Cooking & Markets

1. Ndinogona kuwana recipe here?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-wa-na recipe he-re?

   Can I get the recipe?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a recipe

   Grammar Note

   "ndinogona kuwana + noun + here" means "can I get...?"

2. Chikafu ichi chinobikwa sei?

   Chi-ka-fu i-chi chi-no-bi-kwa se-i?

   How is this dish made?

   Usage

   Used to ask how a dish is prepared

   Grammar Note

   "sei" is the Shona question word for "how"

3. Ndinotenga zvokudya kupi?

   Ndi-no-te-nga zvo-ku-dya ku-pi?

   Where can I buy ingredients?

   Usage

   Used to ask where to buy cooking ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "ndinotenga + object + kupi" asks where to buy something

4. Unobika nguva yakareba sei?

   U-no-bi-ka ngu-va ya-ka-re-ba se-i?

   How long do you cook it?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long a dish takes to cook

   Grammar Note

   "yakareba sei" asks about the length/duration

5. Unoda chikafu chinovava here?

   U-no-da chi-ka-fu chi-no-va-va he-re?

   Do you like spicy food?

   Usage

   Used to ask about preference for spicy food

   Grammar Note

   "chinovava" describes food that is spicy/sharp in Shona (the same verb also means bitter)

6. Ngatibike pamwe.

   Nga-ti-bi-ke pa-mwe.

   Let's cook together.

   Usage

   Used to suggest cooking together

   Grammar Note

   "ngati-" creates the hortative "let's" form in Shona

7. Zvinonhuhwira izvi zvinonzi chii?

   Zvi-no-nhu-hwi-ra i-zvi zvi-no-nzi chi-i?

   What is this spice called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of a spice or seasoning

   Grammar Note

   "zvinonzi chii" means "what are they called?" in Shona (zvi- agrees with the plural things)

8. Kune chikafu chevegitariyan here?

   Ku-ne chi-ka-fu che-ve-gi-ta-ri-yan he-re?

   Is there vegetarian food?

   Usage

   Used to ask about vegetarian food options

   Grammar Note

   "kune + noun + here" is the standard Shona pattern for "is there...?"

9. Ndinoda kudzidza kubika chikafu chepasi ino.

   Ndi-no-da ku-dzi-dza ku-bi-ka chi-ka-fu che-pa-si i-no.

   I want to learn to cook traditional food.

   Usage

   Used to express interest in learning traditional cooking

   Grammar Note

   "chepasi ino" means "of this land/region", indicating local tradition

10. Munoshandisa hari ripi?

    Mu-no-sha-ndi-sa ha-ri ri-pi?

    Which pot do you use?

    Usage

    Used to ask which cooking vessel is used

    Grammar Note

    "ripi" is the Shona question word for "which", agreeing with the class 5 noun "hari"

11. Munyu

    Salt

    Usage

    Ask for or buy salt

12. Shuga

    Sugar

    Usage

    Ask for or buy sugar

13. Mhiripiri

    Chilli pepper

    Usage

    Ask for chilli, or say you want it left out

14. Mafuta ekubikisa

    Cooking oil

    Usage

    Buy cooking oil

15. Bhata

    Butter

    Usage

    Ask for or buy butter

16. Chizi

    Cheese

    Usage

    Ask for or buy cheese

17. Uchi

    Honey

    Usage

    Ask for or buy honey

18. Hanyanisi

    Onion

    Usage

    Ask for onion, or say you want it left out

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