Contacts & SNS

1. Zita rako ndiani?

   Zi-ta ra-ko ndi-a-ni?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone's name when meeting for the first time

   Grammar Note

   Reply: "Zita rangu ndi [name]" (My name is...). "rako" is the possessive connective for ri-class noun "zita".

2. Unobva kupi?

   U-no-bva ku-pi?

   Where are you from?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone's hometown or country when getting acquainted

   Grammar Note

   "-bva" means "to come from / to leave from" in Shona. "kupi" is the locative question word "where?".

3. Ndinofara kukuziva. Ndinokudaidza sei?

   Ndi-no-fa-ra ku-ku-zi-va. Ndi-no-ku-dai-dza sei?

   I am happy to meet you. What shall I call you?

   Usage

   Used as a combined greeting and request to confirm what to call someone

   Grammar Note

   "-daidza" means "to call/name". "sei" is the question word "how?" asking about manner or method.

4. Email yangu ndi: [email]. Unganditumira message?

   E-mail ya-ngu ndi: [email]. U-nga-ndi-tu-mi-ra mes-sage?

   My email is [email]. Can you send me a message?

   Usage

   Used to exchange contact information in a modern context

   Grammar Note

   "-ndi-" is the object infix meaning "to me". "tumira" is the applied form of "tuma" (to send).

5. Ngationewo zvakare. Chengeteka!

   Nga-ti-o-ne-wo zva-ka-re. Che-nge-te-ka!

   Let us meet again. Take care!

   Usage

   Used when parting to express hope of meeting again and wishing someone well

   Grammar Note

   "ngati-" is the hortative prefix meaning "let us" (1st person plural). "chengeteka" means "to be safe/careful".

6. Ndibate paWhatsApp

   Ndi-ba-te pa-What-sApp

   Contact me on WhatsApp

   Usage

   WhatsApp is the most commonly used messaging app in Zimbabwe. Used to share contact details

   Grammar Note

   "ndibate" is the imperative of "bata" (to grab/contact). "pa-" is the Shona locative prefix meaning "at/on"

7. Kero yangu ndi: [address]

   Ke-ro ya-ngu ndi: [address]

   My address is [address]

   Usage

   Used to share a residential or hotel address with someone

   Grammar Note

   "kero" is borrowed from English "c/o (care of)" and means "address" in Shona. "ndi" is the Shona copula

8. Ndinogona kukusiyira nambari yangu here?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-ku-si-yi-ra na-mba-ri ya-ngu he-re?

   Can I leave my number with you?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask permission before sharing your phone number

   Grammar Note

   "kukusiyira" = "siya" (leave) + applied "-ira" + object "ku-" (you). Means "to leave for/with you"

9. Unoshandisa Social Media ipi?

   U-no-sha-ndi-sa So-cial Me-dia i-pi?

   Which social media do you use?

   Usage

   Used to find out someone's preferred social media platform

   Grammar Note

   English code-mixing is very common for social media topics in Zimbabwe. "shandisa" means "to use"; "ipi" asks "which"

10. Ndichabata pekupera kwevhiki

    Ndi-cha-ba-ta pe-ku-pe-ra kwe-vhi-ki

    I will contact you at the end of the week

    Usage

    Used to promise to get in touch at a specific time

    Grammar Note

    "-cha-" is the future tense infix. "vhiki" is borrowed from English "week". "pekupera" = "at the end"

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