Greetings and politeness in Kinyarwanda
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Kinyarwanda words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Kinyarwanda phrases in this lesson
- Murahomoo-RAH-hoh
- Hello
- Mwaramutsemwah-rah-MOOT-seh
- Good morning
- Mwiriwemwee-REE-weh
- Good evening
- Murabehomoo-rah-BEH-hoh
- Goodbye
- Tuzabonanatoo-za-bo-NA-na
- See you
- Ndakwinginzen-dah-kwee-NGEEN-zeh
- Please
- Murakozemoo-rah-KOH-zeh
- Thank you
- Nta kibazon-tah kee-BAH-zoh
- You're welcome
- Mbabariram-bah-bah-REE-rah
- Sorry
- Ihanganeee-hahn-GAH-neh
- Excuse me
- Nishimiye kukumenyanee-shee-MEE-yeh koo-koo-MEH-nyah
- Nice to meet you
The everyday hello at any hour. The reply is the same word.
Literally "did you spend the night well?", used until about noon.
Literally "did you spend the day well?", used from midday on.
Literally "may you stay well". "Mwirirwe" is goodbye for the rest of the day.
Literally "we will see each other". Murabeho is the polite goodbye.
Literally "I beg you". It sounds strong in English but is ordinary polite Kinyarwanda.
The polite, plural thank you. "Murakoze cyane" is thank you very much.
Literally "no problem".
Literally "forgive me".
Literally "be patient", used to excuse yourself or to comfort someone.
Literally "I am glad to know you".