)

f

like in foot. (: f)

g

like in go. (before "a", "o", "u"; : g), like sabotage (before "e" and "i"; : ʒ)

h

like in hi. (: h)

j

like in second pronunciation of g.

k

like in skit. (: k)

l

like in lion. (: l)

m

like in mother. (: m)

n

like in nose. (: n)

p

like in pawpaw. (: p)

r

like in rain. (: r)

s

like in sun. (: s)

t

like in television. (: t)

v

like in vision. (: v)

w

like in way. (: w)

y

like in yellow. (: y)

z

like in zebra. (: z)

Consonant pairings

ts

like in quits (: ts)

nz

like in enzymes (: nz)

by

like in byuns

rw

like in Rwanda (: roo)

nt

like in investment (: nt)

mw

like in farmwork

tw

like in twice

bw

like in subwoofer (: bw)

nk

like in link (: nk)

nj

like in enjoy (:nj)

mp

like in empower (: mp)

ns

like in insane (: ns)

sw

like in swear (: sw)

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.: Muraho. (mu-r-ahoh) as neutral greeting without depending on time. Mwaramutse. (mu-ara-mutseh) (in the day) / Mwiriwe. (mu-iri-ueh) (at night)
How are you?: Amakuru ? (Ama-ku-ruh ?)
Fine, thank you.: Ni meza, murakoze. (Ni me-izah, mu-ra-kozeh.)
What is your name?: Witwa nde? (Wi-tuah ndeh?)
My name is ______ .: Nitwa______ . (Ni-tua _____ .)
Nice to meet you.: Nishimiye guhura nawe. (Nish-imiyeh gu-hur-ah na-weh)
Please.: Ihangane. (I-hang-aneh)
Thank you.: Murakoze. (Mu-ra-kozeh)
You're welcome.: Muhawe ikaze. (Mu-ha-weh i-kazeh)
Yes.: Yego. (Y-ei-goh)
No.: Oya. (O-yah)
Excuse me. (getting attention): Nyihanganira. (Nyi-hanga-nirah)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Mbabarira. (Mba-ba-rirah)
I'm sorry.: Mbabarira. (Mba-ba-rirah)
Goodbye: Urabeho. (U-ra-beh-oh)
I can't speak name of language [well].: Ntago mvuga izina ry'ururimi [neza ]. (nta-go mvu-gah i-zi-nah ria-uru-rimi [ne-iza ])
Do you speak English?: Uvuga icyongereza? (u-vu-gah i-ki-onge-re-zah?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Haba hari umuntu uvuga icyongereza hano? (Ha-ba ha-ari u-mu-ntuh u-vu-gah i-ki-onge-re-zah hano?)
Help!: Ubufasha ! ( U-bu-fash-ah!)
Look out!: Reba neza ! ( Re-bah ne-izah!)
Good morning.: Mwaramutse. (mu-ara-mutseh)
Good evening.: Mwiriwe. (Mu-iri-ueh)
Good night.: Ijoro ryiza. (I-jo-roh ri-izah)
Good night (to sleep): Muramuke. (Mu-ra-muk-eh)
I don't understand.: Ntago mbyumva. (Nta-goh mbi-um-vah)
Where is the toilet?: Ubwiherero buri he? ( u-bu-ih-ere-ro bu-ri hee?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Ndeka njyenyine. (nd-.ekah n-jye-n-yin-eh)
Don't touch me!: Ntunkoreho ! (nt-uh-n-kor-ei-hau !)
I'll call the police.: Ndahamagara polisi. ( Nda-ham-ag-arah po-li-s.)
Police!: Polisi ! ( Po-li-s!)
Stop! Thief!: Reka ! Umujura! ( ra-ika! u-mu-jurah!)
I need your help.: Ndashaka ubufasha bwawe. ( Nd-ash-aka u-bufash-ah bu-awe.)
It's an emergency.: Birihutirwa. ( Bi-ri-huti-rua.)
I'm lost.: Nabuze. ( Na-bu-zeh.)
I lost my bag.: Nabuze igikapu cyanjye. ( Na-buz-eh i-ki-kapu ki-an-jye.)
I lost my wallet.: Nabuze ikofi yanjye. ( Na-buz-.h i-kof-i ian-jye)
I'm sick.: Ndarwaye. ( Ndi-arua-ye.)
I've been injured.: Navunitse. ( Ni-avu-nitseh.)
I need a doctor.: Nkeneye muganga. ( nk-ene-yie mu-ga-ngah.)
Can I use your phone?: Nakoresha telefone yawe? ( Na-kor-eish-a tele-fon-e ya-ue?)

Numbers

0: Zeru (zairruh)
1: Rimwe (rimueh)
2: Kabiri (kahbirri)
3: Gatatu (Ga-tatuh)
4: Kane (Kahnei)
5: Gatanu (Gatanuh)
6: Gatandatu (Gatandahtuh)
7: Karindwi (carrinduih)
8: Umunani (umunahnih)
9: Icyenda (iciendah)
10: Icumi (Icuumih)
11: Cumi na rimwe (cuumih nah rimue)
12: Cumi na kabiri (cuumih nah kahbirri)
13: Cumi na gatatu (cuumih nah ga-tatuh)
14: Cumi na kane (Cuumih nah kahnei)
15: Cumi na gatanu (Cuumih nah gatanuh)
16: Cumi na gatandatu (Cuumih nah gatandahtuh)
17: Cumi na karindwi (Cuumih nah carrinduih)
18: Cumi n'umunani (Cuumih nuhmunanih
19: Cumi n'icyenda (Cuumih nici)ndah
20: Makumyabiri(maccumiabirih)
21: Makumyabiri na rimwe (maccumiabirih nah rimu)
22: Makumyabiri na kabiri (maccumiabirih nah kahbirri)
23: Makumyabiri na gatatu (maccumiabirih nah ga-tatuh)
30: Mirongo itatu (Mill-ong-o itahtuh)
40: Mirongo ine (Mill-ong-o ineih)
50: Mirongo itanu (Mill-ong-o itanuh)
60: Mirongo itandatu (Mill-ong-o itandahtuh)
70: Mirongo irindwi (Mill-ong-o irrinduih)
80: Mirongo inani (Mill-ong-o inanih)
90: Mirongo icyenda (Mill-ong-o iciendah)
100: Ijana (Ijanah)
200: Maganabiri (maganah birih)
300: Maganatatu (maganah atatuh)
1,000: Igihumbi (Igihuumbih)
2,000: Ibihumbi bibiri (Ibihuumbih bibiriih)
1,000,000: Miliyoni (millionih)
1,000,000,000: Miliyari (millih-yarih)
number (train, bus, etc.): Nimero _____(ni-merr-oh_____)
half: Igice (Igicce)
less: bike (bicyeh)
more: byinshi (biinshih)

Time

now: Nonaha (nonahah)
later: Nyuma (nyumah)
before: mbere (mbereh)
morning: mu gitondo (muh git-on-doh)
afternoon: Ku gicamunsi (kuh gicamunsih)
evening: Ni mugoroba (nih mugorobah)
night: Ninjoro (nindjoroh)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: Saa Saba z'amanywa (saah sabah zamanyuah)
two o'clock AM: Saa Munani z'amanywa (Saah munanih zamanyuah)
noon: Saa Sita z'igicamunsi (Saah Sitah zigichamunsih)
one o'clock PM: Saa Saba z'umugoroba (Saah Saba zumugorohbah)
two o'clock PM: Saa Munani z'umugoroba (Saah Munanih zumugorohbah)
midnight: Saa Sita z'ijoro(Saah Sita zijohroh)

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____(Singular:umunota), (plural: Iminota). (Singular: Umunohtah, Plural: Iminohtah)
_____ hour(s): _____(Singular: isaha), (Plural: amasaha). (Singular: isaahah, plural: amasaahah)
_____ day(s): _____(Singular: Umunsi), (Plural: Iminsi). (Singular: umunsiih, Plural: iminsiih)
_____ week(s): _____(Singular: Icyumweru), (Plural: Ibyumweru). (Singular: ikiumueru, Plural:ibiyumueru )
_____ month(s): _____(Singular: Ukwezi), (Plural: amezi). (Singular: ukuezih, Plural:amezih )
_____ year(s): _____(Singular: Umwaka), (Plural: Imyaka). (Singular: umuakah, Plural:imiakah )

Days

today: Uyu munsi (uyuh munsiih)
yesterday: Ejo hashize (ejoh hashizeh)
tomorrow: Ejo hazaza (ejoh hazazah)
this week: Iki cyumweru (icyi cyumueru)
last week: Icyumweru gishize (ikiumueru gishizeh)
next week: Icyumweru gitaha (ikiumueru gitahah)

Sunday: Ku Cyumweru (kuu kiumueru)
Monday: Kuwa Mbere (Kuwah mbereh)
Tuesday: Kuwa Kabiri (Kuwah Kahbirri)
Wednesday: Kuwa Gatatu (Kuwah Ga-tatuh)
Thursday: Kuwa Kane (Kuwah Kahnei)
Friday: Kuwa Gatanu (Kuwah Gatanuh)
Saturday: Kuwa Gatandatu (Kuwah Gatandahtuh)

Months

January: Mutarama (Mutaraamah)
February: Gashyantare (Gashyiantahrei)
March: Werurwe (Wuerurue)
April: Mata (matah)
May: Gicurasi (Gicuurasih)
June: Kamena (kameenah)
July: Nyakanga (Nyiakangah)
August: Kanama (Kahnamah)
September: Nzeri (Nzerih)
October: Ukwakira (Ukuacyirah)
November: Ugushyingo (Ugushyingoh)
December: Ukuboza (Ukubozah)

Writing time and date

Colors

black: umukara (umuhkarah)
white: umweru (umueru)
red: umutuku (umutukuh)
blue: ubururu (ubururuh)
yellow: umuhondo (umuhondoh)
green: icyatsi (ikiatsih)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Itike igura angahe yerekeza_____? (itiikeh iguhrah angaaheh yeirekiezah _______?)
One ticket to _____, please.: Nyihanganira. Itike imwe yerekeza_____ (nyihanganirah. itiikeh imue yierekeizah ______)
Where does this bus go?: Ni hehe iyi bisi yerekeza? (Nii heiheh iyii bisi yeirekeizah?)
Where is the bus to _____?: Iyi bisi irerekeza _____? (iiyih bisi ireireikiezah ______?)
Does this bus stop in _____?: Iyi bisi yaba irahagarara mu_____? (iiyih bisi yahba irahagarahrah mu _____?)
When does the bus for _____ leave?: Ni ryari bisi yerekeza _____ irahaguruka? (nii riari bisi yiereikiezah _____ irahaguruhkah?)
When will this bus arrive in _____?: Ni ryari iyi bisi iragera mu _____? (nii riari iiyih bisi irahgierah mu ______?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Ni gute nagera ku _____ ?(nii guuteh nagierah kuu _____ ?)
...the bus station?: ...cyapa cya bisi? (kiapah kia bisi?)
...the airport?: ...ikibuga cy'indege? (ikiibugah kia-indeigie?)
...downtown?: ...gare y'imodoka? (gahre yiimodokah?)
...the youth hostel?: ...amacumbi y'urubyiruko? (amacuumbih yuruhbiyirukoh?)
...the _____ hotel?: ...muri _____hoteli? (muhrii________houteilih?)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...konsira wa America/ Canada/ Ositarariya/ Ubwongereza? (... con-see-rah uah America/ Canada/ u-buoh-ngerezah)
Where are there a lot of...: Ni hehe hari...(Nee heihei haree...)
...hotels?: ...amahoteli(...a-mahou-telee)
...restaurants?: ...amaresitola?(...amareisitoulah)
...bars?: ...utubari?(...oo-too-bar-ee)
...sites to see?: ...ahantu nyaburanga ho gusura?(...aha-noo nyaboo-ran-gah ho goo-soo-rah?)
Can you show me on the map?: Wanyereka ku ikarita?(wanyiereikah koo ee-karee-tah)
street: umuhanda(oo-moohan-dah)
Turn left.: Kata ibumoso.(kah-tah ee-boo-mo-so.)
Turn right.: Kata iburyo(kah-tah ee-boo-rio)
left: ibumoso(ee-boo-mo-so)
right: iburyo(ee-boo-rio)
straight ahead: komeza imbere(koh-mei-zah ee-mbe-reih)
towards the _____: werekeza _____(we-re-kei-zah)
past the _____: inyuma ya ____(een-yoo-mah yah)
before the _____: imbere ya ____(ee-mbe-reih yah)
Watch for the _____.: Shakisha _____.(sh-ah-kee-sh-ah)
intersection: mu ihuriro(moo ee-hoo-ree-roh)
north: amajyaruguru(a-mah-jia-roo-goo-rooh)
south: amajyepfo(a-mah-jie-fo)
east: iburasirazuba(ee-boora-see-rah-zoo-bah)
west: iburengerazuba(ee-boo-reinge-rah-zoo-bah)
uphill: mu mpinga y'umusozi(moo mee-ngah yoo moo-so-zee)
downhill: mu manga y'umusozi(moo ma-nga yoo moo-so-zee)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxi!(Tah-xi!)
Take me to _____, please.: Ihangane, unjyane ku _____(ee-hang-an-eh, oo-njyah-neh koo _______)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Ni angahe kugera _____?(Nee an-gah-e koogeirah _______?)
Take me there, please.: Ihangane, unjyaneyo.(ee-hang-an-eh, oo-njyah-neh-yo.)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Haba hari ibyumba bihari?(ha-bah ha-ree eebiyoombah beeharee?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Ni angahe icyumba cy'umuntu umwe cyangwa abantu babiri?(Nee ang-aheh ee-kiu-mbah kiu-moonoo oomue kiangua abah-noo ba-bee-ree?)
Does the room come with...: Icyumba kiba kirimo...(ee-kiu-mbah keebah kee-ree-mo...)
...bedsheets?: ...amashuka?(...a-mah-sh-ook-ah?)
...a bathroom?: ...ubwogero?(...oo-buo-ge-roh)
...a telephone?: ...telefone(...tele-pho-ne)
...a TV?: ...televiziyo(...tele-vee-zee-yoh)
May I see the room first?: Mwabanza mukanyereka icyumba mbere?(mua-ban-zah moo-kan-yereikah ee-kiu-mbah mbei-reh?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Mwaba mufite ikintu gituje kurushaho?(Mu-aba moo-fee-teh eekeenoo gee-too-je koo-roo-sh-ahoh?)
...bigger?: ...kinini kurushaho?(...kee-nee-nee koo-roo-sh-ahoh?)
...cleaner?: ...gisukuye kurushaho?(...gee-soo-koo-yeh koo-roo-sh-ahoh)
...cheaper?: ...gihendutse kurushaho?(...gee-hen-doo-se koo-roo-sh-ahoh)
OK, I'll take it.: Nibyo, Ndagifata.(Nee-bioh, n-dah-gee-fat-ah.)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Ndahaba amajoro _____.(n-da-habah a-ma-jor-oh)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Wandangira indi hoteli?(ua-n-dan-gee-rah ee-nd-ee hau-tei-lee?)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Haba harimo ifunguro rya mu gitondo / ifunguro rya ni mugoroba?(Ha-bah ha-ree-moh ee-foo-ngoo-roh ria moo gee-ton-doh/ eefoo-ngoo-roh ria nee moo-gor-ob-ah?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: Ni ryari ifunguro rya mu gitondo/ ifunguro rya ni mugoroba riboneka?(nee ria-ree eefoo-ngoo-roh ria moo gee-ton-doh/ eefoo-ngoo-roh ria nee moo-gor-ob-ah ree-bonei-kah?)
Please clean my room.: Ihangane unsukurire icyumba.(ee-hang-an-eh oo-nsoo-koo-ree-re ee-kiu-mb-ah.)
Can you wake me at _____?: Waza kunkangura saa ____?(uazah koo-nka-ngoo-rah saa______?)
I want to check out.: Ndashaka kwibaruza ntaha.(n-dah-sh-akah kui-ba-roo-zah n-ta-hah.)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Mwakira amadollari ya Amerika/ Ositirariya/ Kanada?(mua-kee-rah a-ma-dola-ree ya America/ O-see-ta-ra-ree-yah/ Canada?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Mwakira amapoundi y'abongereza?(mua-kee-rah a-ma-pau-ndee ya-bon-ge-rei-zah?)
Do you accept euros?: Mwakira amayero?(mua-kee-rah ama-ie-roh?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Mwakira ikarita ya banki?(mua-kee-rah ee-ka-ree-tah ya ban-kee?)
Can you change money for me?: Mwamvunjira amafaranga?(mua-m-voon-jee-rah a-mafa-ran-gah?)
Where can I get money changed?: Ni hehe navunjisha amafaranga?(Nee hei-he na-voon-jee-sh-ah a-mafa-ran-gah?)
What is the exchange rate?: Ivunjisha rihagaze gute?(ee-voon-jee-sh-ah ree-hag-azeh goo-te?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Ni hehe nabona icyuma cya banki?(Nee hei-he na-bon-ah ee-ki-oomah kia ban-kee?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Ihangane, Ameza y'umuntu umwe/ abantu babiri(ee-hang-an-eh, a-mei-zah yoo-moo-noo oo-mue/ a-ba-noo ba-bee-ree)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Nareba kuri menu, Ihangane?(na-rei-bah koo-ree menoo, ee-hang-an-eh?)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Nareba mu gikoni?(Na-rei-bah moo gee-ko-nee?)
Is there a house specialty?: Ni uwuhe mwihariko wanyu?(Nee oo-woo-he mui-ha-ree-koh ua-niu?)
Is there a local specialty?: Haba hari umwihariko w'inaha?(ha-bah ha-ree oo-mui-haree-koh wee-na-ha?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Ntago ndya inyama.(na-goh n-dia een-yam-ah.)
I don't eat pork.: Ntago ndya inyama y'ingurube.(na-goh n-dia een-yam-ah yeen-goo-roob-eh.)
I don't eat beef.: Ntago ndya inyama y'inka.(na-goh n-dia een-yam-ah yeen-kah.)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): washyiramo duke, ihangane?(ua-sh-iramoh doo-keh, ee-hang-an-eh?)
fixed-price meal: igiciro shingiro cy'ibiryo(ee-gee-cee-roh sh-eeng-eer-oh kee-bee-rio)
a la carte: ku ikarita(koo eeka-ree-tah)
breakfast: ifunguro rya mu gitondo(ee-foo-ng-ooroh ria moo gee-ton-doh)
lunch: ifunguro rya saa sita(ee-foon-gooroh ria sa see-tah)
tea (meal): icyayi(ee-kia-yee)
supper: ifunguro rya nimugoroba(ee-foon-gooroh ria nee-moo-go-robah)
I want _____.: ndashaka ____.(n-da-sh-akah______.)
I want a dish containing _____.: Ndashaka ibiryo birimo _____.(n-da-sh-akah ee-bee-rio bee-ree-moh_____)
chicken: Inkoko(een-ko-koh)
beef: inyama y'inka(een-yamah yeen-kah)
fish: ifi(eefee)
ham: inyama y'ingurube(een-yamah yeen-goo-roo-beh)
sausage: sosiso(so-see-so)
cheese: forormage(for-om-ageh)
eggs: amagi(ama-gee)
salad: salade(sal-a-d)h
(fresh) vegetables: imboga zitoshye(eem-bo-gah zeet-ou-sh-yeh)
(fresh) fruit: imbuto zitoshye(eem-boo-toh zeet-ou-sh-yeh)
bread: umugati(oo-moo-ga-tee)
rice: umuceri(oo-moo-ce-ree)
beans: ibishyimbo(ee-bee-sh-yeem-boh)
May I have a glass of _____?: Nabona ikirahuri cya ____?(na-bon-ah ee-kee-ra-hoo-ree kia____?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Naboba igikombe cya ____?(na-bon-ah ee-gee-kou-m-beh kia_____?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Nabona icupa rya ____?(na-bon-ah ee-coo-pah ria______?)
coffee: ikawa(ee-ka-wah)
tea (drink): icyayi(ee-kia-yee)
juice: umutobe(oo-moo-to-beh)
(bubbly) water: amazi(a-ma-zee)
(still) water: amazi(a-ma-zee)
beer: byeri(bi-e-ree)
red/white wine: umuvinyo utukura/ w'umweru(oo-moo-vee-n-yoh oo-too-koo-rah / woo-mu-e-roo)
May I have some _____?: Nabona ku _____?(na-bon-ah koo_____?)
salt: Umunyu(oo-moo-n-yoo)
black pepper: urusenda rw'umukara(oo-roo-sein-dah rw-oo-moo-kar-ah)
butter: folomage(fo-lo-ma-ge)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Nyihanganira, umuseriveri?(n-yee-hang-an-ee-rah, oo-moo-se-ree-ve-ree?)
I'm finished.: Narangije(na-rang-ee-jeh)
It was delicious.: byari biryoshye(biari bee-rio-sh-yeh)
Please clear the plates.: Ihangane usukure amasahani(ee-hang-an-eh oo-soo-koo-reh a-ma-sa-ha-nee)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Mutanga inzoga?(moo-tang-ah een-zo-gah)
Is there table service?: Haba hari serivisi yo ku meza?(ha-ba ha-ree se-ree-vee-s-e yo koo mei-zah)
A beer/two beers, please.: byeri imwe/ byeri ebyiri, ihangane.(bi-er-ee eemue/ bi-er-ee e-bi-yee-ree, ee-hang-an-eh)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: ikirahuri cy'umuvinyo utukura/ umweru, ihangane.(ee-kee-rah-oo-ree kiu moo-vee-n-yoh oo-too-koo-rah / oo-mue-roo, ee-hang-an-eh.)
A pint, please.: Urufunguzo, ihangane(oo-roo-foo-ng-oo-zoh, ee-hang-an-eh)
A bottle, please.: icupa, ihangane(ee-coo-pa, ee-hang-an-eh)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: ______(likeri ikomeye) na_____(icyo kuvanga), Ihangane(______leek-er-ee ee-kom-eyeh nah______ee-kio-koo-van-gah, ee-hang-an-eh)
whiskey: wisiki(wee-see-kee)
vodka: vodika(vo-dee-kah)
rum: ramu(ra-m-oo)
water: amazi(a-ma-zee)
club soda: fanta(fan-tah)
tonic water: amazi ya tonike(a-ma-zi yah ton-eeke)
orange juice: umutobe wironji(oo-moo-tob-eh wee-ron-jee)
Coke (soda): coca(ko-kah)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Mwaba mufite ibyo kurya byo mu kabari?(muaba moo-fee-teh eebio kooria bio moo ka-ba-ree)
One more, please.: indi imwe, ihangane(een-dee ee-mue, ee-hang-an-eh)
Another round, please.: indi nshuro, ihangane(een-dee n-sh-oo-roh, ee-hang-an-eh)
When is closing time?: Ni ryari mufunga?(nee-ria-ree moo-foo-n-gah?)
Cheers!: cheers(ch-ee-y-az)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: mwaba muyifite mu bipimo byanjye?(mu-abah moo-yee-fee-teh moo bee-pee-moh bia-n-jeh)
How much is this?: igura angahe?(ee-goo-rah an-ga-heh?)
That's too expensive.: Irahenze cyane.(ee-ra-hen-zeh kia-neh.)
Would you take _____?: wafata _____?(uafatah______?)
expensive: gihenze(gee-hen-zeh)
cheap: gihendutse(gee-hen-doo-t-seh)
I can't afford it.: Ntago nabasha kukishyura.(n-agoh na-ba-sh-ah koo-kee-sh-yoo-rah.)
I don't want it.: Ntago nyishaka.(n-agoh n-yee-sh-ak-ah.)
You're cheating me.: uri kumbeshya.(oo-ree-koom-b-e-sh-iah.)
I'm not interested.: Ntago nyuzwe(n-agoh n-yoo-zoo-eh)
OK, I'll take it.: yego, ndayifata.(ye-go, n-da-yee-fat-ah.)
Can I have a bag?: nabona igikapu?(na-bon-ah ee-gee-ka-poo?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: mwaba mwohereza mu mahanga?(muabah muo-here-zah moo ma-hang-ah)
I need...: Nkeneye...(n-ken-ey-eh...)
...toothpaste.: umuti w'amenyo.(oo-moo-tee wa-mei-n-yoh)
...a toothbrush.: ... uburoso bw'amenyo.(oo-boo-ro-soh bua-mei-n-yoh.)
...soap.: ...isabune(ee-sa-boo-nei)
...shampoo.: shampo.(sh-am-po)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...imiti igabanya uburibwe.(ee-mee-tee ee-ga-ban-ya oo-boo-ree-bue.)
...cold medicine.: ...imiti y'inkorora.(ee-mee-tee yeen-ko-rou-rah.)
...stomach medicine.: ...umuti w'igifu. (oo-moo-tee wee-gee-foo.)
...a razor.: ... urwembe.(oo-rue-m-beh)
...an umbrella.: ...umutaka.(oo-moo-tak-ah)
...sunblock lotion.: ... amavuta arinda izuba.(a-ma-voot-ah a-reen-dah ee-zoo-bah)
...batteries.: ... bateri(ba-te-ree)
...writing paper.: ... urupapuro rwo kwandikaho.(oo-roo-pa-poo-roh ruo kua-n-dee-kah-oh.)
...a pen.: ... ikaramu.(eek-ar-am-oo.)
...English-language books.: ... Ibitabo by'ururimi rw'icyongereza.(ee-bee-tab-oh biu-roo-ree-me rui-kee-on-ger-ezah)
...English-language magazines.: ... Ibitangazamakuru by'icyongereza(ee-bee-tang-aza-ma-koo-roo biyi-kee-on-ger-ezah)
...an English-language newspaper.: ... ikinyamakuru cy'icyongereza.(ee-kee-niyam-akoo-roo ki eekee-on ger-ezah)
...an English-English dictionary.: ... inkoranyamagambo ya icyongereza - icyongereza(een-ko-ran-ya-ma-gam-boh ya ee-kee-on-ger-ezah)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Ndashaka gukodesha imodoka.(n-da-sh-ak-ah goo-kod-e-sh-ah ee-mo-do-kah.)
Can I get insurance?: Nabona ubwishingizi?(na-bon-ah oo-boo-ee-sh-ee-n-gee-zee?)
stop (on a street sign): Hagarara(hag-ar-ar-ah)
one way: icyerekezo kimwe(ee-kie-re-ke-zoh kee-mue)
no parking: nta guparika(na goo-pa-ree-kah)
speed limit: umuvuduko ntarengwa(oo-moo-voo-doo-koh nar-en-guah)
gas (petrol) station: sitasiyo ya esanse(see-ta-see-yoh yah e-san-seh)
petrol: esanse(e-san-seh)
diesel: mazutu(ma-zoo-too)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Nta kintu kitemewe nakoze(na keen-oo kee-tem-ewe na-ko-zeh.)
It was a misunderstanding.: kwari ukudasobanukirwa(koo-aree oo-koo-da-so-ban-oo-kee-rua.)
Where are you taking me?: ni hehe munjyanye?(nee heihe moon-j-yan-yeh?)
Am I under arrest?: Naba mfunzwe?(na-bah m-foo-n-zueh?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Ndi umunyamerika/ umunya ositarariya/ umunyakanada.(n-dee oo-moon-yam-eree-kah/ oo-moon-ya o-see-tar-aree-yah/ oo-moon-ya-kan-adah)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Ndashaka kuvugana na konsera wa Amerika/ Ositarariya/ Ubwongereza/ Kanada(n-da-sh-akah koo-voo-gan-ah nah kon-se-rah ua a-me-ree-kah/ o-see-tar-aree-yah/ oo-buo-n-ger-ezah kan-adah)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Ndashaka kuvugisha umunyamategeko.(n-da-sh-akah koo-voo-gee-sh-ah oo-moon-ya-ma-te-ge-koh.)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Nakishyura amande nonaha?(na-kee-sh-yoo-ra a-man-deh nou-na-hah?)

This Kinyarwanda phrasebook is a usable article. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.