Language/Shona/Vocabulary/How-to-Say-Hello-and-Greetings

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đŸ€— Shona Greetings for Everyday Life

Hi Shona learners! 😃


Shona is a Bantu language spoken mainly in Zimbabwe where it is one of the 16 official languages, also in several other southern African countries, such as Botswana, Zambia or Mozambique.


Do you want to learn how to say “Hello” in Shona?

Greetings are an important part of any language because they allow you to connect and communicate with others.

If you’re planning a trip to the country or are trying to learn Shona, keep reading to discover some of the most important greetings.


Let’s get started! đŸ€—

Greetings

English Shona Comment
general greeting spoken to one person Mhoro A casual greeting. Used when greeting a friend, sibling, youth or somebody at your level.
general greeting spoken to a group Mhoroi You end with i when greeting an elder or senior person to show respect.
reply to Mhoro and Mhoroi Ehoi
morning greeting Mamuka sei You start with Ma when you are greeting an elderly person, senior or someone of importance.The opening is used to show respect.
morning greeting Wamuka sei You start with Wa when you are greeting a youth, friend, sibling or somebody at your level.
morning greeting MangwĂĄnanĂ­ General term for greeting anybody in the morning. Apparently there is a South African Spa with this name
How was your day? Masvera sei The opening Ma is used to show respect to an elder
How was your day? Wasvera sei The opening Wa is used when it’s a casual greeting i.e. when greeting a youth, friend, sibling or somebody at your level.
general greeting spoken by a man MasĂ­katĂ­ chirombĂłwe
general greeting spoken by a woman Masíkatí shéwe
general greeting spoken to a man MasĂ­katĂ­ babĂĄ
general greeting spoken to a woman MasĂ­katĂ­ mĂĄi
general greeting MasĂ­katĂ­
reply to MasĂ­katĂ­ Ndaswera maswerawo
formal greeting Tikukwazisei
reply to Tikukwazisei Kwaziwai
formal greeting Kanjani
informal greeting Kanjan
how are you? Muri rayiti?
how are you? informal Uri rayiti?
reply to Muri rayiti and Uri rayiti Ndiri rayiti
how are you? Muribho here?
how are you? informal Uribho here?
reply to Muribho here and Uribho here Ndiripo
reply to MangwĂĄnanĂ­ marara sei Ndarara kana mararawo
evening greeting spoken by a man Manheru chirombĂłwe
evening greeting spoken by a woman Manheru shéwe
general greeting spoken to one person in the Chikaranga dialect [sna-kar] Kwaziwa
general greeting spoken to a group of people in the Chikaranga dialect [sna-kar] Kwaziwai
morning greeting, "how have you slept?" in the Chikaranga dialect [sna-kar] Ma ka vata?
reply to Ma ka vata in the Chikaranga dialect [sna-kar] Ta ka vata hedu
how are you? in the Chikaranga dialect [sna-kar] Ma ka fara?
how are you? in the Chikaranga dialect [sna-kar] Ma ka dini?
how are you? in the Mutoko dialect Madoka chere?

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