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Which style to use: quick answers
For every sound in this table, use the Standard English form. Only r versus l and the stress in numbers work the same way in both styles.
Whenever this guide shows an American and a Standard English version of a sound, say the Standard English version, and learn to understand the American one. American English is correct for Americans, but when Kinyarwanda speakers copy it, several of its sounds are heard as different words: the American t in writing sounds like the Kinyarwanda r, so listeners hear riding.
The Standard English version of each sound avoids this: it is easier for a Kinyarwanda speaker to say clearly. Why it is easier
When you speak English, people understand you the first time.
Quick answers
| Sound | Say this(Standard English) | How to check | Recognise, don't copy(American) |
|---|---|---|---|
t between vowels water, better See the rule | woo-tə, be-tə (full t) | Your tongue stops the air completely | waa-dər, be-dər (tapped t) |
t after n twenty, internet See the rule | twen-ti, in-tə-net (full t) | You hear a t between the n and the vowel after it | twe-ni, i-nər-net (no t) |
r after a vowel car, hard See the rule | kaa, haad (r silent) | You go straight from aa to the next sound, with no r | kaar, haard (r said) |
The vowel in work work, first See the rule | wəək, fəəst | ə held twice as long, no r, lips do not move | wərk, fərst |
The vowel in hot hot, job See the rule | hot, job | You say Kinyarwanda o, not a | haat, jaab |
can't can't See the rule | kaant or say 'cannot' | aa held twice as long as in can, then a full t | kant (t often silent) |
r and l right, light See the rule | right, light | l: tongue touches the ridge and stays. r: tongue touches nothing | Same in both |
-teen and -ty thirteen, thirty See the rule | thəə-tiin, thəə-ti | -teen: last syllable stressed. -ty: first syllable stressed, full t | thər-tiin, thər-di |
So for twenty: say twen-ti, with a full t (your tongue stops the air completely before the i). Americans often say twe-ni; learn to understand it, but don't copy it.
New to the sound spellings? See Get started.