Shona Words and Pronunciations

Shona Word

Sounds Like

Translation

Ambuya

Am-bouy-ya

Grandmother

Chikombas

Chi-comb-bahs

Lovers

Chipembere

Chip-bem-bear-eh

Rhino

Garwe

Gar-way

Crocodile

Humba

Hoom-bah

Bush Pig

Kamba

Kahm-bah

Tortoise

Katsi

Cat-see

Cat

Kudu

Koo-doo

Small Antelope

Kuzvipeta

Kooz-veh-pay-tah

Humbleness

Madhala

Muh-doll-uh

Old person

Mhuri

Moo-hoor-ee

Immediate family

Mvuu

Umm-voo

Hippo

Nganga

En-gahng-ga

Traditional Healer

Njuzu

En-joo-zoo

Waterspirit

Nyamasoka

Nyah-mah-sew-kah

Rain snake

Nyati

Nee-yah-tee

Cape Buffalo

Nzou

En-zoo-oo

Elephant

Rufaro

Rue-far-o

Happiness

Sahwiras

Sa-wir-uhs

Life long friends

Sekuru

Seh-koo-roo

Grandfather

Shumba

Shoom-bah

Lion

Twiza

Twee-zah

Giraffe

Ukama

Oo-kah-mah

Extended family

Zimbabwe

Zim-bob-way

Houses of Stone

Zizi

Zee-zee

Owl

Artist Pronunciations

Artist Names

Pronunciation

Generation

Edward Chiwawa

Chuh-wah-wah

First Generation

Fanizani Akuda

Fan-uh-zon-ee Uh-koo-duh

First Generation

Henry Munyaradzi

Moon-yar-od-zi

First Generation

Moses Masaya

Muh-sigh-uh

First Generation

Sylvester Mubayi

Moo-bye-yee

First Generation

Bernard Matemera

Mat-tuh-mare-uh

First Generation

David Gopito

Go-pea-toe

Second Generation

Biggie Kapeta

Kuh-pay-tuh

Second Generation

Kizito Rwanza

Ku-zee-toe Ruh-wohn-zuh

Second Generation

Peter Mandala

Mahn-dah-la

Second Generation

Richard Mteki

Muh-tek-ee

Second Generation

Agrippa Ndongwe

Uh-grip-uh In-dong-weigh

Third Generation

Kennedy Musekiwa

Moo-suh-kee-wuh

Third Generation

Timothy Mupotaringa

Moo-poe-tar-ing-guh

Third Generation

Felix Tirivanhu

Teer-uh-von-hu

Third Generation

Robert Kwechete

Kwuh-cheh-tee

Third Generation

Stanley Chidoti Shadreck

Che-dote-ee Shad-reck

Third Generation

Letwin Mugavasi

Le-tween Moo-guh-vaz-ee

Woman Artist

Locadia Ndandarika

Low-cad-ee-uh In-dan-der-ee-kuh

Woman Artist

Junior Mhembere

Mem-bear-eh

Woman Artist

Queenie Sango

Sang-go

Woman Artist