Greetings
Mhoro / Mhoroi
MHO-ro / mho-RO-ee
Hello — the second form is for more than one person, or for politeness. Shona marks singular and plural in greetings and getting it right lands well.
Makadii?
ma-ka-DEE
How are you? Answer 'Ndiripo, makadiiwo' — I'm here, and you?
Maswera sei?
ma-SWE-ra say
How has your day been? The standard afternoon greeting. Zimbabweans greet properly before getting to the point, and skipping it reads as rude.
Social
Maita basa / Ndatenda
ma-EE-ta BA-sa / nda-TEN-da
Thank you. 'Maita basa' literally means 'you have done work' and is the warmer of the two.
Shamwari
sham-WA-ree
Friend. Used freely and warmly, including with people you have just met.
Zvakanaka
zva-ka-NA-ka
It's fine / it's good / all sorted. The universal sign-off.
Daily life
Marii?
ma-REE
How much? The question that opens every market transaction in Mbare.
Kombi
KOM-bee
The commuter minibus. Fares are called out by a conductor hanging from the door, and the route is the shout, not the sign.
Kiya-kiya
KEE-ya KEE-ya
Hustling, improvising, making a plan when the formal way is closed. The single most Zimbabwean word there is, and it describes an entire economy.
EcoCash
EE-ko-cash
Econet's mobile money, and the default way small amounts move. It runs ZiG and US dollar wallets separately, so ask which one you are being paid into.
Food
Sadza
SAD-za
Stiff white maize meal, eaten by hand with relish — greens, beans or meat. Lunch is built around it and 'have you eaten sadza?' means 'have you had a real meal?'
Emergency
999 · 112 · 993 · 994 · 995
Nine-nine-nine
999 is the general emergency line on a landline; 112 reaches emergency services from an Econet or Telecel mobile; 993 fire, 994 ambulance, 995 police.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.