Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of Zimbabwean street lingo and ghetto speak
All Words(371 words)
To steal / pinch / jack something that isn’t yours. Usually slick, often petty, but always frowned upon unless you’re the one scoring the loot.
Public Service Announcement 🛑 If you get caught “uchi bhozhongora masinhi” in Harare CBD, expect free doses of mucheka from the crowd. Stay honest, kids! Synonyms include bhosha, nyambita, simudza, tora, “five-finger discount”.
"Ukasiya phone yako pacharger vanokubhozhongora faster"
"Leave your phone charging and they’ll jack it with zero hesitation."
Bribing or the act of greasing someone’s hand to make bureaucracy magically disappear.
Public Service Announcement: Bribing may speed things up but so can a free tour of Chikurubi if you get caught. Choose your shortcuts wisely!
"Hapana kunzi parikuda kutonyora here kuti upihwe basa?"
"Didn't they say you need to bribe to get the job?"
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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.