Translation No finger put into the mouth will come out...
Read MoreTsumo
The Shona are exceedingly rich in proverbs. Proverbs are a cherished and interesting part of their oral literature.
Usatya ngwena, iwo makumbo ari mudziva.
Definitions ngwena: crocodile dziva: pool (in river) Translation No point...
Read MoreMwoyo muti, hautumwi pokumera.
Translation The heart is like a tree, the place at...
Read MoreMwoyo imota, unomera apo wada.
Translation The heart is like a boil, it grows where...
Read MoreMwoyo imbesa, ungomera apo ungoda.
Translation The heart is like a tree, it sprouts where...
Read MoreChidamwoyo, zamu kumera pambabvu.
Translation It is what the heart wants; the breast chose...
Read MoreChidamwoyo, hamba yakada makwati.
Translation It is what the heart wants; the tortoise chose...
Read MoreMwoyo muti, unomera paunoda.
Translation The heart is like a tree, it sprouts where...
Read MoreChirambakuudzwa akazoonekwa nembonje pahuma.
Definitions mbonje: scar/ head scar Translation He who refused advice...
Read MoreKutya hakuna gobvu.
Definitions gobvu: scar Translation There is no scar in fear....
Read MoreGwara harina mbonje.
Definitions gwara: coward mbonje: scar Translation A coward has no...
Read MoreRinofa harina nzeve, rine nzeve rinozvinzwira.
Translation One that dies has no ears; one that has...
Read MoreHapana imba isina gonzo.
Translation There is no house without a rat. Application Every...
Read MoreChaza hachirambwi, munhu haangaregeri mhene inokamhina.
Word Definitions chaza: old form of saying chauya. mhene: steenbok...
Read MoreKutumikai kwomukwambo, kutaurira mbuya kuti gapu renyama ratsva?
Word Definitions mukwambo: husband of one’s daughter mbuya: mother of...
Read MoreKure kwegava ndokusina mutsubvu.
Word Definitions mutsubvu: tree which produces an edible fruit known...
Read MoreMai vevana kufa, pwere dzinorezvwa naani?
Translation If the mother dies, who is going to caress...
Read MoreRwavhi kufamba zvishoma, asi shungu runadzo.
Word Definitions shungu: the feeling of being angry or upset...
Read MoreChegudza chiri kumuruki.
Word Definitions gudza: Blanket woven from bark-fibre. Translation It is...
Read MoreMwoyochena ndowei, bere kugarira mhuru yakafa zvayo?
Translation Why would a hyena be so kind as to...
Read MoreIgangaidza vavigi, kusvunura kwemufi.
Definitions gangaidza: bewilder or confuse Translation A corpse that opens...
Read MoreKuramba butu uno mukonya.
Word Definitions butu: Husk or bran of bulrush millet or...
Read MoreChimwango chokukumbira hachina ndima.
Word Definitions chimwango: Hoe that has been worn down by...
Read MoreChinokura usipo imombe, munda unokura nokuvandurirwa.
Definitions vandurira: Extend one’s cultivated land. Translation Unlike cattle which...
Read MoreMwoyochena una mai, kuyamwisa mwana asiri wavo.
Translation A mother’s tender-heartedness compels her to suckle the child...
Read MoreAiva maguta ava matongo.
Word Definitions guta: Large village of chief. City. dongo: Abandoned...
Read MoreMunhu kutukirwa kubata, kupiwa ushe.
Translation One who is rebuked for failing to work is...
Read MoreAbara atochena mwoyo.
Translation One who bears a child commits themselves to being...
Read MoreShure kweguva hakuna muteuro.
Translation There is no offering beyond the grave. Application It...
Read MoreAiva madziva, ava mazambuko.
Word Definitions dziva: pool (in river) zambuko: ford Translation What...
Read MoreDzaiva nhungo dzava mbariro.
Word Definitions nhungo: upright roof poles mbariro: thin or split...
Read MorePanoda mwoyo nzira haisviki.
Translation The path does not reach where the heart longs...
Read MoreKurayira ndokurayira wachena, kwaakabva hakuna vanhu?
Translation Why try discipline a grey-haired person; were there no...
Read MoreChashe chinodyiwa nowagara padare.
Word definitions ishe: chief dare: court Translation What belongs to...
Read MorePoshi haarwirwi, tinorwira piri.
Translation We do not fight over the first, but the...
Read MoreZizi kurungwa munyu, hunzi ndava hukuwo.
Word Definitions runga: add salt munyu: salt Translation An owl...
Read MoreWadya zai, wadya nhiyo yacho.
Translation One who eats an egg also eats the chick....
Read MoreAshunya arwa.
Translation He who has pinched has fought. Application A small...
Read MoreIndemo hadzo dzeane nyota, asi mvura haikokotwi.
Word Definitions ndemo: resistance to guidance, unruliness kokota: to clean...
Read MoreTakabva noko kumhunga, hakuna ipwa.
Word Definitions mhunga: millet ipwa: sugar-cane Translation We have been...
Read MoreWant to learn Shona culture and language?
Sign up for one of our courses and start learning.
Sign up for our newsletter
About Shungu
Shungu is the voice behind ZimbOriginal. She has a restless hand and a penchant for discovery. Her upbringing is fairly balanced between an urban and rural setting. The urban – pretty basic and spent almost entirely in boarding school. The rural – not so glorious and filled with all the dreaded chores that come with keeping a rural homestead going. Shungu is a qualified chartered management accountant and currently lives in Harare, Zimbabwe. Learn more.
Connect with us
Categories
Menu
Sponsors 2
Sponsors 2