Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Fruits

Shona Vocabulary - Fruits

Hi Shona learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about fruits. As you know, fruits are not only healthy but also delicious. Knowing the names of different fruits in Shona can help you communicate better with locals and also make it easier to shop for fruits in Shona-speaking regions. Let's get started!

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Numbers & Introducing Yourself.

Vocabulary

Below is a table with some common fruits in Shona:

Shona	Pronunciation	English
Mhunga	m̩̀ŋɡa	Banana
Mapudzi	ma̤'puðzi	Apple
Chimera	tʃɪmɛɾa	Pineapple
Masawu	məsaŵu	Orange
Vuta	vu'ta	Avocado
Chimwemwe	tʃimwe'mwe	Mango
Dende	dende	Pawpaw/papaya
Mufushwa	mufuʃwa	Grapefruit
Mupfura	mupfuɾa	Grape
Gwaranyemba	gwa'ɾaɲemba	Strawberry

In Shona, we use the word 'dovi' to refer to any fruit, even if we know the specific name of that fruit. For example, instead of saying "Where is the avocado?" we say "Where is the fruit?" However, it's always better to know the specific names so you can easily identify the fruit you want.

Dialogue

Here's a dialogue between two people buying fruits at a market:

• Person 1: Ndiri kuda mufushwa. (I want a grapefruit.)
• Person 2: Taera pahuweti nechaputsu nemufushwa. (Wait, let me get a bag of oranges and a grapefruit.)
• Person 1: Zvakanaka. (Okay.)
• Person 2: Ko vabuda nevatongi vedovi? (Where are the sellers of fruits?)
• Person 1: Vese vaenda kuendesa avi kumberi. (All of them are at the front.)

Interesting Facts

Did you know that the Shona people in Zimbabwe used to eat traditional fruits such as 'mutunhu' (wild loquat), 'haapfu' (devil's thorn fruit) and 'hacha' (marula)? They used to also use the fruit of the baobab tree to make a sour drink called 'mahewu'. Talking about baobab, it's called 'mhuka' in Shona, which literally means "the one that bursts." The reason is that its fruit can burst open with a loud noise when it falls onto the ground.

Conclusion

Learning the names of fruits in Shona is an essential part of language learning. You can impress locals with your knowledge, and also avoid confusion when buying or ordering fruits. Keep practicing and learning!

➡ 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. 😎

Sources

• Shona Vocabulary - Fruits
• English to Shona Meaning of fruit - muchero

Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Education & Asking for Directions.

Other Lessons

• Geography
• Days of the week
• Express Surprise
• How to say Good Bye?
• Numbers
• Days of the Week
• Emergency
• Colors
• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Feelings and Emotions