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English to Shona translation

Type a sentence, get it in Shona with a respelling that shows you which syllable to stress. Fifteen translations a day are free and you do not need an account to start.

Translate English → ShonaTake the Shona course

English to Shona: everyday phrases

Common phrases from the Shona course, each with a respelling — capitals mark the stressed syllable.

  • HelloMhoro
    Hello/MHO-ro/
  • Thank youNdatenda
    Thank you/n-da-TEN-da/
  • WelcomeMauya
    Welcome/ma-OO-ya/
  • GoodbyeChisarai
    Goodbye/chee-sa-RAI/
  • YesHongu
    Yes/HON-goo/
  • NoKwete
    No/KWEH-teh/
  • PleaseNdapota
    Please/n-da-PO-ta/
  • SorryNdine urombo
    Sorry/n-DEE-neh oo-ROM-bo/
  • My name is AmaraZita rangu ndinonzi Amara
    My name is Amara/ZEE-ta RAN-goo n-dee-NON-zee a-MA-ra/
  • What is your name?Zita rako ndiani?
    What is your name?/ZEE-ta RA-ko n-dee-A-nee/
  • How are you?Makadii?
    How are you?/ma-ka-DEE-ee/
  • I am fineNdiripo
    I am fine/n-dee-REE-po/
  • WaterMvura
    Water/m-VOO-ra/
  • FoodChikafu
    Food/chee-KA-foo/
  • FriendShamwari
    Friend/sha-m-WA-ree/
  • HouseImba
    House/EEM-ba/
  • OnePoshi
    One/PO-shee/
  • TwoPiri
    Two/PEE-ree/
  • ThreeTatu
    Three/TA-too/
  • FourIna
    Four/EE-na/
  • FiveShanu
    Five/SHA-noo/
  • How much is it?Imarii?
    How much is it?/ee-ma-REE-ee/
  • MarketMusika
    Market/moo-SEE-ka/
  • WaterMvura
    Water/m-VOO-ra/
  • I want to buyNdinoda kutenga
    I want to buy/n-dee-NO-da koo-TEN-ga/

What to know before you translate

About Shona

Zimbabwe, with speakers in Mozambique and Zambia — around 15 million. Writing system: Latin alphabet.

  • 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.

How accurate is it?

Translations are produced by an AI model, so treat long or legal text as a draft and check it with a speaker. Short everyday sentences — greetings, directions, family talk — are where it is strongest, and the pronunciation guide is written for English readers. Lesson audio is AI pronunciation audio, not a recording of a native speaker.

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