Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
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Learning how to tell time in Shona is an essential skill for anyone looking to communicate effectively in the language. Shona, the most widely spoken Bantu language, uses a similar time-telling system as English. However, learning the basics of the Shona time-telling system is still necessary for communication, and it's also a great way to learn about the Shona culture. In this lesson, you will learn how to tell time in Shona, including hours and minutes.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Fruits and Vegetables & Numbers.
Telling Time in Shona
In Shona, like in English, there are two types of clocks used: digital and analog. The analog clock is commonly used in most parts of the world, but the digital clock is more precise and more common in the modern world. In Shona, both types of clocks use the same time-telling system as English, which is the 12-hour system. The majority of Shona speakers, however, do not write out military or 24-hour time.
Shona hours
Shona | Pronunciation | Translation | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Mambakwedza / Mashambanzou | 4:00 - 4:59am | ||
Runyanhiriri / Mufuramhembwe | 5:00 - 5:59am | ||
Mazambambira | 6:00 - 9:59am | ||
Madziyamushanda / rudziyakamwe | the heat of early morning light | 10:00 - 11:59am | |
Masikati [rurovanhongonya] | mid-day | 12:00 - 14:59pm | |
Madeukira | the time when the sun has moved from the center | 15:00 - 16:59pm | |
Rufuramhembwe [madekwana] | proper evening; similar to mafuramhembwe of morning. | 17:00 - 17:59pm | |
Rukunzvikunzvi | 18:00 - 18:59pm | ||
Ruvhunzavaeni [manhoko] | 19:00 - 19:59pm | ||
Husiku | 20:00pm - 3:59am |
Hours using O'clock
The Shona language uses numbers to tell time in hours. The hours from 1 AM to 12 PM are the same as those in English.
AM (ante meridiem) meaning "before the afternoon" is often translated and spoken in Shona as either "dzemangwanani" or "dzemakuseni" (both meaning "of the morning").
- Hence AM, the abbreviation KSN will be used to remind readers that "dzekuseni" is the proper way of conversing in Shona in order to be understood.
PM (post meridiem) meaning "after the afternoon" is often translated and spoken in Shona as either "dzemasikati" (of the afternoon) when closer to the afternoon or "dzemadekwa" (of the evening) as it gets darker.
In the following reading please be aware that the "nh" sound in Shona is unlike the "n" sound in English and Shona, and must always be written with an "h" otherwise the word changes meaning. The letter "h" is used to form heavier breathy sounds, you can find it in dh, nh, mh, bh etcetera.
Shona | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
nguva /nhambo (12:00KSN) | ngoo-wa ye-doo / nn-ha-mm-bo ye-doo | our time/our hour (12.00AM) |
kumamotsi | ku-ma-mo-tsee | one o'clock |
kumaviri/kumapiri | koo-ma-wee-ree/koo-ma-pee-ree | two o'clock |
kumatatu | koo-ma-ta-too | three o'clock |
kumaina | koo-ma-ee-na | four o'clock |
kumashanu | koo-ma-sha-noo | five o'clock |
kumatanhatu | koo-ma-ta-nha-too | six o'clock |
kumanomwe | koo-ma-no-mm-we | seven o'clock |
kumasere | koo-ma-se-re | eight o'clock |
kumapfumbamwe | koo-ma-pfoo-mba-mm-we | nine o'clock |
kumagumi | koo-ma-goo-mee | ten o'clock |
kumaguminerimwe | koo-ma-goo-mee ne-ree-mm-we | eleven o'clock |
kumaguminembiri | koo-ma-goo-mee ne-mm-bee-ree | noon (12.00PM) |
nguva yedu/nhambo redu (1:00MDK nemberi) | ngoo-wa ye-doo / nn-ha-mm-bo ye-doo | our time/our hour (1.00PM onwards) |
Time portion
Minutes
Minutes are usually not pronounced in numbers; "past" and "to" are used instead.
- "Past" is translated as "shure", which means "without". For instance, if it is 3:10 in Shona, it is pronounced as "Saa yedu sina mbiri".
- "To" is translated as "ku", which can be compared to the English word "until". For instance, if it is 3:50 in Shona, it is pronounced as "Saa yedu se dambudziko".
It's important to note here that the word "kusvika" is frequently omitted.
Examples
Here are a few examples of how to tell time in Shona:
- 5:45 is "Saa yemunye se maviri nechidzokeri"
- 10:30 is "Gumi nharo se tatu"
- 12:15 is "Saa yemweya sina mbiri nechiromo chine"
- 1:50 is "Saa yemvanhu se shanu nezvimwe"
- 9:20 is "Chitungwiza se mbiri"
- 2:02 is "Sei sina munyana ne hapana"
Conclusion
Learning how to tell time in Shona is a crucial skill for anyone who wishes to communicate in Shona. It enables efficient communication and provides an insight into a culture that is deeply rooted in its traditions. By learning the basics of Shona time-telling, you can expand your knowledge of the language and potentially use it to impress Shona speakers you meet.
Other Lessons
- Express Surprise
- Describing Relationships
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Ordering at a Restaurant
- Introducing Yourself
- Languages
- Talking about Money
- Family Members
- Colors
Sources
- Shona - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
- Shona Learning Resources – Resources for Self-Instructional ...
- Chishona - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
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