Language/Kinyarwanda/Vocabulary/Telling-Time

Kinyarwanda → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Time → Telling Time

Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn how to tell time in Kinyarwanda. Knowing how to tell time is essential when traveling, making appointments or simply managing your daily schedule. We will cover how to say 'o'clock', 'half past', and 'quarter to' in Kinyarwanda.

Numbers and Time Review

Before we proceed, let's review the numbers in Kinyarwanda:

Kinyarwanda	Pronunciation	English
zero	saa	zero
one	rimwe	one
two	pili	two
three	tatu	three
four	ina	four
five	tanu	five
six	sita	six
seven	munani	seven
eight	mwenda	eight
nine	cyenda	nine
ten	cumi	ten

Telling Time

In Kinyarwanda, we use the 12-hour clock system. Here are some examples of how to tell time:

Kinyarwanda	Pronunciation	English
saa rimwe	saa rim’-we	one o'clock
saa pili	saa pee-lee	two o'clock
saa tatu	saa ta-too	three o'clock
saa ine	saa ee-ne	four o'clock
sa tanu	saa ta-noo	five o'clock
saa sita	saa see-ta	six o'clock
saa munani	saa moo-na-nee	seven o'clock
saa mwenda	saa mwen-da	eight o'clock
saa cyenda	saa chen-da	nine o'clock
saa cumi	saa choo-me	ten o'clock
saa cumi n'umwe	saa choo-me noom’-we	eleven o'clock
saa isaha	saa ee-saa-ha	twelve o'clock

For times after one o'clock, we add the word "isaha" (meaning "hour") after the hour number.

In Kinyarwanda, "half past" is expressed as "sa buri munani", which literally means "thirty minutes to". For example:

• saa rimwe na buri munani - half past one

Similarly, "quarter to" is expressed as "sa buri mwenda", which literally means "fifteen minutes to". For example:

• saa pili na buri mwenda - quarter to two

We can also express "quarter past" as "sa cumi na roho ishirini", which literally means "fifteen minutes from twenty". However, this form is less commonly used.

Additional Notes

- When speaking casually, some Kinyarwanda speakers may use the equivalent of "a.m." and "p.m." by adding "saa za mu gitondo" (lit. "in the morning") or "saa za mu gituba" (lit. "in the afternoon") respectively. - In Rwanda, time is usually expressed punctually and punctuality is valued. Therefore, it is important to be on time for appointments and meetings. - Business hours in Rwanda generally run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Now that you know how to tell time in Kinyarwanda, you can practice by asking someone the time or setting your own schedule. Leta gutaha! (Let's get started!)

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

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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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

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Rwandan Customs and Traditions

• Traditional Celebrations
• Rwandan Etiquette

Other Lessons

• Asking for Directions
• Education
• Express Surprise
• Introducing Yourself
• Clothes
• How to say Good Bye?
• Days of the Week
• Animals
• Feelings and Emotions

Sources

• Unit 3: Kuvuga ibihe mu Kinyarwanda (Telling time in Kinyarwanda ...
• Kinyarwanda Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com