Flirting

1. Wakanaka zvikuru

   Wa-ka-na-ka zvi-ku-ru

   You look very good / You are very beautiful

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's appearance

   Grammar Note

   "wakanaka" is the 2nd person perfect of "naka" (to be good/beautiful). A versatile compliment.

2. Zita rako ndiani?

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

   What is your name?

   Usage

   A natural way to start a conversation by asking someone's name

   Grammar Note

   Reply: "Zita rangu ndi [name]" (My name is...). Sharing names is an important social courtesy in Shona culture.

3. Ungada kunwa chinhu pamwe?

   U-nga-da ku-nwa chi-nhu pa-mwe?

   Would you like to drink something together?

   Usage

   A polite invitation to share a drink

   Grammar Note

   "ungada" is the conditional form meaning "would you like?". "pamwe" means "together" in Shona.

4. Ndinofara kukuziva

   Ndi-no-fa-ra ku-ku-zi-va

   I am happy to know you

   Usage

   Expresses happiness at meeting someone

   Grammar Note

   "fara" means "to be happy/joyful". "ku-ku-ziva": first "ku-" = infinitive prefix, second "ku-" = "you" (object).

5. Unganditumira nambari yako?

   U-nga-ndi-tu-mi-ra na-mba-ri ya-ko?

   Can you send me your phone number?

   Usage

   A modern way to ask for someone's phone number

   Grammar Note

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

6. Unofara kuita chii nguva yako yemahara?

   U-no-fa-ra ku-i-ta chii ngu-va ya-ko ye-ma-ha-ra?

   What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

   Usage

   A natural conversation starter to find common interests with someone new

   Grammar Note

   "fara" means "to be happy/enjoy". "nguva yemahara" is an idiom for "free time" (free = without cost/pressure)

7. Tingaonana rini zvakare?

   Ti-nga-o-na-na ri-ni zva-ka-re?

   When can we see each other again?

   Usage

   Used after a nice meeting to arrange the next get-together

   Grammar Note

   "-onana" is the reciprocal of "-ona" (to see), meaning "see each other". "tinga-" is the potential "we can"

8. Ndinokuda

   Ndi-no-ku-da

   I like you / I love you

   Usage

   A direct expression of affection or love in Shona

   Grammar Note

   "ndinokuda" is the standard Shona "I love/like you". "-da" means "to love/like". A powerful declaration

9. Ungatamba neni here?

   U-nga-ta-mba ne-ni he-re?

   Would you like to dance with me?

   Usage

   Used at a party or nightclub to invite someone to dance

   Grammar Note

   "kutamba" covers both "to play" and "to dance" in Shona (the same verb as in the kids phrases). "ungatamba" = "unga-" (can you) + "tamba", and "neni" (with me) makes it an invitation to dance together

10. Munhu akafanana newe haawanzi kuonekwa

    Mu-nhu a-ka-fa-na-na ne-we ha-a-wa-nzi ku-o-ne-kwa

    A person like you is not easily found

    Usage

    A romantic compliment telling someone they are uniquely special

    Grammar Note

    "akafanana newe" means "similar to you" using the similarity construction "fanana ne-" (to be like/similar to)

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