Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of Zimbabwean street lingo and ghetto speak
All Words(365 words)
Mother
"Wakaitirei momz yako paMother's Day?"
"What did you do for your mother on Mother's Day?"
A rapid sprint; to run at top speed.
(SPOH-roh) - noun / verb, high-speed slang. Meaning: a full-tilt sprint; to dash off at max velocity. Vibe: emergency exit energy - legs pick the gear before the brain finishes the sentence. Synonyms: bolt, take off, hit turbo, dust-cloud, mboza, shoes, tobo
"Ndakarova sporo pandakatona boys dzehuruworks ndichibva pabhawa."
"I sprinted when I saw robbers as I was coming from the bar."
Gangster
"Hautambe negunvost iro, rinokuputitsa."
"Don't mess with that gangster, he will mash you up."
Gang / Group / Crew
"Ini nemafia rangu kana tafunga kuita plan, hapana anotimisa."
"When my crew and I plan something, no one can stop us."
A thug, delinquent, or self-proclaimed gangster. Think of the dude who rocks a knock-off Balenciaga tracksuit, knows every shortcut out of the CBD, and calls shoplifting “zhet.”
A streetwise thug or wanna-be gangster; someone proud of their delinquent rep. PS: If someone brags “Isu ndisu magevha,” keep one eye on your wallet and the other on the exit, just in case their CV is legit.
"Ndakakura ndiri gevha"
"I grew up a thug"
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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.