Language/Rundi/Grammar/Noun-Classes

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Rundi → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Nouns and Pronouns → Noun Classes

Nouns are a fundamental part of language, and understanding their various classes is one of the first steps in mastering a new language. In Rundi, there are 18 different noun classes, each with its own prefixes, infixes, and suffixes. In this lesson, we will explore the various noun classes in Rundi and how they affect the structure of a sentence.

Overview

In Rundi, the noun classes are divided into two main groups: the singular and the plural. Each group has nine classes, and each class has its own prefix. The singular noun class prefixes are mu-, ba-, ku-, e-, i-, and am-, while the plural noun class prefixes are ama-, aba-, i-, imi-, in-, and zi-.

Nouns in Rundi also have gender, which is not based on the biological distinction between male and female but rather on the noun class. For example, some noun classes are used for people, while others are used for animals, objects, and abstract concepts.

Understanding noun classes is crucial in building sentences in Rundi because the noun class prefix affects the verb tense, the agreement of adjectives, and the pronouns used in the sentence.

Singular Noun Classes

Class 1: Mu-

This class is used for people, animals, and some objects. It is one of the most common noun classes in Rundi.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
umwana	oom-wa-na	child
umugabo	oom-oo-ga-bo	man
umwari	oom-wa-ri	woman
umutwe	oom-oo-twe	head

• Note: In Rundi, prefixes often change depending on the word's vowel harmony. For example, when a word begins with a vowel, the prefix mu- becomes m-.

Class 2: Ba-

This class is used for people, specifically groups of people.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
abana	a-ba-na	children
abagabo	a-ba-ga-bo	men
abakobwa	a-ba-ko-bwa	girls
abasaza	a-ba-sa-za	queens

Class 3: Ku-

This class is used for locations and locations-related words such as words related to direction or destination.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
kumasengesho	koo-ma-sen-ge-sho	parking
kubanza	koo-ban-za	entrance
kwivu	kwee-vu	laziness
kureba	koo-re-ba	looking

Class 4: E-

This class is used for certain fruits and trees.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
empeke	em-pe-ke	banana
ebitabu	e-bi-ta-bu	book
egusi	e-goo-see	watermelon seeds
ekaa	e-kaa	jackfruit tree

Class 5: I-

This class includes various objects, body parts, and abstract concepts.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
igihombo	ee-gi-hom-bo	bed
ibiryo	ee-bi-ryo	food
ishuli	ee-shoo-li	school
ishema	ee-she-ma	honor

Class 6: Am-

This class is used for fruits and vegetables that grow on vines.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
amasaza	a-ma-sa-za	grapes
amageli	a-ma-ge-li	watermelons
amashaza	a-ma-sha-za	pumpkins
amagwana	a-ma-gwa-na	bitter melons

Plural Noun Classes

Class 7: Ama-

This class is used for things that are round in shape or groups of people or animals.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
amaguru	a-ma-goo-roo	knees
amazi	a-ma-zi	water
amafaranga	a-ma-fa-ran-ga	money
amazina	a-ma-zi-na	names

Class 8: Aba-

This class is used for people, specifically members of a family.

Examples:

Class 9: I- (Class 9 is the same for singular and plural)

This class is used for things that are long and thin in shape.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English

Class 10: Imi-

This class is used for some animals that are small in size.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English

Class 11: In-

This class is used for people who live in a certain area.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
inzoka	eenz-o-ka	snake
indimu	een-di-moo	banana tree
inguzanyo	een-goo-za-nyo	challenge
ingando	een-ga-ndo	initiation

Class 12: Zi-

This class is used for some plants and trees.

Examples:

Rundi	Pronunciation	English
zitonyonga	zee-to-nyon-ga	a type of weed
zinyinya	zin-yin-ya	a type of grass
zihoho	zee-oho-ho	a type of tree
zihare	zee-ha-re	a type of shrub

Conclusion

Noun classes in Rundi affect much of the language's grammar, including verb tense, adjective agreement, and pronoun use. Understanding these various classes is crucial in building correct sentences in Rundi. By learning the various noun classes, you will be well on your way to mastering the language.

Table of Contents - Rundi Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Rundi Language

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers
• Days and Months

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing with Adjectives
• Describing with Adverbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Dining Vocabulary

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Using Prepositions
• Using Conjunctions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Burundian Culture

• History and Traditions
• Music and Dance

  ---

Hobbies and Entertainment

• Common Hobbies
• Entertainment Vocabulary

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Asking Questions
• Negating Sentences

  ---

Health and Emergencies

• Health Vocabulary
• Emergency Vocabulary

  ---

Rundi Etiquette and Customs

• Social Etiquette
• Festivals and Celebrations

Other Lessons

• Describing with Adjectives
• Adjectives
• Conditional Mood
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Negating Sentences
• Past Tense
• Using Conjunctions
• Future Tense
• Present Tense

Sources

• Kinyarwanda and Kirundi Comparative Grammar
• Rundi Grammar → Verbs and Tenses → Present Tense

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