Difference between revisions of "Language/Kinyarwanda/Grammar/Pronouns"
< Language | Kinyarwanda | Grammar
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (Quick edit) |
m (Quick edit) |
||
| Line 217: | Line 217: | ||
|description=In this lesson, you will learn about Kinyarwanda pronouns including subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, interrogative pronouns, and reflexive pronouns. Improve your communication skills by understanding the usage and function of pronouns in Kinyarwanda. | |description=In this lesson, you will learn about Kinyarwanda pronouns including subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, interrogative pronouns, and reflexive pronouns. Improve your communication skills by understanding the usage and function of pronouns in Kinyarwanda. | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Videos== | |||
===Learn Kinyarwanda Lesson #9.1 (Subject pronouns) - YouTube=== | |||
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkN-v6QqxOM</youtube> | |||
{{Kinyarwanda-Page-Bottom}} | {{Kinyarwanda-Page-Bottom}} | ||
Revision as of 23:17, 5 March 2023
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.
Subject Pronouns
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
- 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
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
- 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
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
- 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
Demonstrative pronouns point to something. They include:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Uyu | /ùyu/ | This |
| Uwo | /ùwo/ | That (singular) |
| Abo | /àbò/ | Those (plural) |
Examples
- 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
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
- 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
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
- 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
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