Language/Rundi/Grammar/Adjectives
Hi Rundi learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will cover adjectives in Rundi. Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns. In Rundi, adjectives come before the noun they describe. For example, in English we say "the red car", while in Rundi we say "umurima umuhoro".
Adjectives can also have different forms in Rundi depending on whether they describe a singular or plural noun, and whether that noun is in the subject or object position. Let's take a closer look at the different forms.
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Say Hello and Greetings in Rundi, Pronouns & Conditional Mood.
Singular Subject Adjectives[edit | edit source]
When describing a singular noun that is the subject of the sentence, adjectives take the prefix "um" and the suffix "o". For example:
| Rundi | Pronunciation | English | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| umuhoro | oo-moo-hor-oo | red | umutima | oo-moo-tee-ma | big | umunyu | oo-moo-nyoo | sweet |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Umuhoro nzuze. (The red house)
- Person 2: Ndiyo, nzuze iri muhoro. (Yes, the house is red.)
Plural Subject Adjectives[edit | edit source]
When describing a plural noun that is the subject of the sentence, adjectives take the prefix "ama" and the suffix "o". For example:
| Rundi | Pronunciation | English | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| amahoro | ah-ma-hor-oo | red | amatima | ah-ma-tee-ma | big | amanyu | ah-ma-nyoo | sweet |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Amatima yabo ni makubwa. (Their big hearts)
- Person 2: Niyo, abatima babo ni banini. (Yes, their hearts are small.)
Singular Object Adjectives[edit | edit source]
When describing a singular noun that is the object of the sentence, adjectives take the prefix "i" and the suffix "ro". For example:
| Rundi | Pronunciation | English | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inyirarungu | ee-nyee-rah-roong-oo | beautiful | igisokoro | ee-gee-soh-koh-ro | new | igitsina | ee-gee-tee-see-nah | delicious |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Nzagaruka ku nzuza nshya. (I'm returning to the new house.)
- Person 2: Iyo nzuza ntacyo kibaho. (That house is not good.)
Plural Object Adjectives[edit | edit source]
When describing a plural noun that is the object of the sentence, adjectives take the prefix "bi" and the suffix "ro". For example:
| Rundi | Pronunciation | English | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| birungu | bee-roong-oo | beautiful | bisokoro | bee-soh-koh-ro | new | bitsina | bee-tee-see-nah | delicious |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Byose bituma byinshi. (Everything is very beautiful.)
- Person 2: Niba birungu, twobarehe. (If it's beautiful, let's celebrate.)
Remember, in Rundi adjectives always agree with the noun they describe in number and position.
To improve your Rundi 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. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Give your Opinion
- Negation
- How to Use Be
- Gender
- Conditional Mood
- How to Use Have
- Pronouns
- Plurals
- Questions
Sources[edit | edit source]