Language/Rundi/Grammar/Plurals

Rundi Grammar - Plurals

Hi Rundi learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about plurals in Rundi. Plurals refer to more than one object or person. Understanding plurals is important to be able to speak Rundi fluently. Don't worry, it is not too difficult! We will provide you with all the necessary information and examples to get you started.

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Say Hello and Greetings in Rundi, How to Use Have & How to Use Be.

Basic Plurals

In Rundi, the basic plural is formed by adding the prefix "ba-" or "aba-" to the singular form of a noun. Choosing between "ba-" and "aba-" depends on the noun, and there are no clear rules to guide the choice. However, there are some patterns that you can learn. - If the singular form starts with a vowel, add "ba-". For example:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
umugabo	[umɡabo]	man	babagabo	[babɑɡabo]	men
umukobwa	[umukobwa]	woman/girl	babakobwa	[babɑkobwa]	women/girls

- If the singular form starts with the consonant "k", add "aba-". For example:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
ikinyarwanda	[ikinjarwanda]	Kinyarwanda (language)	abakinjarwanda	[abakinjarwanda]	Kinyarwanda speakers

- If the singular form starts with any other consonant, add "ba-". For example:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
igikundiro	[iɡikundiro]	cup	bagikundiro	[baɡikundiro]	cups
igihugu	[iɡihuɡu]	country	bagihugu	[baɡihugu]	countries

Note that some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow any rules, and must be memorized. For example:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
inka	[inkʌ]	cow	imvune	[imvune]	cows

Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Umugabo ni mubi (The man is bad)
• Person 2: Babagabo ni mubi (The men are bad)

Plurals with Adjectives

When an adjective is used to describe a plural noun, it must also be pluralized. This is done by adding "zi-" before the adjective. Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
abagabo biziiza	[abɑɡabo‿biziːza]	good men
inka zimwe	[inkʌ‿zimwe]	some cows

Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Baramutse baziiza (The boys are good)
• Person 2: Baraboziiza (The men are good)

Plurals with Demonstratives

Demonstratives are words that are used to indicate a specific thing, person or group of things or people. In Rundi, demonstratives also have to be pluralized if they refer to plural nouns. The plural form of "this" is "izi", and the plural form of "that" is "azo". Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
izi miri	[izi miri]	these trees	azo nka	[ɑzo nkʌ]	those cows

Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Izi miri ziri neza (These trees are good)
• Person 2: Azo nka ziri neza (Those cows are good)

Plural Verbs

In Rundi, verbs also change depending on whether they refer to singular or plural nouns. Usually, verbs used with plurals end with "-ra" or "-ira". Examples:

Rundi singular	Translation	Rundi plural	Translation
yagize	he/she had	bategereje	they had
yipfuye	he/she died	batapfuye	they died

Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Baravuga (They talk)
• Person 2: Baratera bantu (They help people)

Irregular Plurals

Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow any rules, and must be memorized. Here are some examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
umugani	[umɡani]	story	amagani	[amaɡani]	stories
akazi	[akazi]	work	imyaka	[imjaka]	years

Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Umugani ni mwiza (The story is good)
• Person 2: Amagani ni mabi (The stories are bad)

Recap

In this lesson, we have learned how to form plurals in Rundi by adding prefixes "ba-" or "aba-" to nouns. We have also learned how to pluralize adjectives and demonstratives, and pluralize verbs. Understanding these concepts is important to speak Rundi fluently.

If you want to learn more about Rundi Rundi, check out the 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

• Rundi Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
• Zorc, Rwanda-Rundi (4th International Conference on African ...

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Gender
• Questions
• How to Use Be
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• Pronouns
• How to Use Have
• Adjectives