Weather & Climate

1. Harashyushye uyu munsi, si byo?

   Ha-ra-shyu-shye u-yu mun-si, si byo?

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Common weather conversation opener in Rwanda

   Grammar Note

   Kinyarwanda is Bantu. "Ha-" is an impersonal subject class prefix for weather

2. Bigaragara ko hazagwa imvura

   Bi-ga-ra-ga-ra ko ha-za-gwa im-vu-ra

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when rain seems imminent

   Grammar Note

   "Hazagwa" = "ha-" (impersonal) + "za" (future) + "gwa" (to fall) — compound verb form

3. Inkubi y'umuyaga yegereje.

   In-ku-bi y'u-mu-ya-ga ye-ge-re-je

   A storm is approaching

   Usage

   Warning when a storm is approaching

   Grammar Note

   "Inkubi y'umuyaga" is a class 9 noun (storm). The verb "yegereje" ("has come near") carries the class 9 subject prefix y-, agreeing with the noun

4. Hakonje uyu munsi, ko?

   Ha-kon-je u-yu mun-si, ko?

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Describe Rwanda's cool highland climate

   Grammar Note

   Rwanda is largely highland above 1500m, giving it a relatively cool tropical climate

5. Mumbwire iteganyagihe.

   Mum-bwi-re i-te-ga-nya-gi-he

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Ask about the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Mumbwire" is a polite (plural/respectful) imperative meaning "tell me"

6. Nkeneye sunscreen?

   N-ke-ne-ye sunscreen?

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going out under the sun

   Grammar Note

   English loanword "sunscreen" is used directly. Rwanda has English as an official language

7. Ndagomba gutwara umutaka?

   Nda-gom-ba gu-twa-ra u-mu-ta-ka?

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to bring an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   "Gutwara" is the infinitive of "to carry/take"; umbrella is "umutaka". Note: "intore" names the traditional royal dancers and also carries a modern political sense in Rwanda, so it must not be used for "umbrella"

8. Impeshyi itangira ryari?

   Im-pe-shyi i-tan-gi-ra rya-ri?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about Rwanda's long dry season (June–August)

   Grammar Note

   Rwanda has two rainy and two dry seasons per year, varying by altitude

9. Igihe cy'imvura gitangira ryari?

   I-gi-he cy'im-vu-ra gi-tan-gi-ra rya-ri?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about Rwanda's rainy seasons (September–November and March–May)

   Grammar Note

   "Igihe cy'imvura" = "time of rain". "Cy'" is a genitive linker in Kinyarwanda

10. Izuba rirakaze cyane uyu munsi

    I-zu-ba ri-ra-ka-ze cya-ne u-yu mun-si

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the intense sun in Rwanda

    Grammar Note

    "Izuba" is a class 5 noun (sun). "Rirakaze" is a predicate with the class 5 subject prefix ri-, meaning "(the sun) is fierce / harsh"

11. Imvura

    Rain

    Usage

    Check the weather

12. Umuyaga

    Wind

    Usage

    Check for wind

13. Izuba

    Sun / sunny

    Usage

    Check whether it will be sunny; the word also means day

14. Ibicu

    Clouds / cloudy

    Usage

    Check whether it will be cloudy

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