Language/Kinyarwanda/Vocabulary/Family-Members

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Kinyarwanda → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Family and Relationships → Family Members

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the vocabulary related to family members in Kinyarwanda. Family is an essential part of Rwandan culture, and understanding the words for different family members is crucial for building relationships and expressing kinship bonds. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently identify and address various family members in Kinyarwanda. Let's dive in!

Vocabulary

Here is a list of Kinyarwanda words for different family members, along with their pronunciation and English translations:

Immediate Family Members

Kinyarwanda	Pronunciation	English
Umuryango	[umuryángó]	Family
Umugore	[umugóre]	Wife
Umugabo	[umugábo]	Husband
Umwana	[umwána]	Child
Umwana wanjye	[umwána wánye]	My child
Umwana wawe	[umwána wáwe]	Your child
Umwana wacu	[umwána wácu]	Our child
Umwana wabo	[umwána wábo]	Their child
Umubyeyi	[umubyéyi]	Mother
Ubaba	[ubábá]	Father
Abana	[abána]	Children
Intwari	[intwári]	Sibling
Indwara	[indwára]	Sister
Umwirabura	[umwiráburá]	Brother

Extended Family Members

Kinyarwanda	Pronunciation	English
Umunyamubyeyi	[umunyámubyéyi]	Aunt
Umunyamugabo	[umunyámugábo]	Uncle
Umukobwa	[umukóbwa]	Girl
Umuhungu	[umuhúngu]	Boy
Umwambaro	[umwámbáro]	Cousin
Umugabo wa nyina	[umugábo wá nyína]	Maternal uncle
Umugore wa nyina	[umugóre wá nyína]	Maternal aunt
Umugabo wa nyoko	[umugábo wá nyóko]	Paternal uncle
Umugore wa nyoko	[umugóre wá nyóko]	Paternal aunt
Umuryango wanjye	[umuryángó wánye]	My family
Umuryango wawe	[umuryángó wáwe]	Your family
Umuryango wacu	[umuryángó wácu]	Our family
Umuryango wabo	[umuryángó wábo]	Their family

Cultural Insights

Family holds a special place in Rwandan society, and the bonds between family members are highly valued. In Rwanda, it is common for extended family members to live together or in close proximity, fostering a strong sense of community and support. The concept of "umuganda" emphasizes collective work and the importance of contributing to the well-being of the family and community as a whole.

In Rwandan culture, respect for elders is of utmost importance. Children are taught to greet their elders with respect and show deference to their parents and other older family members. The extended family plays a significant role in the upbringing of children, with aunts, uncles, and grandparents often sharing in the responsibilities of child-rearing.

Practice Exercises

Now, let's practice using the vocabulary we have learned. Complete the following exercises and check your answers below:

1. Match the Kinyarwanda word with its English translation: a) Umugabo i) Wife b) Umugore ii) Husband c) Umwana iii) Child d) Umubyeyi iv) Mother e) Ubaba v) Father

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct Kinyarwanda word: a) Umwana wanjye ___________ (my child) b) Umwana wabo ___________ (their child) c) Umunyamugabo ___________ (uncle) d) Umukobwa ___________ (girl) e) Umuryango wacu ___________ (our family)

3. Translate the following English sentences into Kinyarwanda: a) "This is my sister." b) "Her children are playing outside." c) "Our uncle is coming to visit." d) "His wife is a doctor." e) "The family is going on a trip."

Answers: 1. a) ii b) i c) iii d) iv e) v 2. a) Umwana wanjye b) Umwana wabo c) Umunyamugabo d) Umukobwa e) Umuryango wacu 3. a) "Ni umunyamubyeyi wanjye."

  b) "Abana be bari gutunganya hanze."
  c) "Umugabo wacu yaje kuvuga."
  d) "Umugore we ni umunyakazi."
  e) "Umunyamuryango uyu yaje gutaha."

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned the vocabulary for different family members in Kinyarwanda. Understanding these words will greatly enhance your ability to communicate and build relationships with native Kinyarwanda speakers. Keep practicing and exploring the rich cultural aspects of the language. Murakoze cyane! (Thank you very much!)

Table of Contents - Kinyarwanda Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing Nouns
• Describing Verbs

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating and Drinking

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Asking Questions
• Negating Sentences

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Rwandan Customs and Traditions

• Traditional Celebrations
• Rwandan Etiquette

Sources

• Trainee Kinyarwanda Book Table of Contents
• Intensive Language Study: Kinyarwanda

Other Lessons

• How to say Good Bye?
• Food
• Numbers 1 10
• Telling Time
• Express Surprise
• Health
• Introducing Yourself
• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Clothes
• Describing Relationships

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