Language/Kinyarwanda/Vocabulary/Basic-Greetings
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Welcome to the lesson on Basic Greetings in Kinyarwanda! Greetings are the very essence of communication, especially in a culture where relationships and respect are highly valued. In Rwanda, how you greet someone can set the tone for the entire interaction. This lesson will introduce you to various ways to greet both formally and informally, how to say goodbye, and express gratitude.
Understanding greetings is crucial as they are often the first words exchanged between individuals. A simple "hello" can open doors to friendships, conversations, and deeper cultural exchanges. In this lesson, we will cover:
- Formal greetings
- Informal greetings
- Saying goodbye
- Expressing thank you
Let’s dive in and learn how to connect with others in Kinyarwanda!
Formal Greetings
Formal greetings are typically used in professional settings or when addressing someone older or of higher status. They convey respect and politeness. Here are some common formal greetings in Kinyarwanda:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Muraho !! /muˈra.ho/ | Hello (formal) | |
| Amakuru? !! /amaˈku.ɾu/ | How are you? (formal) | |
| Nimeza !! /niˈme.za/ | I am fine (response) | |
| Urakaza neza !! /uɾaˈka.za ˈne.za/ | Welcome (formal) | |
| Mwiriwe !! /mwiˈɾi.we/ | Good afternoon/evening | |
| Ndagutegereje !! /nda.gu.te.ɡeˈɾe.ʒe/ | I have been waiting for you | |
| Ni byiza kukubona !! /ni ˈbi.iza ku.kuˈbo.na/ | It’s nice to see you | |
| Urakoze !! /uɾaˈko.ze/ | Thank you (formal) | |
| Ndabashimira !! /nda.ba.ʃiˈmi.ɾa/ | I appreciate you | |
| Bwakeye bwiza !! /bwaˈke.je ˈbwi.za/ | Good morning (after dawn) |
Informal Greetings
Informal greetings are used among friends, family, and peers. They are more casual and reflect warmth and familiarity. Here are some informal greetings you can use:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Oya !! /oˈja/ | Hi | |
| Bite? !! /biˈte/ | What's up? (informal) | |
| Noriwe? !! /noˈɾi.we/ | How are you doing? (informal) | |
| Kagame! !! /kaˈɡa.me/ | Yo! | |
| Turi he? !! /tuˈɾi he/ | Where are we? (informal) | |
| Ndagukumbuye !! /nda.gu.kumˈbu.ʏe/ | I missed you | |
| Ndaguhaye !! /nda.guˈha.ye/ | I have brought you | |
| Wiriwe? !! /wiˈɾi.we/ | How is your day? | |
| Umunsi mwiza !! /uˈmun.si ˈmwi.za/ | Have a good day! | |
| Turi kumwe !! /tuˈɾi ˈkum.we/ | We are together |
Saying Goodbye
When it's time to part ways, Kinyarwanda has various expressions to say goodbye. Here are some common phrases:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Murabeho !! /muɾaˈbe.ho/ | Goodbye (formal) | |
| Urabeho !! /uɾaˈbe.ho/ | Goodbye (informal) | |
| Sawa !! /ˈsa.wa/ | Okay, see you later | |
| Ntegereje!! /n.te.ɡeˈɾe.ʒe/ | I'll be waiting | |
| Nzakubona !! /nza.kuˈbo.na/ | I will see you | |
| Nzakubona ejo !! /nza.kuˈbo.na ˈe.ʤo/ | I will see you tomorrow | |
| Sijye mumara!! /siˈj.je muˈma.ɾa/ | Don't take long | |
| Mugende neza !! /muˈɡen.de ˈne.za/ | Go well (to multiple people) | |
| Nzakora !! /nzaˈko.ɾa/ | I will work on it | |
| Mwigendere !! /mwiɡenˈde.ɾe/ | Travel well (to someone) |
Expressing Thank You
Expressing gratitude is an essential part of communication. In Kinyarwanda, here’s how to say thank you:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Urakoze !! /uɾaˈko.ze/ | Thank you (formal) | |
| Murakoze !! /muɾaˈko.ze/ | Thank you (to multiple people) | |
| Ndabashimira !! /nda.ba.ʃiˈmi.ɾa/ | I appreciate you (formal) | |
| Ndagukunda !! /nda.guˈkun.da/ | I love you (informal) | |
| Urakoze cyane !! /uɾaˈko.ze ˈtʃa.ne/ | Thank you very much | |
| Urakoze ku bintu byose !! /uɾaˈko.ze ku ˈbin.tu ˈbjo.se/ | Thank you for everything | |
| Ndakubaha !! /nda.kuˈba.ha/ | I respect you | |
| Urakoze kenshi !! /uɾaˈko.ze ˈken.ʃi/ | Thank you often/regularly | |
| Urakoze rwose !! /uɾaˈko.ze ˈɾwo.se/ | Thank you so much | |
| Ndabashimiye !! /nda.ba.ʃiˈmi.ɾe/ | I am grateful to you |
Exercises and Practice Scenarios
Now that you have learned various greetings, it's time for some practice! Below are 10 exercises designed to help reinforce your understanding of Kinyarwanda greetings.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences using the appropriate greeting:
1. __________ (Hello) mwiriwe.
2. __________ (Goodbye) urabeho.
3. __________ (Thank you) cyane.
4. __________ (What’s up?) bite?
5. __________ (I missed you) ndukumbuye.
Exercise 2: Match the Greeting
Match each Kinyarwanda greeting with its English translation:
| Kinyarwanda | English |
|---|---|
| Muraho !! | a. Thank you |
| Amakuru? !! | b. Goodbye |
| Urakoze !! | c. Hello |
| Nzakubona !! | d. How are you? |
| Urabeho !! | e. I will see you |
Exercise 3: Translate the Following
Translate the following English greetings into Kinyarwanda:
1. Good afternoon: __________
2. I appreciate you: __________
3. How is your day?: __________
4. I will be waiting: __________
5. Travel well: __________
Exercise 4: Conversation Practice
Create a short dialogue between two friends meeting after a long time. Use at least three greetings from this lesson.
Exercise 5: Identify the Greeting
Listen to a recording (imaginary) of a conversation in Kinyarwanda. Identify the greeting used.
Exercise 6: Create Your Own Scenarios
Write three different situations in which you would use formal greetings.
Exercise 7: Role Play
Pair up with a friend and practice greeting each other using both formal and informal greetings.
Exercise 8: Group Activity
In groups, create a skit that includes greetings, farewells, and expressions of gratitude. Perform it in front of the class.
Exercise 9: Journal Entry
Write a journal entry about a day when you had to greet someone important. Describe how you felt and what greeting you used.
Exercise 10: Review and Reflect
Reflect on what you have learned in this lesson. Write down what you found most interesting or challenging about Kinyarwanda greetings.
Answers to Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
1. Muraho
2. Urabeho
3. Urakoze
4. Bite?
5. Ndagukumbuye
Exercise 2: Match the Greeting
| Kinyarwanda || English
|-
| Muraho || c. Hello
|-
| Amakuru? || d. How are you?
|-
| Urakoze || a. Thank you
|-
| Nzakubona || e. I will see you
|-
| Urabeho || b. Goodbye
Exercise 3: Translate the Following
1. Good afternoon: Mwiriwe
2. I appreciate you: Ndabashimira
3. How is your day?: Wiriwe?
4. I will be waiting: Ntegereje
5. Travel well: Mwigendere
Exercise 4: Conversation Practice
Friend 1: Muraho! (Hello!)
Friend 2: Bite? (What’s up?)
Friend 1: Ndagukumbuye! (I missed you!)
Friend 2: Nanjye, nari mbihangayikishije. (Me too, I was worried.)
Exercise 5: Identify the Greeting
[Students are to listen to the imaginary recording and note the greetings they hear.]
Exercise 6: Create Your Own Scenarios
[Students write down their scenarios, e.g., meeting a teacher, addressing a guest, etc.]
Exercise 7: Role Play
[Students practice greetings in pairs.]
Exercise 8: Group Activity
[Students perform their skits based on greetings.]
Exercise 9: Journal Entry
[Students write their journal entries based on their experiences.]
Exercise 10: Review and Reflect
[Students reflect on their learning experiences.]
Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on Basic Greetings in Kinyarwanda. Remember, greetings are more than just words; they are the warmth that connects us. As you continue your journey in learning Kinyarwanda, keep practicing these greetings, and you will find that they will become second nature.
Videos
Basic Kinyarwanda words+phrases for TRAVELERS - YouTube
Sources
Other Lessons
- Family Members
- Education
- Express Surprise
- Animals
- Days of the Week
- Geography
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Eating and Drinking
- Common Foods
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