Vehicles

1. Imodoka

   Car

   Usage

   The basic word for a car, and used loosely for buses and vans too; Rwanda drives on the right

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 (in-) noun; the plural is identical. From French "automobile".

2. Moto

   Moto (motorcycle taxi)

   Usage

   Rwanda's most-used transport. Drivers wear green vests and must hand you a passenger helmet — wearing it is the law. Agree the fare before you get on, or fix it in a ride-hailing app

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from French "moto"; it covers both the machine and the taxi service.

3. Twegerane

   Twegerane (shared minibus)

   Usage

   Literally "let's squeeze together" — the shared vans that run fixed routes out to the provinces. Confirm the destination with the driver or conductor before boarding

   Grammar Note

   From the hortative of "tu-" (we) plus "egerana" (to come close together).

4. Bisi

   Bus

   Usage

   Kigali city buses are paid with a Tap&Go card; long-distance coaches leave from the Nyabugogo terminal

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from French and English "bus".

5. Tagisi

   Taxi

   Usage

   A four-wheeled private hire; pricier than a moto but the choice with luggage or in the rain. Ride-hailing apps are widely used

   Grammar Note

   A loanword. To be clear you want it to yourself rather than a shared van, spell that out when you book.

6. Igare

   Bicycle

   Usage

   Bicycle taxis operate in rural areas, and road cycling is a national passion — the Tour du Rwanda is a major event

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amagare".

7. Ikinyabiziga

   Vehicle

   Usage

   The formal cover term for vehicles; it appears in traffic law and on road signs, so it is worth recognising in writing

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 (iki-) noun; the plural is "ibinyabiziga".

8. Ikamyo

   Truck / lorry

   Usage

   Heavy trucks work Rwanda's steep, winding hill roads; overtake with care

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword from French "camion"; the plural is "amakamyo".

9. Indege

   Aeroplane

   Usage

   Kigali International is the gateway; an airport is "ikibuga cy'indege"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 (in-) noun; the plural is identical.

10. Ubwato

    Boat

    Usage

    For Lake Kivu cruises and island trips, and for the boat safari in Akagera

    Grammar Note

    A class 14 (ubu-) noun; the plural is "amato".

11. Imbangukiragutabara

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Literally "the one that hurries to the rescue" — a distinctively Kinyarwanda coinage rather than a loanword. Show it in an emergency

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun compounded from "kubangukira" (to rush to) and "gutabara" (to go to the rescue).

12. Imodoka ya polisi

    Police car

    Usage

    For reporting a theft or accident; Rwanda's emergency number is 112

    Grammar Note

    "Imodoka" (car, class 9) plus the possessive linker "ya" plus "polisi" (police).

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