Sustainability & Eco

1. Ni hehe nshobora gushyira ibi kugira ngo bizongere gukoreshwa?

   ni HE-he nsho-BO-ra gu-shyi-RA I-bi ku-GI-ra ngo bi-zo-NGE-re gu-ko-RE-shwa

   Where can I recycle this?

   Usage

   Used when asking where to recycle waste or items

   Grammar Note

   "Recycle" is expressed as "put these so that they will be used again". The verb after "kugira ngo" takes the subjunctive (bizongere)

2. Mufite amasaho yongerwa gukoreshwa?

   mu-FI-te a-ma-SA-ho yon-GER-wa gu-ko-RES-hwa

   Do you have reusable bags?

   Usage

   Used in markets or shops to ask about reusable bags

   Grammar Note

   Kinyarwanda nouns are classified by noun class; amasaho uses the ama- plural prefix

3. Hano hari inzu yo kurara irinda ibidukikije?

   HA-no HA-ri IN-zu yo ku-RA-ra i-RIN-da i-bi-du-ki-KI-je

   Is there eco-friendly accommodation here?

   Usage

   Used when looking for accommodation that protects the environment

   Grammar Note

   ibidukikije is the Kinyarwanda word for "environment / surroundings"

4. Ndashaka kuzuza icupa ryanjye amazi.

   nda-SHA-ka ku-ZU-za I-cu-pa RYAN-jye A-ma-zi

   I'd like to refill my water bottle.

   Usage

   Used to avoid single-use plastic by refilling a reusable bottle

   Grammar Note

   Ndashaka + infinitive is the standard Kinyarwanda construction for expressing desire

5. Hano hari ibiryo bya vegetariyeni cyangwa vegani?

   HA-no HA-ri i-BI-ryo bya ve-ge-ta-ri-YE-ni cyan-GWA ve-GA-ni

   Are there vegetarian or vegan food options here?

   Usage

   Used at restaurants or markets to communicate dietary restrictions

   Grammar Note

   bya is the class 8 (ibi-) associative linker in Kinyarwanda, marking possession or modification

6. Nshobora gufata bisi?

   nsho-BO-ra gu-FA-ta BI-si

   Can I take a bus?

   Usage

   Used when asking whether public bus transport is available

   Grammar Note

   Gufata bisi means "to take/catch a bus"; bisi is also the term used in Rwanda's public-transport regulations

7. Hafi ino ni hehe haboneka isoko ry'ibicuruzwa by'aho?

   HA-fi I-no ni HE-he ha-bo-NE-ka i-SO-ko ry'i-bi-cu-RUZ-wa by'a-HO

   Where is the nearest local market around here?

   Usage

   Used when wanting to buy fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   by'aho is a contraction of bya + aho (of there), modifying local origin

8. Nyamuneka mukoreshe ibipfunyika bike.

   nya-mu-NE-ka mu-ko-RE-she i-bi-pfu-NYI-ka BI-ke

   Please use minimal packaging.

   Usage

   Used in shops to request reduced packaging and cut down on waste

   Grammar Note

   "Nyamuneka" means "please". "Mukoreshe" is the second person plural subjunctive of gukoresha (to use), a polite way of asking

9. Hano haboneka ibikorwa by'ubukerarugendo burengera ibidukikije?

   HA-no ha-bo-NE-ka i-bi-ko-RWA by'u-bu-ke-ra-ru-GEN-do bu-REN-ge-ra i-bi-du-ki-KI-je

   Are there eco-tourism activities available here?

   Usage

   Used when looking for nature conservation activities or green tourism

   Grammar Note

   -boneka is the passive/impersonal verb stem meaning "to be found / available". Eco-tourism is "ubukerarugendo burengera ibidukikije" — literally "tourism that protects the environment". Because "ubukerarugendo" is a class 14 noun, the modifying verb agrees with bu-, giving "burengera"

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