Language/Kinyarwanda/Grammar/Pronouns
Hi Kinyarwanda learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will discuss Kinyarwanda pronouns. Pronouns are words that replace nouns or noun phrases. They are essential in every language. Knowing the usage and function of pronouns can greatly improve your communication skills.
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: How to Use Be, Gender & Negation.
Subject Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Subject pronouns replace the subject of a sentence. They include:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ndi | /nɗí/ | I |
| Wewe | /wéwé/ | You (singular) |
| Yeye | /yéyé/ | He/She/It |
| Tutari | /tùtárí/ | We (inclusive) |
| Mwiriwe | /mwìríwè/ | You (plural) |
| Babe | /bábé/ | They |
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Ndi mfite inka. (I have a cow.)
- Person 2: Ndi rero. (Me too.)
- Person 1: Wewe uyobewe inka. (You will sell the cow.)
- Person 2: Ndi sinabibona. (I won't see it.)
- Person 1: Yeye aririra umwana. (He/She is feeding the child.)
- Person 2: Yeye aririra ye. (He/She is feeding her/him.)
- Person 1: Tutari tugenda ku ishuri. (We (inclusive) are going to school.)
- Person 2: Mwiriwe muga mu ishuri. (You (plural) work at school.)
- Person 1: Babe bigendeye. (They went.)
Object Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Object pronouns replace the object of a sentence. They include:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ndi | /nɗí/ | Me |
| Wewe | /wéwé/ | You (singular) |
| Ye | /yé/ | Him/Her/It |
| Twese | /twése/ | Us (inclusive) |
| Mwese | /mwése/ | You (plural) |
| Bo | /bó/ | Them |
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Ndi mfite inka. (I have a cow.)
- Person 2: Wewe uyobewe inka. (You will sell the cow.)
- Person 1: Ndi nayiboneye. (I saw it.)
- Person 2: Wewe siyobona. (You won't see it.)
- Person 1: Ye aririra umwana. (He/She is feeding the child.)
- Person 2: Ye ariririra ye. (He/She is feeding her/him.)
- Person 1: Twese tugenda ku ishuri. (We (inclusive) are going to school.)
- Person 2: Mwese muyobera inka. (You (plural) will sell the cow.)
- Person 1: Bo bigendeye. (They went.)
Possessive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Possessive pronouns show ownership. They include:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yanjye | /yànǰyé/ | Mine |
| Wawe | /wàwè/ | Yours (singular) |
| Ye | /yé/ | His/Hers/Its |
| Tonu | /tònú/ | Ours (inclusive) |
| Mwacu | /mwàcú/ | Yours (plural) |
| Bazo | /bàzò/ | Theirs |
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Inka ni yanjye. (The cow is mine.)
- Person 2: Ni yanjye yo. (That's mine too.)
- Person 1: Inka ni yawe. (The cow is yours.)
- Person 2: Ni yanjye yifite. (It's mine if you have it.)
- Person 1: Inka ye ni ye. (The cow is his/hers/its.)
- Person 2: Ni iye itari ifite. (It's his/hers/its if he/she/it has it.)
- Person 1: Inka zacu ni tonu. (The cows are ours (inclusive).)
- Person 2: Nta n'umwe muzi inka mwacu. (None of you know our cows.)
- Person 1: Inka zabo ni bazo. (The cows are theirs.)
- Person 2: Bazo bigendeye. (They went.)
Demonstrative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Demonstrative pronouns point to something. They include:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Uyu | /ùyu/ | This |
| Uwo | /ùwo/ | That (singular) |
| Abo | /àbò/ | Those (plural) |
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Uyu ni kamuri. (This is a chair.)
- Person 2: Uwo uwo ni inka. (That is a cow.)
- Person 1: Abo ni mafaranga. (Those are coins.)
- Person 2: Abo birahinduka. (Those will change.)
Interrogative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. They include:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Iki | /íkì/ | What |
| Niriya | /nìrìyá/ | Which (singular) |
| Birya | /bìrìyá/ | Which (plural) |
| Igihe | /íɟíhé/ | When |
| Aho | /àhó/ | Where |
| Nani | /nànì/ | Who |
| Aha | /àhá/ | How |
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Iki ni iri? (What is this?)
- Person 2: Ni kamuri. (It's a chair.)
- Person 1: Niriya urabona? (Which one do you see?)
- Person 2: Uwo ni umwana. (That's a child.)
- Person 1: Birya mubone? (Which ones do you see?)
- Person 2: Abo ni inkuru. (Those are news.)
- Person 1: Igihe wenda genda? (When will you go?)
- Person 2: Ndagenda ejo. (I will go tomorrow.)
- Person 1: Aho wubatswe? (Where were you born?)
- Person 2: Ndagatangira Guhundura. (I was born in Guhundura.)
- Person 1: Nani ubonye? (Who did you see?)
- Person 2: Ndashaka gukora icyubahiro. (I want to do business.)
- Person 1: Aha urimo? (How are you doing?)
- Person 2: Njye mpaye neza. (I'm doing well.)
Reflexive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Reflexive pronouns refer to the subject of the sentence. They include:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| No | /nò/ | Myself |
| Wawe | /wàwè/ | Yourself |
| Ye | /yé/ | Himself/Herself/Itself |
| Twese | /twése/ | Ourselves (inclusive) |
| Mwese | /mwése/ | Yourselves (plural) |
| Bo | /bó/ | Themselves |
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Ndi nzira. (I'm lost.)
- Person 2: Nitabona ubwo. (I will see you then.)
- Person 1: Ndi nzira, nkunda kunjye. (I'm lost, I love myself.)
- Person 2: Nkwibuka nkwirenganya. (Remember to call me.)
- Person 1: Wewe shaka gukina. (You want to dance.)
- Person 2: Wowe shaka gukina. (You want to dance alone.)
- Person 1: Yeye yageze ku ishuri. (He/She arrived at school.)
- Person 2: Yeye yageze aho yageze. (He/She arrived by himself/herself/itself.)
- Person 1: Dore byose tuzi twese. (Here are all the things we know.)
- Person 2: Mwese mwibuke ubwo. (Remember it yourselves.)
- Person 1: Babe bagenda ku ishuri. (They went to school.)
- Person 2: Bo bagenda aho bageze. (They go by themselves/each other/themselves.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Pronouns are crucial in Kinyarwanda grammar. To improve your skills, practice as much as you can by using these examples in your daily life. To improve your Kinyarwanda Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! 🌍
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Kinyarwanda - Wikipedia
- 4.) Possessive Pronouns - Learning Kinyarwanda
- Ranking of Participants in Kinyarwanda: The Limitations of ...
Well done on mastering this lesson! Don't miss these related pages to expand your knowledge: Questions & How to Use Have.