Language/Rundi/Grammar/Plurals
Hi Rundi learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about plurals in Rundi. Plurals refer to more than one object or person. Understanding plurals is important to be able to speak Rundi fluently. Don't worry, it is not too difficult! We will provide you with all the necessary information and examples to get you started.
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Say Hello and Greetings in Rundi, How to Use Have & How to Use Be.
Basic Plurals[edit | edit source]
In Rundi, the basic plural is formed by adding the prefix "ba-" or "aba-" to the singular form of a noun. Choosing between "ba-" and "aba-" depends on the noun, and there are no clear rules to guide the choice. However, there are some patterns that you can learn. - If the singular form starts with a vowel, add "ba-". For example:
Rundi | Pronunciation | English | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
umugabo | [umɡabo] | man | babagabo | [babɑɡabo] | men |
umukobwa | [umukobwa] | woman/girl | babakobwa | [babɑkobwa] | women/girls |
- If the singular form starts with the consonant "k", add "aba-". For example:
Rundi | Pronunciation | English | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ikinyarwanda | [ikinjarwanda] | Kinyarwanda (language) | abakinjarwanda | [abakinjarwanda] | Kinyarwanda speakers |
- If the singular form starts with any other consonant, add "ba-". For example:
Rundi | Pronunciation | English | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
igikundiro | [iɡikundiro] | cup | bagikundiro | [baɡikundiro] | cups |
igihugu | [iɡihuɡu] | country | bagihugu | [baɡihugu] | countries |
Note that some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow any rules, and must be memorized. For example:
Rundi | Pronunciation | English | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
inka | [inkʌ] | cow | imvune | [imvune] | cows |
Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Umugabo ni mubi (The man is bad)
- Person 2: Babagabo ni mubi (The men are bad)
Plurals with Adjectives[edit | edit source]
When an adjective is used to describe a plural noun, it must also be pluralized. This is done by adding "zi-" before the adjective. Examples:
Rundi | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
abagabo biziiza | [abɑɡabo‿biziːza] | good men |
inka zimwe | [inkʌ‿zimwe] | some cows |
Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Baramutse baziiza (The boys are good)
- Person 2: Baraboziiza (The men are good)
Plurals with Demonstratives[edit | edit source]
Demonstratives are words that are used to indicate a specific thing, person or group of things or people. In Rundi, demonstratives also have to be pluralized if they refer to plural nouns. The plural form of "this" is "izi", and the plural form of "that" is "azo". Examples:
Rundi | Pronunciation | English | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
izi miri | [izi miri] | these trees | azo nka | [ɑzo nkʌ] | those cows |
Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Izi miri ziri neza (These trees are good)
- Person 2: Azo nka ziri neza (Those cows are good)
Plural Verbs[edit | edit source]
In Rundi, verbs also change depending on whether they refer to singular or plural nouns. Usually, verbs used with plurals end with "-ra" or "-ira". Examples:
Rundi singular | Translation | Rundi plural | Translation |
---|---|---|---|
yagize | he/she had | bategereje | they had |
yipfuye | he/she died | batapfuye | they died |
Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Baravuga (They talk)
- Person 2: Baratera bantu (They help people)
Irregular Plurals[edit | edit source]
Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow any rules, and must be memorized. Here are some examples:
Rundi | Pronunciation | English | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
umugani | [umɡani] | story | amagani | [amaɡani] | stories |
akazi | [akazi] | work | imyaka | [imjaka] | years |
Now, let's practice using some examples in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Umugani ni mwiza (The story is good)
- Person 2: Amagani ni mabi (The stories are bad)
Recap[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we have learned how to form plurals in Rundi by adding prefixes "ba-" or "aba-" to nouns. We have also learned how to pluralize adjectives and demonstratives, and pluralize verbs. Understanding these concepts is important to speak Rundi fluently.
If you want to learn more about Rundi Rundi, check out the 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[edit | edit source]
- Rundi Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
- Zorc, Rwanda-Rundi (4th International Conference on African ...
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Conditional Mood
- Gender
- Questions
- How to Use Be
- Give your Opinion
- Negation
- Pronouns
- How to Use Have
- Adjectives