Greetings and politeness in Shona
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Shona words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Shona phrases in this lesson
- Mhoroim-HOH-roy
- Hello
- Mangwananimahn-gwah-NAH-nee
- Good morning
- Manherumah-NHEH-roo
- Good evening
- Chisarai zvakanakachee-sah-RAI zvah-kah-NAH-kah
- Goodbye
- Tichaonanatee-cha-oh-NA-na
- See you
- Ndapotan-dah-POH-tah
- Please
- Ndatendan-dah-TEN-dah
- Thank you
- Hapana dambudzikohah-PAH-nah dahm-boo-DZEE-koh
- You're welcome
- Ndine urombon-DEE-neh oo-ROHM-boh
- Sorry
- Pamusoroipah-moo-soh-ROY
- Excuse me
- Ndafara kusangana nemin-dah-FAH-rah koo-sahn-GAH-nah NEH-mee
- Nice to meet you
The polite hello, plural for respect. To a friend: "mhoro" (m-HOH-roh).
Used until about midday. The reply is "mangwanani" back, then a round of questions about how everyone slept.
The evening greeting.
Literally "stay well", said by the one leaving.
Literally "we will see each other". Chisarai zvakanaka is the polite goodbye.
Literally "I beg".
Literally "I am thankful". "Maita basa" (mah-EE-tah BAH-sah), you have done work, is the warm, polite version.
Literally "there is no problem".
Literally "I have sorrow", the real apology.
Literally "on your head", the polite way to interrupt or pass.
Literally "I am glad to meet you".