Simple Present Tense Verbs and “To Be” (Ni / -ri) in Kinyarwanda
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
One of the first things you need in any language is the ability to say who you are and what is happening right now. In Kinyarwanda, the present tense and the verb “to be” form the foundation of almost every simple sentence.
In this guide, you will learn how the simple present tense works, how to use ni and -ri correctly, and how to build clear short sentences like “Ndi umunyarwanda.” By the end, you will be able to introduce yourself and talk about basic actions with confidence.
Why the Present Tense Matters
The present tense lets you talk about who you are, where you are, and what is happening now. These are the building blocks of real conversation. Once you master the present forms, many other sentences become much easier to form.
Understanding “To Be” in Kinyarwanda
Kinyarwanda does not have one single verb for “to be.” Instead, it uses two main forms:
Ni (and its negative si) for identification and general statements
Forms of -ri for location and temporary states
Learning when to use each one is one of the most important early steps.
Using Ni for Identification
Ni is used when you identify someone or something.
Examples:
Ni umunyarwanda. (He/She is Rwandan.)
Ni umwarimu. (He/She is a teacher.)
Ni umukobwa. (She is a girl.)
For the first person, we use a special form:
Ndi umunyarwanda. (I am Rwandan.)
Ndi umunyeshuri. (I am a student.)
For the second person:
Uri umunyarwanda. (You are Rwandan.)
Uri umwarimu. (You are a teacher.)
Negative forms use si:
Si umunyarwanda. (He/She is not Rwandan.)
Sindi umwarimu. (I am not a teacher.)
Using -ri for Location and State
When talking about where someone is or a temporary condition, Kinyarwanda uses forms of -ri:
Ndi hano. (I am here.)
Uri hehe? (Where are you?)
Ari mu nzu. (He/She is in the house.)
Turi neza. (We are fine.)
This form is very common in greetings and everyday questions.
Subject Prefixes You Need to Know
Most verbs in the present tense begin with a subject prefix. Here are the main ones:
N- or Ndi- → I
U- or Uri- → You (singular)
A- or Ari- → He / She
Tu- or Turi- → We
Mu- or Muri- → You (plural)
Ba- or Bari- → They
These prefixes attach to the verb stem and help the listener know who is doing the action.
Simple Present Tense for Action Verbs
For regular action verbs, the structure is usually:
Subject prefix + verb stem
Examples:
Ndagenda. (I go / I am going.)
Urakora. (You work / You are working.)
Arasoma. (He/She reads / is reading.)
Turakora. (We work.)
Baracya. (They eat / are eating.)
Many present tense verbs use the marker -ra- after the subject prefix, especially when talking about ongoing or habitual actions.
Useful Example Sentences
Ndi umunyarwanda. (I am Rwandan.)
Uri umunyeshuri. (You are a student.)
Ni umubyeyi wanjye. (He/She is my parent.)
Ndi neza. (I am fine.)
Ndagenda ku ishuri. (I go to school.)
Urakora hehe? (Where do you work?)
Turi mu Kigali. (We are in Kigali.)
Practice saying these out loud until they feel natural.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mixing ni and -ri: Use ni for identity and -ri for location or temporary states.
Forgetting the subject prefix: Almost every verb needs one.
Overusing English word order: In Kinyarwanda, the subject prefix is usually attached to the verb.
Start with short, clear sentences and build from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “I am” in Kinyarwanda?
You say Ndi when identifying yourself (Ndi umunyarwanda) or when talking about location or state (Ndi hano).
What is the difference between ni and -ri?
Ni is used for identification (who or what someone is). Forms of -ri are used for location and temporary conditions.
How do you say “You are Rwandan”?
Uri umunyarwanda.
Is the present tense the same for all verbs?
The structure is similar, but some verbs use the -ra- marker more regularly than others. Beginners can start with common verbs like genda (to go), kora (to work), and soma (to read).
Can I use these forms in everyday conversation?
Yes. These are among the most useful and frequently heard forms in daily Kinyarwanda.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the simple present tense and the forms of “to be” gives you the power to introduce yourself, talk about where you are, and describe basic actions. These short sentences open the door to real conversations.
Practice them often. The more you use Ndi, Uri, and Ni, the more natural they will feel.
Ready to keep building your Kinyarwanda skills? NKENNE offers practical lessons and cultural insights that help you move from basic sentences to real confidence. Join us and continue your language journey one clear step at a time.