Kirundi phrasebook

Burundian drum is a supreme sign in culture as it illustrates the happiness

Kirundi (Ikirundi) is a sole native language that is widely spoken in the country of Burundi. Kirundi language is also spoken in some Great Lakes Countries due to the issue of refugees some of those countries include Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. There are some neighboring countries of Burundi which has languages which are slightly seem to be like Kirundi like the Kinyarwanda language from Rwanda, and some other different languages from Uganda, and Giha language in Tanzania.

Kirundi is one of the main pillars that preserve the Burundian culture and heritage as well as history. And this is widely seen in Burundian literature which includes dances (imvyino), riddles (ibisokozo), myths (ibitekerezo), pastoral songs (amazina y'inka), hunters' song (amahigi), praising songs (ibihayagizo), Lullaby or cradle song (ibihozo), tongue twisters (inyoberabahinga), spellcasting (ibitongero), proverbs (imigani), poems (ivyivugo).

Kirundi language is one of four official languages used in Burundi, which are Kirundi, English, French and Swahili.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a

like in father. (: a)

e

like in set. (: ɛ)

i

like in see. (: i)

o

like in boat. (: o)

u

like in food. (: u)

Consonants

b

like in boy. (: b)

c

like in chalk. (: tʃ)

d

like in do. (: d̪)

f

like in foot. (: f)

g

like in go. (before "a", "o", "u"; : g), like sabotage (before "e" and "i"; : ʒ)

h

like in hi. (: h)

j

like in second pronunciation of g.

k

like in skit. (: k)

l

like in lion. (: l)

m

like in mother. (: m)

n

like in nose. (: n)

p

like in pawpaw. (: p)

r

like in rain. (: r)

s

like in sun. (: s)

t

like in television. (: t)

v

like in vision. (: v)

w

like in way. (: w)

y

like in yellow. (: y)

z

like in zebra. (: z)

Consonant pairings

nd

like in land (: nd)

ng

like in king (: ng)

nt

like in intimacy (ː nt)

mb

like in lamb (: mb)

nk

like in link (: nk)

sh

like in shine (ː sh)

ts

like in tsunami (ː ts)

mv

like in humvees (: mv)

mp

like in lamp (: mp)

mw

like in firmware (: mw)

tw

like in twice (: tw)

nj

like in lounge (: ng)

nz

like in enzymes (: nz)

ns

like in insane (ː ns)

kw

like in quit (ː kw)

fw

like in surfware (ː fw)

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.: Muraho. (mu-r-ahoh) as neutral greeting without depending on time. Bwakeye. (boo-ake-eeye) (in the day) / Mwiriwe. (mu-iri-ueh) (at night)
How are you?: Amakuru ? (Ama-ku-ruh ?)
Fine, thank you.: Ni meza, murakoze. (Ni me-izah, mu-ra-kozeh.)
What is your name?: Witwa nde? (Wi-tuah ndeh?)
My name is ______ .: Nitwa______ . (Ni-tua _____ .)
Nice to meet you.: Nejejwe no guhura namwe. (Nei-je-ejooe no goo-hoor-ah na-weh)
Please.: Ihangane. (I-hang-aneh)
Thank you.: Murakoze. (Mu-ra-kozeh)
You're welcome.: Muhawe ikaze. (Mu-ha-weh i-kazeh)
Yes.: ego. (ei-goh)
No.: Oya. (O-yah)
Excuse me. (getting attention): Nyihanganira. (Nyi-hanga-nirah)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Mbabarira. (Mba-ba-rirah)
I'm sorry.: Mbabarira. (Mba-ba-rirah)
Goodbye: Musigare. (Moo-see-gareh)
I can't speak name of language [well].: Si mvuga izina ry'ururimi [neza ]. (see mvu-gah i-zi-nah ria-uru-rimi [ne-iza ])
Do you speak English?: Uravuga icyongereza? (u-ra-vu-gah i-ki-onge-re-zah?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Hariho umuntu avuga icyongereza ngaha? (Ha-ri-ho u-mu-ntuh a-vu-gah i-ki-onge-re-zah nga-ha?)
Help!: Ubutabazi ! ( U-boo-ta-baz-ee!)
Look out!: Raba neza ! ( Ra-bah ne-izah!)
Good morning.: Bwakeye. (boo-ake-iyeh)
Good evening.: Mwiriwe. (Mu-iri-ueh)
Good night.: Ijoro ryiza. (I-jo-roh ri-izah)
Good night (to sleep): Ijoro ryiza. (I-jo-roh ri-izah)
I don't understand.: Sindavyumva. (See-nda-vee-yoo-m-vah)
Where is the toilet?: Umusarane uherereye he? ( oo-moo-sa-ra-ne ooh-e-rere-ye hee?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Ndeka jenyene. (nd-.ekah je-n-yen-eh.)
Don't touch me!: Ntunkoreko ! (nt-uh-n-kor-ei-kou !)
I'll call the police.: Ndahamagara polisi. ( Nda-ham-ag-arah po-li-s.)
Police!: Polisi ! ( Po-li-s!)
Stop! Thief!: Reka ! Umusuma! ( ra-ika! u-mu-sumah!)
I need your help.: Ndakeneye ubufasha bwawe. ( Ndakei-ne-ye u-bufash-ah bu-awe.)
It's an emergency.: Birihuta. ( Bi-ri-huti-a.)
I'm lost.: Natakaye. ( Na-ta-ka-yeh.)
I lost my bag.: Nabuze isakoshi yanje. ( Na-buz-eh i-sa-ko-shee yan-je.)
I lost my wallet.: Nabuze ikotomoni yanje. ( Na-buz-eh i-kot-o-monee yan-je)
I'm sick.: Ndagwaye. ( Nda-gua-ye.)
I've been injured.: Navunitse. ( Ni-avu-nitseh.)
I need a doctor.: Ndashaka muganga. ( nda-shi-akah mu-ga-ngah.)
Can I use your phone?: Nkoreshe telefone yawe? ( N-kor-eish-e tele-fon-e ya-ue?)

Numbers

0: Ubusa (oo-boo-sah)
1: Rimwe (rimueh)
2: Kabiri (kahbirri)
3: Gatatu (Ga-tatu)
4: Kane (Kahnei)
5: Gatanu (Gatanuh)
6: Gatandatu (Gatandahtuh)
7: Indwi (induih)
8: Umunani (umunahnih)
9: Icenda (ichendah)
10: Icumi (Ichumi)
11: Cumi na rimwe (cuumih nah rimwe)
12: Cumi na kabiri (cuumih nah kahbirri)
13: Cumi na gatatu (cuumih nah ga-tatuh)
14: Cumi na kane (Cuumih nah kahnei)
15: Cumi na gatanu (Cuumih nah gatanuh)
16: Cumi na gatandatu (Cuumih nah gatandahtuh)
17: Cumi na indwi (Cuumih nah induih)
18: Cumi n'umunani (Cuumih nuhmunanih
19: Cumi n'icenda (Cuumih nicendah)
20: Mirongo ibiri(meerongoh ibeerih)
21: Mirongo ibiri na rimwe (meerongoh ibirih nah rimue)
22: Mirongo ibiri na kabiri (meerongoh ibirih nah kahbirri)
23: Mirongo ibiri na gatatu (meerongoh ibirih nah ga-tatuh)
30: Mirongo itatu (Mill-ong-o itahtuh)
40: Mirongo ine (Mill-ong-o ineih)
50: Mirongo itanu (Mill-ong-o itanuh)
60: Mirongo itandatu (Mill-ong-o itandahtuh)
70: Mirongo indwi (Mill-ong-o induih)
80: Mirongo inani (Mill-ong-o inanih)
90: Mirongo icenda (Mill-ong-o iciendah)
100: Ijana (Ijanah)
200: Maganabiri (maganah birih)
300: Maganatatu (maganah atatuh)
1,000: Igihumbi (Igihuumbih)
2,000: Ibihumbi bibiri (Ibihuumbih bibiriih)
1,000,000: Umuliyoni (oomoollionih)
1,000,000,000: Umuliyaridi (oomoollih-yareedee)
number (train, bus, etc.): Inimero _____(eeni-merr-oh_____)
half: Igipande (eegeepandeh)
less: dukeya (doo-kei-yah)
more: vyinshi (viyinshih)

Time

now: Ubunyene (oo-boo-nyeneh)
later: Munyuma (moonyoomah)
before: mbere (mbereh)
morning: mu gitondo (mooh git-on-doh)
afternoon: Ku mutaga (kooh mootagah)
evening: Ku mugoroba (kooh mugorobah)
night: Mu ijoro (moo eedjoroh)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: Saa Saba z'ijoro (saah sabah zeedjoroh)
two o'clock AM: Saa Munani z'ijoro (Saah munanih zeedjoroh)
noon: Saa Sita z'umutaga (Saah Sitah zoomootagah)
one o'clock PM: Saa Saba z'umutaga (Saah Saba zoomootagah)
two o'clock PM: Saa Munani z'umutaga (Saah Munanih zoomootagah)
midnight: Saa Sita z'ijoro(Saah Sita zijohroh)

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____(Singular:umunota), (plural: Iminota). (Singular: Umunohtah, Plural: Iminohtah)
_____ hour(s): _____(Singular: isaha), (Plural: amasaha). (Singular: isaahah, plural: amasaahah)
_____ day(s): _____(Singular: Umunsi), (Plural: Iminsi). (Singular: umunsiih, Plural: iminsiih)
_____ week(s): _____(Indwi). (een-du-ee)
_____ month(s): _____(Singular: Ukwezi), (Plural: amezi). (Singular: ukuezih, Plural:amezih )
_____ year(s): _____(Singular: Umwaka), (Plural: Imyaka). (Singular: umuakah, Plural:imiakah )

Days

today: Uyu munsi (uyuh munsiih)
yesterday: Ejo haheze (ejoh hahezeh)
tomorrow: Ejo hazoza (ejoh hazozah)
this week: Iyi ndwi (iyi nduee)
last week: Mundwi iheze (moonduee eehezeh)
next week: Mundwi iza (moonduee eezah)

Sunday: Kwa Mungu (kuwah moongoo)
Monday: Kuwa Mbere (Kuwah mbereh)
Tuesday: Kuwa Kabiri (Kuwah Kahbirri)
Wednesday: Kuwa Gatatu (Kuwah Ga-tatuh)
Thursday: Kuwa Kane (Kuwah Kahnei)
Friday: Kuwa Gatanu (Kuwah Gatanuh)
Saturday: Kuwa Gatandatu (Kuwah Gatandahtuh)

Months

January: Nzero (n-zeiroh)
February: Ruhuhuma (Roohoohoomah)
March: Ntwarante (Ntooara-neh)
April: Ndamukiza (ndamookeezah)
May: Rusama (Roosamah)
June: Ruhenshi (Rooheinshee)
July: Mukakaro (Mookakaroh)
August: Myandagaro (Miandagaroh)
September: Nyakanga (Nya-kan-gah)
October: Gitugutu (Gee-too-goo-too)
November: Munyonyo (Moon-yon-yoh)
December: Kigarama (Kee-gar-am-ah)

Writing time and date

The formatting of date in Burundi is DD / MM / YYYY.

And the formatting of time is in both 24h format and 12h.

Colors

black: iryirabura (eeryeeraboohrah)
white: iryera (eeriyerah)
red: iritukura (eereetookuhrah)
blue: iryubururu (eeryoobooruruh)
yellow: umuhondo (umuhondoh)
green: iryicyatsi (eeryikiatsih)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Itike igurishwa angahe ija_____? (itiikeh iguhreeshua angaaheh eejah _______?)
One ticket to _____, please.: Nyihanganira. Itike imwe ija_____ (nyeehanganeerah. itiikeh imue eejah ______)
Where does this bus go?: Ni hehe iyi bisi iriko iraja? (Nii heiheh iyii bisi eereekoh eerajah?)
Where is the bus to _____?: Iyi bisi iragenda _____? (iiyih bisi irageindah ______?)
Does this bus stop in _____?: Iyi bisi irazaguhagarara mu_____? (iiyih bisi irazagoohagarahrah moo _____?)
When does the bus for _____ leave?: Ni ryari bisi ija _____ irahaguruka? (nii riari bisi ijah _____ irahaguruhkah?)
When will this bus arrive in _____?: Ni ryari iyi bisi irashika mu _____? (nii riari iiyih bisi irasheekah mu ______?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Ni gute nashika ku _____ ?(nii guuteh nasheekah koo _____ ?)
...the bus station?: ...parikingi ya bisi? (pareekeengee ya bisi?)
...the airport?: ...ikibuga c'indege? (ikiibugah c-indeigie?)
...downtown?: ...parikingi y'imodoka? (pareekeengee yiimodokah?)
...the youth hostel?: ...amacumbi y'urwaruka? (amacuumbih yuruarukah?)
...the _____ hotel?: ...mu _____ihoteli? (moo________eehouteilih?)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...umuserukizi wa America/ Canada/ Ositarariya/ Ubwongereza? (... oomoo-see-roo-kee-zeeh uah America/ Canada/ u-buoh-ngerezah)
Where are there a lot of...: Ni hehe hari...(Nee heihei haree...)
...hotels?: ...amahoteli(...a-mahou-telee)
...restaurants?: ...amaresitola?(...amareisitoulah)
...bars?: ...utubari?(...oo-too-bar-ee)
...sites to see?: ...ibigo vy'iratiro vyo kuraba?(...eebeego viyirateeroh viyo koo-ra-bah?)
Can you show me on the map?: Wanyereka ku ikarata?(wanyiereikah koo ee-kara-tah)
street: ibarabara(ee-ba-ra-barah)
Turn left.: Kata ibubamfu.(kah-tah ee-boo-ba-mfoo.)
Turn right.: Kata iburyo(kah-tah ee-boo-rio)
left: ibubamfu(ee-boo-ba-mfoo)
right: iburyo(ee-boo-rio)
straight ahead: bandanya imbere(band-anyah ee-mbe-reih)
towards the _____: uja _____(oo-jah)
past the _____: inyuma ya ____(een-yoo-mah yah)
before the _____: imbere ya ____(ee-mbe-reih yah)
Watch for the _____.: Rondera _____.(Rond-eirah)
intersection: mu mahwane(moo mahoo-ane)
north: muburaruko(moo-boo-ra-roo-ko)
south: mubumanuko(moo-boo-man-ooko)
east: mubuseruko(moo-boo-se-roo-koh)
west: muburengero(moo-boo-reinge-roh)
uphill: mu gasongero k'umusozi(moo gason-geiroh koo moo-so-zee)
downhill: mu ntangiriro y'umusozi(moo nta-ngee-ree-roh yoo moo-so-zee)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxi!(Tah-xi!)
Take me to _____, please.: Ihangane, untware ku _____(ee-hang-an-eh, oo-ntoo-areh koo _______)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Ni angahe anshikana _____?(Nee an-gah-e a-nshee-kanah _______?)
Take me there, please.: Ihangane, untwareyo.(ee-hang-an-eh, oo-ntwareh-yo.)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Hoba hariho ivyumba bihari?(ho-bah ha-ree-ho eeviyoombah beeharee?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Ni angahe icumba c'umuntu umwe cangwa abantu babiri?(Nee ang-aheh ee-cu-mbah cu-moonoo oomue cangua abah-noo ba-bee-ree?)
Does the room come with...: Icumba kiba kirimo...(ee-cu-mbah keebah kee-ree-mo...)
...bedsheets?: ...amashuka?(...a-mah-sh-ook-ah?)
...a bathroom?: ...ubwogero?(...oo-buo-ge-roh)
...a telephone?: ...telefone(...tele-pho-ne)
...a TV?: ...indebeshakure(...eendebe-sha-koo-reh)
May I see the room first?: Mwobanza mukanyereka icumba bwambere?(muo-ban-zah moo-kan-yereikah ee-cu-mbah bua-mbei-reh?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Mwoba mufise igitekanye kurushaho?(Mu-oba moo-fee-seh eegee-te-kan-ye koo-roo-sh-ahoh?)
...bigger?: ...kinini kurushaho?(...kee-nee-nee koo-roo-sh-ahoh?)
...cleaner?: ...gisukuye kurushaho?(...gee-soo-koo-yeh koo-roo-sh-ahoh)
...cheaper?: ...kizimbutse kurushaho?(...kee-zeem-boo-tse koo-roo-sh-ahoh)
OK, I'll take it.: Nivyo, Ndagitora.(Nee-vioh, n-dah-gee-tor-ah.)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Ndaharara amajoro _____.(n-da-ha-ra-rah a-ma-jor-oh)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Wandangira iyindi hoteli?(ua-n-dan-gee-rah ee-yeend-ee hau-tei-lee?)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Hoba harimwo ivyokurya vyo mu gitondo / ivyokurya vyo mu ijoro?(Ho-bah ha-ree-muoh ee-vyo-koo-riah vio moo gee-ton-doh/ eevyoo-koo-riah vio moo ee-jor-oh?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: Ni saa ngahe ivyokurya vyo mu gitondo/ iviokurya vyo mu ijoro biboneka?(nee saa ng-ahe eevio-koo-ria vio moo gee-ton-doh/ eevio-koo-ria vio moo ee-jor-oh bee-bonei-kah?)
Please clean my room.: Ihangane unkorere isuku mu cumba.(ee-hang-an-eh oo-nko-re-re ee-soo-koo moo cu-mb-ah.)
Can you wake me at _____?: Woza kumvyura saa ____?(uozah koo-mvi-yoo-rah saa______?)
I want to check out.: Ndashaka kwiyandikisha ntaha.(n-dah-sh-akah kui-yand-eekee-sha n-ta-hah.)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Mutora amadollari ya Amerika/ Ositirariya/ Kanada?(moo-to-rah a-ma-dola-ree ya America/ O-see-ta-ra-ree-yah/ Canada?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Mutora amapoundi y'abongereza?(mu-to-rah a-ma-pau-ndee ya-bon-ge-rei-zah?)
10 Fbu note Do you accept euros?: Mutora amayero?(mu-to-rah ama-ie-roh?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Murakoresha ikarata ya banki?(moo-ra-ko-reish-a ee-ka-ra-tah ya ban-kee?)
Can you change money for me?: Mwamvunjira aya mafahera?(mua-m-voon-jee-rah a-ya maherah?)
Where can I get money changed?: Ni hehe navunjisha amahera?(Nee hei-he na-voon-jee-sh-ah a-mahe-ra?)
What is the exchange rate?: Kuvunjisha bigeze kuri angahe?(koo-voon-jee-sh-ah bee-gezeh koo-ree a-ng-ahe?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Ni hehe nobona icuma ca banki?(Nee hei-he no-bon-ah ee-coomah ca ban-kee?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Ihangane, imeza y'umuntu umwe/ abantu babiri(ee-hang-an-eh, ee-mei-zah yoo-moo-noo oo-mue/ a-ba-noo ba-bee-ree)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Naraba kuri menu, Ihangane?(na-rah-bah koo-ree menoo, ee-hang-an-eh?)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Naraba mu gikoni?(Na-rah-bah moo gee-ko-nee?)
Is there a house specialty?: Ni ubuhe buhinga bwanyu?(Nee oo-boo-he boo-hee-ngah bua-niu?)
Is there a local specialty?: Haba hari ubuhinga bw'ino?(ha-bah ha-ree oo-boo-hee-nga bwee-noh?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Si ngya inyama.(see n-gia een-yam-ah.)
I don't eat pork.: Si ngya inyama y'ingurube.(see n-gia een-yam-ah yeen-goo-roob-eh.)
I don't eat beef.: Si ngya inyama y'inka.(see n-gia een-yam-ah yeen-kah.)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): wosukamwo duke, ihangane?(uo-soo-ka-moo-oh doo-keh, ee-hang-an-eh?)
fixed-price meal: igiciro ntahinduka c'ivyokurya(ee-gee-cee-roh nta-heend-ooka cee-vio-koo-ria)
a la carte: ku ikarata(koo eeka-ra-tah)
breakfast: ivyokurya vyo mu gitondo(ee-vio-koo-ria vio moo gee-ton-doh)
lunch: ivyokurya vyo ku mutaga(ee-vio-koo-ria vio koo moo-ta-gah)
tea (meal): icayi(ee-ca-yee)
supper: ivyokurya vyo mu ijoro(ee-vio-kooriah vio moo ee-jo-roh)
I want _____.: ndarondera ____.(n-da-rond-eirah______.)
I want a dish containing _____.: Nshaka ivyokurya birimo _____.(n-sh-akah ee-vio-koo-ria bee-ree-moh_____)
chicken: Inkoko(een-ko-koh)
beef: inyama y'inka(een-yamah yeen-kah)
fish: isamaki(ee-sa-ma-kee)
ham: inyama y'ingurube(een-yamah yeen-goo-roo-beh)
sausage: sosiso(so-see-so)
cheese: iforomaje(ee-for-om-ajeh)
eggs: amagi(ama-gee)
salad: isalade(ee-sal-a-deh)
(fresh) vegetables: imboga zitoto(eem-bo-gah zeet-ou-toh)
(fresh) fruit: ivyamwa bitoshe(ee-via-muah beet-ou-sh-eh)
bread: umukati(oo-moo-ka-tee)
rice: umuceri(oo-moo-ce-ree)
beans: ibiharage(ee-bee-har-ageh)
May I have a glass of _____?: Noronka ikirahuri ca ____?(no-ron-kah ee-kee-ra-hoo-ree ca____?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Noronka igikombe ca ____?(no-ron-kah ee-gee-kou-m-beh ca_____?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Noronka icupa rya ____?(no-ron-kah ee-coo-pah ria______?)
coffee: ikawa(ee-ka-wah)
tea (drink): icayi(ee-ca-yee)
juice: umutobe(oo-moo-to-beh)
(bubbly) water: amazi(a-ma-zee)
(still) water: amazi(a-ma-zee)
beer: ikiyeri(ee-kee-ye-ree)
red/white wine: umuvinyo utukura/ wera(oo-moo-vee-n-yoh oo-too-koo-rah / wooe-rah)
May I have some _____?: Naronka _____?(na-ron-kah _____?)
salt: Umunyu(oo-moo-n-yoo)
black pepper: ipiripiri y'irabura(ee-pee-ree-pee-ree yee-rab-oorah)
butter: ifolomage(eefo-lo-ma-ge)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Nyihanganira, umuseriveri?(n-yee-hang-an-ee-rah, oo-moo-se-ree-ve-ree?)
I'm finished.: Nahejeje(na-hei-je-jeh)
It was delicious.: vyari biryoshe(viari bee-rio-sheh)
Please clear the plates.: Ihangane usukure amasahane(ee-hang-an-eh oo-soo-koo-reh a-ma-sa-ha-ne)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Mutanga inzoga?(moo-tang-ah een-zo-gah)
Is there table service?: Hoba hari serivisi yo ku meza?(ho-ba ha-ree se-ree-vee-s-e yo koo mei-zah)
A beer/two beers, please.: ikiyeri kimwe/ ibiyeri bibiri, ihangane.(ee-kee-yer-ee keemue/ eebi-er-ee bee-bee-ree, ee-hang-an-eh)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: ikirahuri c'umuvinyu utukura/ wera, ihangane.(ee-kee-rah-oo-ree coo-moo-vee-n-yoh oo-too-koo-rah / ue-rah, ee-hang-an-eh.)
A pint, please.: Urufunguruzo, ihangane(oo-roo-foo-ng-oo-roo-zoh, ee-hang-an-eh)
A bottle, please.: icupa, ihangane(ee-coo-pa, ee-hang-an-eh)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: ______(likeri ikomeye) na_____(ico kuvanga), Ihangane(______leek-er-ee ee-kom-eyeh nah______ee-co-koo-van-gah, ee-hang-an-eh)
whiskey: wisiki(wee-see-kee)
vodka: voduka(vo-doo-kah)
rum: ramu(ra-m-oo)
water: amazi(a-ma-zee)
club soda: ifanta(eefan-tah)
tonic water: amazi ya tonike(a-ma-zi yah ton-eeke)
orange juice: umutobe w'umucungwe(oo-moo-tob-eh woo-moo-coon-ngueh)
Coke (soda): coca(ko-kah)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Mwoba mufise ivyokurya vyo mu kabare?(muoba moo-fee-seh eevio-kooria vio moo ka-ba-re)
One more, please.: indi imwe, ihangane(een-dee ee-mue, ee-hang-an-eh)
Another round, please.: indi ncuro, ihangane(een-dee n-coo-roh, ee-hang-an-eh)
When is closing time?: Ni saa ngapi mwugara?(nee sa ngapee moo-garah?)
Cheers!: ku buzima bwacuǃ(koo boo-zee-mah bua-cooǃ)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: mwoba muyifise mu ngano yanje?(mu-obah moo-yee-fee-seh moo nga-noh yia-n-jeh)
How much is this?: igura angahe?(ee-goo-rah an-ga-heh?)
That's too expensive.: Irazimvye cane.(ee-ra-zee-mbie ca-neh.)
Would you take _____?: wofata _____?(uofatah______?)
expensive: kizimvye(kee-zeem-vuyeh)
cheap: kizimbutse(kee-zee-mboo-t-seh)
I can't afford it.: Sinobasha kukiriha.(see-no-ba-shah koo-kee-ree-hah.)
I don't want it.: Sindabishaka.(seen-da-bee-sh-ak-ah.)
You're cheating me.: Uriko urambesha.(oo-ree-ko oo-ra-mb-e-sh-ah.)
I'm not interested.: Ntibindaba(n-tee-bee-nda-bah)
OK, I'll take it.: ego, ndayitora.(e-go, n-da-yee-to-rah.)
Can I have a bag?: noronka isakoshi?(no-ron-kah ee-sa-kosh-eeh?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: mwoba murungika mu makungu?(muobah moo-roo-ngee-kah moo ma-koong-ooh)
I need...: Ndashaka...(n-da-sha-kah...)
...toothpaste.: umuti w'amenyo.(oo-moo-tee wa-mei-n-yoh)
...a toothbrush.: ... uburoso bw'amenyo.(oo-boo-ro-soh bua-mei-n-yoh.)
...soap.: ...isabune(ee-sa-boo-nei)
...shampoo.: shampo.(sh-am-po)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...imiti igabanya ububabare.(ee-mee-tee ee-ga-ban-ya oo-boo-ba-ba-reh.)
...cold medicine.: ...imiti y'inkorora.(ee-mee-tee yeen-ko-rou-rah.)
...stomach medicine.: ...umuti w'umushishito. (oo-moo-tee woo-moo-shee-shee-to.)
...a razor.: ... urwembe.(oo-rue-m-beh)
...an umbrella.: ...umutaka.(oo-moo-tak-ah)
...sunblock lotion.: ... amavuta akingira izuba.(a-ma-voot-ah a-keen-gee-rah ee-zoo-bah)
...batteries.: ... ibateri(ee-ba-te-ree)
...writing paper.: ... urupapuro rwo kwandikaho.(oo-roo-pa-poo-roh ruo kua-n-dee-kah-oh.)
...a pen.: ... ikaramu.(eek-ar-am-oo.)
...English-language books.: ... Ibitabo vy'ururimi rw'icongereza.(ee-bee-tab-oh viu-roo-ree-me rui-con-ger-ezah)
...English-language magazines.: ... Ibimenyeshamakuru vy'icongereza(ee-bee-men-yeish-ah-ma-koo-roo viyi-con-ger-ezah)
...an English-language newspaper.: ... ikinyamakuru canditse c'icongereza.(ee-kee-nyam-akoo-roo cand-ee-tseh cee-conger-ezah)
...an English-English dictionary.: ... inyizamvugo y'icongereza - icongereza(een-yee-za-mvoo-goh yee-con-ger-ezah)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Ndashaka gukotesha umuduga.(n-da-sh-ak-ah goo-kot-e-sh-ah oo-moo-doo-gah.)
Can I get insurance?: Noronka ubwishingizi?(no-ron-kah oo-boo-ee-sh-ee-n-gee-zee?)
stop (on a street sign): Hagarara(hag-ar-ar-ah)
one way: intumbero imwe(ee-noo-mbe-roh ee-mue)
no parking: nta guhagarara ngaha(na goo-ha-ga-ra-rah ngaahah)
speed limit: vitesse ntarengwa(vee-te-se nar-en-guah)
gas (petrol) station: sitasiyo ya esanse(see-ta-see-yoh yah e-san-seh)
petrol: esanse(e-san-seh)
diesel: amazutu(ama-zoo-too)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Nta kintu kibujijwe nakoze(na keen-oo kee-boo-jee-jweh na-ko-zeh.)
It was a misunderstanding.: vyari ukutamenya(viaree oo-koo-ta-me-nyah.)
Where are you taking me?: ni hehe muntwaye?(nee heihe moon-tua-yeh?)
Am I under arrest?: Noba mfunzwe?(no-bah m-foo-n-zueh?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Ndi umunyamerika/ umunya ositarariya/ umunyakanada.(n-dee oo-moon-yam-eree-kah/ oo-moon-ya o-see-tar-aree-yah/ oo-moon-ya-kan-adah)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Ndashaka kuyaga n'umuserukizi w'Amerika/ Ositarariya/ Ubwongereza/ Kanada(n-da-sh-akah koo-ya-gah noomooserookeezee ua a-me-ree-kah/ o-see-tar-aree-yah/ oo-buo-n-ger-ezah kan-adah)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Ndashaka kuyaga n'umuvunyi.(n-da-sh-akah koo-ya-gah noo-moo-voonyee.)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Noriha amande ubu nyene?(no-ree-ha a-man-deh oo-boo ni-ye-neh?)

This Kirundi phrasebook is a usable article. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.