Electronics

1. Telefone

   Phone

   Usage

   From French "téléphone"; it covers mobile phones too

2. Mudasobwa

   Computer

   Usage

   Literally "the one that does not err" — a distinctively Kinyarwanda coinage, not a loanword. Use it at an internet café or a guesthouse business corner

   Grammar Note

   A class 1a noun built from the negative "-da-" and "kosobwa" (to err).

3. Chargeur

   Charger

   Usage

   From French; English "charger" is understood too, since English is also official in Rwanda

4. Insinga

   Cable / wire

   Usage

   For a charging cable, add "ya chargeur"; in a shop just say "USB-C" or "Lightning"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 (in-) noun; the plural is identical. It covers wire and cable generally.

5. Batiri

   Battery

   Usage

   Covers disposable cells and built-in batteries alike; for a power bank the English term is understood as-is

6. Amashanyarazi

   Electricity

   Usage

   "Amashanyarazi yagiye" means the power has gone. Outages in Kigali are usually short, but can run long in the provinces

   Grammar Note

   A class 6 (ama-) noun used in the plural form with singular meaning.

7. Itara

   Lamp / light

   Usage

   Report a light that will not come on with this word; a torch can be "itara ry'intoki", a hand lamp

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun; the plural is "amatara".

8. Wi-Fi

   Usage

   Used as-is. Rwanda's connectivity is good by regional standards, and free Wi-Fi is common in Kigali cafés and even on buses

9. Ikarita ya SIM

   SIM card

   Usage

   Registration requires your passport; the main networks are MTN and Airtel

   Grammar Note

   "Ikarita" (card, class 9) plus the possessive linker "ya" plus "SIM".

10. Kamera

    Camera

    Usage

    Always ask before photographing people. Parts of the genocide memorials prohibit photography, as do government and military sites

11. Televiziyo

    Television

    Usage

    Used when checking room facilities; people also just say "TV"

12. Radiyo

    Radio

    Usage

    Kinyarwanda broadcasting reaches the whole country — a good way to hear the language on a long drive

13. Frigo

    Fridge

    Usage

    From French "frigo"; useful when looking for self-catering lodging or when medication needs refrigerating

14. Imashini yo kumesa

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Literally "machine for washing clothes"; hand washing is the norm, so many places have none

    Grammar Note

    "Imashini" (machine) plus the linker "yo" plus "kumesa" (to wash clothes) — a verb used only for laundry, unlike "koza" for dishes.

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