Learn Rwanda (Kinyarwanda)
Start speaking Kinyarwanda with an app built for real conversations. You'll speak confidently in minutes with practical lessons that prepare you for daily life so you can connect with family, explore Rwandan culture or plan your next trip.
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Learn to speak Kinyarwanda with confidence
You want to connect with Rwanda's vibrant culture and people. Yet, finding quality Kinyarwanda lessons that focus on practical spoken language feels nearly impossible.
uTalk solves this. We help you avoid:
- Wasting time on grammar exercises when you need conversational phrases for real life situations
- Missing out on authentic pronunciation from a Kinyarwanda native speaker
- Losing motivation with resources that ignore how people actually speak in Rwanda
Start your Kinyarwanda language learning journey today.
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Three Steps to learn Kinyarwanda online
No classes to book. No confusion. Just a simple path forward.
Start in minutes
Subscribe now, download the app or open the web app. Choose Kinyarwanda and select your first category.
Get StartedPractise real phrases
Learn through short lessons with native speaker audio and memory-boosting games. Reviews focus on words you get wrong so you learn faster.
Speak like a local
Try your new Kinyarwanda vocabulary in real life. Beginners and more experienced learners can build basic and practical spoken language and start enjoying meaningful experiences.
Why uTalk is the best Kinyarwanda learning app
uTalk is digital, flexible and designed around your life, teaching you to speak and understand essential words and phrases.
Speak first
Practical content for greetings, family, travel and everyday spoken Kinyarwanda. Build confidence with phrases you'll actually use.
Authentic native speakers
Learn from locals rather than computer voices. Hear how the language actually sounds in Rwanda today.
Beginner friendly, fun and effective
Game-like lessons make the learning process enjoyable. Content is short, focused and rooted in real life scenarios.
Speak Kinyarwanda today – Common phrases and audio
uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.
Ndifuza ikawa, muvandi mwe.
I’d like a coffee, please.
Muraho.
Hello.
Yego.
Yes.
Nuko murakoze.
Yes please.
Oya.
No.
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Oya murakoze.
No thanks.
Nyaboneka.
Please.
Murakoze.
Thank you.
Murakoze cyane.
Thank you very much.
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Ntacyo.
You’re welcome.
Byeri ebyiri, muvandi mwe.
Two beers, please.
bisi
bus
imodoka
car
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tagisi
taxi
gari ya moshi
train
gare ya gari ya moshi
railway station
ikibuga cy'indege
airport
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ihoteli
hotel
urupapuro rw'inzira
passport
terefone
telephone
Yemwe.
Excuse me.
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Ni saa ngahe?
What time is it?
Mushobora kunsubiriramo muvandi mwe?
Can you repeat that please?
Muvandi mwe vuga buhoro witonze.
Please speak more slowly.
Sinsobanukiwe.
I don’t understand.
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Munyihanganire.
Sorry.
Ubwiherero buri hehe?
Where are the toilets?
Ubwiherero bw'Abagore
Ladies’ Toilet
Ubwiherero bw'Abagabo
Gents’ Toilet
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Puraje iri hehe?
Where is the beach?
Banki iri hehe?
Where is the bank?
Na angahe?
How much does this cost?
agakarita ka banki ko kwiguriza
credit card
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icyuma cyo kuri banki
cash machine
Murabeho.
Goodbye.
parasetamolo
paracetamol
imfunguzo
keys
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ikarita
map
ibumoso
left
iburyo
right
rimwe
one
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kabiri
two
gatatu
three
Fun facts | Kinyarwanda
- The word ejo can mean tomorrow or yesterday.
- The word umuryango can mean family, organisation or door.
- When telling the time in Kinyarwanda, it's useful to know that the day starts at six in the morning, not at midnight. What an English speaker would call seven o'clock is one o'clock in Kinyarwanda because it's the first hour of the day. Eight o'clock is two o'clock' - the second hour - and so on.
How our Kinyarwanda lessons work
Your learning experience should feel natural. Begin with Kinyarwanda language basics, such as greetings and high-frequency vocabulary. Then progress to practical categories such as family, numbers and travel phrases. Each lesson is short, engaging and perfect for beginners. You'll practise with audio resources from Kinyarwanda native speakers, then be tested to strengthen your memory. Review sessions adapt to you by focusing more on the words that you find challenging.
Choose a category and the app creates a smart learning order for quick progress. Select your preference for English or another native language to learn Kinyarwanda from. Study online or offline, and use uTalk on mobile or desktop. Switch categories whenever you like and follow the path that matches your goals. If you need support, check the in-app help or reach out to us. We're a friendly team based in London, and we're here to assist.
Kinyarwanda and other languages of East Africa
Kinyarwanda is the official language of Rwanda, and it is spoken by millions across the country. It's a Bantu language with deep roots in the Great Lakes region.
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Key points
- If you're exploring East Africa, you might also come across Swahili, which serves as a lingua franca across the region, or Kirundi, spoken in neighbouring Burundi. Luganda is another regional language worth knowing if you're travelling through Uganda.
- Each language opens doors to different communities and experiences. uTalk offers 150+ languages, including Swahili, Kirundi and Luganda, so you can compare and even learn multiple languages.
Kinyarwanda and major languages of Sub-Saharan Africa
- Kinyarwanda is one of many vibrant languages spoken across Sub-Saharan Africa, each connecting you to unique cultures and communities. While Kinyarwanda dominates in Rwanda, learning other major African languages opens doors across the continent.
- Swahili serves as a lingua franca throughout East Africa and is widely understood in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. In West Africa, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are spoken by tens of millions of people across Nigeria and neighboring countries. Amharic is Ethiopia's official language, while Oromo and Somali are also widely spoken in the Horn of Africa.
- uTalk offers 150+ languages, including Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Amharic, Oromo, Somali and Zulu, so you can explore multiple African languages and compare how they sound and function.
"We make learning Kinyarwanda accessible"
"We understand that finding quality resources that teach Kinyarwanda can feel frustrating. So, we recorded Kinyarwanda native speakers from Rwanda to help you learn how people actually communicate in the country. We believe every language deserves to be preserved and shared and we're committed to helping you succeed."
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Richard Howeson
uTalk Founder
Why learners choose uTalk for Kinyarwanda
We champion languages from around the world, including those often overlooked by mainstream platforms. Our content comes from native speakers, ensuring authenticity. The app works for English speakers and for speakers of more than 140 other languages. Read our reviews to see how students turn daily practice into real progress and knowledge.
Your Kinyarwanda learning journey starts here
You want to connect with Rwanda, whether for family, travel, work or personal growth. Kinyarwanda is the heart of Rwandan culture, spoken by nearly everyone in the country, yet finding the right course that focuses on practical spoken language can be difficult.
Get StartedThat's where uTalk helps. When you start, you can pick any category that interests you or begin with First Words, such as muraho, then build useful vocabulary and phrases for real conversations. As you progress, you'll listen to Kinyarwanda native speakers, record yourself copying them and compare the two. Games make the learning process fun for beginners, while the content is practical for all learners. Whether you're learning online or offline, you can follow our guided pathway or explore topics based on what matters most to you right now.
The outcome is simple. You'll speak Kinyarwanda with confidence and understand more of what people are saying. Your new skills work in real situations with family, colleagues and new friends, fitting into your life and schedule.
Learn real-life topics in Kinyarwanda
Explore the Bantu language family
Kinyarwanda belongs to the Bantu language family, a remarkable network of languages spoken across much of sub-Saharan Africa. If you're curious to compare vocabulary, sounds or everyday expressions within this family, explore: Swahili, Kirundi, Luganda, Bemba, Chichewa, Lingala, Shona, Tswana, Tumbuka, Xhosa, and Zulu.
These languages share historical connections and often similar grammatical structures and word roots, so learning one can make others feel more familiar.
Get StartedYour Kinyarwanda questions, answered
Do you offer live online classes or is it just an app?
uTalk is an app and online language learning software. Lessons are digital, short and practical. If you want a tutor, the app still helps you prepare for class and review between sessions.
Can I start as a beginner?
Yes. The course begins with basic greetings and everyday words and phrases and takes you to an A1-A2 level on the CEFR scale. Some of our topics even cover material you’d learn as you grow your skills to B1 or B2.
What application languages do you support? Can I learn without English?
Yes. uTalk works for speakers of more than 140 languages. Choose the one that suits you in Settings.
How is content selected and ordered?
Topics are based on real life situations. You can select any category and the app suggests a smart learning order for beginners. You can change it at any time.
How does uTalk compare with YouTube lessons?
YouTube can be useful, but it’s hard to check pronunciation or get structured reviews. uTalk gives you native speaker audio, games that test tricky words more often and a clear path from basic to practical use.
Where can I learn a language with uTalk?
We’re available on iOS, Android, web, Mac and PC. Get started now and you’ll be directed to download uTalk for your device.
Does Kinyarwanda have different dialects?
Kinyarwanda is remarkably uniform across Rwanda. While some regional variations exist, speakers generally understand each other easily. Our recordings feature standard Kinyarwanda used throughout the country.
How important is French or Swahili when learning Kinyarwanda?
While French, English and Swahili are also spoken in Rwanda, Kinyarwanda is the official language and is used most widely in daily life. Learning Kinyarwanda helps you connect more deeply with Rwandan culture and people.
How fast can I learn to speak Kinyarwanda?
Consistent practice delivers results. Many learners handle basic conversations after several weeks of regular sessions. Your pace depends on how often you practise and review what you've learned.
Can I learn Kinyarwanda for free with uTalk?
Getting started with uTalk is easy, and you can cancel whenever you want. We want you to love uTalk, so we even offer a 28-Day Money Back Guarantee if you're not satisfied.
Will uTalk help me speak Kinyarwanda like a local?
uTalk focuses on teaching Kinyarwanda by building practical spoken skills and confidence. You'll develop a solid foundation that prepares you for real conversations. For advanced skills, combine uTalk with immersion, language exchange partners and continued practice in Rwanda.
Topics
- First Words
- Transport
- Restaurant
- Food and Drink
- Cooking
- Places
- Directions
- Illness
- Doctor
- Body
- Emergencies
- Social Phrases
- Leisure
- Likes and Dislikes
- Football Match Abroad
- Football Commentary
- Sports
- Shopping Words
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Clothes
- Ingredients
- Home
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Tools
- Family
- Occupations
- Animals
- Animals' Bodies
- Farming
- Technology
- School
- Business
- Numbers up to Twenty
- Numbers up to Ten Million
- Essential Phrases
- Adjectives
- Prepositions
- Colours
- Countries
- Calendar
- Time
- Timetable
- Outdoors
- Holiday
- Driving
- Accommodation
- Shopping Phrases
- Travelling
- Free Starter Words
- Military Peace Keeping
- Military Commands
- Military Intelligence
- Disaster Relief - Volunteers
- Natural Disasters
Get by with basic greetings, words and phrases including 'hello', 'thank you' and 'I'd like a coffee please'.