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Shona to English Translator

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How Shona and English compare

Shared writing system

Shona and English 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

Shona belongs to the Niger-Congo family while English belongs to the Indo-European 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

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

Common Shona phrases in English

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

Greetings

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

Courtesy

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

Introductions

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

Numbers

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

Time and dates

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

Directions and travel

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

Food and restaurants

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

Shopping and money

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

Emergency and health

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

Getting help with language

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

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

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our translation service

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

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