Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of modern Zimbabwean expressions
Word of the Day
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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?"
Matches or lighter used to spark a cigarette, blunt or fire.
Your fire-starter: a box of matches or a pocket lighter. Without gwenya, that fresh mogo (cigarette) is just a fancy toothpick. Pro-tip: Carry a spare gwenya, nothing ruins a chill session like the “Who’s got fire?” scramble.
"Une gwenya here? Mogo yangu yadzima."
"Got a light? My cigarette just gone out."
A cigarette, usually a single stick rather than a full pack.
Contemporary substitute for the actual term "fodya". Informal, youth-to-middle-age vernacular; used at kombi ranks, shebeens, clubs, bottle stores. Rarely heard in formal Shona.
"Ndikatirewo mogo wangu"
"Can you cut me some draws from your cigarette, my guy?"