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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 Zambia — around 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

Unlock the remaining Shona phrases

Enter your email and all 25 phrases open right here — every meaning and pronunciation respelling, ready to print. We'll also send one short daily phrase so it actually sticks.

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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.