Electronics

1. Runhare

   Phone

   Usage

   Covers both landline and mobile; in everyday speech the English-derived "foni" is just as common

   Grammar Note

   A class 11 (ru-) noun; the plural is "nhare".

2. Kombiyuta

   Computer

   Usage

   The word to use at an internet café or a guesthouse business corner; for a laptop the English word works

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword; the plural is identical.

3. Chaja

   Charger

   Usage

   For borrowing one at a guesthouse or buying one in a shop

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword from English "charger"; the verb is "kuchaja".

4. Tambo yekuchaja

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Literally "cord for charging"; in a shop just say "USB-C" or "Lightning"

   Grammar Note

   "Tambo" (cord, class 9) plus the linker "ye-" plus "kuchaja" (to charge).

5. Bhatiri

   Battery

   Usage

   Covers disposable cells and built-in batteries alike; for a power bank the English term is understood as-is

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "mabhatiri".

6. Magetsi

   Electricity

   Usage

   Load shedding is routine in Zimbabwe; ask your guesthouse when the power goes off today. "Magetsi haapo" means the power is out

   Grammar Note

   A class 6 (ma-) noun used in the plural form with singular meaning.

7. Wi-Fi

   Usage

   Used as-is. Most people rely on mobile data "bundles", so check the speed of a guesthouse's Wi-Fi before you count on it

8. Kadi reSIM

   SIM card

   Usage

   Registration requires your passport; the main networks are Econet, NetOne and Telecel

   Grammar Note

   "Kadi" (card, class 5) plus the possessive linker "re-" plus "SIM".

9. Kamera

   Camera

   Usage

   Always ask before photographing people. Photographing government buildings, military sites and airports is prohibited

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword; the plural is identical.

10. Tochi

    Torch / flashlight

    Usage

    Essential in a country with frequent outages; ask in advance whether your guesthouse has one

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword from English "torch"; the plural is identical.

11. Rambi

    Lamp

    Usage

    Report a light that will not come on with this word; it also covers the paraffin lamps used during outages

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun; the plural is "marambi".

12. Terevhizheni

    Television

    Usage

    Used when checking room facilities; people also just say "TV"

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword; the plural is identical.

13. Redhiyo

    Radio

    Usage

    Radio Zimbabwe broadcasts in Shona nationwide — a good way to hear the language on a long drive

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword; the plural is identical.

14. Firiji

    Fridge

    Usage

    Useful when looking for self-catering lodging or when medication needs refrigerating; long outages spoil the contents

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword; the plural is identical.

15. Muchina wekugeza

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Literally "machine for washing"; check when choosing longer-stay lodging, as hand washing is the norm and many places have none

    Grammar Note

    "Muchina" (machine, class 3) plus the linker "we-" plus "kugeza" (to wash).

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