Language/Kinyarwanda/Vocabulary/Drinks
Hi Kinyarwanda learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about different drinks in Kinyarwanda. Whether you are visiting Rwanda or simply want to expand your vocabulary, this lesson is for you.
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Colors, Food, Clothes & Count to 10.
Basic Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Drinks play an important role in Rwandan culture, especially when it comes to formal and informal gatherings. Here are some common drinks you can easily find in Rwanda:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ikawa | [ikawa] | Coffee |
| Inka | [iɲka] | Milk |
| Amata y'igitambo | [amata jiɟitambo] | Yogurt |
| Ikigori cy'umwana | [íkigɔ́ɾi cjûmána] | Baby formula |
| Ibinyomoro | [ibiɲomɔɾɔ] | Local brew (banana or sorghum beer) |
| Ikigobe | [íkigɔ́bɛ́] | Wine (literally, juice from grapes) |
| Intambara | [iɲtambara] | Waragi (kind of gin) |
| Ikibagwa | [íkibáɡwá] | Soda (specifically Coca-Cola) |
Let's take a closer look at some of these drinks:
Ikawa (Coffee)[edit | edit source]
Coffee is a sought-after commodity in Rwanda particularly for export purposes. Rwanda is among the top coffee producers in Africa. You can buy freshly roasted coffee beans or ground coffee from local markets or specialty stores. Rwandan coffee is grown under shade and is known to be of high quality.
Ibinyomoro (Local brew)[edit | edit source]
Local brew, commonly known as "Urwagwa" in Rwanda, is brewed from either bananas or sorghum. It is a traditional alcoholic beverage that is commonly served at weddings, funerals, and other traditional ceremonies. Urwagwa has a relatively low alcohol percentage of about 3-4%. It is known for its rich aroma and distinct taste.
Ikibagwa (Soda)[edit | edit source]
Sodas are now popular in Rwanda and are found in most urban areas. Rwanda produces Coca-Cola locally, and it is the most popular soda in the country.
Conversation[edit | edit source]
Let's imagine a conversation between two friends, Fred and Josette.
- Fred: Umunsi mwiza Josette! (Good day, Josette!)
- Josette: Mwaramutse Fred! (Good morning, Fred!)
- Fred: Wowe wari uhariye he? (Where were you yesterday?)
- Josette: Nari mbere y'okwejya inka kwa tonton. (I was at Uncle's place drinking milk.)
- Fred: Ahh, nkunda inka cyane kandi uyoba usangiye tonton yacu nka se. (Ahh, I like milk a lot and you know our uncle is very hospitable like our mother.)
- Josette: Yego, niko ibyuma bimwe bari mu ijoro wenyine ni inka y'iwacu ihari. Ariko koko naravuze ko ntihari ubishi emwe. (Yes, sometimes when we visit in the evening, they only have our milk. But I always say that I don't have a specific preference.)
- Fred: Ahh oya, nka kawa cyane! (Oh, I like coffee a lot!)
- Josette: Ese ubu waba warateguye inka, nkaba sinzakuruhuka? (If you have just drunk milk, won't it mix and disturb you?)
- Fred: Ntibyaba nibyo, kawa na inka bimwe bikenewe mu mpera! (No, it's okay, coffee and milk are sometimes taken together!)
Further Resources[edit | edit source]
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Other Lessons[edit | edit source]