Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Ordering-at-a-Restaurant
Ordering at a restaurant can be daunting especially if you are in a foreign country and don't speak the local language. But don't worry, with this lesson, you'll learn some useful phrases for ordering food and drinks at a restaurant in Shona. Shona cuisine is typically based on grains and vegetables, but you can also find meat dishes and a variety of spices.
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Introducing Yourself & Numbers 1 10.
Vocabulary
Here are some of the most common Shona words for foods and drinks that you might find on a menu:
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Chikafu | chih-kah-foo | Food |
| Motsiuri | moh-tsih-oo-ree | Breakfast |
| Tsindi | tsin-dee | Lunch |
| Bhoora | boh-rah | Dinner |
| Chidya | chee-dyah | Dish |
| Nyama | nya-mah | Meat |
| Maputi | mah-poo-tee | Popcorn |
| Macimbi | mah-cheem-bee | Mopane Worms |
| Sadza | sah-dzah | Staple Food made from Cornmeal |
| Musoro weNyama | moo-soh-roh-weh-nya-mah | Animal Head |
| Mahewu | mah-heh-woo | Fermented Milk Drink |
| Chibuku | chee-boo-koo | Sorghum Beer |
| Maheu | mah-heh-oo | Non-alcoholic Drink made from Fermented Cornmeal |
Phrases for Ordering at a Restaurant
When you're ready to order, you can use the following phrases in Shona to ask for what you want:
- Please bring me the menu - Ndinoda menu yakanaka, Mookererei menu
- What do you recommend? - Uda kundinyora chii?, Unoita seyi?
- I would like to have... - Ndine hudofo re...., Ndinoda....
- I'll have the same - Ndichada chandinacho...
- I'm allergic to... - Handifungi kuuya nemasikati ese aya...
- Can I have the bill? - Ndinoda bill, ndinomirira bill
- How much is it? - Ndiripano here?
Here are some example dialogues to help you practice:
Dialogue 1: Waiter: Mhoro, ndirikuda kuitei? Customer: Mhoro, ndinoda zvangu one Sadza neNyama, zvichavharwa zvichinaya. Waiter: Saka Nyama ndiyo yekupi- kupi here? Customer: Ndiripa here? Waiter: Nyama yacho akuuya neNyemba here? Customer: Ah, ndiyo. Ndiripano here? Waiter: Ndiripo. Ndodriver bill. Zvakanaka here? Customer: Zvakanaka saka.
Translation: Waiter: Hello, what would you like to have? Customer: Hello, I would like to have Sadza and Meat, well-cooked please. Waiter: Which meat would you like? Customer: How much is it? Waiter: Does the meat come with beans? Customer: Oh, yes. How much is it? Waiter: It is this much. I'll bring the bill. Is everything okay? Customer: Everything is fine, thank you.
Dialogue 2: Waiter: Mhoro, ndirikuda kuitei? Customer: Mhoro, ndinoda zvangu one Maputi neMacimbi, naMaheu kuti, ndifuge kubika Senya, sei? Waiter: Ndeipi viti dzauri kuseva, zvakaunza here? Customer: Maheu, Maputi neMacimbi, kuti, ndifuge kubika Senya, sei? Waiter: Zvakanaka. Unoda one here? Customer: Ah, handidyirwe zvandichida. Waiter: Zvakanaka.
Translation: Waiter: Hello, what would you like to have? Customer: Hello, I would like to have Popcorn with Mopane Worms, and Maheu, to drink with a straw, please. Waiter: What sizes are you requesting, which ones are they? Customer: Maheu, Popcorn with Mopane Worms, to drink with a straw, please? Waiter: Okay. Would you like another one? Customer: Oh, no, I'll just have what I have asked for. Waiter: Okay.
Conclusion
By learning these Shona vocabulary and phrases for ordering at a restaurant, you'll be able to confidently order food and drinks in Shona during your visit to Zimbabwe. Don't be shy, try out your newly acquired skills and have a delicious meal!