Language/Kinyarwanda/Vocabulary/Animals
Hi Kinyarwanda learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning about animals in Kinyarwanda. Learning the names of the animals will help you engage in conversations about nature, wildlife, and the environment. You can also improve your vocabulary by checking out Kinyarwanda Vocabulary on the Polyglot Club website!
Basic vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Here are some basic animal names in Kinyarwanda:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| inka | in.ka | cow |
| inzovu | in.zo.vu | elephant |
| impunzi | im.pun.zi | gazelle |
| intare | in.ta.re | goat |
| imbwa | im.bwa | dog |
| inkware | in.kwa.re | donkey |
| inyoni | in.yo.ni | bird |
| inkoko | in.ko.ko | chicken |
| imvune | im.vu.ne | rabbit |
| inyamaswa | in.ya.mas.wa | buffalo |
| inyamaswa y'inkware | in.ya.mas.wa yi.n.kwa.re | zebra |
| inda | in.da | monkey |
Practice saying the names of the animals out loud so you can improve your pronunciation. Remember you can always ask native speakers and ask them any questions you have about the language.
Insects[edit | edit source]
In Rwanda, there are many species of insects that are found in gardens, fields, forests, and other habitats. Here are some insect names in Kinyarwanda:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ingabo | in.ga.bo | bee |
| intare y'ibyatsi | in.ta.re yi.bya.tsi | grasshopper |
| uruziga | u.ru.zi.ga | butterfly |
| isirakari | i.si.ra.ka.ri | mosquito |
| ikimwiro | i.ki.mwi.ro | ant |
| igiswati | i.gi.swa.ti | fly |
| uruyaga | u.ru.ya.ga | wasp |
| amayirapfumbata | a.ma.yi.ra.pfu.mba.ta | ladybug |
To better memorize the insects' names, try to remember the sounds of the words. For example, "ingabo" sounds like "bee" in English. Don't hesitate to ask one of your Kinyarwanda-speaking friends to help you practice saying the words out loud in context.
Reptiles[edit | edit source]
In Rwanda, there are many species of reptiles. Some of these can only be found locally, and some are much more widespread. Here are some reptile names in Kinyarwanda:
| Kinyarwanda | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| inyamakururu | in.ya.ma.ku.ru.ru | chameleon |
| inkwe | in.kwe | crocodile |
| inyoka | in.yo.ka | snake |
| urutoki | u.ru.to.ki | tortoise |
| inyamaboko | in.ya.ma.bo.ko | lizard |
Now that we have seen some basic insect, reptile, and animal names in Kinyarwanda, let's try using them in sentences!
Dialogue Examples[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Wowe warabariye inkoni hejuru y'igihe? (Did you see the cow on the hill earlier?)
- Person 2: Ndiyo, ni inyoni imwe, wahisemo bimwe bimpunzi? (Yes, was that the same bird that you saw some gazelles with earlier?)
- Person 1: Nka cyiciro nari nariboza umusore buye ubu ari gitura. Ni inkuka. (As an example, I was talking to a boy yesterday who now has a pet chicken.)
- Person 2: Aha, ubu navuze. Si umusore, ari umukobwa. Ni intare yehe? (Ah, I see. It wasn't a boy, it was a girl. Is it a white goat?)
- Person 1: Nkunda mu nama nkujya hafi y'inzovu.(I like to sit near the elephants in the park.)
- Person 2: Ubwo se usanga ko hahari demokarasi i Kinyarwanda y'inzovu ziri botswana kuko ahazwi. (Did you know that there is a democracy among elephants in Botswana because they vote with their feet?)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
That's all for today's lesson! You have learned some of the most common animal names in Kinyarwanda, and how to use them in context. Try incorporating them into your daily conversations! Remember that the best way to learn is by practicing with others, so don't hesitate to reach out to native speakers and practicing. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Food, Fruits, Express Surprise & Count to 10.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Geography
- Count to 10
- Education
- Clothes
- Colors
- Express Surprise
- Health
- Feelings and Emotions
- How to Say Hello and Greetings