Rule 4 of 6
After a vowel, drop the r
In Standard English, say r only when a vowel sound comes straight after it, even if that vowel starts the next word. In every other case the r is silent: car is kaa, hard is haad, and computer ends in tə. Vowel endings offer a familiar starting point for Kinyarwanda speakers. Follow the examples to practise this pattern.
The r you don't say
Each word is written with an r, but no vowel sound comes after it, so you don't say it. ● marks words that end in a vowel, just like Kinyarwanda words.
- carkaa●
- moremoo●
- hardhaad
- workwəək
- firstfəəst
- waterwoo-tə●
- computerkəm-pyuu-tə●
The əə vowel
Without the r, words like work and first depend on one long vowel, əə. Start with a relaxed tongue in the middle of your mouth and lips in their normal position. Hold the vowel longer and match the recording, listening to its sound as well as its length.
Check in a mirror that your lips don't move; the result must not sound like oo (walk) or aa (hard).
| Say əə | Not to be confused with | Play both |
|---|---|---|
| workwəək | walkwook | |
| firstfəəst | fastfaast | |
| heardhəəd | hardhaad | |
| burnbəən | barnbaan | |
| hurthəət | hearthaat | |
| turntəən | torntoon |
r before a vowel in the next word
Say the r when the next word starts with a vowel sound.
| Word | Say this (Standard English) |
|---|---|
far away | faa rə-wei |
four hours | foo rau-əz |
never again | ne-və rə-gen |