Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of modern Zimbabwean expressions
All Words(354 words)
(n.) A hustle blueprint, scheme, or last-minute fix. (v.) To sort something out MacGyver-style when resources = 0. If life gives you lemons and no sugar, plan means you still conjure Mazoe somehow.
A creative fix or scheme; to make things happen against the odds. Pro-tip: In Zim, if someone says “Ita ka plan,” translation = “Perform magic, fam.” Batteries not included.
"Sha, ita ka plan timbonakirwa weekend!"
"Mate, sort something out so we can have fun this weekend!"
Informal “How are things on your side?”
Quick sense: “How’s it over there?” or “How are things your side?” A casual, peer-to-peer way to kick off convo, think Shona version of “Sup?” or “How you holding up?” When to drop it: voice note to your boy paJoza, random call to cousin stuck “kumapfanya”, text to bae who blue-ticked you since Monday.
"Ehhh bro, kurisei? Ndanzwa mota yakabondera."
"Hey bro, how's it going? I hear the ride crashed "
Informal “What’s up?” / “How are you?”
The 21st-century Shona “sup?” that replaces "wakadii hako" with maximum brevity and zero vowels wasted. Promax-tip: Answer “wadii?” with anything from “bho-o” to a five-minute rant; the word asks zero follow-ups unless you choose drama.
"Wadii wangu? Parisei paden?"
"Sup, dude? How's home?"
Word of the Day
Trending Words
Safe
Okay, good, all clear. The verbal nod that says, “No worries, proceed.”
Mogo
A cigarette, usually a single stick rather than a full pack.
plan
(n.) A hustle blueprint, scheme, or last-minute fix. (v.) To sort something out MacGyver-style when resources = 0. If life gives you lemons and no sugar, plan means you still conjure Mazoe somehow.
Meke
Nope. Nah. Negative, Ghost Rider. A one-syllable slap to any yes-or-no question.
Kurisei?
Informal “How are things on your side?”