Language/Shona/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion

Shona Grammar - Give your Opinion

Hi Shona learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to express our opinions in Shona. We will go through some grammar rules and cultural details that will help you to better understand how opinions function in the Shona language. Remember that learning a language is not only about grammar, but also about understanding the culture that is behind it.

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Question Words & Plurals.

Giving your opinion using the verb “kuti”

One of the main verbs used in Shona to express opinions is “kuti”. It can be translated as “that” or “to be of the opinion that”. It is often used with a clause in which an opinion is expressed:

Shona	Pronunciation	English
Ndirikuti masvondo adhakwa.	/N-dírí-kú-tí má-svón-do a-dhák-wa/	"I think the pumpkin is ripe."
Handina kuti mhanza ino yakatopiswa.	/Han-dí-ná kú-tí n̩dá i-nó ya-ká-top-í-swá/	"I'm not under the impression that this is a new shirt."
Akati vanoda kuvhota kuitira kuti vakadaro vadzoke.	/A-kát-í ván-ó-dá ku-vhó-tá ku-tírá kútí vaka-dá-ró va-dz-ó-ké/	"She said that she would like them to vote so that those people can come back."

As you can see, “kuti” is followed by a clause that starts with a verb in the infinitive form (for example, “adzoke” and “kuvhota” in the examples above). The subject of this clause is often in the form of an object pronoun (for example, “vakadaro” in the example above).

In Shona, it is also possible to express an opinion without using a verb. This is done by using the particle “-inga” followed by a phrase that expresses the opinion:

Shona	Pronunciation	English
Nditaura zvanguwana, chete- inga uchida kunzwisa.	/N-dí-táu-rá zván-gú-wan-a, ché-te-éng-á u-chí-dá ku-nzwís-a/	"I’m saying very little: you just want to listen."
Saka mangwana- inga handisati ndatambura nekuti ndinotorima richo richo.	/Sák-á ma-ngwán-a-éng-á han-dí-sát-í n-dá-tám-bú-rá n-ek-ú-t-í n-dí-note-ri-má ríchó ríchó/	"So tomorrow - I have not suffered because I sleep well."

Here, the particle “-inga” is followed by a phrase that expresses the opinion (for example, “uchida kunzwisa” and “ndinotorima richo richo”). It is also possible to use the particle “-fa” instead of “-inga”. However, "fa" is rarer and is used more in colloquial language and is somewhat informal. Do not use "fa" in formal writing.

It's important to note that in Shona it is very common to express opinions indirectly, by using phrases such as:

• Ndirikunzwa kuti… ("I get the impression that...")
• Nditoda kuti... ("I would like...")
• Ndirikumbira kuti… ("I request that...")

Let's see some examples of how these phrases are used:

Shona	Pronunciation	English
Ndirikunzwa kuti dzimwe nguva mhepo dzinokonzeresa.	/N-dí-rí-kúnz-wá kútí dzim-wé n-gú-vá mhé-pó dzín-ó-kón-zer-és-á/	"I get the impression that sometimes the weather is unpredictable."
Nditoda kuti pano tiverenge zvinhu zviri digitali kana kuti pano tigonwa kune mashops.	/N-dí-tó-dá kútí pán-ó tí-vé-rén-gé z-vín-hú zví-rí dí-gí-tá-lí kán-á kútí pán-ó tí-gón-wá kú-né mà-shóps/	"I would like to read digital content here or buy books in shops."
Ndirikumbira kuti mamwe mapurisa ave kutaurirana.	/N-dí-rik-umb-ír-a kútí mà-mwé mà-pú-rís-á á-vé kú-táu-rír-án-a/	"I request that some police officers should communicate with each other."

Remember to use “-kuti”, “-inga” or “-fa” to express your opinions in Shona, depending on the context and the level of directness that you want to convey.

Expressing agreement and disagreement

When you want to express agreement or disagreement with someone's opinion in Shona, there are different phrases that you can use. Here are some examples:

Shona	Pronunciation	English
Handina kana kutadza kuronga kuti...	/Han-dí-ná kán-á ku-tá-dz-a ku-rón-gá kútí.../	"I don't even have to struggle to agree that..."
Ndini mukuru wesenior kreti watsva kuti handina kukuronga.	/N-dín-i mu-kú-rú wé-sén-yór kléti wá-ts-vá kútí han-dí-ná ku-kú-rón-gá/	"I'm the senior executive and I'm afraid I can't agree with you."
Ndiri mudhonzi hwako, zvatiri kuita inga hazvife, ndodya chikafu.	/N-dí-rí mu-dhónz-i hwá-kó, zvát-ír-í ku-ít-á éng-á hánz-vif-é, ndod-yá chiká-fú/	"I'm on your side, even if it's not a big deal, I'll eat anything."

In the examples above, “kutadza kuronga” means “to struggle to agree”, “wesenior kreti” means “senior executive” and “mudhonzi hwako” means “I'm on your side”. It's important to notice that “-kuti” is not always used in these cases, as the sentence can imply already an opinion. The context determines the correct use of “-kuti”.

You can also express agreement or disagreement indirectly, without using a verb. For example:

• Ndakutendai kuitira kuti... (“I appreciate it that...”)
• Handina kuita kana mwana uyu asina nzara. ("I can't agree with you that this child is not hungry.")
• Horaiti, zvinoita zvinouya nezvinotevera. ("Well, it seems that what happens is what was expected.")

Here are some examples:

Shona	Pronunciation	English
Ndingarirei kuitira kuti nhasi kana kunadzo wotadza kudya.	/N-ding-á-rir-é-i kútírá kútí n-hás-i kán-á kù-ná-dzó wo-tá-dzá ku-dy-á/	"I appreciate it if you didn't eat if you had lunch today."
Kana mufunge murume anongofamba nemakumbo kuna musikana anokura, iwe handina kuita kana kuremekedza.	/Kán-á mu-fung-é mù-rú-mé á-nóng-ó-fám-bá né-ma-kùm-bó ku-ná mu-síkán-á á-nók-ú-rá, íwé han-dí-ná ku-ít-á kàn-á ku-remek-édz-a/	"If you think a man walks with his feet to a girl who is taller, I can't agree or disagree."
Ndakutsvagirai kuti tiunze musi uyu."	/N-dá-ku-ts-vág-ir-á-i kú-tí tí-un-zé mú-sí u-yú/	"I'm looking forward to planning this day."

More examples of how to give your opinion

To finish, here are some more examples of how to give your opinion in different situations:

• Handitye zvangu kuti hwahwa kana kuti madzitateguru anowanikwawo shirikadzi. ("I'm not fond of pumpkin or sweet potatoes.")
• Hwindi hachisi chinhu chekuti. ("A Kombi driver is not a thing to trust.")
• Kana zviri kure neni, handisvike. ("If it's far from me, I don't go.")

Before closing, it's really important to practice with native speakers. You can find native Shona speakers on Polyglot Club. Don't hesitate to find native speakers and ask them any questions you may have about opinions in Shona!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• How to Use Have
• Negation
• Adjectives
• How to Use Be
• Questions
• Gender
• Pronouns
• Plurals

Sources

• Shona: A Comprehensive Guide (Paperback) | Hooked
• Shona language - Wikipedia
• English & Shona Phrasebook: Chirungu & Shona bhuku reShoko ...