Nightlife

1. Ese hari akabari keza hano hafi?

   E-se ha-ri a-ka-ba-ri ke-za ha-no ha-fi?

   Is there a good bar nearby?

   Usage

   Used to find a good bar in Kigali's growing nightlife scene

   Grammar Note

   "akabari" means "bar" (class 12) and the adjective "keza" agrees with it. "ese hari" asks about existence: "is there?".

2. Turasangire! Inzoga nziza!

   Tu-ra-san-gi-re! In-zo-ga nzi-za!

   Cheers! To good drinks!

   Usage

   Used as a toast. Rwanda's traditional banana beer (inzoga) is a local favorite.

   Grammar Note

   "turasangire" is the plural hortative "let us share". Rwanda's "inzoga" is a traditional banana/sorghum beer.

3. Hano hafunga saa ngahe?

   Ha-no ha-fu-nga saa nga-he?

   What time does that place close?

   Usage

   Used to ask closing time at a bar or nightclub

   Grammar Note

   "saa ngahe" (what time?) is borrowed from Swahili "saa" (hour). "hafunga" is present tense of "to close".

4. Mpa indi nzoga imwe

   M-pa in-di nzo-ga i-mwe

   Give me one more drink

   Usage

   Used to order another drink at a bar or social gathering

   Grammar Note

   "mpa" is the applied form "give to me". "indi" means "another / other", so "indi nzoga imwe" is "one more drink".

5. Murakoze. Mugire ijoro ryiza!

   Mu-ra-ko-ze. Mu-gi-re i-jo-ro ryi-za!

   Thank you. Have a good night!

   Usage

   Used when parting ways after a night out

   Grammar Note

   "mugire ijoro ryiza" is a farewell for the evening meaning "have a good night". "mu-" is the plural/polite prefix.

6. Ni hehe hari abantu benshi?

   Ni he-he ha-ri a-ban-tu ben-shi?

   Where is it lively? / Where is the action?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Kigali's lively nightlife areas

   Grammar Note

   Kigali's nightlife centers on Kimironko and the Normandy area. Weekends are especially lively

7. Ndashaka inzoga

   Nda-sha-ka in-zo-ga

   I would like a drink / beer

   Usage

   Used to order alcohol at a bar or restaurant in Rwanda

   Grammar Note

   "Primus" and "Mützig" are Rwanda's main beer brands. Local banana beer "urwagwa" is also popular

8. Umuziki urakomeye cyane

   U-mu-zi-ki u-ra-ko-me-ye cya-ne

   The music is very loud

   Usage

   Used to comment on loud music at a club or bar

   Grammar Note

   "komeye" means "strong/loud" in Kinyarwanda. Kigali clubs play afrobeats and Rwandan music

9. Dufatanye kubyina

   Du-fa-ta-nye ku-byi-na

   Let's dance together

   Usage

   Used to invite someone to dance at a party or club

   Grammar Note

   "dufatanye" means "together/jointly"; the verb for dancing is "kubyina". Note: "gusenga" means "to pray / to worship", not "to dance", so it changes the sentence completely in a club setting

10. Ngiye kuryama. Murabeho!

    N-gi-ye ku-rya-ma. Mu-ra-be-ho!

    I am going to sleep. Goodbye!

    Usage

    Used when leaving a night gathering to go home and sleep

    Grammar Note

    "kuryama" means "to lie down/sleep" in Kinyarwanda. "murabeho" is the respectful farewell

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