Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Family-Members

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ShonaVocabulary0 to A1 Course → Family and Relationships → Family Members

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Welcome to the family members lesson in our Complete 0 to A1 Shona Course! In this lesson, we will learn the Shona words for various family members and how to talk about your family.

Family is an important part of Shona culture, and there are many specific terms for different family members. Understanding these terms will help you communicate more effectively with native Shona speakers and gain insights into the culture.

Let's get started!


After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Animals & Ordering at a Restaurant.

Shona Vocabulary - Family Members[edit | edit source]

Here are the most common words for family members in Shona:

Note: Ɀ ɀ [commonly "-zv"], Ȿ ȿ [ commonly "-sv"] are whistled sibilants, videos may be necessary for proper pronunciations) Note: ɗ [commonly "d" (NOT dh)], is soft-click, videos may also be necessary for proper pronunciations) Note: Ɓ ɓ [commonly "b"], is an implosive "popping" letter, videos may be necessary for proper pronunciations)
Shona Pronunciation English
General terms
Mhuri mm-hoo-ree family
Hama ha-ma relatives
Dzinza dzee-nza bloodline, line of descent
Tateguru ta-te-goo-roo male ancestor tate means father in Shona
Teteguru te-te-goo-roo female ancestor tete means aunt in Shona
Sekuru; Tatemukuru se-koo-roo grandfather
Ambuya; Gogo ah-mm-boo-ya; go-go grandmother
Sekurwana se-koo-rua-na uncle older than yourself
Mukororo moo-ko-ro-ro son
Murumbwana moo-room-bua-na son; a boy whom a woman breastfed
Mwanakomana moo-ah-na-ko-ma-na baby boy term of endearment by parent
Mukunda moo-koon-da daughter
Mwanasikana moo-ah-na-see-ka-na baby girl term of endearment by parent
Muzukuru moo-zoo-koo-roo nephew; neice
Hanzvadzi ha-nɀa-dzee (WHISTLED) sibling(s)
Hanzvadzisikana

(also hanzvadzikadzi)

ha-nɀa-dzee-see-ka-na

(ha-nɀa-dzee-ka-dzee)

female sibling(s); sister
Taita (also sisi) Ta-ee-ta (see-see) sister (of any age)
Wakoma (also Makoma) wa-k-ma (ma-ko-ma) older sister
Murongoti moo-ron-go-tee sister (as referred by brother) very old Shona.
Hanzvadzidoko ha-nɀa-dzee-ɗo-ko (SOFT CLICK) younger sibling(s)
Munin'ina moo-neeng-ee-na younger sibling of the same sex a girl would call her younger sister munin'ina

but, a guy would call his younger brother munin'ina

Munun'una moo-noong-oo-na younger sibling of the opposite sex a girl would call her younger brother munun'una

but, a guy would call his younger sister munun'una

Hanzvadzikomana

(also hanzvadzirume)

male sibling; brother
Mukoma (also bhudhi) moo-ko-ma, (boo-dee) older brother
Mwana moo-ah-na child also note, that the children of one's aunt are your children
Kazi ka-zee cousin (from English) Shona does not do cousins, but this term can be used.
Paternal family
Baba (also Bambo, Tate) father
Bambo uncles, in general it means "fathers"

father's brothers are also your father

Babamukuru (Ba'mkuru) older brother of one's father meaning "older father"
Babamunini (Ba'munini)

(also babamudiki)

younger brother of one's father meaning "younger father"
Tete
  • babakadzi; bambomukunda
  • sangadzi, samukadzi)
aunt; your father's sisters

"female father"

father's sisters have a strong role in Shona families

Sa- is a prefix for men

  • (whereas Nya- is usually used for women)
Amai the female child of your mother's brother
Maternal family
Amai mother
Maiguru older sister of mother meaning "older mum"
Mainini younger sister of mother meaning "younger mum"
Sekuru or Samukuru mother's brothers this is because children of the mother belong to the father's side
  • by using "sekuru" for mother's brother it puts that blood distance


Talking About Family in Shona[edit | edit source]

Now that we know the words for different family members, let's learn how to use them in sentences.

Introducing Your Family[edit | edit source]

Here's an example conversation:

Shona: Ndini Tinashe. Zita ravakadzi rangu Anesu, zita ra baba vangu Gift, nezita raamai vangu Nomatter. English: I am Tinashe. My daughter's name is Anesu, my father's name is Gift, and my mother's name is Nomatter.

Some other helpful phrases for introducing your family:

  • Ini ndiri mwana weGift. (I am Gift's child.)
  • Imai yangu vanonzi Nomatter. (My mother's name is Nomatter.)
  • Baba vangu vanonzi Tapiwa. (My father's name is Tapiwa.)

Asking About Someone's Family[edit | edit source]

If you want to ask someone about their family, you can use the following questions:

  • Vana vako vari kune? (Do you have children?)
  • Vana vako vanoshanda here? (Do your children work?)
  • Unonzwa Here nevana vako? (How are your children?)

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

Family is an incredibly important part of Shona culture, and the family unit extends beyond immediate family members. Extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, are considered just as important as immediate family.

When a Shona person greets someone, it is common to ask about their family as a way of showing interest and concern. Being part of a family is seen as a source of pride, support, and identity. It is also traditional for younger family members to show respect to their elders by using specific titles such as amai (mother) and sekuru (grandfather).

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we learned the Shona words for different family members and how to talk about your family. Through understanding these words and phrases, we can gain valuable insights into Shona culture and communicate more effectively with native speakers. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be able to talk about your family in Shona with ease!


With this lesson finished, you may want to explore these additional pages: How to say Good Bye? & Express Surprise.

Table of Contents - Shona Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Shona


Greetings and Introductions


Nouns and Pronouns


Numbers and Time


Verbs and Tenses


Family and Relationships


Adjectives and Adverbs


Food and Dining


Prepositions and Conjunctions


Travel and Transportation


Shona Culture and Traditions


Asking Questions


Shopping and Money


Music and Dance


Videos[edit | edit source]

Ep5 || How to read and speak Shona for kids|| Family members ...[edit | edit source]

8 IMPORTANT SHONA FAMILY WORDS YOU SHOULD KNOW ...[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]


Sources[edit | edit source]


Shona Pronunciation English
baba bah-bah father
amai ah-mah-ee mother
mwana m-wah-nah child
mwana wamai m-wah-nah wah-mah-ee mother's child
mwana wababa m-wah-nah wah-bah-bah father's child
Tsano ts-a-no brother-in-law or sister-in-law
mwana m-wah-nah grandchild
sekuru seh-koo-roo grandfather
Mbuya m-b-u-ya grandmother
mukwasha mook-wah-shah son-in-law (husband of daughter)
munyai moo-nye-eye marriage negotiator
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