Easiest way to learn Shona

Shona, also known as Chishona, is one of the official languages in Zimbabwe. It is also spoken in Malawi, Zambia and Botswana.

Tones

The Shona language has two tones: High tone marked by (á) and low tone marked by

(à).

Vowels

Shona has five vowels.

a (ah) - like in gang

e (ey) - like in hay

i (ee) - like in see

o (o) - like in so

u (oo) - like in broom

Shona does not have silent letters of diphthongs. When two vowels appear side by side in a word, each is pronounced separately. For example, the word Urikuteerera(listening) is pronounced Urikutay-ay-ra.

Consonants

The consonant system of Shona is characterized by breathy and whistled sounds.

The breathy consonants are represented by “h” after the initial consonant and are pronounced by vibrating the vocals. For example, bh, ch,dh, mh,nh,rh and vh.

The whistled sounds are pronounced by rounding the lip. For example, sv, dz, tsv, ty, ng.

N/B:

  • The sound “L” is not used in most Shona dialects unless it is in a word adopted from a foreign language with little or no modification.
  • The Shona language alphabet lacks the letters q and x.

Greetings in Shona

English Shona
Good evening. manheru akanaka
Good morning. mangwani akanaka
Good afternoon. masikati akanaka
How are you? makadi
How are you today? uri sei nhasi
I am fine. ndirinani
Have a good day. iva nezuva rakanaka
I am doing great. ndiri kuita zvakanaka
Hi/Hello. mhoro
Nice to meet you. zvakanaka kuzivana nemi
See you soon. ndinokuwona manje manje
See you later. ndichakuwona gare gare

Shona Love Words and Phrases

English Shona
I love you. ndinokuda
I miss you. ndakusuwa
Love you so much ndinokuda zvikuru
I want to see you. ndoda kukuwona
I love you with all my heart. Ndinokuda nemoyo wangu wese.
I love you too. Ndokudawo
I want to see you. Ndoda kukuwona
I like you. ndinokufarira
You are beautiful. wakanaka
My love. mudiwa
You look beautiful. wakanaka
My beautiful wife. mukadzi wangu akanaka
I miss you so much, darling. Ndakusuwa zvakanyanya, mudiwa.
I need you. ndinokuda
You will miss me. uchandisuwa
Goodbye, my love. sara mshue, mudiwa
See you tomorrow. tozoonana mangwana
I will marry you. ndichakuroora
I want some space. ndinoda nzvimbo
I need your love. ndinoda rudo rwako
You are mine. uriwangu

Directions in Shona

English Shona
Where are you? urikupi
Where did you go? waenda kupi
Where do you live? unogara kupi
Where are you going? urikuebda kupi
Where were you? wanga urikupi

Common Questions in Conversations in Shona

English Shona
How much? zvingani
How are you feeling? urikunzwa sei
How have you been? wanga uri sei
What is your name? nguabni ibizo lakho
What are you doing? urikuitei
What are you cooking/eating? urikibikei/urikudyei
Are you okay, dear? uri kunzwa mushe here
When are you coming? unouya rinhi
How was your night/day? Husiku/masikati wange wakadii?
How are you doing? Wakadii hako
How is your family? Makadii mhuri yenyu
How was your day? Zuva rako ranga rakadii
What is wrong? chii chakaipa
What do you mean? unorevei
How's the weather over there? Mamiriro ekunze ari sei ikoko?
Have you gone to church? Waenda kukereke here?
What is this? Ichi chii?
What's going on? Chii chirikuitika?
Are you listening? Urikuteerera here?
Have you heard? Wakambonzwa here?
Can I go home? Ndingaenda kumba here?
Can I ask something? Ndingabvunza chimwe chinhu?
How is everything? Zvinhu zvese zviri sei?
What’s your phone number? Nhamba yako yefoni ndeipi?

Everyday Conversations in Shona

English Shona
Happy birthday zuva rakanaka rokuberekwa
Thank you ndinotenda
I am sorry ndiregere
You are welcome. tinokugamuchira
Me too! neni
God bless you. mwari vakukomborere
May god protect you. mwari vakuchengete
She is happy. anofara
Please help me. ndibatsire
I don't know. andizive
I will come tomorrow. ndinouya mangwana
Come here! wuya kuno
Feel at home. uzizwe usekhaya
Be blessed. mwari vakukomborere
I am coming soon. ndinouya izozo
Excuse me. ruregerero
Leave me alone. siyana neni
It is okay. kwakanaka
I am going home. ndirikuenda kumba
I don't want. andidi
Love is a beautiful thing. rudo chinhu chakanaka
Let me try. ndinoda kuyedza
Welcome home. tinokugamuchira kumusha
I reached home safely. ndaswika kumusha
God is good. mwari vakanaka
I don't understand. andinzwisisi
We are happy to see you. tinofara kukuwonai
I have it. ndinacho/ndinayo
Rest in peace. urare murunyararo
I don't have money. andina mari
I am done. ndapedza
I am going to the shop. ndirikuyenda kuzwitoro
Happy new year. gore ritswa rakanaka
Bad manners. mayitiro akaipa
Stop using your phone. siyana nefoni
I need a favour, please. ndinoda rupatsiro
Haven’t seen you for ages. nguva yakarepa ndisingakuone
Great to see you again. tafara kukuona
I really appreciate it. ndinotenda
You made my day. wandifadza nhasi
No problem. zvakanaka

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