tegereza
To wait in Kinyarwanda is tegereza.
The verb is used to express the act of delaying until some event occurs. It can also be used as a command when you want someone to wait.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb conjugates to reflect different subjects and tenses. For example, to say "I wait" in the first person singular present tense, use ntegereza. To say "We are waiting" in the first person plural present tense, use tutegereje.
Did you know?
- In Kinyarwanda, the verb tegereza is closely linked to the concept of 'looking' or 'watching' for something to happen.
- The verb tegereza is part of a Bantu system where adding a suffix can transform 'to wait' into 'to make someone wait' or 'to wait together'.
- In Rwandan social etiquette, using tegereza as a direct command can be seen as overly assertive or rude if you are speaking to an elder.
Example conversation
Jean and Beatrice are meeting at a bus stop.
- JeanBeatrice, tegereza ko bus uza.Beatrice, wait for the bus to come.
- BeatriceAriko bus yageze?But has the bus arrived?
- JeanOya, tegereza iminota ibiri.No, wait two minutes.
- BeatriceSawa, ndategereye.Okay, I am waiting.
