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<div class="pg_page_title">Shona Grammar - Plurals</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">Shona Grammar - Plurals</div>
Hi Shona learners!😊<br>Learning [https://polyglotclub.com/language/shona Shona] Grammar can be a challenge, but it's also a great way to improve your language skills. In this lesson, we'll be looking at how to form plurals in Shona. __TOC__


== Overview ==
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/shona Shona] learners! 😊


In Shona, there are two main ways to form plurals: by adding a suffix or by reduplication. Let's take a look at each of these methods in more detail. Β 
In this lesson, we will learn how to form plurals in Shona. Like in many other languages, nouns can be singular or plural in Shona. The plural refers to more than one object or person. Having a good understanding of plurals is important to speak and write fluently in Shona. 😎


=== Suffixes ===
__TOC__


The most common way to form plurals in Shona is by adding a suffix. The suffix used depends on the noun's gender and the last letter of the noun. For example, if the noun ends in a vowel, the suffix -va is added. If the noun ends in a consonant, the suffix -vhu is added.


For example, the plural of ''mhuka'' (book) is ''mhukavhu'' (books). The plural of ''nyoka'' (snake) is ''nyokava'' (snakes). Β 
<span link>Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Gender|Learn about Gender in Shona Grammar]], [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Descriptive-Adjectives|Adjectives and Adverbs]], [[Language/Shona/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be|How to Use Be]] & [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion|Give your Opinion]].</span>
== Shona Plural Markers ==


=== Reduplication ===
To form the plural in Shona, we add a marker to the singular form of the noun. There are several plural markers in Shona, but we will focus on the most common ones.


Another way to form plurals in Shona is by reduplication. This means repeating the noun twice. For example, the plural of ''moto'' (fire) is ''motomoto'' (fires). The plural of ''mhuka'' (book) is ''mhukamhuka'' (books).
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun | Example|
| --- | --- | --- |
| -mhene | -mheni | bird, birds = muridzi, muridzi-mheni|
| -nwina | -nwinhi or -nwinwi | country, countries = nyika, nyika-nwinhi/nwinwi|
| -ma or -ama | -mazu, -ama or -ema | tree, trees = muti, mitema/mamuti|
| / around the stem | same stem | child, children = murungu, murungu/murungu|


It's important to note that reduplication is only used for certain nouns. It's not used for all nouns. Β 
Unlike in English, where we add "-s" or "-es" to form plurals, Shona plurals require a bit more memorization, but don't worry, with practice you will get used to them. πŸ˜‰


== Examples ==
== Nouns with irregular plural forms ==


Let's look at some examples of plurals formed using suffixes and reduplication.
Some Shona nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow the rules for plural markers. Here are some of them:


* ''moto'' (fire) β†’ ''motomoto'' (fires)
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun | Example |
* ''nyoka'' (snake) β†’ ''nyokava'' (snakes)
| --- | --- | --- |
* ''mhuka'' (book) β†’ ''mhukamhuka'' (books)
| huni | mvura | rain|
* ''mhando'' (road) β†’ ''mhandovhu'' (roads)
| munhu | vanhu | person, people|
* ''maziso'' (picture) β†’ ''mazisova'' (pictures)
| gomo | magomo | hill, hills|
| rugare | varugare | peace|


== Practice ==
Notice that there isn't a single rule that you can apply to every noun in Shona, so it's important to memorize them individually as you encounter them. πŸ€“


Now it's time to practice forming plurals in Shona. Try to form the plurals of the following words.
== Dialogue ==


* ''mupfumi'' (person)
Let's practice forming plurals in context!
* ''mugwagwa'' (tree)
* ''muzi'' (house)
* ''mucheche'' (child)
* ''mupiro'' (river)


Answers: Β 
* Person 1: Ndi-mi muridzi. (I am a bird breeder.)
* Person 2: Hesi rava muridzi? (How many birds do you have?)
* Person 1: Ndava muridzi-mheni mawiri. (I have two birds.)


* ''mupfumivhu'' (people) Β 
* Person 1: Munhu unogara kupi? (Where do you live?)
* ''mugwagwagwa'' (trees) Β 
* Person 2: Ndogara muHarare. (I live in Harare.)
* ''muzizi'' (houses) Β 
* Person 1: Iko kupa kunowanikwa kwakanaka ve-nwinhi? (Is life good in your country?)
* ''muchechevhu'' (children)
* Person 2: Ndiwohwohwohwokwakawanda kunowanikwa kwakanaka. (It depends on the country.)
* ''mupiropiri'' (rivers) Β 


To improve your [[Language/Shona|Shona]] [[Language/Shona/Grammar|Grammar]], you can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=111 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/shona/question questions]!
== Summary ==


<hr>If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.<br>Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
- To form the plural in Shona, we add a marker to the singular form of the noun.
- There are several plural markers in Shona, but we focused on the most common ones.
- Some Shona nouns have irregular plural forms that don't follow the rules for plural markers.
- It's important to memorize them individually as you encounter them.


Remember that repetition is key to mastering any language skill. Practice forming plurals with different nouns until you feel confident using them. To improve your [https://polyglotclub.com/language/shona Shona] [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=111 find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/shona/question questions]! You can also check the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language Shona language] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language/Grammar grammar] page in [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] for more resources.


==Related Lessons==
➑ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.<br>➑ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Β 
<span class='maj'></span>
==Sources==
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language Shona language - Wikipedia]
* [http://learn101.org/shona_plural.php Shona Plural | LEARN101.ORG]
Β 
{{#seo:
|title=Shona Grammar - Plurals
|keywords=Shona, plurals, grammar, markers, nouns, language
|description=Learn how to form plurals in Shona with examples and irregular forms. Improve your Shona grammar with this intermediate lesson.
}}
Β 
==Videos==
Β 
===Learn Shona: Shona plural and singular nouns (Huwandu) - YouTube===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiWSj-UREVM</youtube>
Β 
==Other Lessons==
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Pronouns|Pronouns]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Questions|Questions]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Questions|Questions]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Conditional-Mood|Conditional Mood]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Adjectives|Adjectives]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be|How to Use Be]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Gender|Gender]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Gender|Gender]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Adjectives|Adjectives]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Conditional-Mood|Conditional Mood]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion|Give your Opinion]]
* [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Pronouns|Pronouns]]


{{Shona-Page-Bottom}}
{{Shona-Page-Bottom}}
<span links></span>

Latest revision as of 21:04, 27 March 2023

Zimbabwe-flag-polyglotclub-Wiki.jpg
Shona Grammar - Plurals

Hi Shona learners! 😊

In this lesson, we will learn how to form plurals in Shona. Like in many other languages, nouns can be singular or plural in Shona. The plural refers to more than one object or person. Having a good understanding of plurals is important to speak and write fluently in Shona. 😎


Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Learn about Gender in Shona Grammar, Adjectives and Adverbs, How to Use Be & Give your Opinion.

Shona Plural Markers[edit | edit source]

To form the plural in Shona, we add a marker to the singular form of the noun. There are several plural markers in Shona, but we will focus on the most common ones.

| Singular Noun | Plural Noun | Example| | --- | --- | --- | | -mhene | -mheni | bird, birds = muridzi, muridzi-mheni| | -nwina | -nwinhi or -nwinwi | country, countries = nyika, nyika-nwinhi/nwinwi| | -ma or -ama | -mazu, -ama or -ema | tree, trees = muti, mitema/mamuti| | / around the stem | same stem | child, children = murungu, murungu/murungu|

Unlike in English, where we add "-s" or "-es" to form plurals, Shona plurals require a bit more memorization, but don't worry, with practice you will get used to them. πŸ˜‰

Nouns with irregular plural forms[edit | edit source]

Some Shona nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow the rules for plural markers. Here are some of them:

| Singular Noun | Plural Noun | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | huni | mvura | rain| | munhu | vanhu | person, people| | gomo | magomo | hill, hills| | rugare | varugare | peace|

Notice that there isn't a single rule that you can apply to every noun in Shona, so it's important to memorize them individually as you encounter them. πŸ€“

Dialogue[edit | edit source]

Let's practice forming plurals in context!

  • Person 1: Ndi-mi muridzi. (I am a bird breeder.)
  • Person 2: Hesi rava muridzi? (How many birds do you have?)
  • Person 1: Ndava muridzi-mheni mawiri. (I have two birds.)
  • Person 1: Munhu unogara kupi? (Where do you live?)
  • Person 2: Ndogara muHarare. (I live in Harare.)
  • Person 1: Iko kupa kunowanikwa kwakanaka ve-nwinhi? (Is life good in your country?)
  • Person 2: Ndiwohwohwohwokwakawanda kunowanikwa kwakanaka. (It depends on the country.)

Summary[edit | edit source]

- To form the plural in Shona, we add a marker to the singular form of the noun. - There are several plural markers in Shona, but we focused on the most common ones. - Some Shona nouns have irregular plural forms that don't follow the rules for plural markers. - It's important to memorize them individually as you encounter them.

Remember that repetition is key to mastering any language skill. Practice forming plurals with different nouns until you feel confident using them. To improve your Shona find native speakers and ask them any questions! You can also check the Shona language grammar page in Polyglot Club for more resources.

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

Sources[edit | edit source]

Videos[edit | edit source]

Learn Shona: Shona plural and singular nouns (Huwandu) - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]