100+ Basic Kinyarwanda Words: Guide for Beginners

Knowing these most used words can help you enable beginners to engage in basic conversations and understand everyday expressions. Below is a list of +100 useful Kinyarwanda words, their meanings, and some example sentences to help show their usage in actual context.

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Basic Greetings & Phrases

1. Muraho → Hello

2. Mwaramutse → Good morning

3. Mwiriwe → Good evening

4. Murabeho → Goodbye

5. Murakoze → Thank you (very much)

6. Amakuru? → How are you? (formal)

7. Ni meza → I’m well!

8. Bite? → How are you? (informal)

9. Ni byiza→ I’m fine?

10. Witwa nde? → What is your name?

11. Nitwa →My name is…

12. Yego → Yes 

13. Oya → No

14. Ntakizabo → No problem

15. Mbabarira → I am sorry

16. Simbyumva → I don’t understand

17. Uravuga icyongereza  → Do you speak English?

18. Ndavuga icyongereza → I speak English.

19. Bitwara angahe? → How much does it cost?

20. Ubwiherero burihe? → Where are the toilets?

 

Numbers in Kinyarwanda

1. Rimwe - One 

2. Kabiri - Two

3. Gatatu - Three

4. Kane - Four

5. Gatanu - Five

6. Gatandatu - Six

7. Karindwi - Seven

8. Umunani - Eight

9. Icyenda - Nine

10. Icumi - Ten

 

Days & Months in Kinyarwanda

1. Kuwa cymweru - Sunday

2. Kuwa mbere - Monday

3. Kuwa kabiri - Tuesday

4. Kuwa gatatu - Wednesday

5. Kuwa kane - Thursday

6. Kuwa gatanu - Friday

7. Kuwa gatandatu - Saturday

8. Mutarama - January

9. Gashyantare - February

10. Werurwe - March

11. Mata - April

12. Gicuransi- May

13. Kamena- June

14. Nyakanga - July

15. Kanama - August

16. Nzeri - September

17. Ukwakira - October

18. Ugushyingo - November

19. Ukuboza - December

 

Time 

1. Igihe – time (general)

2. Uyu munsi – today

3. Ejo – tomorrow

4. Ejo hashize – yesterday

5. Isegonda – second

6. Umunota – minute

7. Isaha – hour

8. Umunsi – day

9. Icyumweru – week

10. Ukwezi – month

11. Umwaka – year

12. Mu gitondo – in the morning

13. Ku mugoroba – in the evening

14. N’ijoro – in the night

15. Muri weekend – on the weekend

 

Essentials Verbs

 

Understanding basic Kinyarwanda verbs is important when communicating while beginning to learn. The verbs below are helpful to use when expressing needs or engaging in basic conversation.

 

1. Kuba - To be                                                      Ex. Ndi umugabo/umukobwa - I am a man/woman.

2. Kugira - To have                                                Ex: Mfite imodoka - I have a car

3. Gukora - To do, make, work                              Ex:   Ndakora akazi - I do work 

4. Kujya - To go                                                      Ex:  Ngiye ku iduka - I’m going to the store

5. Kubona - To see                                                 Ex:  Mbona inzu - I see the house

6. Gushaka - To want                                             Ex:  Ndashaka amazi - I want to water

7. Kuvuga - To speak, say, tell                               Ex: Mvuga icyongereza - I speak English

8. Gushobora - To be able to, can                          Ex: Ndashobora kubikora - I can do it

9. Gufata - To take                                                  Ex:  Ndateze bisi - I’m taking the bus

10. Kumenya - To know                                            Ex:  Nzi urugendo - I know the way

11. Kuza - To come                                                   Ex:  Ndaje vuba - I’m coming soon 

12. Gutanaga - To give                                             Ex:  Ndatanga amafaranga - I’m giving money

13. Gutekereza - To think                                         Ex: Ntekereza byinshi - I think a lot

14. Kureba - To watch, look                                      Ex: Ndareba televiziyo - I’m watching TV

15. Kwiga - To learn                                                  Ex: Niga Ikinyarwanda - I’m learning Kinyarwanda

16. Kumva - To understand                                       Ex: Ndumva neza - I understand well

17. Kurya - To eat                                                      Ex:  Ndarya ifungura ry mu gitondo - I’m eating breakfast

18. Kunywa - To drink                                                Ex:  Ndanywa amazi - I’m drinking water

19. Gukunda - To like, love                                        Ex:  Nkunda umuziki  - I like music

20. Gukoresha - To use                                             Ex: Nkoresha telefone - I use a phone

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10 MOST Essential nouns

1. Umuntu - Person

2. Ikintu - Thing

3. Igihe - Time

4. Ahantu - Place

5. Amazi - Water

6. Ibiro - Food

7. Umuryango - Family

8. Inzu - House

9. Akazi - Work / Job

10. Amakuru - News / Information (different based on context) 

 

Directions & places

 

Places

1. Umujyi - City

2. Umudugudu - Village

3. Icyaro - Countryside 

4. Inzu - House

5. Restora - Restaurant

6. Ishuri - School

7. Iduka- Shop/Store

8. Itorero - Church

9. Inyubako - Building

10. Ikibuga cy’indege - Airport

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Directions

1. Iburyo – right

2. Ibumoso – left

3. Imbere – in front

4. Inyuma – behind

5. Hejuru – up / above

6. Hepfo – down / below

7. Hafi – near

8. Kure – far

9. Ahantu – place

10. Inzira – path / way

 

Family & People

1. Umuntu, Abantu – Person, People

2. Umuryango – Family

3. Inshuti – Friend

4. Umwana – Child

5. Umugabo – Man

6. Umugore – Woman

7. Umuhungu – Boy

8. Umukobwa – Girl

9. Ababyeyi – Parents

10. Papa – Dad

11. Mama – Mom

12. Musaza – Brother (for a sister)

13. Mushiki – Sister (for a brother)

14. Bavandimwe – Siblings

15. Nygokuru, Sogukuru – Grandmother, Grandfather

 

Food

1. Ibiryo - Food 

2. Ikinyobwa - Drinks

3. Amazi - Water

4. Amata - Milk 

5. Umugati - Bread

6. Ibishyimbo - Beans 

7. Umuceri - Rice

8. Inyama - Meat

9. Imboga - Vegetables

10. Imbuto - Fruits

 

Common Questions

1. Nde? - Who?

2. Iki? What?

3. He? - Where? 

4. Ryari? When? 

5. Kubera iki? - Why?

6. Nigute? - How?

7. Angahe? - how much?/how many?

8. Ni iki? - What is it?

9. Ni nde? - Who is it?

10. Uri he? - Where are you?

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How many words do you need for a basic conversation?​

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To be able to have basic conversations in Kinyarwanda, you typically need to know around 500 to 1,000 words. This range should include words and phrases that are common and cover everyday topics, enabling you to understand and participate in simple conversations with native speakers.

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Learning these commonly used words will improve your Kinyarwanda and will enable you to communicate effectively in various situations, such as ordering in restaurants, asking for directions, or talking to native speakers.

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How can I learn Kinyarwanda fast?

 

To learn French quickly, you should immerse yourself in the language by doing some of the following practices: 

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• Daily Practice: Spend at least 20 minutes each day learning Kinyarwanda.

• Language material: Use beginner learning materials for structured lessons and practice.

• Media Consumption: Watch videos in Kinyarwanda, listen to French music and even podcasts.

• Practice speaking: Engage in conversations with native speakers.

 

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How can I practice Kinyarwanda words?

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Practicing French vocabulary can be useful and effective  with the following methods:

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• Flashcards: Create or use digital flashcards to practice new words.

• Speaking: Practice using new words in daily conversations with native speakers.

• Writing: Write short stories or journals using new vocabulary.

• ​Reading: Read books, articles, and news in Kinyarwanda to understand words in their context.

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In Conclusion: 100+ Basic Common Words in the Kinyarwanda

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Learning the most common Kinyarwanda words and phrases will give you a solid base to start speaking. Learning Kinyarwanda vocabulary through practical catered topics like greetings, numbers, and common questions can help you navigate daily conversations more easily. Practice is key, and immersing yourself in the Kinyarwanda language and culture is very important when wanting to enhance your language-learning skills.​

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