Ndi meza
Ndi meza is the Kinyarwanda way to say "I am fine".
This phrase is used as a response to indicate that you are doing well when someone asks how you are.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I am good", where Ndi means "I am".
Which one should you use?
While it translates to "I am fine", Ndi meza is also the standard way to say "I am good" when responding to a greeting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Ndi is the first-person singular form of the verb "to be" in Kinyarwanda.
Did you know?
- In Rwanda, a greeting is rarely a quick exchange. You might be asked about your family, your work and your health before you ever get the chance to say Ndi meza.
- The word meza is a cognate of the word for 'table' in several other Bantu languages, though its meaning in this phrase is 'good'.
- In some traditional contexts, simply saying Ndi meza can be seen as too brief. Adding a mention of God, such as Ndi meza, imana ishimwe meaning 'I am fine, thanks be to God', is very common.
Examples in context
- Ndi meza, murakoze.I am fine, thank you.
- Ndi meza cyane uyu munsi.I am very fine today.
- Ndi meza, kandi wowe?I am fine, and you?
Example conversation
Alice meets Patrick on the street.
- AliceAmakuru, Patrick?How are you, Patrick?
- PatrickNdi meza, Alice. Amakuru yawe?I am fine, Alice. How are you?
- AliceNdi meza cyane.I am very fine.
- PatrickNishimiye kumva ibyo.I am happy to hear that.
