Music & Entertainment

1. Ese mushobora kuririmba indirimbo y'Umuganura?

   Can you sing a song for the Umuganura festival?

   Usage

   Used when asking about music for Rwanda's traditional harvest festival

   Grammar Note

   "mushobora" is the plural "can you"

2. Inanga ni igikoresho cy'umuziki gakondo cyo mu Rwanda.

   The inanga is a traditional string instrument from Rwanda.

   Usage

   Used when introducing the traditional Rwandan zither instrument

   Grammar Note

   "ni" is a copula meaning "is" or "are"

3. Ndashaka kumva indirimbo z'Ikinyarwanda.

   I would like to listen to Kinyarwanda songs.

   Usage

   Used to express interest in listening to Kinyarwanda music

   Grammar Note

   "z'Ikinyarwanda" means "of Kinyarwanda" or "in Kinyarwanda"

4. Ese hari amatsinda y'abacuranzi bacuranga imbonankubone muri Kigali?

   Are there live bands in Kigali?

   Usage

   Used when looking for live music in Kigali

   Grammar Note

   "hari" expresses existence; the question form asks "are there?"

5. Umucuranzi w'ingoma ni inzobere.

   The drum player is very skilled.

   Usage

   Used to compliment a skilled traditional drum player

   Grammar Note

   "ni" is the copula "is/are"

6. Turirimbe indirimbo hamwe.

   Let's sing together.

   Usage

   Used to invite someone to sing together

   Grammar Note

   The "tu-" prefix creates a hortative "let us do"

7. Ese hari korali iririmba hano?

   Is there a choir performing here?

   Usage

   Used when looking for choral performances at churches or events

   Grammar Note

   "iririmba" is the relative form of "kuririmba" (to sing) and qualifies "korali" (choir): "a choir that sings here"

8. Iyi ndirimbo ikunzwe cyane.

   This song is very popular.

   Usage

   Used to introduce a popular local song

   Grammar Note

   "cyane" is an adverb of degree meaning "very much"

9. Nifuza kujya mu gitaramo cya muzika.

   I would like to attend a music concert.

   Usage

   Used to express interest in attending a music concert

   Grammar Note

   "nifuza" expresses desire ("I wish to"), and going to a venue is "kujya mu". Note: "guturuka" means "to come from / originate from", not "to attend"

10. Injyana z'ingoma zakozwe neza cyane.

    The drum rhythms were played very skillfully.

    Usage

    Used to compliment a traditional drum performance

    Grammar Note

    "zakozwe" is the passive past meaning "were performed". Rhythm or tune is "injyana"; note that "inzogera" means "bell", not "rhythm"

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