Language/Kinyarwanda/Vocabulary/Family-Members
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Family is an important part of Rwandan culture, and knowing the words for different family members is essential for speaking Kinyarwanda. This lesson will introduce you to the words for parents, siblings, and extended family.
Basic Family Vocabulary
Here are the most common words for family members in Kinyarwanda:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Umubyeyi | oo-moo-byeyi | Mother |
| Umwigisha | oo-mwee-gee-sha | Father |
| Umwana | oo-mwa-na | Child |
| Umwana wanjye | oo-mwa-na-wan-jye | My child |
| Umukobwa | oo-moo-kob-wa | Daughter |
| Umugabo | oo-moo-ga-bo | Son |
| Umukuru wanjye | oo-moo-koo-roo-wan-jye | My older sibling/sister |
| Umugore wanjye | oo-moo-goh-re-wan-jye | My older sibling/brother |
| Umwana wanjye | oo-mwa-na-wan-jye | My child |
| Umutima wanjye | oo-moo-tee-ma-wan-jye | My spouse |
| Abakobwa | ah-bah-kob-wa | Daughters |
| Abagabo | ah-ba-ga-bo | Sons |
| Ababyeyi | ah-bah-byeyi | Parents |
| Intwari | in-twa-ree | Cousin |
| Ingoro | in-go-ro | Uncle |
| Nyokuru | nyaw-koo-roo | Aunt |
Note that in Kinyarwanda, there is no specific word for "sibling". Instead, you would use "umukuru wanjye" or "umugore wanjye" to refer to your older sister/brother respectively, and "umukobwa" or "umugabo" to refer to your sister or brother respectively.
Related Vocabulary
Here are some additional words that may come up in discussions of family and relationships:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Inshuti | in-shoo-tee | Friend (can also mean boyfriend/girlfriend) |
| Umushukanyi | oo-moo-shoo-ka-nyi | Fiancé(e) |
| Uwo munsi | oo-wo-moon-see | Other half |
| Urugo | oo-roo-go | Home/house/family house |
| Agatangaza | ah-ga-tan-ga-za | In-laws |
Note that "in-laws" in Kinyarwanda refers to both the spouse's family and the family of one's siblings' spouses. So, for example, your sister's husband is your "agatangaza".
Usage Notes
In Rwanda, respect for elders is highly valued, and this is reflected in the way family members are addressed. For example, it is common to refer to one's parents as "umubyeyi" or "umwigisha" rather than using their actual names. Similarly, older siblings are referred to as "umukuru wanjye" or "umugore wanjye" rather than by their first name.
Additionally, Rwandans place great importance on communal family living. It is common for several generations to live together in the same household, and for cousins, aunts, and uncles to be considered "part of the family".
Practice
Here are some example questions and answers using the vocabulary introduced in this lesson:
Q: Wa mubyeyi wawe ni nde? A: My mother is Umubyeyi wanjye.
Q: Urabitwaga ni umukobwa canke umugabo? A: I have a daughter.
Q: Ndashaka no gufatanya na umwana wanjye. A: I want to spend time with my child.
Q: Urukundo rwacu rwa nde? A: Who is your love?
Q: Ubwo buryo bwose bwo kwibuka ababyeyi? A: How do you remember your parents?
Q: Uretse ababyeyi, hari abandi batanga inshuti zabo mu rugo rusange. A: Besides the parents, there are others who give support to their friends in the whole family.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned the words for different family members in Kinyarwanda. You also learned about the importance of respect for elders and communal family living in Rwandan culture. With practice, you will become more comfortable using these terms in conversation.
Videos
Lesson 12: FAMILY MEMBERS || Kinyarwanda for beginners|| With ...
Other Lessons
- How to say Good Bye?
- Food
- Numbers 1 10
- Telling Time
- Express Surprise
- Health
- Introducing Yourself
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Clothes
- Describing Relationships
Sources
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