How Kirundi verb forms change
Kirundi verbs carry important information inside the verb form. The examples below show recurring patterns used in the RundiRwanda course, including who performs an action, when it happens, whether it is negative, and how verbs combine with other words in useful sentences.
Scope: this is a practical learning guide built from course examples, not an exhaustive academic grammar. Use the patterns to notice how forms change, then practise them in full lesson context.
The subject changes the verb form.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 15| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Arakora | He / she works |
| Barakora | They work |
| Aragenda | He / she goes |
| Baragenda | They go |
The future keeps the action and changes the subject prefix.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 27| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Nzokora | I will work |
| Uzokora | You will work |
| Azokora | He / she will work |
| Tuzokora | We will work |
Use a complete verb phrase to say what you have or want.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 31| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Ndafise amazi | I have water |
| Ndashaka amazi | I want water |
| Afise igitabo | He / she has a book |
| Bafise ibitabo | They have books |
Positive and negative meanings are carried inside the verb form.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 35| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Ndabizi | I know it |
| Simbizi | I do not know it |
| Ndatahura | I understand |
| Sintahura | I do not understand |
Completed actions use their own past forms.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 36| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Nakoze | I worked / have worked |
| Nagiye | I went / have gone |
| Nabonye | I saw / have seen |
| Nize | I learned / have learned |
The verb can show that an action is done for someone.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 37| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| gukora | to work / do |
| gukorera | to work for |
| kugura | to buy |
| kugurira | to buy for |
A verb can change to mean causing or teaching an action.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 38| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| kwiga | to learn |
| kwigisha | to teach |
| kwinjira | to enter |
| kwinjiza | to bring in / cause to enter |
A reciprocal form can show people doing the action together.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 39| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| kubona | to see |
| kubonana | to see one another / meet |
| gufasha | to help |
| gufashanya | to help one another |
Use short verb phrases to keep a real conversation moving.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 48| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Subiramwo | Repeat |
| Vuga buhoro | Speak slowly |
| Sintahura neza | I do not understand well |
| Ndiko ndiga Ikirundi | I am learning Kirundi |
Ndashaka plus an action lets you say what you want to do.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 51| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Ndashaka kuruhuka | I want to rest |
| Ndashaka kuryama | I want to sleep |
Turn food words into complete requests and needs.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 52| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Ndashaka kurya | I want to eat |
| Ndashaka kunywa | I want to drink |
| Mpa amazi | Give me water |
| Mpa amata | Give me milk |
Nshobora plus an action expresses ability.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 58| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Nshobora gusoma | I can read |
| Nshobora kwandika | I can write |
| Nshobora kugenda | I can go |
| Nshobora kugufasha | I can help you |
Ndakunda plus an action expresses what you like doing.
Kirundi verb examples from course unit 59| Kirundi | English meaning |
|---|
| Ndakunda gusoma | I like reading |
| Ndakunda kwiga | I like learning |
| Ndakunda kuririmba | I like singing |
| Ndakunda gutamba | I like dancing |
Practise Kirundi verbs in context
Reading a conjugation pattern helps you notice the structure, but recall improves when you have to produce the form yourself. Continue with the structured Kirundi course for typed answers, phrase building, checkpoints and cumulative review.