Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of Zimbabwean street lingo and ghetto speak
All Words(371 words)
HIV/AIDS
Muzvezve is a colloquial Shona slang term used to refer to HIV/AIDS, often indirectly or euphemistically. Because of the stigma historically associated with HIV/AIDS, people may use this word instead of naming the illness openly.
The term carries a sensitive tone and should be used carefully, especially when speaking about someone’s health or death. It is not a formal medical term, but rather community/street slang.
"Vamwe vaiti akagonya nemuzvezve asi kuchibhezhi zvainzi aneTB"
"Some say he died of HIV/AIDS but the hospital said he had Tuberculosis"
HIV/AIDS
"Mbinga dziriko dzinozora vana musvebhere."
"There are some sugar daddies who infect young girls with HIV/AIDS."
Head
"Pese pandinenge ndine chibhebhi chinotanga chandipa offering."
"Whenever I'm with my girl, she always starts with giving me head."
Condom
"Sha ndakadhibha maCD pandakaenda kunoona bhebhi"
"I forgot to buy condoms when I went to see my chick."
Sleeping around
"Usatombomhanya zvako nekachimoko ako, kanorova via kadhumba."
"Don't mess around with that chick, she sleeps around."
Unprotected (raw) sex; doing it “as is” with zero barriers.
Root cheat-sheet: yekedero / yakadaro -> “as-is, untouched, au naturel.” Slice the first syllable and you get yeke = raw, no safety gear, straight-to-the-skin sex. Public Health PSA 🛡️: Yeke may feel VIP, but the after-party can include plus-ones named STI and Baby. Condomise or budget for nappies and ARVs, your call!
"Vamwe venyu munopinda yeke nekuti munoda zvekutester HIV nemaziso."
"Some of you go raw because you think eye-testing for HIV is a thing."
Engage in foreplay or slide straight into the main ride. Can range from hand-held temperature probe to full-throttle piston action.
“Check the oil.” 🛢️ Mechanics dip a stick to see if the engine’s slick. Humans? Same concept, just a different dipstick and a warmer engine. Safety advisory 🔧: Always top up with consent, keep lube levels optimal, and remember no glove, no warranty.
"Ndakatanga nekucheka oil ndisati ndananganisa"
"I started with foreplay before going for the main event."
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About Zimbabwean street lingo
Shona slang, also called street lingo, ghetto speak or ghetto talk, is the everyday language of Zimbabwe's townships. Ghetto youths in Harare, Chitungwiza and beyond keep inventing new words, mixing Shona with English, flipping words backwards and coining code words for things best not said out loud. Much of it spreads through Zimdancehall lyrics, kombi rides and WhatsApp groups long before it reaches any textbook.
shonaslang collects these words with their meanings, usage examples and pronunciations, written by the people who use them. Browse words A-Z, read the blog or add a word you know.