Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of Zimbabwean street lingo and ghetto speak
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All Words(365 words)
Give it a rest. Get a grip. Stop that. Cut it out. Get out of here. Knock it off. Quit it. Get lost.
Often shouted at one who’s clowning around, exaggerating, or crossing a small social line. Dismissive but not vulgar
"Miswa iwe! Apa wakudrawer nenyaya yako!"
"Come on, get outta here that story can’t be true!"
Get high
"Pakutoda kutopper bravery pakadai"
"That's when you need to get high"
Get high
"Itai plan boyz tiite kubaka rough"
"Let's make a plan guys and get high"
Marijuana, Cannabis, Weed
"Vakomana siyanai nekubhema dhobho, hazvina kunaka - vakadaro zvavo mufundisi vachienda kuchapero vasangana neboys dzichisunga danda."
"Guys, stop smoking weed, it's not good - the pastor said that while going to church and bumped into the boys rolling a joint."
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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.