Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of modern Zimbabwean expressions
All Words(354 words)
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?"
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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?”