Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of modern Zimbabwean expressions
All Words(364 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."
by chipsmasimba_2003 17 Jun 2025
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?"
by Admin 17 Jun 2025