There exist several different systems (amasaku) for describing the tones of a Kinyarwanda word. This dictionary uses the scientific system which is the official system, and what is taught in Rwandan schools. This system uses only a circumflex (ˆ) to show the tone, but duplicates vowels to show long vowels.
| Vowel | Length | Tone | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | Short | Low | umugabo → umugabo >, inzu → inzu >, kubara → kubara > |
| â | Short | High | umugore → umugorê >, inka → inkâ >, kubona → kubôna > |
| aa | Long | Low | umuntu → umuuntu >, intama → intaama >, kugenda → kugeenda > |
| aâ | Long | Rising | umukobwa → umukoôbwa >, indege → indeêge > |
| âa | Long | Falling | umwana → umwâana >, inyota → inyôota >, guteka → gutêeka > |
| ââ | Long | High |
