kumva
The English phrase 'listen' is translated into Kinyarwanda as kumva.
kumva is used to describe the physical act of paying attention to a sound. Interestingly, it is also used to describe the cognitive act of understanding something.
Meaning: to pay attention to a sound (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
kumva is the infinitive form of the verb, which is used to express the concept of 'to listen'.
Did you know?
- The verb kumva can be used to describe the act of 'feeling' an emotion or a physical sensation, such as feeling cold or pain.
- When someone wants you to listen closely or obey, they might use the word gutega amatwi, which literally translates to 'to set the ears'.
- Because of the overlap with 'understand', a person who is physically deaf might still be described as 'kumva' if they follow a conversation through sign language or context.
Examples in context
- NdimumvaI hear/understand you
Example conversation
Aurore and Eric are in a park.
- auroreEric, kumva amajwi y'amazi biruhutsa.Eric, listening to the sound of water is relaxing.
- EricYego, ndumva neza cyane.Yes, I can hear it very well.
- auroreTureke kumva ibyo binyoni biririmba.Let's listen to what those birds are singing.
- EricNi byo, biraryoshye cyane.That's true, it is very sweet.
