Short Kirundi dialogue examples
These examples are designed around situations a beginner can recognize: greetings, introductions, thanks, understanding, requests, directions and offers of help.
It is morning. Greet Aline back.
Aline: Mwaramutse!
English: Good morning!
Useful reply: Mwaramutse!
Return the morning greeting. Mwiriwe belongs to the afternoon or evening.
Eric asks how you are. Tell him you are well.
Eric: Amakuru?
English: How are you? / What is the news?
Useful reply: Ni meza.
Ni meza is a positive reply. Repeating Amakuru? does not answer his question.
Aline helps you. Thank her warmly.
Aline: Amahoro!
English: Hello / peace!
Useful reply: Urakoze cane.
The situation calls for thanks: Urakoze cane means thank you very much.
It is bedtime. Wish Eric a good night too.
Eric: Ijoro ryiza!
English: Good night!
Useful reply: Ijoro ryiza!
Repeat the good-night wish; a morning greeting would not fit.
Your name is Eric. Introduce yourself.
Aline: Witwa nde?
English: What is your name?
Useful reply: Nitwa Eric.
Nitwa introduces your own name, while Witwa nde? asks someone else’s.
Aline thinks the person is Eric. Correct that identification.
Aline: Ni Eric?
English: Is it Eric?
Useful reply: Si Eric.
Si negates identification: it is not Eric.
Aline asks whether you want water. Accept politely.
Aline: Urashaka amazi?
English: Do you want water?
Useful reply: Ego, urakoze.
Ego accepts; urakoze thanks her. This combines the earliest politeness words with a later request.
You did not understand the explanation. Say so.
Eric: Uratahura?
English: Do you understand?
Useful reply: Sintahura.
Sintahura means I do not understand. Ndatahura would say the opposite.
You caught the greeting but want the speaker to slow down.
Aline: Amakuru?
English: How are you?
Useful reply: Vuga buhoro, ndakwinginze.
The request combines speak slowly with please from the first section.
The market is nearby. Answer Eric’s question.
Eric: Isoko riri hehe?
English: Where is the market?
Useful reply: Ni hafi.
Ni hafi says it is near. Ni kure would say it is far.
You would like milk. Accept the offer with thanks.
Aline: Urashaka amata?
English: Do you want milk?
Useful reply: Ego, urakoze.
Amata is milk from the food section. Ego and urakoze are early words used in a real exchange.
Your host welcomes you. Thank them.
Your host: Kaze!
English: Welcome!
Useful reply: Urakoze.
A short thank-you is an appropriate response to the welcome.
Eric offers help. Accept politely.
Eric: Nshobora kugufasha.
English: I can help you.
Useful reply: Ego, urakoze cane.
Use the familiar yes-and-thanks pattern to respond to a longer sentence.
Aline asks whether it is possible. Say that it is not.
Aline: Birashoboka?
English: Is it possible?
Useful reply: Ntibishoboka.
Ntibishoboka expresses impossibility; birahagije means it is enough.
Move from reading to speaking and recall
A dialogue becomes useful when you can understand it quickly and produce a reply without looking at the translation. Continue in the RundiRwanda Kirundi course for guided recognition, recall, typed answers and cumulative review.