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Tourist Get Around

Tourist / Visitor

Covers essential phrases a visitor needs to move around confidently, including asking for directions, understanding basic directional responses, finding transport, and asking about costs in shops and restaurants.

28 lessons 28 speaking exercises
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Journey outline

Your route to confident Shona

Work through these levels in order, at your own pace.

Level 1

Greetings

In the Shona language there are various greetings that can be used based on the time of day, how close you are to the person you're greeting i.e friends of the same age, and also if the person is younger or older than you.

9 lessons
1

Hesi / Mhoroi

This word is used when you are greeting someone regardless of the time of the day. You would use "hesi" when you are referring to one person or …

Target phrase: Hello
1 exercise
2

Mamuka sei

This is used as a respectful way of saying Good Morning. Mamuka directly translates to "you slept" and sei translates to "how?". This means you are basically asking …

Target phrase: Good Morning
1 exercise
3

Maswera Sei

This is a greeting that you would use from 12:00 going on into the night as it just means how was your day. "Maswera" directly translates to having …

Target phrase: Good Afternoon / Evening
1 exercise
4

Toonana

This is a phrase that you can use to say "goodbye" or "see you later" to someone and is usually used with someone that you know you'll see …

Target phrase: Goodbye / See you later
1 exercise
5

Murisei / Makadini/ Urisei

Makadini is more used when you are being introduced to someone in a formal setting, and you are the younger one or traditionally have a younger title than …

Target phrase: How are you?
1 exercise
6

Ndiri bho, ko imi?

This is the response to "how are you" with "ndiri bho" meaning "I'm good" (with "ndiri" directly translating to "I am" which is a way of being or …

Target phrase: I am fine, and you?
1 exercise
7

Ndokumbirawo

This is a way of saying please or may I please and then right after saying this you can mention what you are asking for. So if you're …

Target phrase: Please
1 exercise
8

Maita basa

This is a respectful way of thanking someone and you would use this either to thank someone for helping you, giving you something, or for a good service. …

Target phrase: Thank you
1 exercise
9

Muchitendei

This one is interesting because in the Shona language we don't have a direct way of saying "you're welcome", so instead you would say "muchitendei" which directly translates …

Target phrase: You're welcome
1 exercise

Level 2

Small Talk and Introductions

This includes key phrases phrases for introducing yourself, saying where you're from, and being able to start and carryout basic conversations with locals.

5 lessons
1

Munonzani / Unonzani?

If you are talking about someone who is older than you or someone who you want to show respect to, you would use "munonzani" to ask for their …

Target phrase: What is your name?
1 exercise
2

Ndinonzi / Zita rangu ndi

For context in the Shona language the above two of "ndinonzi" and "zita rangu ndi" are interchangeable and you can use either in any situation. The only difference …

Target phrase: My name is ...
1 exercise
3

Munobvepi / Unobvepi?

This is a common follow-up question after the basic introductions, which is often used to start or further a conversation. This is a chance to talk more about …

Target phrase: Where are you from?
1 exercise
4

Ndinobva ku ...

This is used to state where you come from. For example if you're from Norway you would say "ndinobva kuNorway" and then a good follow up question would …

Target phrase: I am from ...
1 exercise
5

Ndafara nekukuzivai

This directly translates to "I'm happy to know you", and is just a polite way of acknowledging that you're happy to know that person now. This is used …

Target phrase: Nice to meet you
1 exercise

Level 3

Getting Around

Covers essential phrases a you would need to move around confidently, including asking for directions, understanding basic directional responses, finding transport, and asking about costs.

7 lessons
1

Pamusoroi, ndokumbirawo rubatsiro

This is a polite phrase that you would use when asking someone for help, and this can be for directions or general help. Broken down "Pamusoroi" means "excuse …

Target phrase: Excuse me, please can you help me?
1 exercise
2

Mungazivawo kuti .... irikupi?

This is a respectful way of asking someone if they know where a certain location is, for example, you would say "mungazivawo kuti Belvedere irikupi"?. Which directly translates …

Target phrase: Would you know where ... is located?
1 exercise
3

Ndinosvika sei kutown?

This is a great phrase to use if you're exploring Zimbabwe and want to get to the heart of it, which is the town. While some more modern …

Target phrase: How do I get to town?
1 exercise
4

Kure kana kuti padhuze nepano?

This is used as a more casual way of asking if a certain place or location is far away or close to where you are. You would use …

Target phrase: Is it far or close to here?
1 exercise
5

Ichi / Icho / Izvo/ Izvi / imari?

Here is when you would use the different words: "Ichi" - for when you are pointing to or referring to one item that is close to you. "Izvi" …

Target phrase: How much is this?
1 exercise
6

Ayewa / Kwete

While these both mean no, ayewa is a more relaxed and less traditional way of saying it. "Kwete" is more used as a form of more in-depth Shona, …

Target phrase: No
1 exercise
7

Ehe / Hongu

Just like saying no, these two are the usual or more relaxed way of saying yes "ehe", followed by the more in-depth way of saying it "hongu".

Target phrase: Yes
1 exercise

Level 4

Emergencies and Help

Covers the key phrases you would need in case of emergency including asking for help, describing a problem and looking for police or hospitals.

7 lessons
1

Ndingawanepi pane chimbuzi?

While most people would understand if you simply said "ndingawanepi pane toilet", with the first part just meaning "where can I find", if you want to sound more …

Target phrase: Where can I find the toilet
1 exercise
2

Ndingawanepi panotengeswa chikafu?

This again just uses the first part you learned in the previous lesson and mixes it with a different question. For a word-by-word breakdown: • Ndingawane: I can …

Target phrase: Where can I find somewhere that sells food?
1 exercise
3

Ndarasika

This would be used if you are in a location where you maybe don't have a directional aid and need someone to either give you directions, or a …

Target phrase: I'm lost
1 exercise
4

Handisi kunzwisisa

This phrase can be used whether you are talking to someone older or younger and you're not understanding what they are telling you. They would then either repeat …

Target phrase: I do not understand
1 exercise
5

Munotaura chirungu?

This is a respectful way of asking if someone speaks English, and then someone will either say "ayewa" which we have learnt means no, or they will start …

Target phrase: Do you speak English?
1 exercise
6

Pamusoroi, mungakawanisa wo kundibatsira?

This is a respectful way of asking someone if they are able to help you. Broken down: "Pamsoroi" - excuse me (adding -i transforms it from a casual …

Target phrase: Excuse me, would you be able to help me?
1 exercise
7

Handiskuda

If you find yourself either being pushed to agree to something, and you don't want to be in that situation you would just firmly say this statement. This …

Target phrase: I don't want
1 exercise