🇧🇮Burundi, DR Congo (Kivu), Tanzania
To learn Kirundi, there's no secret: you have to practice.
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Live classes
Learn Kirundi live with a native teacher
Regular live classes in small groups. Ask questions, practice conversation, progress fast.
Live classes
You speak Kirundi every week, with a native teacher
You book whichever slot suits you. The joining link arrives by email, and the session is recorded.
- 4 slots this week, across all three levels
- 2 to 5 students per class, all at your level
- Replay available the same evening, with no time limit
Live classes
Kirundi live classes
Live classes every week, in small groups, at all three levels. The second beginner slot repeats the theme of the first: miss one, you still have the other.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Week of
Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2026
Mon31
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Tue1
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Fri4
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Sat5
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Sun6
The platform
Progress in Kirundi between classes, at your own pace
Interactive lessons with native audio, vocabulary, dialogues and quizzes. Everything you need to reinforce your skills between live sessions.
The platform
Between classes, you move forward twenty minutes a day
Lessons follow one another in order, with no evening to set aside. Every word is recorded by a native speaker.
- 178 lessons across 40 modules, from beginner to advanced
- Native audio on every word, with a slow-down button
- Your progress is kept, on phone and on computer alike
Audio
You hear the language as it is actually spoken
The recordings are made by native speakers, not by a synthetic voice. The slow-down button separates the sounds when it goes too fast.
- Every sentence can be played and slowed down
- The transcription and translation sit under the audio
- You replay it as many times as you need, with no limit
Quizzes
Every module ends with a quiz, not with a ticked box
You are corrected on the spot, with the explanation. A failed quiz can be retaken, with no penalty and no record.
- Immediate correction, with the right answer explained
- An end-of-level test opens the next level
- A level certificate at the end of the course
The community
Join Targumi's Kirundi community
Dedicated WhatsApp group, exchanges between learners, resource sharing. You're never alone in your learning journey.
Join the support groupFree · Lifetime access · Native speakers present
Full program
Your Kirundi curriculum
Exactly what you'll find inside the platform: 40 modules, 178+ structured lessons, quizzes and exercises.
🇧🇮
Kirundi Debutant
👋Les bases du kirundi
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👨👩👧👦Chiffres et famille
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👨👩👧👦Umuryango — La famille
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🐄Inyamaswa — Les animaux
- Imbwa n'akayabu , Chien et chat10 min
- Inyoni n'ifi , Oiseau et poisson10 min
- Inkoko n'intama , Poulet et mouton10 min
Start this module→
🫀Umubiri — Le corps humain
- Umutwe n'ijisho , Tete et oeil10 min
- Ikiganza n'ikirenge , Main et pied10 min
- Akanwa n'iryinyo , Bouche et dent10 min
- Inda n'umutima , Ventre et coeur10 min
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🍲Ibifungurwa — La nourriture
- Amazi n'amata , Eau et lait10 min
- Umukate n'umuceri , Pain et riz10 min
- Inyama n'ibiharage , Viande et haricots10 min
- Ikawa n'icayi , Cafe et the10 min
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🏘️Ahantu — Les lieux
- Inzu n'urugo , Maison et foyer10 min
- Ishuri n'isoko , Ecole et marche10 min
- Uburundi na Bujumbura , Burundi et Bujumbura10 min
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🏃Ibikorwa — Les verbes courants
- Kuba na kugira , Être et avoir10 min
- Kurya na kunywa , Manger et boire10 min
- Kugenda na kuza , Aller et venir10 min
- Kuvuga na kwumva , Parler et entendre10 min
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👤Amazina y'imibiri — Les pronoms
- Jewe na wewe , Je et tu10 min
- We na twebwe , Il/elle et nous10 min
- Mwebwe na bo , Vous et eux10 min
- Possessifs , Wanje, wawe, wiwe10 min
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🎨Amabara — Les couleurs
- Gitukura na ryera , Rouge et blanc10 min
- Ryirabura n'umuhondo , Noir et jaune10 min
- Icatsi n'ubururu , Vert et bleu10 min
- Les couleurs en pratique , Iyongera10 min
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⏰Igihe — Le temps
- Igitondo n'ijoro , Matin et nuit10 min
- Umunsi n'umwaka , Jour et annee10 min
- Uyu munsi n'ejo , Aujourd'hui et hier/demain10 min
- Les nombres en pratique , Bingahe?10 min
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❓Ibibazo — Les questions
- Iki na nde , Quoi et qui10 min
- Hehe na ryari , Ou et quand10 min
- Gute na bingahe , Comment et combien10 min
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✨Ibiranga — Les adjectifs
- -iza na -bi , Bon et mauvais10 min
- -nini na -toya , Grand et petit10 min
- Cane , Beaucoup et très10 min
- -hambaye , Cher (coute cher)10 min
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🏪Isoko — Le marche
- Kugura na kugurisha , Acheter et vendre10 min
- Imboga n'ibitoke , Legumes et bananes10 min
- Ibiciro n'amafaranga , Prix et argent10 min
- Au marche en pratique , Ku isoko10 min
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🌅Ubuzima — La vie quotidienne
- Kuryama na kuvyuka , Dormir et se lever10 min
- Gukora na kwiga , Travailler et apprendre10 min
- Gusoma na kwandika , Lire et ecrire10 min
- Gukunda na kunda , Aimer10 min
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🏡Inzu — La maison
- Inzu n'imbere , Maison et interieur10 min
- Igitanda n'imeza , Lit et table10 min
- Indyamo n'ikoresho , Chambre et cuisine10 min
- Ubwiherero n'ubusitani , Toilettes et jardin10 min
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👷Imirimo — Les metiers
- Umwarimu n'umuganga , Enseignant et docteur10 min
- Umurimyi n'umucuruzi , Fermier et commercant10 min
- Le travail en pratique , Imirimo10 min
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🚗Inzira — Les transports
- Ibarabara n'inzira , Route et chemin10 min
- Imodoka n'ipikipiki , Voiture et moto10 min
- Indege n'ubwato , Avion et bateau10 min
- Voyage en pratique , Urugendo10 min
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🌤️Ikirere — La meteo
- Izuba n'ubushuhe , Soleil et chaleur10 min
- Imvura n'umuyaga , Pluie et vent10 min
- Igihe c'imvura n'igihe c'izuba , Saison humide et seche10 min
- Meteo en pratique , Bingahe?10 min
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👕Imyenda — Les vetements
- Ikoti n'ikamisa , Manteau et chemise10 min
- Inkweto n'igisate , Chaussures et chapeau10 min
- Igitenge n'umushanana , Pagne et drape10 min
- S'habiller en pratique , Kwambika10 min
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😊Amarangamutima — Les emotions
- Gusekera na kurira , Sourire et pleurer10 min
- Ihangane n'umunyamwete , Patience et tristesse10 min
- Gushima na gukunda , Être content et aimer10 min
- Ubwoba n'umujinya , Peur et colere10 min
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⚕️Amagara — La sante
- Indwara n'umuti , Maladie et medicament10 min
- Kurwara n'isuku , Être malade et hygiène10 min
- Amagara meza , Bonne sante en pratique10 min
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⛪Idini n'imico — Religion et culture
- Imana n'idini , Dieu et religion10 min
- Karyenda na ababizi , Tambour sacre et musiciens10 min
- Imana yera n'imico , Tradition spirituelle10 min
- Ubukwe n'umuhango , Mariage et ceremonie10 min
- Imigani , Les proverbes10 min
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⚽Imikino — Les loisirs
- Imikino n'umupira , Sport et ballon10 min
- Indirimbo n'imbyino , Chant et danse10 min
- Indorerwamo n'ikinamico , Film et theatre10 min
- Gusoma n'umutwe , Lire et l'esprit10 min
- Inshuti n'abagenzi , Amis et compagnons10 min
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🌍Igihugu n'isi — Pays et monde
- Uburundi n'isi , Burundi et monde10 min
- Imisozi n'ibiyaga , Collines et lacs10 min
- Abaturage n'imice , Population et coutumes10 min
- Le Burundi dans la region , Akarere10 min
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🙏Imico myiza — Politesse approfondie
- Mbabarira na Ndakwinginze , Excuse et svp10 min
- Witwa nde? , Se presenter10 min
- Murakaza neza , Recevoir et offrir10 min
- Imana ibahezagire , Au revoir et benediction10 min
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🇧🇮
Kirundi Intermédiaire
📖Classes nominales
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⚡Extensions verbales
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💬Conversation
- Salutations approfondies et registres sociaux14 min
- Parler de la famille et des relations15 min
- Au marché , négocier et compter15 min
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🥁Culture burundaise
- Les tambours sacrés , ingoma14 min
- La vie sociale , ubushingantahe15 min
- Nourriture et traditions culinaires13 min
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🇧🇮
Kirundi Avancé
🎵Tons lexicaux
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🌟Proverbes (imigani)
- Imigani sur le travail, la patience et le temps15 min
- Imigani sur la royauté et le pouvoir20 min
- Imigani et sagesse féminine , les proverbes des femmes20 min
- + 2 more
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🌾Umuganura (culture)
- Qu'est-ce que l'Umuganura ?15 min
- Les rites et cérémonies de l'Umuganura16 min
- Umuganura et identité nationale contemporaine14 min
- Umuganura et les cycles agraires du Burundi20 min
- Musique et chants de l'Umuganura , indirimbo20 min
- + 2 more
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🏛️Registre formel
- Le kirundi officiel , institutions et administration16 min
- Formes de politesse et de déférence15 min
- Discours et rhétorique formelle kirundi16 min
- Kirundi juridique , vocabulaire du droit et des institutions22 min
- Correspondance officielle en kirundi22 min
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📖Contes et littérature orale (inganji)
- Introduction aux inganji , les contes burundais20 min
- Analyse d'une inganzo , le conte de l'araignée et du roi22 min
- Les ivyivugo , épopées et poèmes héroïques22 min
- Thèmes transversaux des inganji , morale et cosmologie20 min
- Conteur professionnel , le rôle de l'umuganiri20 min
- + 4 more
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📰Presse et médias burundais
- Histoire de la presse burundaise , de la RTNB à Iwacu20 min
- Structure d'un article journalistique en kirundi22 min
- Vocabulaire politique burundais dans la presse22 min
- Débats médiatiques , débat société au Burundi20 min
- Radio RTNB , comprendre les émissions en kirundi20 min
- + 4 more
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🌍Philosophie ubuntu burundais (ubumuntu)
- Umuntu n'umuntu kubera abandi , fondements de l'ubuntu22 min
- Uburaze , l'hospitalité burundaise comme pratique de l'ubuntu20 min
- Ubushingantahe , la justice communautaire et l'ubuntu22 min
- Ubuntu et la famille étendue , l'umuryango20 min
- Ubuntu et les ancêtres , le rôle des abazimu20 min
- + 2 more
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🏛️Histoire et mémoire du Burundi
- Amateka , histoire et mémoire collective en kirundi22 min
- La colonisation belge , impact sur le kirundi et la société22 min
- Les traumatismes de 1972, 1988 et 1993 , vocabulaire du conflit22 min
- Le processus d'Arusha et la paix , vocabulaire de la réconciliation20 min
- Bujumbura politique , la capitale et ses enjeux20 min
- + 3 more
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🗣️Dialectes et variétés régionales du kirundi
- Introduction à la variation dialectale du kirundi20 min
- Kirundi rural des collines , particularités lexicales20 min
- Kirundi et kinyarwanda , langues sœurs, identités distinctes22 min
- Emprunts et néologismes dans le kirundi contemporain20 min
- Argot de Bujumbura (urusuku) et code-switching20 min
- + 3 more
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🌐Diaspora et perspectives comparées
- La diaspora burundaise , géographie et profil20 min
- Burundi et Rwanda , comparaisons post-conflictuelles22 min
- Kirundi dans la diaspora , maintien et transmission20 min
- Kirundi et intégration en Europe , défis et ressources20 min
- Témoignages diasporiques , kirundi en situation réelle20 min
- + 2 more
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They talk about us
Learners talk about their journey on Targumi.
The curriculum
What you'll learn in Kirundi
A curriculum designed to get you speaking Kirundi in the situations that actually matter to you.
Start for free- 01Conversational Kirundi from Bujumbura and the provinces
- 02Bantu noun classes in Kirundi
- 03Kirundi vs Kinyarwanda: similarities and nuances
- 04Burundian culture: ingoma (royal drums), imana, ubuganwa
- 05Kirundi for humanitarian workers and NGOs active in Burundi
- 06Kirundi for the Burundian diaspora in Belgium and France
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about learning Kirundi
Yes, Kirundi and Kinyarwanda are mutually intelligible at around 85-90%. Phonological and lexical differences exist but do not block communication. A Kinyarwanda speaker understands Kirundi with little effort, and vice versa. Linguists often regard the two languages as variants of a single linguistic continuum. Learning one gives you access to the other, you double your opportunities with a single learning effort.
The Burundian community in France is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 people, mainly in the Île-de-France region and in Normandy. In Belgium (the former colonial power), the diaspora is larger, 30,000 to 50,000 people, especially in Brussels. For social workers, asylum lawyers and health professionals in contact with this community, Kirundi is a valuable asset that greatly facilitates trust-based relationships.
Kirundi is also spoken in the Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where many humanitarian NGOs operate. Médecins Sans Frontières, the ICRC and the WFP maintain permanent operations in the Great Lakes region. For aid workers, Kirundi is often more useful than Kiswahili in these specific areas. Speaking Kirundi transforms the quality of exchanges with local communities.
Absolutely. In Burundian culture, drum music was a form of codified communication, certain rhythms carried specific meanings. The Kirundi language and the ingoma tradition are inseparable within Burundian cultural identity. Understanding Kirundi unlocks the meaning of the chants that accompany these drums, a profound cultural experience impossible to reach through translation alone.
Comparable to Kinyarwanda in difficulty, 8 to 12 months with regular lessons to reach B1. If you already have a foundation in Kinyarwanda, 3 to 4 months are enough for Kirundi. Latin alphabet, phonetic pronunciation, and grammar built on Bantu noun classes. The essential greetings and polite formulas, indispensable for a quality first contact, can be learned in a few weeks.
Targumi offers 3 plans: monthly, quarterly, and lifetime access. All plans include live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons, and the community. See full pricing on the pricing page.
100% online. Live classes happen in small groups via Google Meet. You can join from anywhere in the world. The mobile and web app stay accessible 24/7 for interactive lessons.
Yes. Targumi offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are not satisfied, just email [email protected] for a full refund.
You can cancel anytime from your profile (“My subscriptions” section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.
Resources
All Kirundi resources
Explore our free tools to progress outside of class.
Kirundi level test
Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes. 30-day learning plan included.
Discover →Kirundi survival kit
A hundred words and thirty key phrases as a printable PDF, free.
Discover →Kirundi cultural quiz
How well do you know Kirundi culture? Films, music, traditions.
Discover →Kirundi articles
Guides and articles to learn Kirundi.
Discover →Kirundi vocabulary
Essential words and phrases organized by theme.
Discover →Cultural resources
Podcasts, movies, TV shows and music to progress through immersion.
Discover →Reviews
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“Been on Targumi for 3 months. The small group format is exactly what I needed. My teacher takes time to correct accent, it's precious. Made more progress in 3 months than in 2 years of regular apps.”
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“What sold me is you actually speak from class one. No 10 hours of theory before opening your mouth. And the platform between classes is well-built, I revise on the morning commute.”
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“Honestly I had doubts at first because I'd tried plenty of methods without sticking. This is different, the teacher knows their stuff, adapts to your level, and we have fun on top of it. 6 months in and still motivated.”
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“Really good experience overall, the rhythm between live classes and independent practice is well-balanced. Small note: the mobile app lags sometimes, but the teaching content is well worth the price.”
AntoineVerified purchase
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“The thing that makes a real difference compared to other platforms: teachers are native and trained. You feel it, especially on accent and everyday expressions you don't learn in textbooks.”
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- WhatsApp community with other learners and teachers: practice writing, chat every day, immerse yourself in the language.
30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked — email [email protected]
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- A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio to pronounce correctly, practice with exercises.
- Regular live small-group classes: real practice. Schedule on the platform, everything on replay so you never miss out. Join in or not, no obligation.
- WhatsApp community with other learners and teachers: practice writing, chat every day, immerse yourself in the language.
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