Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of Zimbabwean street lingo and ghetto speak
All Words(371 words)
Very good; very nice; excellent
Used to compliment something that looks good, feels good, or is of high quality. Informal and complimentary - most often used casually among friends.
- English equivalents: top quality, really nice, fire, solid
"Mapics manyama"
"Really good pics"
Sophisticated, classy, high-end; next-level in quality or style.
Vibe Used mostly to hype anything; outfit, event, sport, even a person
"Drip rako kwaakumberi, wakaribata kupi, Mupedgars?"
"Your fashion is high quality, where did you get it from, Mupedzanhamo?"
It's done and settled. Used when something has already happened and can't be changed or when a deal or goal is locked in. Like saying "that's that" (sadza rekuboarding) or "no going back now".
- Can be negative: something is lost or too late to fix.
- Can be positive: a win or deal is sealed, e.g. after scoring the winning goal.
- Popularised further by Kay Gee 40’s 2022 song Zvaendwa.
"Muridzi webhora aramba nebhora rake, zvaendwa. "
"The owner doesn't want with his football, game is over."
Chill. Cool down, relax, take several seats, basically “bro, chill!”
Like telling someone to gulp an entire refrigerator so they cool off from the inside out. Close synonym: miswa.
"- Ko sei uri kutypa mirabadada yemaparagraph mu group chat. Medza firiji iwe! - Tsano chimbomedzai firiji, bag ririkubuda manje manje"
"- Why you typing paragraphs in the group chat? Just chill! - Mate just relax, the money will be out soon"
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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.