Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Describing-Relationships
Relationships are an important aspect of human life. They come in different types and each type requires a specific vocabulary to express one's feelings and emotions accurately. In this lesson, we will learn how to describe various types of relationships in Shona, such as friendships and romantic relationships.
Vocabulary
Here are some useful words and phrases to describe relationships in Shona:
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| hunhu hwangu | hʊnɦʊ hwaŋɡʊ | my people/friends |
| mvura yanhasi | mʋra janhazi | platonic/friendship love |
| kana ndirikutaura nababa vangu, | kana ndirikutaura nababa vaŋɡʊ, | when I talk about my father, |
| murume wangu | mʊrume waŋɡʊ | my husband |
| mai vangu | maɪ vaŋɡʊ | my wife |
| mukwasha wangu | mʊkwaʃa waŋɡʊ | my son-in-law |
| mudzimu wangu | mud͡zimʊ waŋɡʊ | my brother-in-law |
| amai mwana wangu | amaɪ mwana waŋɡʊ | mother of my child(ren) |
| mwana wangu | mwana waŋɡʊ | my child |
Examples
- Ndine hunhu hwangu kurudyi paChisipiti. (I have friends to eat with at the restaurant.)
- Tiri kubaiwa neshamwari diki mukadzi wangu. (We are being invited by friends tonight at my wife's house.)
- Ndinoshandiswa nevakadzi vakawanda, asi handisi kuroora. (I work with many women, but I am not married.)
- Mvura yanhasi haina zvemunonoka. (Platonic/friendship love has no complications.)
- Hatingagoni kusarobhurwa neni ende akapfeka mudzviti wamai vangu. (We cannot fight and he even wore my mother's necklace.)
Useful Phrases:
- Hunhu(hwangu) wangu vanofamba neni. (My friends walk with me.)
- Ndarwadziwa nekuda kwemvura yanhasi. (I'm sad because of the lack of platonic/friendship love.)
- Ndirikutaura nekuti babamunini vangu vakandideedzera kuchengeta muzukuru wavo. (I am talking about my uncle/Father's brother because he taught me to protect his grandchildren.)
- Murume wangu anopinda papi pachikoro? (Where does my husband go to school?)
- Mai vangu vanofema papi? (Where does my wife work?)
- Mukwasha wangu anogara kupi? (Where does my son-in-law live?)
Conversation
A: Una vabereki here? (Do you have parents?) B: Ine handina. Ndakapedza. (No, I don't have any. They passed away.) A: Ndirikutendai futi. (I also offer condolences.)
A: Wawata mukadzi here? (Do you want a wife?) B: Iwewe, une mukadzi here? (Do you have one yourself?) A: Saka unonzwa une kuti ndikuroore? (So, do you have anyone you want to marry?) B: Handina. Ahh, ndirikurasikirwa basa, hazviite! (No. Oh, I am too focused on work, it's not possible!)
A: Salibonani mhani zvose. (Hello, friends.) Group: Salibona, mhani. (Hello, friend.) A: Zvakanaka here? (Is everything good?) Group: Zvakanaka mhani. Iwe zvakanaka here? (Everything is good, friend. And you?) A: Zvakanaka. Ine handina kana chandisingagone kuita. (Everything is good. I have nothing to do.)
A: Ndirikutenda. (Thank you.) B: Mangwana! (Tomorrow!) A: Makuenda here? (Are you going somewhere?) B: Inhu neni tese takauya kureshetei. (I and others are going to the party.) A: Wangu chete, edu kwakubva tiri kutombofarira kuHarare. (I, myself, just arrived; we were celebrating in Harare.)
Expressions of love in Shona
Shona has a rich vocabulary for expressing love and affection. Here are a few examples:
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ndikudza chete | ndikuɗza t͡ʃete | I just love you. |
| panguva yandiri pamwe | paŋɡʊva jandiri pamwe | the time when I'm with you |
| murudo wako munondipa ruoko | mʊrudo wako mʊnondipa rʊɔkɔ | Your love gives me strength. |
| wakanyarara chete? | wakanjarara t͡ʃete? | Did you sleep well? |
| murudo wangu wakaoma | mʊrudo waŋɡʊ wakaoma | Your love is strong. |
Examples
- Ndanzwa kuti unondiudza chete, ndakutadzisira. (I hear that you just tell me that; it's adorable.)
- Panguva yandiri pamwe naMufudzi wangu ndobva ndadzosera chikafu chepanorapa. (The time I spend with my beloved Mufudzi is divine.)
- Murudo wako munondipa ruoko kusvikira ndafunda zuva reBachelor Degree. (Your love gives me strength to finish my bachelor's degree.)
- Wakanjarara chete. (You slept well.)
- Murudo wangu wakaoma uye usingavanyarare. (My love is strong and you don't have to worry.)
Exercises
Complete the following sentences using the words provided:
- Danai haana ___ ____. (Danai does not have friends.)
- Mai vangu vanotogona kuchekeresa ___ ___ kwebasa rake. (My wife can balance family relationships with her work.)
- Mukwasha wangu haana kuenda ___ ___. (My son-in-law does not go to school.)
- Ndimo mune pfambi dzedu ___ ___. (My father's side of the family is big.)
- Mai vangu vanoti ___ naye kunaNhaka. (My wife talks about her love for Nhaka.)
- Murume wangu haaroorwe ___ ___. (My husband is not married to anyone else.)
- Ndapinda futi ___ ___ kune vadukulu vangu. (I am entering into a relationship with my grandchildren.)
Translate the following sentences in Shona:
- I love you.
- Do you have children?
- I want to marry you.
- Good morning, friend.
- How are you feeling today?
- He is my brother-in-law.
- The love of my life.
Summary
In this lesson, we have learned how to describe different types of relationships in Shona, such as friendships and romantic relationships, using specific words and phrases. Additionally, we've seen that Shona has a rich vocabulary for expressing love and affection. These new additions to your vocabulary are essential to be able to communicate accurately in Shona.