LESSON 44

Some Verbs

Vocabulary

92. Gusubira. “to repeat, do again”. This is the same as gusubira meaning “to go back”. It is followed by the infinitive in a statement. It is followed by the subjunctive as the second of two commands (see par. 133). Arasubira kwandika - he is writing again. Subira uvuge - say again.

Kwongera and gusubira are interchangeable for the idea of “repeat”, but kwongera also is used for “to add more”.

Sinzongera kwibagirwa - I won’t forget again.

Sinzasubira kwibagirwa - I won’t forget again.

Ongera umunyu - add some salt (or, some more salt) .

93. Gusaba and kubaza. Though both of these words mean “to ask” they are not used interchangeably. Kubaza is only to ask a question, e.g. Jya kubaza umwigisha - go to ask the teacher.

But gusaba is to ask for something, or to ask a favor. In this latter sense it means “to pray”, when asking God for something; but prayer in the sense of “worship” is gusenga.

Ndasaba agatambaro - I am asking for a little cloth.

Ndasaba umuntu kujya i Kigali - I am asking a person to go to Kigali.

Arajya gUsaba umusaza kuza hano - he is going to ask the old man to come here.

Tuzabaza umwigisha amazina y’abana - We will ask the teacher the children’s names.

Exercises:

I. Translate into English:

1. Sinzongera guhemba neza abahungu kuko bakora nabi. 2. Dusaba Imana gukiza abandi bantu benshi. 3. Nzabaza abigishwa ibyo (the things which) biga mu ishuli. 4. Wenda umukozi w’umukire azasubira iwabo vuba. 5. Abashumba barasubira gushaka intama zabo. 6. Ntiwemera ko (that) ukora nabi? Yee, sinzongera. 7. Ndashaka kubaza umwigisha izina rye, ariko mfite ubwoba. 8. Abana barasaba ababyeyi babo kugura imbwa. 9. Umugabo abika imyenda ye myiza mu isandugu ye. 10. Shyira ibitabo n’imbaho mu isandugu.

II. Translate into Kinyarwanda:

1. The water (insert yo) in the river is bad; we will look again for water. 2. I am asking all the boys to bring their books tomorrow; perhaps they will remember. 3. The boy’s parents are returning to their home, but he (ariko we) is staying at school. 4. Ask again for three more books. 5. Put five other slates in the box. 6. I want to hear again the words of the Savior. 7. Ask the new teacher his name. I can’t; I don’t speak his language. 8. The teacher does not praise his pupils, because they work badly. 9. When will you pay the workmen? I’ll ask the teacher. 10. Where are the tools? I don’t remember. Perhaps they are in the box.