Reflexives and Reciprocals in Rukiga

This page provides the basic details of reflexives and reciprocals in Rukiga relevant for a beginner. Throughout the page, we use verbs that start in the “ku-” form, the basic Rukiga verb form.

Reflexives

Reflexive verbs in Rukiga are used when someone is trying to convey an idea of doing an action to oneself. It is not particularly difficult to make this verb form construction, though one has to be aware of letter conjunctions that shape the end result of how the verb form is spelled after making the reflexive change; the typical change is for the “u” that is part of the verb prefix “ku-” to become “w” or “kw” based on the addition of the “e” (see below).

The basic formula to make verbs in Rukiga reflexive is:

“e” + Verb Stem (VS)

Here are some examples:

Kutema (to cut) becomes kwetema (to cut oneself)

Kureeta (to bring) becomes kwereeta (to bring oneself)

Kumanya (to know) becomes kwemanya (to know oneself, to be selfish)

Reciprocals

Reciprocal verbs convey the idea of doing an action together or to one another. This is a common verbal form in Rukiga. This form does not typically change the main verb that it is modifying and thus is rather easy to form.

The basic formula to make verbs in Rukiga reflexive is:

Verb Stem (VS) + “na”

Here are some examples:

Kucumita (to prick, to spear, to pierce) becomes kucumitana (to prick, to spear, to pierce each other)

Kujuma (to insult) becomes kujumana (to insult each other/one another)

Kujweka (to dress someone) becomes kujwekana (to dress each other/one another)

Let us practice!