Discover Contemporary Shona Slang
A community-driven dictionary of modern Zimbabwean expressions
All Words(355 words)
Deep poverty; broke-ness so certified even EcoCash sends “good luck” messages. Used to describe a person, place, or vibe that oozes “we’re barely scraping by, kukwangwaya last”
A state of serious poverty; being so broke even opportunity wears rags. Life tip: If someone calls your vibe chinenguvo, don’t clap back, clap up: chase that hustle and upgrade your animal hide to full-grain leather.
"Handina data, chinenguvo chakandisona, ndirikutoshandisa wifi yepa Latter Day Saints Church kuona musvasva"
"Zero data, poverty’s real: I’m just torching Latter Day Saints Church Wi-Fi to watch Brazzers."
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Safe
Okay, good, all clear. The verbal nod that says, “No worries, proceed.”
Mogo
A cigarette, usually a single stick rather than a full pack.
plan
(n.) A hustle blueprint, scheme, or last-minute fix. (v.) To sort something out MacGyver-style when resources = 0. If life gives you lemons and no sugar, plan means you still conjure Mazoe somehow.
Meke
Nope. Nah. Negative, Ghost Rider. A one-syllable slap to any yes-or-no question.
Kurisei?
Informal “How are things on your side?”