Rukiga Dialogue for Beginning Learners

This page provides a basic Rukiga dialogue suitable for beginning learners. The dialogue is set at a shop interaction in the morning between you, the customer, and the shop owner. Learners should pay attention to the greetings, the use of numbers, as well as noun class and verb agreement. Finally, a few follow-up questions are asked in order to provide a bit of space for reflection on the dialogue.

Me: Me, the Customer

SO: The Shop Owner

Me: Oriregye sebo?

SO: Ndiregye sebo, oriregye sebo?

Me: Ndigye sebo, shani’we?

SO: Ndigye.

Me: Kare, Abomuka bari bata?

SO: Barigye.

Me: Kare, Ninyenda ensenene. Oyineyo ensenene?

SO: Orakunda ensenene?

Me: Ndakunda ensenene munonga!

SO: Kare! Nyine ensenene.

Me: Kare, ekikopo ky’ensenene ni shiringi zingahi?

SO: Enkumi’taano

Me: Kare. Oyineyo ebiteete?

SO: Ingaha, sebo.

Me: Kare, oyineyo enkoko na zakabegi?

SO: Nyine enkoko emwe na zakabegi ishatu.

Me: Nkoko na zakabegi ni shiringi zingahi?

SO: Emitwaro ebiri.

Me: Kale. Oyebare munungo. Osiibegye sebo! Ninza kukureeba ejuba.

SO: Kale, Osiibegye sebo!

Follow-up questions:

1. What else could you have asked for from the shop owner? How much should it have cost?
2. What other greetings could you have asked if you wanted to have an extended greeting with the shop owner?
3. Where do you notice important noun class and adjective agreement?
4. Where do you see important contractions used in Rukiga speech?