Discover Contemporary Shona Slang

A community-driven dictionary of Zimbabwean street lingo and ghetto speak

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Homosexuality

All Words(365 words)

Apple iPhone

"Ko muchero 14 urikumboita marii mazuvano?"

"How much is the iPhone 14 going for these days?"

by Admin 17 Jun 2025

Prison / Jail

"Rasta vakavharirwa muzandom vabhosha masinhi epaden paMinister."

"Rasta was jailed for stealing stuff from a minister's house."

by Nesu-epic 17 Jun 2025

Police

"Ngonjo repaShamva ranetsa nekusunga vanhu vasina mhosva."

"The police at Shamva are notorious for arresting innocent people."

by Admin 17 Jun 2025

Steal

"Pane kashop kepaJoina City kakarohwa bosh nerimwe team."

"A shop at Joina City was robbed by another crew."

by Ruvimbo_24 17 Jun 2025

School

"Younger wakadzidza gwazh reChikanga Primary."

"Younger went to Chikanga Primary School."

by Nesu-epic 17 Jun 2025

Job / Career / Hustle

"Tirikupusha maworks baba kuti zvibude."

"We are working hard to make ends meet."

by Kudzi X 17 Jun 2025

Evening

"Pane irikuda kuitika nhelaz."

"Something is about to go down this evening."

by Kudzi X 17 Jun 2025

Noon / Afternoon

"Ndichauya paden nhasi skaten."

"I will come to the house this afternoon."

by Admin 17 Jun 2025

Morning

"Ndakamuka monaz ndine bhabharasi."

"I woke up this morning with a hangover."

by Nesu-epic 17 Jun 2025

Sister

"Sistran vangu vakaenda Joza"

"My sister went to South Africa."

by Admin 17 Jun 2025

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.

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