Café & Drinks

1. Ndipe mvura

   Ndi-pe mvu-ra

   Give me water

   Usage

   The basic phrase to request water

   Grammar Note

   "Ndipe" is "ndi-" (to me) + "pe" (imperative of "kupa", to give): "give me". The plural/respectful form is "Ndipei mvura"

2. Ndinoda doro repasi

   Ndi-no-da do-ro re-pa-si

   I want local beer (doro)

   Usage

   Used to request local Zimbabwean beer or traditional sorghum beer

   Grammar Note

   "Doro" refers to beer and fermented drinks generally. Traditional sorghum beer "doro remusha" (village beer) plays an important role in Shona ceremonies

3. Unoda kunywa chii?

   U-no-da ku-nywa chi-i?

   What do you want to drink?

   Usage

   Used to offer a drink or ask for someone's drink preference

   Grammar Note

   "Kunywa" is the Shona infinitive for to drink. The question word "chii" (what) typically comes at the end of the sentence in Shona

4. Ndinoda tii nemukaka

   Ndi-no-da tii ne-mu-ka-ka

   I want tea with milk

   Usage

   Used to order tea with milk, which is the most common way tea is served in Zimbabwe

   Grammar Note

   "Ne-" is a prefix meaning "with". "Mukaka" means milk. "Tii" is borrowed from English. British-style milk tea is the most common hot drink in Zimbabwe

5. Ndinoda maheu

   Ndi-no-da ma-he-u

   I want maheu (fermented maize drink)

   Usage

   Used to order maheu, a traditional non-alcoholic fermented maize drink popular in Zimbabwe

   Grammar Note

   Maheu is a nutritious, mildly fermented maize porridge-drink, non-alcoholic, and widely enjoyed by all ages in Zimbabwe. It has a slightly sweet, thick consistency

6. Zvive zvine chando

   Zvi-ve zvi-ne cha-ndo

   Please make it cold / with ice

   Usage

   Used to request a cold drink with ice, especially in Zimbabwe's hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Chando" means ice/cold in Shona. "Zvive zvine chando" = "let it be with ice". Zimbabwe's hot climate makes cold drinks especially welcome

7. Zvakanaka kwazvo

   Zva-ka-na-ka kwa-zvo

   It is very good / delicious

   Usage

   Used to compliment a drink as very tasty or good

   Grammar Note

   "Zvakanaka" is the plural/neutral form of "kanaka" (good/beautiful). "Kwazvo" is an intensifier adverb. This phrase works for food and drinks alike

8. Ndinoda muto wemichero

   Ndi-no-da mu-to we-mi-che-ro

   I want fruit juice

   Usage

   Used to order fruit juice

   Grammar Note

   "Muto" covers liquid, juice, and sauce. "Michero" is the plural of "muchero" (fruit). Zimbabwe's tropical fruits include guavas, mangos, and pawpaws (papayas)

9. Rine doro here?

   Ri-ne do-ro he-re?

   Does it contain alcohol?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether a drink contains alcohol

   Grammar Note

   "Rine" = "ri-ne" (it has/contains). "Doro" can refer to alcohol generally. "Handidi doro" (I don't want alcohol) is useful for declining alcoholic drinks

10. Ndinoda kofi yakanaka

    Ndi-no-da ko-fi ya-ka-na-ka

    I want a good coffee

    Usage

    Used to order a good cup of coffee

    Grammar Note

    "Kofi" is borrowed from English. "Yakanaka" = agreement prefix "ya-" + "kanaka" (good). Zimbabwe grows quality coffee, particularly in Chipinge and the Eastern Highlands

11. Mvura yemubhodhoro

    Bottled water

    Usage

    Ask for sealed bottled water

12. Mvura inopisa

    Hot water

    Usage

    Ask for hot water

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