Shona overview

Free Shona starter kit — 25 phrases you can print

A one-page Shona cheat sheet for absolute beginners. Every phrase shows the Shona spelling, what it means, and a respelling with the stressed syllable in capitals so you can say it out loud today. Zimbabwe, with speakers in Mozambique and Zambiaaround 15 million.

First words

Greet someone and be polite

  • MhoroHello/MHO-ro/
  • NdatendaThank you/n-da-TEN-da/
  • MauyaWelcome/ma-OO-ya/
  • ChisaraiGoodbye/chee-sa-RAI/
  • HonguYes/HON-goo/
  • KweteNo/KWEH-teh/
  • NdapotaPlease/n-da-PO-ta/
  • Ndine uromboSorry/n-DEE-neh oo-ROM-bo/

Free starter kit

Get all 25 Shona phrases

Enter your email and the full printable Shona starter kit opens right here — every phrase, meaning and pronunciation respelling. We'll also send one short daily phrase so it actually sticks. Unsubscribe from any email.

No card, no account needed. We never sell your email.

Is Shona hard to learn?

  • Spelling is highly regular — words are read exactly as written.
  • Every syllable ends in a vowel, so pronunciation is even and rhythmic.
  • Greetings change depending on how many people you are addressing.