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{| class="wikitable pg_template_nav"
|[[Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself|◀️ Introducing Yourself — Previous Lesson]]
|[[Language/Shona/Grammar/Personal-Pronouns|Next Lesson — Personal Pronouns ▶️]]
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{{Shona-Page-Top}}
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Shona|Shona]]  → [[Language/Shona/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Shona/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Noun Classes</div>
Welcome to this lesson on noun classes in the Shona language! Understanding noun classes is crucial for building a solid foundation in Shona grammar, as they play a significant role in sentence structure and meaning. In Shona, nouns are categorized into different classes based on their prefixes, and each class influences the form of verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech associated with the noun.


<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Shona|Shona]]  → [[Language/Shona/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Shona/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Nouns and Pronouns → Noun Classes</div>
In this lesson, we will cover:
 
* An overview of Shona noun classes
 
* Detailed explanations of each class with examples
 
* Usage of noun classes in sentences
 
* Practice exercises to reinforce your learning
 
By the end of this lesson, you will have a clearer understanding of how noun classes function in Shona, and you will be equipped with practical skills to construct basic sentences.


__TOC__
__TOC__


Shona is a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana. As we saw in the previous lesson, in Shona, the basic sentence structure is Subject-Verb-Object. In this lesson, we will learn about the Shona noun classes and how they affect the grammar of a sentence.
=== Overview of Noun Classes ===
 
In Shona, nouns are divided into several classes, each represented by a specific prefix. These classes not only categorize nouns but also determine the agreement with verbs and adjectives within a sentence. The primary noun classes in Shona are:
 
1. '''Class 1''': Singular animate beings (e.g., people)
 
2. '''Class 2''': Plural animate beings
 
3. '''Class 3''': Singular plants and some objects
 
4. '''Class 4''': Plural plants and some objects
 
5. '''Class 5''': Singular nouns starting with "mu-" (e.g., places)
 
6. '''Class 6''': Plural nouns starting with "m-" or "ma-"
 
7. '''Class 7''': Singular nouns starting with "chi-" (e.g., languages)
 
8. '''Class 8''': Plural nouns starting with "zvi-"
 
9. '''Class 9''': Singular nouns starting with "n-" (e.g., other objects)
 
10. '''Class 10''': Plural nouns starting with "dz-" or "z-"
 
Let's delve deeper into each of these classes.
 
=== Class 1: Singular Animate Beings ===
 
Class 1 is used for singular animate beings, primarily humans. The prefix is "mu-". Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| munhu || [ˈmunu] || person
 
|-
 
| mukadzi || [muˈkadzi] || woman
 
|-
 
| murume || [muˈrumɛ] || man
 
|-
 
| mwana || [ˈmwana] || child
 
|}
 
=== Class 2: Plural Animate Beings ===
 
Class 2 refers to the plural form of Class 1 nouns. The prefix is "va-". Examples include:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| vanhu || [ˈvanu] || people
 
|-
 
| vakadzi || [vaˈkadzi] || women
 
|-
 
| varume || [vaˈrumɛ] || men
 
|-
 
| vana || [ˈvana] || children
 
|}
 
=== Class 3: Singular Plants and Objects ===
 
Class 3 is for singular nouns referring to plants and certain objects, with the prefix "mu-". Examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| muti || [ˈmuti] || tree
 
|-
 
| mukaka || [muˈkaka] || milk
 
|-
 
| murwi || [muˈrwi] || fighter
 
|-
 
| mugwagwa || [muˈgwagwa] || road
 
|}
 
=== Class 4: Plural Plants and Objects ===
 
Class 4 is the plural form of Class 3 nouns, using the prefix "mi-". Examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| miti || [ˈmiti] || trees
 
|-
 
| mikaka || [miˈkaka] || milks
 
|-
 
| mirwi || [miˈrwi] || fighters


|-


<span link>Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Descriptive-Adjectives|Descriptive Adjectives]] & [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Common-Prepositions|Common Prepositions]].</span>
| migwagwa || [miˈgwagwa] || roads
== Noun Classes ==


In Shona, every noun belongs to a specific noun class, which determines the form of the noun in certain grammatical contexts, such as possessive constructions and agreement with adjectives and verbs. There are 18 noun classes in Shona, which are distinguished by singular and plural prefixes. The singular prefixes are used to indicate a single item or entity, whereas the plural prefixes indicate more than one.
|}


Here are some examples of singular and plural prefixes in Shona:
=== Class 5: Singular Nouns Starting with "mu-" ===
 
Class 5 covers singular nouns starting with "mu-", often places or things. Examples:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Class !! Singular Prefix !! Plural Prefix
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| musha || [ˈmuʃa] || home
 
|-
 
| munda || [ˈmunda] || field
 
|-
|-
| 1  || mu- || mi-
 
| mugodhi || [muˈɡoðɪ] || mine
 
|-
 
| mugove || [muˈɡove] || portion
 
|}
 
=== Class 6: Plural Nouns Starting with "m-" or "ma-" ===
 
Class 6 is the plural form of Class 5 nouns, prefixed with "ma-". Examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
|-
| 2  || va-  || ma-
 
| mashoko || [maˈʃoko] || words
 
|-
|-
| 3  || mu-  || mi-
 
| munda || [maˈmunda] || fields
 
|-
|-
| 4  || i-  || zi-
 
| magodhi || [maˈɡoðɪ] || mines
 
|-
|-
| 5  || li-  || ma-
 
| magove || [maˈɡove] || portions
 
|}
|}


As you can see, some noun classes have the same singular prefix but different plural prefixes (Classes 1 and 3), while others have different prefixes for both singular and plural forms (Classes 2, 4, and 5).
=== Class 7: Singular Nouns Starting with "chi-" ===
 
Class 7 is for singular nouns starting with "chi-", often referring to languages or objects. Examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| chingwa || [ˈt͡ʃiŋwa] || bread
 
|-
 
| chitema || [ˈt͡ʃitema] || blackness
 
|-
 
| chibage || [ˈt͡ʃibaɡe] || maize


Each noun class also has its own set of concords, which are used to agree with adjectives, verbs, and possessive constructions. The correct use of concords is important for sentence construction in Shona.
|-


Here are some examples of noun classes and their concords in Shona:
| chinyorwa || [ˈt͡ʃinyorwa] || document
 
|}
 
=== Class 8: Plural Nouns Starting with "zvi-" ===
 
Class 8 refers to the plural form of Class 7 nouns, prefixed with "zvi-". Examples:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Class !! Noun !! Adjective Concord !! Verb Concord !! Possessive Concord
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| zvingwa || [ˈzviŋwa] || breads
 
|-
|-
| 1  || munhu (person) || mu-, --, gwe || a-, ha-, -ye || a-, sa-, -ake
 
| zvitema || [ˈzvitema] || blacknesses
 
|-
 
| zvibage || [ˈzvibaɡe] || maizes
 
|-
 
| zvinyorwa || [ˈzvinyorwa] || documents
 
|}
 
=== Class 9: Singular Nouns Starting with "n-" ===
 
Class 9 includes singular nouns starting with "n-", often referring to objects or animals. Examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
|-
| 2  || vana (child) || va-, --, vavo || ba-, ha-, -vavo || va-, sa-, -vavo
 
| ngombe || [ŋombe] || cow
 
|-
|-
| 3  || musikana (girl) || mu-, --, gake || a-, ha-, -gake || a-, sa-, -gake
 
| nyoka || [ˈɲoka] || snake
 
|-
|-
| 4  || imba (house) || i-, --, yake || ya-, ha-, -yake || ya-, sa-, -yake
 
| nhamo || [ˈn̪hamo] || poverty
 
|-
|-
| 5  || chema (lie) || che-, --, chavo || cha-, ha-, -chavo || cha-, sa-, -chavo
 
| nhandare || [ˈn̪handare] || stadium
 
|}
|}


Note that the concords for adjectives, verbs, and possessive constructions depend on the noun class of the subject. For example, if the subject is "munhu" (person), the adjective concord is "mu-", which means that the adjective must begin with "mu-" as well, such as "mukuru" (big), "murume" (man), or "mukadzi" (woman). Similarly, the verb concord for "munhu" is "a-", "ha-", or "-ye", depending on the tense and aspect of the verb, as well as the mood and voice of the sentence. The possessive concord for "munhu" is "a-", "sa-", or "-ake", depending on the possessor and the syntactic role of the possessed item.
=== Class 10: Plural Nouns Starting with "dz-" or "z-" ===


Here are some examples of complete sentences using different noun classes and their concords in Shona:
Class 10 is the plural form of Class 9 nouns, starting with "dz-" or "z-". Examples:


* Munhu mukuru anorara. (The big person is sleeping.)
{| class="wikitable"
* Vana vavo vakurasika pakarepo. (Their children are playing outside.)
* Musikana gake akarohwa. (Her girl was beaten.)
* Imba yake yakura. (His/her house is big.)
* Chema chavo chiri pamaoko. (Their lie is obvious.)


As you can see, the concords follow the noun class of the subject, and they must be used consistently throughout the sentence.
! Shona !! Pronunciation !! English


== Conclusion ==
|-


In Shona, noun classes play a crucial role in sentence construction and agreement with adjectives, verbs, and possessive constructions. As we saw in this lesson, each noun class has its own set of singular and plural prefixes, as well as concords that must be used correctly to form grammatically correct sentences. With practice, you can become familiar with the different noun classes and their concords, and use them to express yourself fluently in Shona.
| dzombe || [dzombe] || cows


|-
| dzoka || [ˈdzokə] || snakes
|-
| dzinhamo || [ˈdzin̪hamo] || poverties
|-
| dzindare || [ˈdzindare] || stadiums
|}
=== Usage of Noun Classes in Sentences ===
Understanding noun classes is not just about memorizing prefixes; it's about how they interact within sentences. Shona nouns affect verbs, adjectives, and pronouns through agreement. Here are a few examples:
1. '''Class 1 Example''': Munhu uyu anogara muHarare. (This person lives in Harare.)
2. '''Class 2 Example''': Vanhu vazhinji vanoda kudya. (Many people like to eat.)
3. '''Class 3 Example''': Muti uyu unotumbuka. (This tree grows tall.)
4. '''Class 4 Example''': Miti yacho inogadzirwa nekuchenjera. (Those trees are made with care.)
5. '''Class 5 Example''': Musha wangu unofadza. (My home is pleasant.)
6. '''Class 6 Example''': Mashoko aya anonyatsobuda. (These words come out clearly.)
7. '''Class 7 Example''': Chingwa chakanaka. (The bread is good.)
8. '''Class 8 Example''': Zvingwa zvese zvakatengwa. (All breads were bought.)
9. '''Class 9 Example''': Ngombe yangu inotamba. (My cow is playing.)
10. '''Class 10 Example''': Dzombe dzakawanda dziri muparadhiso. (Many cows are in the paradise.)
=== Practice Exercises ===
Now that we've covered the noun classes, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to practice what you've learned.
=== Exercise 1: Identify the Noun Class ===
For each noun given, identify the noun class it belongs to.
1. munhu
2. vanhu
3. muti
4. miti
5. musha
6. mashoko
7. chingwa
8. zvimwe
9. ngombe
10. dzombe
'''Answers:'''
1. Class 1
2. Class 2
3. Class 3
4. Class 4
5. Class 5
6. Class 6
7. Class 7
8. Class 8
9. Class 9
10. Class 10
=== Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks ===
Fill in the blanks with the correct noun class prefix.
1. ___ (person) anogara muZimbabwe.
2. ___ (people) vazhinji vanoshanda.
3. ___ (tree) yakakwirira.
4. ___ (trees) dziri mumunda.
5. ___ (home) yangu inotonhorera.
6. ___ (homes) dzakagadzirwa.
7. ___ (bread) rinotapira.
8. ___ (breads) zvakatengwa.
9. ___ (cow) yangu inofara.
10. ___ (cows) dziri mumunda.
'''Answers:'''
1. munhu
2. vanhu
3. muti
4. miti
5. musha
6. mashoko
7. chingwa
8. zvichingwa
9. ngombe
10. dzombe
=== Exercise 3: Complete the Sentences ===
Complete the following sentences using the correct noun class and verb form.
1. ___ (mwana) anoda ___ (mukaka).
2. ___ (vana) vanoda ___ (mukaka).
3. ___ (mugwagwa) uri ___ (mukaka).
4. ___ (migwagwa) iri ___ (mukaka).
5. ___ (musha) wangu unogadzirwa ___ (mukaka).
'''Answers:'''
1. Mwana anoda mukaka.
2. Vana vanoda mukaka.
3. Mugwagwa uri murefu.
4. Migwagwa iri mikuru.
5. Musha wangu unogadzirwa nemazvo.
=== Exercise 4: Matching Exercise ===
Match the nouns with their respective classes.
| Column A        | Column B    |
|------------------|-------------|
| 1. chingwa      | A. Class 1  |
| 2. vanhu        | B. Class 4  |
| 3. mugwagwa      | C. Class 7  |
| 4. miti          | D. Class 6  |
| 5. ngombe        | E. Class 9  |
'''Answers:'''
1 - C, 2 - A, 3 - D, 4 - B, 5 - E
=== Exercise 5: Create Your Sentences ===
Using the noun classes, create sentences using the following nouns:
1. chingwa
2. mugwagwa
3. mwana
4. munda
5. ngombe
'''Sample Answers:'''
1. Chingwa chakatengwa.
2. Mugwagwa uri murefu.
3. Mwana anofarira kutamba.
4. Munda uyu unogadzirwa.
5. Ngombe dzinotamba.
=== Exercise 6: Translation Exercise ===
Translate the following sentences into Shona.
1. The bread is fresh.
2. The people are happy.
3. Those trees are beautiful.
4. My cow is big.
5. Many homes are built.
'''Answers:'''
1. Chingwa chiri chitsva.
2. Vanhu vari kufara.
3. Miti iyoyo inoyevedza.
4. Ngombe yangu huru.
5. Homes dzakawanda dzinovakwa.
=== Exercise 7: Identify the Verb Agreement ===
Identify the correct verb agreement for the following nouns.
1. munhu (Class 1)
2. vanhu (Class 2)
3. muti (Class 3)
4. miti (Class 4)
5. mukaka (Class 5)
'''Answers:'''
1. munhu anoda
2. vanhu vanoda
3. muti unokura
4. miti inobudisa
5. mukaka unotapira
=== Exercise 8: Multiple Choice ===
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1. What is the plural of "mwana"?
* A. vana
* B. vanhu
* C. mitambo
2. Which class does "ngoma" belong to?
* A. Class 5
* B. Class 6
* C. Class 7
'''Answers:'''
1. A
2. A
=== Exercise 9: Sentence Correction ===
Correct the sentences where necessary.
1. Miti inokura.
2. Vanhu vazhinji anoda kudya.
3. Chingwa dzakaenda.
4. Ngombe yangu inofara.
'''Answers:'''
1. Correct
2. Vanhu vazhinji vanoda kudya.
3. Chingwa chakapindwa.
4. Correct
=== Exercise 10: Write a Paragraph ===
Write a short paragraph using at least five different noun classes. (Your answer may vary.)
'''Sample Answer:'''
Mwana anogara muHarare. Vanhu vazhinji vanoshanda muHarare. Miti yacho inobudirira. Musha wangu unotonhorera. Ngombe yangu inofara.
In conclusion, mastering noun classes is a stepping stone to fluency in Shona. They not only classify nouns but also influence the rest of the sentence, making it an integral part of grammar. Keep practicing, and you will find yourself getting more comfortable with these concepts as you progress.


<span link>With this lesson finished, you may want to explore these additional pages: [[Language/Shona/Grammar/Past-Tense|Past Tense]] & [[Language/Shona/Grammar/The-Shona-Alphabet|The Shona Alphabet]].</span>
{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Shona Grammar → Nouns and Pronouns → Noun Classes
 
|keywords=Shona, Shona language, Shona grammar, Nouns and Pronouns, Noun classes, concords, sentence construction in Shona, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana
|title=Understanding Shona Noun Classes
|description=In this Shona lesson, you will learn about the Shona noun classes and how they affect the grammar of a sentence. You will also learn about concords and their importance in agreement with adjectives, verbs, and possessive constructions.
 
|keywords=Shona, noun classes, grammar, language learning, beginner Shona
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn about Shona noun classes and how they impact sentence structure and meaning.
 
}}
}}


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==Sources==
* [https://wisc.pb.unizin.org/lctlresources/chapter/shona-nominal-classes/ Shona Nominal Classes – Resources for Self-Instructional Learners ...]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language Shona language - Wikipedia]
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/333310894/Shona-Noun-Class-System Shona Noun Class System | PDF | Tone (Linguistics) | Grammar]
 




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==Sources==
* [https://wisc.pb.unizin.org/lctlresources/chapter/shona-nominal-classes/ Shona Nominal Classes – Resources for Self-Instructional Learners ...]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shona_language Shona language - Wikipedia]
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/333310894/Shona-Noun-Class-System Shona Noun Class System | PDF | Tone (Linguistics) | Grammar]


{{Shona-Page-Bottom}}
{{Shona-Page-Bottom}}
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<span pgnav>
{| class="wikitable pg_template_nav"
 
|[[Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself|◀️ Introducing Yourself — Previous Lesson]]
|[[Language/Shona/Grammar/Personal-Pronouns|Next Lesson — Personal Pronouns ▶️]]
|}
</span>

Latest revision as of 08:15, 2 August 2024

◀️ Introducing Yourself — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Personal Pronouns ▶️

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Shona → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Noun Classes

Welcome to this lesson on noun classes in the Shona language! Understanding noun classes is crucial for building a solid foundation in Shona grammar, as they play a significant role in sentence structure and meaning. In Shona, nouns are categorized into different classes based on their prefixes, and each class influences the form of verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech associated with the noun.

In this lesson, we will cover:

  • An overview of Shona noun classes
  • Detailed explanations of each class with examples
  • Usage of noun classes in sentences
  • Practice exercises to reinforce your learning

By the end of this lesson, you will have a clearer understanding of how noun classes function in Shona, and you will be equipped with practical skills to construct basic sentences.

Overview of Noun Classes[edit | edit source]

In Shona, nouns are divided into several classes, each represented by a specific prefix. These classes not only categorize nouns but also determine the agreement with verbs and adjectives within a sentence. The primary noun classes in Shona are:

1. Class 1: Singular animate beings (e.g., people)

2. Class 2: Plural animate beings

3. Class 3: Singular plants and some objects

4. Class 4: Plural plants and some objects

5. Class 5: Singular nouns starting with "mu-" (e.g., places)

6. Class 6: Plural nouns starting with "m-" or "ma-"

7. Class 7: Singular nouns starting with "chi-" (e.g., languages)

8. Class 8: Plural nouns starting with "zvi-"

9. Class 9: Singular nouns starting with "n-" (e.g., other objects)

10. Class 10: Plural nouns starting with "dz-" or "z-"

Let's delve deeper into each of these classes.

Class 1: Singular Animate Beings[edit | edit source]

Class 1 is used for singular animate beings, primarily humans. The prefix is "mu-". Here are some examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
munhu [ˈmunu] person
mukadzi [muˈkadzi] woman
murume [muˈrumɛ] man
mwana [ˈmwana] child

Class 2: Plural Animate Beings[edit | edit source]

Class 2 refers to the plural form of Class 1 nouns. The prefix is "va-". Examples include:

Shona Pronunciation English
vanhu [ˈvanu] people
vakadzi [vaˈkadzi] women
varume [vaˈrumɛ] men
vana [ˈvana] children

Class 3: Singular Plants and Objects[edit | edit source]

Class 3 is for singular nouns referring to plants and certain objects, with the prefix "mu-". Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
muti [ˈmuti] tree
mukaka [muˈkaka] milk
murwi [muˈrwi] fighter
mugwagwa [muˈgwagwa] road

Class 4: Plural Plants and Objects[edit | edit source]

Class 4 is the plural form of Class 3 nouns, using the prefix "mi-". Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
miti [ˈmiti] trees
mikaka [miˈkaka] milks
mirwi [miˈrwi] fighters
migwagwa [miˈgwagwa] roads

Class 5: Singular Nouns Starting with "mu-"[edit | edit source]

Class 5 covers singular nouns starting with "mu-", often places or things. Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
musha [ˈmuʃa] home
munda [ˈmunda] field
mugodhi [muˈɡoðɪ] mine
mugove [muˈɡove] portion

Class 6: Plural Nouns Starting with "m-" or "ma-"[edit | edit source]

Class 6 is the plural form of Class 5 nouns, prefixed with "ma-". Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
mashoko [maˈʃoko] words
munda [maˈmunda] fields
magodhi [maˈɡoðɪ] mines
magove [maˈɡove] portions

Class 7: Singular Nouns Starting with "chi-"[edit | edit source]

Class 7 is for singular nouns starting with "chi-", often referring to languages or objects. Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
chingwa [ˈt͡ʃiŋwa] bread
chitema [ˈt͡ʃitema] blackness
chibage [ˈt͡ʃibaɡe] maize
chinyorwa [ˈt͡ʃinyorwa] document

Class 8: Plural Nouns Starting with "zvi-"[edit | edit source]

Class 8 refers to the plural form of Class 7 nouns, prefixed with "zvi-". Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
zvingwa [ˈzviŋwa] breads
zvitema [ˈzvitema] blacknesses
zvibage [ˈzvibaɡe] maizes
zvinyorwa [ˈzvinyorwa] documents

Class 9: Singular Nouns Starting with "n-"[edit | edit source]

Class 9 includes singular nouns starting with "n-", often referring to objects or animals. Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
ngombe [ŋombe] cow
nyoka [ˈɲoka] snake
nhamo [ˈn̪hamo] poverty
nhandare [ˈn̪handare] stadium

Class 10: Plural Nouns Starting with "dz-" or "z-"[edit | edit source]

Class 10 is the plural form of Class 9 nouns, starting with "dz-" or "z-". Examples:

Shona Pronunciation English
dzombe [dzombe] cows
dzoka [ˈdzokə] snakes
dzinhamo [ˈdzin̪hamo] poverties
dzindare [ˈdzindare] stadiums

Usage of Noun Classes in Sentences[edit | edit source]

Understanding noun classes is not just about memorizing prefixes; it's about how they interact within sentences. Shona nouns affect verbs, adjectives, and pronouns through agreement. Here are a few examples:

1. Class 1 Example: Munhu uyu anogara muHarare. (This person lives in Harare.)

2. Class 2 Example: Vanhu vazhinji vanoda kudya. (Many people like to eat.)

3. Class 3 Example: Muti uyu unotumbuka. (This tree grows tall.)

4. Class 4 Example: Miti yacho inogadzirwa nekuchenjera. (Those trees are made with care.)

5. Class 5 Example: Musha wangu unofadza. (My home is pleasant.)

6. Class 6 Example: Mashoko aya anonyatsobuda. (These words come out clearly.)

7. Class 7 Example: Chingwa chakanaka. (The bread is good.)

8. Class 8 Example: Zvingwa zvese zvakatengwa. (All breads were bought.)

9. Class 9 Example: Ngombe yangu inotamba. (My cow is playing.)

10. Class 10 Example: Dzombe dzakawanda dziri muparadhiso. (Many cows are in the paradise.)

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we've covered the noun classes, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to practice what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Identify the Noun Class[edit | edit source]

For each noun given, identify the noun class it belongs to.

1. munhu

2. vanhu

3. muti

4. miti

5. musha

6. mashoko

7. chingwa

8. zvimwe

9. ngombe

10. dzombe

Answers:

1. Class 1

2. Class 2

3. Class 3

4. Class 4

5. Class 5

6. Class 6

7. Class 7

8. Class 8

9. Class 9

10. Class 10

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Fill in the blanks with the correct noun class prefix.

1. ___ (person) anogara muZimbabwe.

2. ___ (people) vazhinji vanoshanda.

3. ___ (tree) yakakwirira.

4. ___ (trees) dziri mumunda.

5. ___ (home) yangu inotonhorera.

6. ___ (homes) dzakagadzirwa.

7. ___ (bread) rinotapira.

8. ___ (breads) zvakatengwa.

9. ___ (cow) yangu inofara.

10. ___ (cows) dziri mumunda.

Answers:

1. munhu

2. vanhu

3. muti

4. miti

5. musha

6. mashoko

7. chingwa

8. zvichingwa

9. ngombe

10. dzombe

Exercise 3: Complete the Sentences[edit | edit source]

Complete the following sentences using the correct noun class and verb form.

1. ___ (mwana) anoda ___ (mukaka).

2. ___ (vana) vanoda ___ (mukaka).

3. ___ (mugwagwa) uri ___ (mukaka).

4. ___ (migwagwa) iri ___ (mukaka).

5. ___ (musha) wangu unogadzirwa ___ (mukaka).

Answers:

1. Mwana anoda mukaka.

2. Vana vanoda mukaka.

3. Mugwagwa uri murefu.

4. Migwagwa iri mikuru.

5. Musha wangu unogadzirwa nemazvo.

Exercise 4: Matching Exercise[edit | edit source]

Match the nouns with their respective classes.

| Column A | Column B |

|------------------|-------------|

| 1. chingwa | A. Class 1 |

| 2. vanhu | B. Class 4 |

| 3. mugwagwa | C. Class 7 |

| 4. miti | D. Class 6 |

| 5. ngombe | E. Class 9 |

Answers:

1 - C, 2 - A, 3 - D, 4 - B, 5 - E

Exercise 5: Create Your Sentences[edit | edit source]

Using the noun classes, create sentences using the following nouns:

1. chingwa

2. mugwagwa

3. mwana

4. munda

5. ngombe

Sample Answers:

1. Chingwa chakatengwa.

2. Mugwagwa uri murefu.

3. Mwana anofarira kutamba.

4. Munda uyu unogadzirwa.

5. Ngombe dzinotamba.

Exercise 6: Translation Exercise[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences into Shona.

1. The bread is fresh.

2. The people are happy.

3. Those trees are beautiful.

4. My cow is big.

5. Many homes are built.

Answers:

1. Chingwa chiri chitsva.

2. Vanhu vari kufara.

3. Miti iyoyo inoyevedza.

4. Ngombe yangu huru.

5. Homes dzakawanda dzinovakwa.

Exercise 7: Identify the Verb Agreement[edit | edit source]

Identify the correct verb agreement for the following nouns.

1. munhu (Class 1)

2. vanhu (Class 2)

3. muti (Class 3)

4. miti (Class 4)

5. mukaka (Class 5)

Answers:

1. munhu anoda

2. vanhu vanoda

3. muti unokura

4. miti inobudisa

5. mukaka unotapira

Exercise 8: Multiple Choice[edit | edit source]

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. What is the plural of "mwana"?

  • A. vana
  • B. vanhu
  • C. mitambo

2. Which class does "ngoma" belong to?

  • A. Class 5
  • B. Class 6
  • C. Class 7

Answers:

1. A

2. A

Exercise 9: Sentence Correction[edit | edit source]

Correct the sentences where necessary.

1. Miti inokura.

2. Vanhu vazhinji anoda kudya.

3. Chingwa dzakaenda.

4. Ngombe yangu inofara.

Answers:

1. Correct

2. Vanhu vazhinji vanoda kudya.

3. Chingwa chakapindwa.

4. Correct

Exercise 10: Write a Paragraph[edit | edit source]

Write a short paragraph using at least five different noun classes. (Your answer may vary.)

Sample Answer:

Mwana anogara muHarare. Vanhu vazhinji vanoshanda muHarare. Miti yacho inobudirira. Musha wangu unotonhorera. Ngombe yangu inofara.

In conclusion, mastering noun classes is a stepping stone to fluency in Shona. They not only classify nouns but also influence the rest of the sentence, making it an integral part of grammar. Keep practicing, and you will find yourself getting more comfortable with these concepts as you progress.

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

Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]




◀️ Introducing Yourself — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Personal Pronouns ▶️

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