Language/Kinyarwanda/Vocabulary/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!)