zayo
ZAH-yoh
How to say it
KinyarwandazayoZAH-yohsoon
Englishits, their (n plural things)soon
Frenchses, leurssoon
Meaning
Means 'its' or 'their' when the things owned are plural nouns of the n class, such as indirimbo or inzego, and the owner is a noun of the n or ama class.
Good to know
The za agrees with what is owned and the yo with the owner: alubumu n'indirimbo zayo, the album and its songs. Sister forms are yayo, byayo and cyayo; with a person as owner it is ze: indirimbo ze.
Examples
- Alubumu nshya n'indirimbo zayo zikunzwe cyane.The new album and its songs are very popular.
- Kiliziya n'inkengero zayo zari zuzuye abantu.The church and its surroundings were full of people.
- Leta n'inzego zayo zose zirakora.The state and all its institutions are working.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.