Greetings & Polite Expressions

• Muraho – Hello / How are you? (formal)
  
  

• Bite? – What’s up? (informal, to friends)
  
  

• Mwiriwe – Good afternoon / Good evening
  
  

• Mwaramutse – Good morning
  
  

• Ijoro ryiza – Good night
  
  

• Amakuru? – How are you? / What’s the news?
  
  

• Ni meza – I’m fine
  
  

• Urakomeye? – Are you well? (literally “Are you strong?”)
  
  

• Ndakomeye – I am well / strong
  
  

Thanking & Politeness

• Murakoze – Thank you (formal)
  
  

• Urakoze – Thank you (singular / informal)
  
  

• Murakoze cyane – Thank you very much
  
  

• Ntakibazo – No problem / You’re welcome
  
  

• Mbabarira – Excuse me / Sorry / Pardon
  
  

Common Everyday Expressions

• Yego – Yes
  
  

• Oya – No
  
  

• Ndabizi – I know
  
  

• Simbyumva – I don’t understand
  
  

• Witonde – Be careful
  
  

• Vuga buhoro buhoro – Speak slowly
  
  

• Ndi hano – I am here
  
  

• Ndagukunda – I love you
  
  

• Biryoshye – It’s delicious
  
  

Farewells

• Murabeho – Goodbye (plural / formal)
  
  

• Urabeho – Goodbye (singular / informal)
  
  

• Tuzongera kubonana – See you again
  
  

• Turongera – See you later