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English to Shona Translator

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How English and Shona compare

Shared writing system

English and Shona are both written in Latin, so the translated output uses characters you already recognise. You can usually read the result aloud without transliteration, though spelling conventions and accented characters still differ.

Unrelated language families

English belongs to the Indo-European family while Shona belongs to the Niger-Congo family. With no shared ancestry there are few cognates to fall back on, so idioms and fixed expressions rarely map word-for-word. Short, literal sentences translate more accurately than figurative ones.

Matching sentence structure

Both languages follow subject-verb-object (SVO) order, so clauses usually keep their shape during translation. Words tend to land in a similar position, which makes it easier to check a translation against the original even without fluency.

Speakers

English: Approximately 1.5 billion people speak English to varying degrees of proficiency, with around 360 million native speakers. Shona: Approximately 14.2 million speakers worldwide, with about 13.1 million in Zimbabwe.

Common English phrases in Shona

Everyday phrases translated from English to Shona — useful for travel, conversation and learning.

Greetings

Hello
Mhoro
Good morning
Mangwanani akanaka
Good afternoon
Masikati akanaka
Good evening
Manheru akanaka
Good night
Husiku hwakanaka
Goodbye
Mofamba zvakanaka
See you later
Tozoonana
See you tomorrow
Tosangana mangwana
Welcome
Welcome
How are you?
Makadii henyu?
I am fine, thank you
Ndaswera ndatenda
Have a good day
Muve nezuva rakanaka

Courtesy

Please
Ndapota
Thank you
Ndatenda
Thank you very much
Ndinokutendai zvikuru
You are welcome
Unogamuchirwa
Yes
Hongu
No
Kwete
Excuse me
Pamusoroi
I am sorry
Ndine urombo
No problem
Hapana dambudziko
Of course
Chokwadi
Congratulations
Makorokoto
Good luck
Rombo rakanaka

Introductions

What is your name?
Zita rako ndiani?
Nice to meet you
Ndafara kukuzivai
Where are you from?
Unobva kupi?
How old are you?
Une makore mangani?
I am a student
Ndiri mudzidzi
I am here on holiday
Ndiri pano pazororo
I am here for work
Ndiri kuno kubasa
This is my friend
Iyi ishamwari yangu

Numbers

One
Imwe
Two
Vaviri
Three
Vatatu
Four
Four
Five
Shanu
Six
Nhanhatu
Seven
Nomwe
Eight
Eight
Nine
Nine
Ten
Gumi
One hundred
Zana
One thousand
Chiuru chimwe

Time and dates

Today
Nhasi
Tomorrow
Mangwana
Yesterday
Nezuro
Now
Zvino
Later
Gare gare
What time is it?
Inguvai?
In the morning
Mangwanani
In the evening
Manheru
Monday
Muvhuro
Friday
Chishanu
Next week
Svondo rinouya
One hour
Awa imwe

Directions and travel

Where is the bathroom?
Ko imba yekugezera iripi?
Where is the train station?
Chiteshi chechitima chiripi?
Where is the airport?
Ndeipi airport?
How do I get there?
Ndosvika seiko?
Turn left
Enda kuruboshwe
Turn right
Enda kurudyi
Go straight ahead
Enda mberi
It is near
Yava pedyo
It is far
Zviri kure
I am lost
Ndarasika
I need a taxi
Ndinoda tekisi
Where can I buy a ticket?
Ndingatenga tikiti kupi?
How much is the ticket?
Imarii tikiti?
Is it safe to walk?
Kwakachengeteka here kufamba?

Food and restaurants

I am hungry
Ndine nzara
I am thirsty
Ndine nyota
Water, please
Mvura, ndapota
A table for two, please
Tafura yevaviri ndapota
The menu, please
Menyu, ndapota
What do you recommend?
Chii chaunorumbidza?
I would like this
Ndinoda izvi
It is delicious
Zvinonaka
The bill, please
Bhiri, ndapota
I do not eat meat
Handidyi nyama
I have a food allergy
Ndine allergy yechikafu
Coffee
Kofi
Tea
Tea
Bread
Chingwa

Shopping and money

How much does this cost?
Izvi zvinoda marii?
It is too expensive
Inodhura zvakanyanya
Do you accept credit cards?
Unogamuchira makadhi echikwereti here?
I am just looking
Ndiri kungotarisa
I will take it
Ndichaitora
Open
Vhura
Closed
Yakavharwa
Entrance
Entrance
Exit
Exit
Where is the market?
Musika uripi?

Emergency and health

Help
Help
Call a doctor
Dana chiremba
Call the police
Dana mapurisa
I need help
Ndinoda rubatsiro
I am sick
Ndiri kurwara
Where is the hospital?
Chipatara chiripi?
Where is the pharmacy?
Pharmacy iripi?
It hurts here
Zvinorwadza apa
I need a doctor
Ndinoda chiremba
Is there a hospital nearby?
Pane chipatara padhuze here?

Getting help with language

Do you speak English?
Unotaura chirungu here?
I do not understand
Handinzwisise
I understand
Ndinonzwisisa
Please speak slowly
Ndapota taura zvishoma nezvishoma
Please repeat that
Ndapota dzokorora izvozvo
Please write it down
Ndapota nyora pasi
What does this mean?
Izvi zvinorevei?
How do you say this?
Unozvitaura sei izvi?
I am learning
Ndiri kudzidza
I speak a little
Ndinotaura zvishoma
Can you help me?
Mungandibatsirewo here?
I do not know
Handizive

Translations are generated automatically and may vary by region or context.

About Shona Language

Geographical Distribution

Primarily spoken in Zimbabwe and parts of Mozambique, with communities in Botswana, Zambia, and Shona diaspora worldwide.

Alphabet

Uses Latin alphabet with 23 letters: A, B, CH, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, SV, T, U, V, W, Y, Z, ZH, ZV

Vowels

a - pronounced like 'ah'e - pronounced like 'eh'i - pronounced like 'ee'o - pronounced like 'oh'u - pronounced like 'oo'

Consonants

bchdfghjklmnprssvtvwyzzhzv

Phonetics

Features 5 vowel phonemes, distinctive whistled sibilants (sv, zv), and high-low tone system affecting grammatical and lexical meaning.

Grammar and Syntax

Subject-verb-object (SVO) word order. Complex noun class system with 21 classes and extensive concordial agreement.

Loanwords

Contains loanwords from English, Afrikaans, and other Bantu languages due to colonial history and regional contact.

Language Family

Part of the Niger-Congo family, specifically the Bantu subfamily, closely related to other southeastern Bantu languages.

Writing Systems

Uses Latin script with digraphs for complex consonant sounds.

Writing System History

Written system developed by missionaries in late 19th century, orthography standardized for educational and official use.

Total Number of Speakers

Approximately 14.2 million speakers worldwide, with about 13.1 million in Zimbabwe.

About English Language

Geographical Distribution

English is a global language, spoken as a first language in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also widely used as a second language worldwide.

Alphabet

Uses the Latin alphabet. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Vowels

aeiousometimes y

Consonants

bcdfghjklmnpqrstvwxyz

Phonetics

Features a complex phonetic system with significant variations in accent and pronunciation across different regions. Includes around 44 phonemes in Received Pronunciation and diphthongs and triphthongs.

Grammar and Syntax

Typically follows a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order. Known for its relatively flexible syntax and extensive use of auxiliary verbs.

Loanwords

English vocabulary includes a vast number of loanwords from Latin, French, Norse, and many other languages, reflecting its historical development and adaptability.

Language Family

Part of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.

Writing Systems

Currently uses the Latin script, with a history of using other scripts such as Old English runes and the Anglo-Saxon futhorc

Writing System History

The Latin script was adopted during the medieval period, replacing the earlier runic alphabets used by Anglo-Saxon settlers.

Total Number of Speakers

Approximately 1.5 billion people speak English to varying degrees of proficiency, with around 360 million native speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our translation service

  • 1Type or paste the English text.
  • 2Click on the Translate button.
  • 3Translated Shona text appears instantly.
  • 4Copy or download translated text.

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