Café & Drinks

1. Ndashaka ikawa

   nda-sha-ka i-ka-wa

   I would like coffee

   Usage

   Ordering Rwanda's famous coffee

   Grammar Note

   "Nda-" is the first person singular affirmative present prefix. "-shaka" is the verb root meaning "to want". "Ikawa" is a class 9 noun borrowed from Swahili "kahawa".

2. Amazi mashyushye

   a-ma-zi ma-shyu-shye

   hot water

   Usage

   Ordering hot water (for tea preparation, etc.)

   Grammar Note

   "Amazi" uses class 6 (ama-) collective noun prefix. "Mashyushye" uses "ma-" class 6 adjective agreement. Adjectives agree with noun classes in Kinyarwanda.

3. Inzoga y'imbuto

   in-zo-ga y'im-bu-to

   fruit wine

   Usage

   Referring to traditional Rwandan fruit wine

   Grammar Note

   "Y'imbuto" contracts "ya" (class 9 connector) + "imbuto". Both "inzoga" and "imbuto" are class 9 nouns with the "in-" prefix.

4. Urwagwa ni inzoga y'igihugu

   ur-wa-gwa ni in-zo-ga y'i-gi-hu-gu

   Urwagwa is the traditional drink of the country

   Usage

   Introducing urwagwa, Rwanda's traditional banana beer

   Grammar Note

   "Urw-" in "urwagwa" is the class 11 noun prefix. "Igi-" in "igihugu" is class 7. Urwagwa is a traditional sorghum or banana-based beer.

5. Soda nkeneye

   so-da n-ke-ne-ye

   I need a soda

   Usage

   Ordering a soft drink / soda

   Grammar Note

   "Nkeneye" is first person singular present of "gukeneya" (to need). "Soda" is borrowed from English/Swahili. Fanta is particularly popular in Rwanda.

6. Amazi y'isoko

   a-ma-zi y'i-so-ko

   mineral water / spring water

   Usage

   Ordering mineral water

   Grammar Note

   "Y'isoko" contracts "ya" (class 6 connector) + "isoko" (spring). "Isoko" is a class 5 noun (i- prefix). Rwanda has abundant quality spring water.

7. Umutobe wa marakuja ni mwiza

   u-mu-to-be wa ma-ra-ku-ja ni mwi-za

   Passion fruit juice is delicious

   Usage

   Describing passion fruit juice, a popular drink in Rwanda

   Grammar Note

   "Umutobe" is a class 3 noun, so the adjective takes the class 3 form "mwiza". "Wa" is the connector meaning "of".

8. Icyayi gikaze

   i-cya-yi gi-ka-ze

   strong tea

   Usage

   Ordering strong/concentrated tea

   Grammar Note

   "Icy-" in "icyayi" is the class 7 (iki-) prefix. Adjective "gikaze" uses "gi-" for class 7 agreement. Tea with milk and sugar is common in Rwanda.

9. Nshaka ikinyobwa kiryoshye

   n-sha-ka i-ki-nyo-bwa ki-ryo-shye

   I would like a sweet drink

   Usage

   Expressing a preference for sweet drinks

   Grammar Note

   "Ikinyobwa" is a class 7 noun, and the adjective "kiryoshye" agrees with it through "ki-". "Nshaka" means "I want".

10. Umuntu arasaba ikinyobwa

    u-mu-n-tu a-ra-sa-ba i-ki-nyo-bwa

    The person is ordering a drink

    Usage

    Describing someone ordering a drink (third person)

    Grammar Note

    "Umuntu" is a class 1 (umu-) human singular noun. "A-" is the class 1 third person singular subject prefix and "ra" marks the present. "Gusaba" means "to ask for".

11. Amazi yo mu icupa

    Bottled water

    Usage

    Ask for sealed bottled water

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