Runyankore is a tonal language with three tones; high, low, and falling.
A word can have different meanings depending on the tone.
E.g èndà - stomach
éndà - lice
A single word may also apply different tones.
E.g ènkômbè - dove
ènkómbè - thick millet porriedge
ènkòmbè - a protruding forehead
Vowels
Nkore has a five-vowel system. That is a e i o u.
N/B: Letter ‘d’ occurs after ‘n’ while letter ‘p’ occurs after ‘m’ in native Nkore words. They only appear on their own in assimilated words.
Greetings in Runyankole
| English | Runyankole |
| Good evening. | otsibiregye |
| Good morning. | oreiregye |
| Good afternoon. | otsibiregye |
| How are you? | neigahi |
| How are you today? | watsiba ota erizqqba |
| I am fine. | ndyaaho |
| Have a good day. | otsibegye |
| I am doing great. | Tinyine shonga |
| Hi/Hello. | Agaandi |
| See you soon. | Nituza kurebaana |
| See you later. | nituza kurebaana bwanyima kakye |
Love Words in Runyankole
| English | Runyankole |
| I love you. | Ninkukunda |
| I miss you. | okamburaho |
| Love you so much | ninkukunda munonga |
| I want to see you. | Naba ninyeenda kukureeba |
| I love you with all my heart. | Ninkunda munonga nomutima gwangye gwoona |
| I love you too. | Nanye ninkukunda |
| I want to see you. | Naba ninyeenda kukureeba |
| I like you. | Ninkukunda |
| You are beautiful. | Oboneire |
| My love. | Rukundo yangye |
| You look beautiful. | Norebekagye buzima |
| My beautiful wife. | Omukazi wangye omukundwa |
| I miss you so much, darling. | ombuzireho omukundwa wangye |
| I need you. | Naaba nikwetaanga |
| You will miss me. | Ninza kukuguma omubitekateeko |
| Goodbye, my love. | Kare omukundwa |
| See you tomorrow. | Nituza kurebane nyencyakare |
| I will marry you. | Ninza kukutatsya |
| I want some space. | Mpa akaire |
| I need your love. | Ninshaaba rukundo yaawe |
| You are mine. | Ori owangye |
Directions in Runyankole
| English | Runyankole |
| Where are you? | Orahi? |
| Where did you go? | Okaza nkahi? |
| Where do you live? | Notura hi? |
| Where are you going? | Nozahi ? |
| Where were you? | Okaba orahi? |
Common Questions in Conversations in Runyankole
| English | Runyankole |
| How much? | Nizingahi? |
| How are you feeling? | Noyehurira ota? |
| How have you been? | Obeire orahi? |
| What is your name? | Nibakweeta oha? |
| What are you doing? | Oriyo nokorakyi? |
| What are you cooking/eating? | Otekyire kyi? |
| Are you okay, dear? | Origye omukundwa wangye? |
| When are you coming? | Noyija ryaari? |
| How was your night/day? | Oreire ota? |
| How are you doing? | Nibigyenda bita? |
| How is your family? | Omuka muryaho? |
| How was your day? | watsiba ota? |
| What is wrong? | Habahokyi? |
| What do you mean? | Nomanyitsakyi? |
| How's the weather over there? | Embeera yobwire okwe eryeeta? |
| Have you gone to church? | Waza aha kanisa? |
| What is this? | Ekyi nikyi? |
| What's going on? | Habahokyi? |
| Are you listening? | Ompurire beitu? |
| Have you heard? | Wahurira |
| Can I go home? | Nimbatsa kutaaha? |
| Can I ask something? | Naaba ninshaba kubuuza? |
| How is everything? | Buri kyimwe tikyine shonga? |
| What’s your phone number? | Enamba yaawe yesiimu neeha? |
Everyday Conversations in Runyankole
| English | Runyankole |
| Happy birthday | Kurika amazaarwa gawe |
| Thank you | Webare |
| I am sorry | Nsasira |
| You are welcome. | Twakushemererwa |
| Me too! | Hamwe nanye |
| God bless you. | Mukama akuhe omugyisha |
| May god protect you. | Mukama akuriinde |
| She is happy. | Yashemererwa |
| Please help me. | Naba ninkushaba onyambe |
| I don't know. | Tindikumanya |
| I will come tomorrow. | Ninza kwija nyekyakare |
| Come here! | Ija'ha |
| Feel at home. | Bukaara |
| Be blessed. | Mukama akuhe omugyisha |
| I am coming soon. | Ninza kugaruka juba |
| Excuse me. | Nyambaho kacye |
| Leave me alone. | Ndeka! |
| It is okay. | Tihariho shonga |
| I am going home. | Ndiyo nintaaha |
| I don't want. | Tindikwenda |
| Love is a beautiful thing. | Rukundo nekyintu kyirungyi munonga |
| Let me try. | Reka ngyezeho |
| Welcome home. | Nakushemerwa |
| I reached home safely. | Mpikyregye omuka |
| God is good. | Mukama nimurungyi |
| I don't understand. | Tindikwetegyereza |
| We are happy to see you. | Twashemererwa kukureeba |
| I have it. | Nkyiine |
| Rest in peace. | Humura nobusingye |
| I don't have money. | Tinyine sente |
| I am done. | Naheza |
| I am going to the shop. | Ndiyo ninza kushopinga |
| Happy new year. | Kurika omwaaka |
| Bad manners. | Emicwe mibi! |
| Stop using your phone. | Reka kukozesa esimu |
| I need a favour, please. | Naba ninkushaba obuyambi bwawe |
| I haven’t seen you for ages. | Mazire obwire bwingyi ntarikukureeba |
| Great to see you again. | Nashemererwa kukureeba ogundi murundi |
| I really appreciate it. | Mazima nasiima buzima |
| You made my day. | Izooba warisheza |
| No problem. | Tihariho shonga |
Want to learn more Runyankole words?
Check out the Runyakole dictionary. Memorize at least five words daily, and you'll be an expert on the language in no time.
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