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Common NKo to Kinyarwanda phrases

100 practical NKo to Kinyarwanda phrases for travel, study, work, and daily conversation.

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Looking for practical NKo to Kinyarwanda phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Kinyarwanda translation (Kinyarwanda) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.

The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Kinyarwanda.

Tip: when a Kinyarwanda phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the NKo wording — noticing word order differences helps you understand grammar naturally.

Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Kinyarwanda translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.

Greetings and pleasantries

Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.

  1. ᎣᏍᏆ

    Muraho (Oscha)

  2. ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ

    Urakoze (Ascadodi)

  3. ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ

    Bwakire bwiza (Oscha Edodhi)

  4. ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ

    Nimugoroba mwiza (Oscha Atsachadi)

  5. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ

    Mwaramutse mwiza (Oscha Dagadudi)

  6. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ

    Ijoro ryiza (Oscha Datsicha)

  7. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ

    Tuzabonana nyuma (Oscha Dagadodi)

  8. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ

    Murabeho (Oscha Danodi)

  9. ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?

    Witwa nde? (Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)

  10. ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ

    Nitwa John (Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)

  11. ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?

    Umeze ute? (Hisch Hisch?)

  12. ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ

    Nishimiye kukumenya (Ascadodi Tischa)

Useful phrases for travellers

Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.

  1. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Uravuga Icyongereza? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  2. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Sinavuga Hindi neza (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  3. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬

    Sinumva (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  4. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Nyabuneka vuga buhoro (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  5. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Wabivuga ukundi? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  6. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Aho ubwiherero buri he? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  7. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Nagenda nte ku mugi? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  8. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Hindukira ibumoso (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  9. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Hindukira iburyo (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  10. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Genda imbere (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  11. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Igiciro ni ikihe? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  12. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Itike imwe, nyabuneka (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  13. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ni kure hano? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  14. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Ndi mu kaga (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  15. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Nshobora kugura SIM card he? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

Everyday conversation

Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.

  1. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Yego

  2. 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Oya

  3. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Birashoboka

  4. 𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢

    Ndemeranya

  5. 𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Sinemeranya

  6. 𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Birumvikana neza

  7. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Ubitekerezaho iki?

  8. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Urashobora kumfasha?

  9. 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Nkeneye ubufasha

  10. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Tegereza gato

  11. 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ndakwinginze

  12. 𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Nta kibazo

  13. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ibyishimo

  14. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Isabukuru nziza

  15. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ugire urugendo rwiza

Directions and getting around

Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.

  1. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬

    Aho ikigo cy'igariyamoshi kiri? (Aho ikigo cy'igariyamoshi kiri?)

  2. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Aho ahagarara bisi? (Aho ahagarara bisi?)

  3. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Ni iyihe platform? (Ni iyihe platform?)

  4. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Igihe izava ryari? (Igihe izava ryari?)

  5. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ese iyi niyo nzira nziza? (Ese iyi niyo nzira nziza?)

  6. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Iri hafi hano (Iri hafi hano)

  7. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Iri kure hano (Iri kure hano)

  8. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ushobora kumfasha ku ikarita? (Ushobora kumfasha ku ikarita?)

  9. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Hagarara hano, nyabuneka (Hagarara hano, nyabuneka)

  10. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Bifata igihe kingana iki? (Bifata igihe kingana iki?)

Shopping and dining

Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.

  1. ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?

    Iyi igura angahe? (aɡa fɔtɔ?)

  2. ߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ

    Ibyo ni ibihenze cyane. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)

  3. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Ufite ikintu cyoroheje? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  4. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Nshobora kwishyura n'ikarita? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  5. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Nashaka ameza y'abantu babiri. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  6. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ndagusabye, umwenda. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  7. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Serivisi irimo? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  8. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ndi umunyvegetari. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  9. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ntimukanyuze ibiryo birimo umunyu. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  10. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ibi biraryoshye. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  11. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Nshobora kubona urutonde rw'ibiryo? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  12. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ndagusabye, igikombe cy'amazi. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

Emergencies and health

Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.

  1. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬

    Hamagara polisi (Kâkâ lîsî)

  2. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Hamagara ambulance (Kâkâ ambûlâns)

  3. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬

    Nkeneye umuganga (Dî nîdâ dâktôr)

  4. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Ndumva ndwaye (Dî fîl sîk)

  5. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬

    Mfite allergie ku mbuto z'ihene (Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)

  6. ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?

    Ihagararanye ry'ubuvuzi rihe? (Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)

  7. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Birambabaza hano (Dî hûrts hîr)

  8. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬

    Nabuze pasiporo yanjye (Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)

  9. ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?

    Urashobora guhamagara hoteli yanjye? (Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)

  10. ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!

    Fasha! (Kâ hâlp!)

Work and business

Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.

  1. መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ

    Nishimiye guhura nawe (mey wey deli ende wey)

  2. ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ

    Reka dushyireho inama (nda werk wen wey)

  3. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ni ryari byakugendekera? (nda wey wey wey)

  4. እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ

    Nzohereza raporo uyu munsi (eñe wey werk wey wey)

  5. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Dushobora kuvugana ejo? (nda wey wey wey)

  6. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Nyamuneka reba dosiye iri hano (nda wey wey wey)

  7. መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Urakoze ku gihe cyawe (mey wey wey wey)

  8. እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ntegereje gukorana nawe (eñe wey wey wey)

  9. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Wansobanurira icyo kibazo? (nda wey wey wey)

  10. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Nzakugarukira (nda wey wey wey)

  11. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Igihe ntarengwa ni ku wa gatanu (nda wey wey wey)

Time, days and numbers

Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.

  1. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬?

    Ni saa ingahe? (ni saa ingahe)

  2. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ni saa tatu (ni saa tatu)

  3. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Uyu munsi (uyu munsi)

  4. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ejo hazaza (ejo hazaza)

  5. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ejo (ejo)

  6. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kuwa Mbere (kuwa mbere)

  7. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kuwa Kabiri (kuwa kabiri)

  8. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kuwa Gatatu (kuwa gatatu)

  9. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kimwe (kimwe)

  10. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kabiri (kabiri)

  11. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Gatatu (gatatu)

  12. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Cumi (cumi)

  13. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ijana (ijana)

  14. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Igice (igice)

  15. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Byinshi (byinshi)

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