Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of modern Zimbabwean expressions
All Words(358 words)
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"
(v.) To mess up, flop, or break something you shouldn’t have. To be at fault; the blame that lands on your head.
Kana ukabhaiza, everyone in the group chat suddenly becomes an auditor. Severity range: from burning sadza to crashing your cousin’s Honda Fit. Automatic soundtrack “It wasn’t me …” 🎶 - but yes, it was you.
"Apa wakabhaiza wangu, ungatuke momz?"
"You really messed up big time, insulting your mother?"
To go hard; to grind; to push relentlessly toward a goal or task.
"Mukoma, kana usinga hadhire, mari haizouya."
"Bro, if you don’t go hard, the money won’t come."
Word of the Day
See moreTrouble / Tight situation / Difficult situation / Hopeless situation / It's over
“Zvadhakwa izvi, hapana yekutamba, mari yako yatoenda”