Kinyarwanda words with English meanings
This directory is generated from the vocabulary used in RundiRwanda’s Kinyarwanda learning path. It currently contains 430 unique course word-and-meaning pairs.
Learning note: the English text is the course meaning used to teach each item. A Kinyarwanda word can have additional meanings or behave differently in another sentence, so learners should use lesson context and fluent-speaker input as they advance.
| Kinyarwanda | English meaning |
|---|---|
| ababyeyi | parents |
| abagabo | men / husbands |
| abagore | women / wives |
| abana | children |
| abantu | people |
| Abanyarwanda | Rwandan people |
| abashyitsi | visitors / guests |
| abaturanyi | neighbours |
| Afite igitabo | He / she has a book |
| aho nkorera | my workplace / where I work |
| akamaro | usefulness / importance |
| akana | small child |
| akantu | small thing |
| akazi | job / work |
| amafaranga | money |
| amaherezo | finally / in the end |
| Amakuru? | How are you? |
| amanywa | daytime / midday |
| amata | milk |
| amazi | water |
| Aragenda | He / she goes |
| Arakora | He / she works |
| Ari he? | Where is he / she? |
| ariko | but |
| Azakora | He / she will work |
| Bafite ibitabo | They have books |
| Baragenda | They go |
| Barakora | They work |
| Bikosore | Fix it / correct it |
| biragoye | it is difficult |
| birahagije | it is enough |
| birakenewe | it is necessary |
| Birambabaje | That makes me sad / I am sorry about that |
| Biranshimishije | It makes me happy / I like that |
| birashoboka | it is possible |
| biratinze | it is slow / delayed |
| birihuta | it is fast |
| biroroshye | it is easy |
| biruta | it is better than |
| bo | they / them |
| buhoro | slowly / gently |
| Byagenze nabi | It went wrong |
| Byari byiza | It was good |
| cyane | very / a lot |
| cyangwa | or |
| cyiza | good / beautiful (class form) |
| cyoroshye | light / easy (class form) |
| Dufite inama | We have a meeting |
| Dukeneye ubufasha ubu | We need help now |
| ejo | yesterday / tomorrow |
| Ejo nagiye | Yesterday I went |
| farumasi | pharmacy |
| gahunda | appointment / schedule |
| gatandatu | six |
| gatanu | five |
| gatatu | three |
| gishaje | old / worn (class form) |
| gishya | new (class form) |
| gito | small (class form) |
| gufasha | to help |
| gufashanya | to help one another |
| guhenda | to be expensive |
| guhindura | to change (something) |
| guhitamo | to choose |
| gukomeza | to continue |
| gukora | to work / do |
| gukorana | to work together |
| gukorera | to work for |
| gukunda | to love / like |
| gusangira | to share |
| gushakisha | to look for / search |
| gushobora | to be able to |
| gusobanukirwa | to understand |
| gusobanura | to explain |
| gusoma | to read |
| gusubira | to return / do again |
| gusubiza | to answer |
| gutegura | to prepare |
| gutekereza | to think |
| gutinya | to fear |
| hafi | near |
| Hamagara ambilansi | Call an ambulance |
| Hamagara umuganga | Call a doctor |
| hano | here |
| hanyuma | afterwards |
| hanyuma | then / afterward |
| Hari amaraso | There is blood |
| Hari ikibazo | There is a problem |
| hariya | over there |
| he? | where? |
| ibintu | things |
| ibiraya | potatoes |
| ibishyimbo | beans |
| ibitabo | books |
| ibitaro | hospital |
| Ibitaro biri he? | Where is the hospital? |
| ibumoso | on the left |
| iburyo | on the right |
| Icara | Sit down |
| icumi | ten |
| icyenda | nine |
| icyizere | hope / trust |
| icyumweru | week |
| idirishya | window |
| igare | bicycle |
| igiciro | price |
| igikorwa | work / task / activity |
| igisubizo | answer / solution |
| igitabo | book |
| igitanda | bed |
| igitekerezo | thought / idea |
| igiti | tree |
| igitoki | banana |
| igitondo | morning |
| igitunguru | onion |
| ijambo | word / speech |
| ijambobanga | password |
| ijisho | eye |
| ijoro | night |
| Ijoro ryiza | Good night |
| ikaramu | pen |
| Iki kiruta kiriya | This is better than that |
| iki? | what? |
| ikibazo | problem / difficulty |
| Ikibazo cyakemutse | The problem was solved |
| Ikibazo ni iki? | What is the question? |
| ikigo nderabuzima | health centre / clinic |
| ikinini | tablet / pill |
| ikintu | thing |
| Ikinyarwanda | the Kinyarwanda language |
| ikinyoma | lie / falsehood |
| imbere | before / in front |
| imbwa | dog |
| imbyino | dance |
| iminsi | days |
| imisozi | hills / mountains |
| imiti | trees / medicines |
| imiti | medicine / medicines |
| imodoka | car / vehicle |
| imodoka yatinze | the vehicle was delayed |
| impamvu | reason / cause |
| impene | goat |
| imvura | rain |
| inama | meeting / advice |
| Inama itangira ryari? | When does the meeting start? |
| inanasi | pineapple |
| Inda irandya | My stomach hurts |
| indangamuntu | identity card |
| indirimbo | song |
| ingaruka | consequence / result |
| ingingo | decision / point / rule |
| Injira | Come in |
| inka | cow / cattle |
| inkoko | chicken |
| inkuru | story / news |
| intego | aim / direction |
| interineti | internet |
| Interineti ntikora | The internet is not working |
| inyama | meat |
| inyandiko | document |
| inyanya | tomatoes |
| inyota | thirst |
| inyuma | after / behind |
| inzara | hunger |
| inzu | house |
| ipikipiki | motorcycle |
| ishuri | school |
| isoko | market |
| Isoko riri he? | Where is the market? |
| isomo | lesson / subject |
| isukari | sugar |
| itariki y'amavuko | date of birth |
| iterambere | development / progress |
| Itike yanjye iri he? | Where is my ticket? |
| ivoka | avocado |
| izina ry'umuryango | family name / surname |
| izuba | sun |
| kabiri | two |
| kandi | and / also |
| kane | four |
| karindwi | seven |
| kera | long ago |
| kibi | bad (class form) |
| kinini | big (class form) |
| kiremereye | heavy (class form) |
| kubaha | to respect |
| kubaza | to ask |
| kubera iki? | why? |
| kubona | to see |
| kubonana | to see one another / meet |
| kubyina | to dance |
| kubyuka | to wake up |
| kugabanya | to reduce |
| kuganira | to converse / discuss |
| kugenda | to go |
| kugera | to arrive |
| kugerageza | to try |
| kuguma | to stay / remain |
| kugura | to buy |
| kugurira | to buy for |
| kugurisha | to sell |
| Kuki ubivuga? | Why do you say that? |
| kuko | because |
| kumenya | to know |
| kumva | to hear / feel |
| kumvikana | to understand one another / agree |
| kunywa | to drink |
| kure | far |
| kuririmba | to sing |
| kuruhuka | to rest |
| kurya | to eat |
| kuryama | to sleep / lie down |
| kuvuga | to speak / say |
| kwandika | to write |
| kwanka | to refuse / dislike |
| kwemera | to agree / accept |
| kwibagirwa | to forget |
| kwibuka | to remember |
| kwiga | to learn / study |
| kwiga | to learn |
| kwigisha | to teach |
| kwimenyereza | to practise / get used to |
| kwinjira | to enter |
| kwinjiza | to bring in / cause to enter |
| kwishyura | to pay |
| kwitaho | to take care / pay attention |
| kwizera | to believe / trust / hope |
| make | few (agreement form) |
| Mbabarira | Excuse me / forgive me |
| mbere na mbere | first / at first |
| Mbona ko... | I think / see that... |
| menshi | many (agreement form) |
| Mfasha! | Help me! |
| Mfite aleriji | I have an allergy |
| Mfite amazi | I have water |
| Mfite gahunda | I have an appointment |
| Mfite ubwoba | I am afraid |
| Mfite umuriro | I have a fever |
| Mfite umwanya | I have time |
| Mpa amata | Give me milk |
| Mpa amazi | Give me water |
| Muganga araza ryari? | When is the doctor coming? |
| mugenzi w'akazi | colleague / coworker |
| Murabeho | Goodbye (plural / respectful) |
| Muraho | Hello / peace |
| Murakaza neza | Welcome |
| Mwaramutse | Good morning |
| mwe | you (plural) |
| Mwiriwe | Good afternoon / evening |
| Nabonye | I saw / have seen |
| Nabonye inshuti | I saw a friend |
| Nabuze itike | I lost the ticket |
| Nagarutse mu rugo | I returned home |
| Nagiye | I went / have gone |
| Nahinduye gahunda | I changed the plan |
| Nakora iki? | What should I do? |
| Nakoze | I worked / have worked |
| Narangije akazi | I finished the work |
| Nawe? | And you? |
| Ndababara | I am in pain |
| Ndababaye | I am sad / upset |
| Ndabikunda | I like it |
| Ndabizi | I know it |
| Ndabyemera | I agree / accept it |
| Ndabyumva | I understand |
| ndahitamo | I choose |
| Ndahitamo iki | I choose this |
| Ndakorora | I have a cough |
| Ndakunda gusoma | I like reading |
| Ndakunda kubyina | I like dancing |
| Ndakunda kuririmba | I like singing |
| Ndakunda kwiga | I like learning |
| Ndarakaye | I am angry |
| Ndarembye | I feel sick / unwell |
| Ndarushye cyane | I am very tired |
| Ndashaka amazi | I want water |
| Ndashaka gusobanukirwa | I want to understand |
| Ndashaka indi nzira | I want another route / way |
| Ndashaka kubonana n'umuganga | I want to see a doctor |
| Ndashaka kugenda | I want to go |
| Ndashaka kugura | I want to buy |
| Ndashaka kunywa | I want to drink |
| Ndashaka kuruhuka | I want to rest |
| Ndashaka kurya | I want to eat |
| Ndashaka kuryama | I want to sleep |
| Ndashaka kwiga | I want to learn |
| Ndatangaye | I am surprised / amazed |
| Ndatekanye | I am calm |
| Ndaza | I am coming / I will come |
| Ndazungera | I feel dizzy |
| Nde? | Who? |
| Ndiga Ikinyarwanda | I am learning Kinyarwanda |
| Ndimo gukora | I am working |
| Ndishimye | I am happy |
| Ndumva neza | I understand well |
| neza | well |
| Ngwino | Come here |
| Ni Aline | It is Aline |
| Ni byiza | It is good |
| Ni cyiza cyane | It is very good / beautiful |
| Ni cyo nkunda kuruta | It is the one I prefer |
| Ni Eric | It is Eric |
| Ni hafi | It is near |
| Ni kure | It is far |
| Ni meza | I am fine / the news is good |
| Ni ubutabazi bwihutirwa | It is an emergency |
| nimero ya telefone | phone number |
| Nimero yawe ni iyihe? | What is your phone number? |
| Nitwa Aline | My name is Aline |
| Nitwa Eric | My name is Eric |
| Nize | I learned / have learned |
| njye | I / me |
| Nkeneye akanya | I need a little time |
| Nkeneye kopi | I need a copy |
| Nkeneye ubufasha | I need help |
| Nkeneye umuti | I need medicine |
| Nshobora gusoma | I can read |
| Nshobora kongera kugerageza? | Can I try again? |
| Nshobora kugenda | I can go |
| Nshobora kugufasha | I can help you |
| Nshobora kwandika | I can write |
| Nsinyire he? | Where do I sign? |
| Nta kibazo | No problem |
| Nta mwanya mfite | I do not have time |
| Nta rezo mfite | I have no signal / network |
| Ntabasha guhumeka neza | He / she cannot breathe well |
| Ntegereze hano? | Should I wait here? |
| Ntekereza ko... | I think that... |
| Ntibikora | It does not work |
| ntibirashoboka | it is not possible |
| Numva meze neza | I feel well |
| Nyamuneka | Please |
| Nyifate inshuro zingahe? | How many times should I take it? |
| Nyifate ryari? | When should I take it? |
| Nyoherereza ubutumwa | Send me a message |
| Nzaguhamagara nyuma | I will call you later |
| Nzakora | I will work |
| Oya | No |
| pasiporo | passport |
| Reka tugende | Let's go |
| rimwe | one |
| ryari? | when? |
| Si Aline | It is not Aline |
| Si byiza | It is not good |
| Si Eric | It is not Eric |
| Simbizi | I do not know it |
| Simbyemera | I do not agree |
| Sinabikunda | I do not like it |
| Sinshobora kuza | I cannot come |
| Sinumva | I do not understand |
| Sinumva neza | I do not understand well |
| Sinumvise iri somo | I did not understand this lesson |
| Subiramo | Repeat |
| telefone | phone |
| Tuzabonana | See you |
| Tuzabonana ejo | We will see each other tomorrow |
| Tuzabonana ryari? | When will we see each other? |
| Tuzagenda ryari? | When will we leave? |
| Tuzagera ryari? | When will we arrive? |
| Tuzakora | We will work |
| Twagiye hamwe | We went together |
| Twavuganye | We talked with each other |
| twe | we / us |
| Twumvikanye | We agreed |
| u Rwanda | Rwanda |
| ubu | now |
| Ubu birakora | Now it works |
| ubucuti | friendship |
| ubufasha | help / assistance |
| ubumenyi | knowledge |
| ubumwe | unity |
| ubuzima | life / health |
| ubwisanzure | freedom |
| Ufite umwanya? | Do you have time? |
| ugutwi | ear |
| ukuboko | arm / hand |
| ukuri | truth |
| umubyeyi | parent |
| umuceri | rice |
| umuco | culture / light |
| umuforomo | nurse |
| umugabo | man / husband |
| umugambi | plan / project |
| umuganga | doctor |
| umugani | proverb / tale |
| umugati | bread |
| umugenzi | traveller / friend |
| umugore | woman / wife |
| umugoroba | evening |
| umuhanda | road |
| umukoro | homework / assignment |
| umunani | eight |
| umuntu | person |
| Umunyarwanda | a Rwandan person |
| umunyeshuri | student |
| umunyu | salt |
| umurwayi | patient / sick person |
| umuryango | door / family |
| umuryango | family / door |
| umushyitsi | visitor / guest |
| umusozi | hill / mountain |
| umuti | tree / medicine |
| umuti w'amazi | liquid medicine |
| umuturanyi | neighbour |
| umutwe | head |
| Umutwe urandya | My head hurts |
| umuyobozi | manager / leader |
| umwana | child |
| umwarimu | teacher |
| Urabeho | Goodbye (singular) |
| Urakoze | Thank you |
| Urakoze cyane | Thank you very much |
| Urakoze kumfasha | Thank you for helping me |
| urugendo | journey |
| urugendo rwahagaritswe | the trip was cancelled |
| urugendo rwatindijwe | the trip was delayed |
| urupapuro | paper / form |
| utuntu | small things |
| utwana | small children |
| uyu munsi | today |
| Uyu muti ukora iki? | What does this medicine do? |
| Uzakora | You will work |
| vuba | quickly / soon |
| vuba | soon / quickly |
| Vuga buhoro | Speak slowly |
| we | he / she |
| Witwa nde? | What is your name? |
| wowe | you (singular) |
| Yaguye | He / she fell |
| Yego | Yes |
How to use this Kinyarwanda vocabulary list
Use the table as a reference when you need to recognize a word, then return to the Kinyarwanda course to practise recall, typed answers, phrase building and review. Repeated practice is more useful than reading a long vocabulary list once.