Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Days-of-the-Week

Shona Vocabulary - Days of the Week

Hi Shona learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn the days of the week in Shona language. We will also share some interesting cultural and historical facts related to the days of the week. By the end of the lesson, you will be able to use the days of the week in conversation and gain a deeper understanding of Shona culture. Don't forget to practice with native speakers on Polyglot Club and ask them any questions.

Importance of knowing the Days of the Week in Shona

Knowing the days of the week in Shona is important for communicating and scheduling events. It is particularly important when visiting Zimbabwe, where Shona is one of the official languages. The knowledge of the days of the week also helps you understand and appreciate the history and culture of the Shona people.

In the Shona culture, traditional naming ceremonies often include naming a child after the day of the week on which they were born. This tradition is thought to bring good luck and protection to the child.

Now, let's learn the days of the week.

Matinakutu - Days of the Week

In Shona, the seven-day week is referred to as "matinakutu". Each day of the week has a unique name with cultural and historical significance. Here are the days of the week in Shona:

Shona	Pronunciation	English
Muvhuro/Muvhunza	mu-vhoo-ro/mu-vhun-za	Monday
Chipiri	chi-pee-ree	Tuesday
Chitatu	chi-ta-too	Wednesday
China	chi-na	Thursday
Chishanu	chi-sha-noo	Friday
Mugovera	mu-go-ve-ra	Saturday
Svondo	s-von-do	Sunday

Pronunciation tip: Pay attention to the emphasis on the second syllable in each day of the week's name. The "a" sound is pronounced like the "u" in "sun".

Here are some interesting facts about the days of the week in Shona:

• The week used to start on a Thursday because the traditional Shona calendar had only seven days in a week. The calendar was based on the phases of the moon and was used for agricultural purposes. Thursday, the fifth day of the week, was considered to be the most powerful day because it was associated with the god of thunder and lightning, Mwari. Today, the calendar used in Zimbabwe is the Gregorian calendar, which starts on a Sunday.

• The names of the days of the week were derived from the Bantu language family. For example, "Muvhuro" and "Muvhunza" mean "beginning" or "start" - a reference to the start of the week.

Let's see the days of the week in context. Here is a dialogue between two people:

• Person 1: Jesi ndatoenda kumba mu-muvhuro. (I'm going home on Monday)
• Person 2: Ndavakupi Jesi? (Where do you live Jesi?)
• Person 1: Ndina kumba kwangu ku-Chitungwiza. (I live in my home in Chitungwiza)

Now that you know the days of the week in Shona, try practicing with a native speaker on Polyglot Club. You can also learn more Shona vocabulary on the Vocabulary page.

Let's end with a proverb, "Zvinoita matinakutu ichi, chinotinyadzisa pachokwadi." This means "Each day has a lesson it teaches us truly." By learning the days of the week in Shona, we gain insight into the customs and beliefs of the Shona people.

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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

• Colors
• Clothes
• Numbers
• Health
• Animals
• Languages
• Geography
• Food
• Drinks
• Express Surprise

Sources

• Learn the Days of the Week in Shona: A Complete Guide
• Shona calendar - Wikipedia
• Shona: Mazuva Evhiki (Days of the Week) Flashcards | Quizlet