Compliments

1. Ibiryo birashimishije cyane!

   I-bi-ryo bi-ra-shi-mi-shi-je cya-ne!

   The food is very delicious!

   Usage

   Used to compliment food. The highest praise for a Rwandan cook.

   Grammar Note

   "birashimishije" means "pleasing/delicious" and agrees with "ibiryo" (food) in its noun class.

2. Uyu mujyi ni mwiza cyane!

   U-yu mu-jyi ni mwi-za cya-ne!

   This city is very beautiful!

   Usage

   Used to admire Kigali, one of Africa's cleanest and most modern cities

   Grammar Note

   Kigali is known as one of Africa's cleanest cities. "Umuganda" (community service) culture keeps it clean.

3. Uvuga icyongereza neza cyane

   U-vu-ga i-cyo-nge-re-za ne-za cya-ne

   You speak English very well

   Usage

   Complimenting someone's English. English is one of Rwanda's official languages.

   Grammar Note

   Rwanda added English as an official language in 2008. "icyongereza" uses the "icy-" class prefix for languages.

4. Igihugu cyanyu gikozwe neza cyane

   I-gi-hu-gu cya-nyu gi-ko-zwe ne-za cya-ne

   Your country is managed very well

   Usage

   Used to praise Rwanda's development and infrastructure. A sincere compliment to Rwandan hosts.

   Grammar Note

   "gikozwe" is passive meaning "is managed/built". Rwanda's rapid development is called "Africa's miracle".

5. Murakoze cyane kubera ubwakiranyi bwanyu

   Mu-ra-ko-ze cya-ne ku-be-ra u-bwa-ki-ra-nyi bwa-nyu

   Thank you very much for your hospitality

   Usage

   Used to thank a Rwandan host for generous hospitality

   Grammar Note

   "ubwakiranyi" is a noun for "hospitality", derived from "kwakira" (to receive/welcome). It reflects Rwandan hospitality culture.

6. Urukundo rwawe ni rukomeye

   U-ru-kun-do rwa-we ni ru-ko-me-ye

   Your kindness / love is powerful

   Usage

   Used to deeply thank someone for their kindness or generosity

   Grammar Note

   "urukundo" means "love/kindness" in Kinyarwanda. "rukomeye" means "strong/powerful"

7. Rwanda ni igihugu cyiza cyane

   Rwan-da ni i-gi-hu-gu cyi-za cya-ne

   Rwanda is a very wonderful country

   Usage

   A compliment about Rwanda that greatly pleases locals — acknowledging the country's beauty and resilience

   Grammar Note

   "igihugu" means "country/land" in Kinyarwanda. "cyiza" means "good/wonderful"

8. Ubwenge bwawe burahanitse

   U-bwen-ge bwa-we bu-ra-ha-ni-tse

   You are very intelligent

   Usage

   Used to praise someone's intelligence or wisdom

   Grammar Note

   "ubwenge" means "intelligence/wisdom" in Kinyarwanda. "burahanitse" means "developed/advanced"

9. Ukora neza cyane

   U-ko-ra ne-za cya-ne

   You do it very well

   Usage

   A versatile compliment praising someone's skill or performance

   Grammar Note

   "ukora neza" means "you do well" in Kinyarwanda. Versatile for praising artisans, cooks, and professionals

10. Turabashimira ubuntu bwanyu

    Tu-ra-ba-shi-mi-ra u-bu-ntu bwa-nyu

    Your kindness is deeply appreciated

    Usage

    A formal expression of deep gratitude toward a community or group

    Grammar Note

    "gushimira" means "to thank"; "tu-ra-ba-" marks "we ... you (pl.)". "ubuntu" means "kindness / generosity / humanity"

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