Beach & Activities

1. Inkombe ya Kivu irakunze cyane!

   In-kom-be ya Ki-vu i-ra-kun-ze cya-ne!

   The shore of Lake Kivu is very lovely!

   Usage

   Used to admire Lake Kivu's beautiful shore. Rwanda is landlocked but has stunning lake beaches.

   Grammar Note

   Lake Kivu borders Rwanda and DRC. Its shores offer swimming and relaxation at hotels in Gisenyi and Kibuye.

2. Nshobora koga muri icyo kiyaga?

   Nsho-bo-ra ko-ga mu-ri i-cyo ki-ya-ga?

   Can I swim in that lake?

   Usage

   Used to ask if swimming is safe and permitted in a lake

   Grammar Note

   "ikiyaga" means "lake" (as in "Ikiyaga cya Kivu" in the Places & Areas category); "inyanja" is the sea/ocean and is not used for lakes. "muri" is the preposition "in/inside". The verb for swimming (and bathing) is "koga"

3. Nshobora gukodesha ubwato he?

   N-sho-bo-ra gu-ko-de-sha u-bwa-to he?

   Where can I rent a boat?

   Usage

   Used to find boat rentals at Lake Kivu or other Rwandan lakes

   Grammar Note

   "gukodesha" means "to rent/hire". "ubwato" means "boat/canoe". Canoe trips on Lake Kivu are popular.

4. Witondere amazi!

   Wi-ton-de-re a-ma-zi!

   Be careful of the water!

   Usage

   Used to warn about water dangers. Lake Kivu contains volcanic methane gas in deep layers.

   Grammar Note

   "witondere" is the reflexive imperative of "kwiyitonderera" (to be careful about oneself). Works alone as "careful!".

5. Uzi inzira ijya ku nkombe?

   U-zi in-zi-ra i-jya ku nkom-be?

   Do you know the way to the shore?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to the lakeside or beach area

   Grammar Note

   "uzi" is the 2nd person of "kumenya" ("to know"). The path or way is "inzira", and "ijya" is the relative form "that goes". Rwanda has beautiful shores at Lake Kivu and other lakes. Note: "kubara" means "to count", not "to show the way".

6. Inkombe ni nziza cyane

   In-kom-be ni nzi-za cya-ne

   The lake shore is very beautiful

   Usage

   Used to admire the beautiful shores of Rwanda's lakes, especially Lake Kivu

   Grammar Note

   "inkombe" means "shore/lakeside" in Kinyarwanda. It is class 9, so the adjective takes the form "nziza". Rwanda is landlocked but has beautiful lakes

7. Ndashaka koga

   Nda-sha-ka ko-ga

   I want to swim

   Usage

   Used to express desire to swim in Lake Kivu or other Rwandan lakes

   Grammar Note

   "koga" means "to swim / to bathe". "ndashaka + infinitive" means "I want to ..."

8. Ikiyaga cya Kivu kiri hehe?

   I-ki-ya-ga cya Ki-vu ki-ri he-he?

   Where is Lake Kivu?

   Usage

   Used to ask directions to Lake Kivu, Rwanda's most famous lake

   Grammar Note

   "Ikiyaga cya X" means "Lake X"; "kiri" is the class 7 copula, as in "Ikigo cy'ingagi kiri hehe?". Maps and signs may show the French "Lac Kivu" or English "Lake Kivu". The lake borders the DRC in western Rwanda

9. Amazi ameze ate?

   A-ma-zi a-me-ze a-te?

   How is the water temperature?

   Usage

   Used to ask about water temperature before swimming

   Grammar Note

   "amazi" means "water" (class 6). "ameze ate?" asks "what is it like?", here the water's temperature/condition.

10. Ndashaka gutembera ku nkengero z'inkombe

    Nda-sha-ka gu-tem-be-ra ku nken-ge-ro z'in-kom-be

    I want to walk along the lake shore

    Usage

    Used to express wanting to stroll along Rwanda's scenic lake shores

    Grammar Note

    "gutembera" means "to stroll/walk around". "inkombe" means "lake shore/riverbank" in Kinyarwanda

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