Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of Zimbabwean street lingo and ghetto speak
All Words(371 words)
Masturbation - usually male, definitely solo, and 100 % guaranteed to respond “Seen” to every WhatsApp text mid-session.
Literal breakdown: mhandara = virgin, ruoko = hand “Virgin-hand.” DIY pleasure where the only partner is five fingers and a vivid imagination. Synonym rap-sheet: gweto / gwetembe – same crime, legal jargon. Five-star / five-a-side – five fingers doing teamwork. Bonyo-ponyo - because onomatopoeia never lies.
"Akanzi diet yake ndeye mhandararuoko since 2020 lockdown."
"He’s been on a masturbation-only diet since the 2020 lockdown."
Masturbation
"Vapfana vasingagone kunyenga basa nderekungorova bonyo-ponyo chete."
"Young guys who can't get a date just resort to masturbation."
Masturbation
"Vapfana vasingagone kunyenga basa nderekungodzipa mupostori chete."
"Young guys who can't get a date just resort to masturbation."
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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.