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<div class="pg_page_title">Rundi Grammar - How to Ask Questions</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">Rundi Grammar - Questions</div>
Hi Rundi learners! 😊<br>In today's lesson, we will be learning about how to ask questions in Rundi. Asking questions is an important part of any language, and it's essential to understand the rules of grammar when forming questions in Rundi. We'll cover the basics of how to form questions, as well as some more advanced topics.  
 
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/rundi Rundi] learners! 😊<br>
In this lesson, we will be exploring questions in Rundi grammar. Asking questions is an important aspect of communication as it allows us to clarify information or seek answers. Understanding how to form questions is crucial to becoming a proficient Rundi speaker. Let's get started!


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__TOC__


== Basic Question Formation ==
== Basic Question Words ==
The most common question words in Rundi are "ubu?" and "aibo?" which mean "where?" and "what?" respectively. Here are more examples of basic question words:


The basic structure for forming questions in Rundi is quite simple. All you need to do is add a question word at the beginning of the sentence. The most common question words are:
{| class="wikitable"
! Rundi !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| iki? || ee-kee || what?
|-
| icyo? || ee-cho || what?
|-
| iki kibazo? || ee-kee kee-ba-zo || what problem?
|-
| wowe uba uri hehe? || wo-weh oo-ba oo-ree heh-heh || where are you?
|-
| abantu baronse bahuriye he? || a-ban-too ba-ron-se ba-hoo-ree-ye heh || where have all the people gone?
|}


* Ndi - What?
Note that "uba" is the Rundi word for "are" or "am" and "hehe" means "here." It is important to also understand the context of the question as shown in the example "iki kibazo?" which means "what problem?"
* Uyu - Who?
* Uru - Where?
* Urugero - When?
* Urugera - Why?
* Urugeraho - How?


For example, if you wanted to ask "What is your name?", you would say "Ndi zina rako?".  
== Forming Questions with Verbs ==
To form a question with a verb, you simply add the word "obuntu" at the end of the sentence. This can also be expressed as "obu" or "unu." For example:


=== Yes/No Questions ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Rundi !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Wavuze amazina yawe. || wa-vu-ze a-ma-zee-na ya-weh || You said your name.
|-
| Wavuze amazina yawe obuntu? || wa-vu-ze a-ma-zee-na ya-weh oh-bun-too || Did you say your name?
|-
| Ndi mukunzi wawe. || ndee moo-kun-zee wa-weh || I am your friend.
|-
| Ndi mukunzi wawe obu? || ndee moo-kun-zee wa-weh oh-boo || Am I your friend?
|}


Yes/no questions are formed by adding the word "ari" at the end of the sentence. For example, if you wanted to ask "Do you like Rundi?", you would say "Uri kubona Rundi ari?".  
Notice that "obuntu" is added at the end of the sentence in the example sentences above. "Obuntu" means "something about" and is used to show that the speaker is seeking information or clarification about what was stated.


=== Negative Questions ===
== Question Words for Yes/No Questions ==
When asking a yes/no question in Rundi, it is common to add the word "ya" at the beginning of the sentence. For instance, "ya" can be added to "ndakubona" (I see you) to form the question "ya ndakubona?" (Do I see you?). Here are more examples:


Negative questions are formed by adding the word "saa" at the end of the sentence. For example, if you wanted to ask "Don't you like Rundi?", you would say "Uri kubona Rundi saa?".
{| class="wikitable"
! Rundi !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Ya uri hehe? || ya oo-ree heh-heh || Are you here?
|-
| Ya vyinshi uriya? || ya vee-nshi oo-ree-yah || Are you many?
|-
| Ya ntibyatinze? || ya ntee-byah-tee-nze || Is it not clear?
|-
| Ya wundi uyobewe? || ya woo-ndee u-yo-beh-weh || Is it someone else you're looking for?
|}


== Advanced Question Formation ==
Note that "ya" is not required to form a question. However, when "ya" is used, it implies that the speaker is looking for a yes or no answer.


In addition to the basic question formation, there are some more advanced topics that you should be aware of.  
== Tag Questions ==
In Rundi, tag questions are formed by repeating the verb at the end of the sentence in the negative form. For example:


=== Question Tags ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Rundi !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Wowe hari umuntu wubaka? || wo-weh ha-ree oo-moon-too oo-ba-ka || You're not a person who cooks, right?
|-
| Ese urabona ibintu byose, ntidukwiye? || e-seh oo-ra-bo-na ee-bin-too byo-seh, en-tee-dooh-kwee-ye || You see everything, don't you?
|}


Question tags are used to confirm or challenge information. They are formed by adding the word "ari" at the end of the sentence, followed by the subject pronoun. For example, if you wanted to ask "You like Rundi, don't you?", you would say "Uri kubona Rundi ari, wako?".  
"ntidukwiye" means "aren't we?" and creates a tag question implying an invitation to agree or disagree. Tag questions are a great way to verify information with the listener.


=== Alternative Questions ===
== Practice Dialogue ==


Alternative questions are used to ask for a choice between two options. They are formed by adding the word "ari" at the end of the sentence, followed by the two options separated by the word "na". For example, if you wanted to ask "Do you want tea or coffee?", you would say "Uri kwihangira chai na kofi ari?".  
* Person 1: Niba wavuze amazina yawe?
* Person 2: Nayivuze, ni Jean.
* Person 1: Uba uri hehe?
* Person 2: Ndi kwa mama.


=== Embedded Questions ===
Translation:
 
* Person 1: Did you say your name?
Embedded questions are used to ask a question within another sentence. They are formed by adding the word "ari" at the end of the sentence, followed by the question word. For example, if you wanted to ask "I don't know what your name is, do I?", you would say "Sinde ndi zina rako ari?".  
* Person 2: Yes, it's Jean.
* Person 1: Where are you?
* Person 2: I am at my mum's.


== Conclusion ==
== Conclusion ==
Asking questions in Rundi is an essential skill for effective communication. We have seen the importance of knowing question words, forming questions with verbs, using question words for yes/no questions, and tag questions. To improve your Rundi grammar, you can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=69 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/rundi/question questions]!


Asking questions in Rundi is not difficult once you understand the basic rules. With practice, you will be able to form questions with ease.  
== Sources ==
 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda Rwanda - Wikipedia]
<hr>If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.<br>Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirundi Kirundi - Wikipedia]




==Related Lessons==
{{#seo:
* [[Language/Rundi/Grammar/Adjectives|Adjectives]]
|title=Rundi Grammar - Questions
* [[Language/Rundi/Grammar/Gender|Gender]]
|keywords=Rundi language, Rundi grammar, question words, yes/no questions, tag questions, forming questions with verbs.
* [[Language/Rundi/Grammar/Conditional-Mood|Conditional Mood]]
|description=In this lesson, you will learn about the basic question words, forming questions with verbs, using question words for yes/no questions, and tag questions in Rundi grammar. Improve your knowledge of Rundi language by practicing with the dialogue given.
* [[Language/Rundi/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]
}}
* [[Language/Rundi/Grammar/Plurals|Plurals]]
* [[Language/Rundi/Grammar/Pronouns|Pronouns]]


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Revision as of 05:33, 5 March 2023

Flag-Burundi.jpg
Rundi Grammar - Questions

Hi Rundi learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be exploring questions in Rundi grammar. Asking questions is an important aspect of communication as it allows us to clarify information or seek answers. Understanding how to form questions is crucial to becoming a proficient Rundi speaker. Let's get started!

Basic Question Words

The most common question words in Rundi are "ubu?" and "aibo?" which mean "where?" and "what?" respectively. Here are more examples of basic question words:

Rundi Pronunciation English
iki? ee-kee what?
icyo? ee-cho what?
iki kibazo? ee-kee kee-ba-zo what problem?
wowe uba uri hehe? wo-weh oo-ba oo-ree heh-heh where are you?
abantu baronse bahuriye he? a-ban-too ba-ron-se ba-hoo-ree-ye heh where have all the people gone?

Note that "uba" is the Rundi word for "are" or "am" and "hehe" means "here." It is important to also understand the context of the question as shown in the example "iki kibazo?" which means "what problem?"

Forming Questions with Verbs

To form a question with a verb, you simply add the word "obuntu" at the end of the sentence. This can also be expressed as "obu" or "unu." For example:

Rundi Pronunciation English
Wavuze amazina yawe. wa-vu-ze a-ma-zee-na ya-weh You said your name.
Wavuze amazina yawe obuntu? wa-vu-ze a-ma-zee-na ya-weh oh-bun-too Did you say your name?
Ndi mukunzi wawe. ndee moo-kun-zee wa-weh I am your friend.
Ndi mukunzi wawe obu? ndee moo-kun-zee wa-weh oh-boo Am I your friend?

Notice that "obuntu" is added at the end of the sentence in the example sentences above. "Obuntu" means "something about" and is used to show that the speaker is seeking information or clarification about what was stated.

Question Words for Yes/No Questions

When asking a yes/no question in Rundi, it is common to add the word "ya" at the beginning of the sentence. For instance, "ya" can be added to "ndakubona" (I see you) to form the question "ya ndakubona?" (Do I see you?). Here are more examples:

Rundi Pronunciation English
Ya uri hehe? ya oo-ree heh-heh Are you here?
Ya vyinshi uriya? ya vee-nshi oo-ree-yah Are you many?
Ya ntibyatinze? ya ntee-byah-tee-nze Is it not clear?
Ya wundi uyobewe? ya woo-ndee u-yo-beh-weh Is it someone else you're looking for?

Note that "ya" is not required to form a question. However, when "ya" is used, it implies that the speaker is looking for a yes or no answer.

Tag Questions

In Rundi, tag questions are formed by repeating the verb at the end of the sentence in the negative form. For example:

Rundi Pronunciation English
Wowe hari umuntu wubaka? wo-weh ha-ree oo-moon-too oo-ba-ka You're not a person who cooks, right?
Ese urabona ibintu byose, ntidukwiye? e-seh oo-ra-bo-na ee-bin-too byo-seh, en-tee-dooh-kwee-ye You see everything, don't you?

"ntidukwiye" means "aren't we?" and creates a tag question implying an invitation to agree or disagree. Tag questions are a great way to verify information with the listener.

Practice Dialogue

  • Person 1: Niba wavuze amazina yawe?
  • Person 2: Nayivuze, ni Jean.
  • Person 1: Uba uri hehe?
  • Person 2: Ndi kwa mama.

Translation:

  • Person 1: Did you say your name?
  • Person 2: Yes, it's Jean.
  • Person 1: Where are you?
  • Person 2: I am at my mum's.

Conclusion

Asking questions in Rundi is an essential skill for effective communication. We have seen the importance of knowing question words, forming questions with verbs, using question words for yes/no questions, and tag questions. To improve your Rundi grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources



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