Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Astronomy

On this page, we will learn about astronomy in Shona. It is important to inform and understand, that much of the Shona language - as well as the languages that fall within this category - are still under development to encompass all aspects of modern science. You will find that other aspects, be it stars or otherwise may have native Shona names whilst others may have borrowed names.

In terms of borrowing, Shona historically borrows from Swahili (Arabic, Persian - much of it via Swahili), Afrikaans, Portuguese, English, and other surrounding Bantu languages due to proximity. Additionally, when borrowing new terms in current times, Shona follows the same system, although reversed, surrounding Bantu languages first, particularly those that are closely related to the Shona people and their language such as Venda, Tonga, Tsonga, Chewa, etcetera. Then Swahili, then Portuguese, then English, with Afrikaans (rarely as of present) and other world languages being a last option unless the concept in need of translation is directly derived from a specific people.

Astronomy Vocabulary

Shona word	English Translation
Sainzi / Guruzivo	Science	Sainzi derives from English. Guruzivo describes the function of science as a concept.
Tendarevesainzi / Tendarevezivo	Pseudoscience
Upanganyedzi /Upanganyeredzi	Astronomy
Ruambanyeredzi / Unenanyeredzi	Astrology
Ruambarhadenga / Unenarhadenga	Cosmology
Zuva	Sun
Mwedzi	Moon
Chamushana / chazuva	Solar	i.e. Karenda yechamushana (solar calendar)
Mutandiro wemushana	Solar System
Chamwedzi	Lunar
Nyeredzi / Nyenyedzi	Star
Chanyedzi	Stellar
Hudzitirwa	Eclipse
Denga	Sky
Chadenga	Space, outer-space
Pasirose	World
Chindeya	Planet
Chindeyana	Dwarf planet
Rudunhumwe	Universe
Rhadenga	Cosmos
Muzvcazi	Galaxy
Gwararezhou / Gwararakurumbi	The Milky Way Galaxy	Gwararezhou is "the path of the elephant", variation Gwararenzou. Gwara raKurumbi "the path of Kurumbi".
Unganyeredzi	Constellation
Hatomu	Atom
Mhodzigetsi	Electron	Meaning literally 'Electric seed'
Dararabari / Darararito	Proton	Dararabari meaning "positive spark" Purutoni following English.
Ribarinjee / Chibarinjee / Sasinjee	Neutron	Meaning literally 'neutral/general spark, ordinary spark' Nyutironi following English.
Sebhe	Matter
Gunganidzo	Gravity	Meaning "gathering"
Huremu / Ndemu	Mass
Svosvobwauzuru	Meteoroid	Meaning 'heaven/sky meteor'
Svosvobwa	Meteor, shooting star	Meaning 'shooting star'
Svosvobwaunda	Meteorite	Meaning 'land meteor'
Ribwendeya (or Chibwendeya)	Asteroid	Meaning literally 'stone object, stone planet'
Rimuswenyedzi (or Chimuswenyedzi)	Comet	Meaning literally 'tailed star'.
Rifanadzvanyedzi	Nova, Novae	Meaning "like a new star"
Chamudhuvhuranyedzi	Supernova, Supernovae	Meaning "bursting star"
Chamupfunga	Nebula	Meaning "vapour"
Gumbanyedzi	Asterism	Meaning "star group"
Sumbu renyeredzi	Star cluster
Unye wegetsimagineti	Electromagnetic radiation
Boterero	Orbit
Muchacha wembunyuko / Muchacha wemutizo	Escape velocity
Sumbu rechembumbwa	Globular cluster
Tsazavusiku	Equinox	Tsaza- is equi, nox/noct- which is night is vusiku
Zuvaragodza	Solstice
Nangazira	Spectrum
Mazhara / Nyamazhara	Small Magellanic Cloud
Maguta / Nyamaguta	Large Magellanic Cloud
Dongorahweva / Chiringakure	Telescope
Chidenengwa / Satiraiti	Satellite
Jingamweya / Guteromweya	Atmosphere

Planets in Shona

Planet is Chindeya in Shona, and Planets are called Zvindeya.

Note the use of Chi- in singular form and Zvi- in plural form.

The Shona sky had 6 planets originally named, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (which is no longer a planet) were not named due to how difficult they were to sight. It is also possible that Uranus could be an exception due to the fact that it can in fact be seen in the sky as blue dot in the far distance.

Main Planets in Shona

Planets in Shona	English Translation
Nyamatsatse	Mercury	Variations, Nyamatsatsi. Was often confused with Venus, hence they bare the same name.
Hweva	Venus	Also Nyamatsatsi, Masase/Masasi, Nhanda, Marinda, Murongo - all meaning 'morning' and 'evening star'.
Rinopasi	Earth	Meaning literally 'this land, this earth'
Murongazuva	Mars	Meaning 'one who arranges the day'
Vhenekeratsvimborume	Jupiter	Meaning 'lights the path of bachelor'
Chirema	Saturn	Chirema meaning 'lame/abnormal star' due to its rings. Also Chiremera, meaning 'dignity'.
Rivusamatenga (or Yuranisi)	Uranus	Proposed name. Meaning literally 'the governor of the heavens/above'. Yuranisi is also used, derives from Latin.
Nyn'aimamushana / Nyavusamadzi	Neptune	Proposed names. Nyn'aimamushana is 'one who shines in sunlight' due to its reflectiveness of sunlight. Nyavusamadzi, meaning literally 'governor of the waters'. Neputoni also used derives from Latin.

Dwarf planets

Minor-planets or dwarf planets are called Chindeyana (singular) and Zvindeyana (plural) in Shona.

Dwarf planets in Shona	English Translation
Njondi	Pluto	Proposed named. Based on definition of Pluto meaning 'wealthy one'.
Chirisa	Ceres	Proposed name. Based on definition, Chirisa also means 'nourishment'
Ẋaumeya	Haumea	Yet to be given native names, instead uses Shonarised names.
Makemake	Makemake
Herisi	Eris
Sanha	90377 Sedna
Kwawari	50000 Quaoar
Gon'on'u	225088 Gongong
Shoromi	90482 Orcus	Orcus and Pluto were named similiar, and so Shoromi was proposed.
Chai	120347 Salacia	Salacia means 'salt', so Chai was proposed.

Stars in Shona

Star is nyeredzi or nyenyedzi in Shona, even in plural.

Stars in Shona	English Translation
Qhayanyedzi / Nhanganyedzi	Protostar	Meaning literally "beginning star"
Riungunyedzi	Blue Star
Nyedzana	Dwarf star	Meaning literally "baby star"
Nyedzana yehuroro	Yellow Dwarf star
Nyedzana yeranjisi	Orange Dwarf star
Nyedzana itsvuku	Red Dwarf star
Zinyedzi iungu	Blue Giant Star	Zi- is a prefix that signifies large things.
Zigurunyedzi riungu	Blue Supergiant star	Guru- means great. Hence Ziguru essentially is "big great"
Zinyedzi itsvuku	Red Giant star
Zigurunyedzi riungu	Red Supergiant star
Nyedzana ichena	White Dwarf star
Nyedzana itema	Black Dwarf star
Nyedzana yembise	Brown Dwarf star
Chibarinjeenyedzi	Neutron star	General spark star/neutral spark star
Chazvuvarima	Black Hole	Proposed name. Meaning literally 'a pulling darkness'
-	Pulsar	No native names given or proposed so English names used.
-	Quasar
-	Blazar
-	Magnetar
Zuva	Sun	Native name
Gwevamasiku	Sirius	Drawer of the night, due to being bright like Venus.
Rinyanga	Canopus	native name, Horned star
Ndemara	Fomalhaut	native name
Chisimira / Chimutanhatu / Chirimera	Pleaides	Native names.

Astronomy in Shona Quiz

Test your knowledge of the astronomy terms in Shona learned from the previous section. Good luck!

1. What is the Shona term for 'Science'?

a. Guruzivo

b. Tendarevesainzi

c. Upanganyedzi

d. Ruambanyeredzi

2. How is 'Astronomy' translated into Shona?

a. Chamushana

b. Upanganyedzi

c. Chamwedzi

d. Nyeredzi

3. What does 'Chindeya' refer to in Shona astronomy vocabulary?

a. Comet

b. Planet

c. Star

d. Meteor

4. What Shona word is used for 'Eclipse'?

a. Chadenga

b. Hudzitirwa

c. Gwararezhou

d. Sumbu renyeredzi

5. Which of the following terms means 'Meteorite' in Shona?

a. Svosvobwauzuru

b. Svosvobwaunda

c. Svosvobwa

d. Rimuswenyedzi

6. The Shona word for 'Galaxy' is

a. Chamupfunga

b. Muzvcazi

c. Chamudhuvhuranyedzi

d. Gumbanyedzi

7. 'Nyamatsatse' is the Shona name for which planet?

a. Mars

b. Mercury

c. Jupiter

d. Venus

8. What does 'Rinopasi' stand for in Shona?

a. Saturn

b. Earth

c. Neptune

d. Uranus

9. The term 'Chirema' in Shona refers to which planet?

a. Jupiter

b. Saturn

c. Mars

d. Venus

10. 'Gwevamasiku' in Shona astronomy refers to what?

a. Canopus

b. Sirius

c. Fomalhaut

d. Pleiades