Language/Shona/Grammar/Pronouns
Hi Shona learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on Shona pronouns. Understanding pronouns is essential to speaking and writing fluently in any language. Pronouns are words that describe or replace a noun. Instead of repeating the same noun over and over, we use pronouns to make our language more concise and effective.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Learn about Gender in Shona Grammar, Adjectives and Adverbs, Connecting Sentences & Conditional Mood.
Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Personal pronouns refer to people or things. There are six personal pronouns in Shona. They are:
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ndini | /ⁿdiːni/ | I |
| Wewe | /ⁿwewe/ | You (singular) |
| Iye | /ⁿije/ | He / She / It |
| Tinotenda | /tiːnoːtẽnda/ | We |
| Munotenda | /muːnoːtẽnda/ | You (plural) |
| Vanoziva | /vanoːziva/ | They |
Here are some examples of how to use personal pronouns in sentences:
- Ndini farai? (Where am I?)
- Wewe unodada here? (Are you tired?)
- Iye anovhunduka. (He/She is sleeping.)
- Tinotenda Mwari. (We thank God.)
- Munotenda zvikuru. (You are grateful.)
- Vanoziva chirwere chechiShona chetenzi kwazvo. (They know the best Shona slang.)
Demonstrative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to specific people or things. In Shona, there are four demonstrative pronouns. They are:
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Iyi | /ⁿiji/ | This (singular) |
| Iyo | /ⁿijo/ | That (singular) |
| Inhema / Nezvema | /ⁿiːnhe̝ma nezve̝ma/ | These / Those (plural) |
Here are some examples:
- Iyi chikafu chinenge chemunhu. (This pumpkin looks like a person.)
- Iyo chiiko? (What's that?)
- Inhema yava nemavara ari mumaoko emunhu. (These bananas are in the person's hands.)
- Nezvema zvikoro zvapera. (Those schools are finished.)
Possessive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Possessive pronouns show ownership or possession of something. In Shona, there are five possessive pronouns.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rangu | /rangu/ | My |
| Rwako | /ruwako/ | Your (singular) |
| Rakadaro | /rakadaro/ | His / Hers / Its |
| Ratinotenda | /ratinoːtẽda/ | Our |
| Renu | /renu/ | Your (plural) |
| Revanoziva | /reve̝vanoːziva/ | Their |
Here are some examples:
- Rangu mhuka. (My goat.)
- Rwako muridzi wako. (Your farmer.)
- Rakadaro mushonga wavo. (His/Her/Its medicine.)
- Ratinotenda Shona yedu. (Our Shona language.)
- Renu matengenyika. (Your countries.)
- Revanoziva zvatakaita zvinodhura moyo. (Their actions hurt us.)
Interrogative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. In Shona, there are four interrogative pronouns. They are:
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nani | /nani/ | Who |
| Vani | /vani/ | Whose |
| Ndiani / Vakadzi vapi | /ⁿdiːani vakadzi vapi/ | Whom / Which (singular) |
| Nzvimbo here / Zvichinzi here | /ⁿdzvimbo here zvichiⁿzi here/ | Which (plural) |
Here are some examples:
- Nani akanga atanga simba racho? (Who started the fire?)
- Vani moto uyu? (Whose car is this?)
- Ndiani akanotengesa imbwa iyoyo? (Who sold this dog?)
- Vakadzi vapi vana saana? (Which women have children?)
- Nzvimbo here dzakasiyana masvondo? (Which places have different foods?)
Indefinite Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things in a general or unspecific way. In Shona, there are four indefinite pronouns. They are:
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Munhu / Munhu wese | /muːɲu muːɲu wese̝/ | Anyone / Everyone |
| Zvimwe / Zvipo | /zviːmwe̝ zvipo/ | Something / Anything |
| Kwauri / Kwavo | /kwaʊrɪ kwavo/ | Somewhere / Anywhere |
| Munorova / Muvhimi | /muːnoro̙va muvhimi/ | Someone / Everyone |
Here are some examples:
- Munhu ane simba redu. (Anyone has our strength.)
- Zvimwe zvinodhura moyo. (Something hurts my heart.)
- Kwauri kune nyama. (Somewhere there is meat.)
- Munorova unonzi chii? (What do you call someone?)
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Wewe wani? (/ⁿwewe u wani?/) (What is your name?)
- Person 2: Ndinodya sima. (/ⁿdiːnoʤa siːma/) (I eat cornmeal.)
- Person 1: Hooo, Ndini Farai. (/hoʊ, ⁿdiːni faˑraɪ/) (Oh, I am Farai.)
- Person 2: Tinotenda kuvhara. (/tiːnoːtẽnda ku͜uʋhara/) (We are happy to meet you.)
Practice Exercise[edit | edit source]
Translate the following sentences into Shona:
1. What is your favorite food? 2. Their car is very fast. 3. Somebody stole my money. 4. Which student is absent today? 5. Our house is big and beautiful. 6. I need to buy something for my mother. 7. Do you know who is visiting us today? 8. Everyone is welcome to the party. 9. I saw a group of people at the park. 10. Can you help me find my keys?
Sources[edit | edit source]
➡ 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. 😎
Videos[edit | edit source]
Learn Shona: Shona Language Possessive Pronouns and ...[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Adjectives
- How to Use Be
- Negation
- How to Use Have
- Gender
- Questions
- Plurals
- Give your Opinion
- Conditional Mood