Food & Drinks

1. Ndinoda kuona menyu

   Ndi-no-da ku-o-na me-nyu

   I want to see the menu

   Usage

   Used at a restaurant to ask for the menu

   Grammar Note

   Shona infinitives begin with "ku-". "ndinoda + infinitive" expresses "I want to [do something]".

2. Ndinoda sadza nenyama

   Ndi-no-da sa-dza ne-nya-ma

   I want sadza and meat

   Usage

   Used to order sadza, Zimbabwe's staple maize porridge, with meat

   Grammar Note

   "ne-" is Shona's connective prefix meaning "and". "nenyama" = "and meat". Sadza is Zimbabwe's national food.

3. Zvakanaka zvikuru!

   Zva-ka-na-ka zvi-ku-ru!

   It is very delicious!

   Usage

   Used to compliment food. Makes Zimbabwean cooks very happy.

   Grammar Note

   "zvakanaka" means "it is good/nice" using the "zv-" class for things. A versatile compliment.

4. Handidyi nyama

   Ha-ndi-dyi nya-ma

   I don't eat meat

   Usage

   Important phrase for communicating dietary restrictions in Zimbabwe

   Grammar Note

   Shona negation adds "ha-" prefix and changes the ending. "ndinodya" (eat) → "handidyi" (don't eat).

5. Maita basa — chikafu chakanaka chaizvo

   Mai-ta ba-sa — chi-ka-fu cha-ka-na-ka chai-zvo

   Thank you — the food was truly delicious

   Usage

   Used after a meal to thank the cook or host

   Grammar Note

   "maita basa" means "thank you for the work/effort". A respectful expression of gratitude in Shona.

6. Ndipei mvura

   Ndi-pe-i mvu-ra

   Give me water please

   Usage

   Basic phrase for requesting water at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "ndipei" is the imperative of "pa" (give) with object infix "ndi-" (me). Pair with "inodziya" for warm water

7. Ndine alaji ku... Kune zvinhu zvandisingadyi here?

   Ndi-ne a-la-ji ku... Ku-ne zvi-nhu zva-ndi-si-nga-dyi he-re?

   I am allergic to... Are there things I cannot eat?

   Usage

   Important phrase for informing restaurant staff about food allergies

   Grammar Note

   "alaji" is the Shona word for "allergy", borrowed from English. "here" is a question particle placed at the end of a sentence

8. Ndipei bhiri

   Ndi-pe-i bhi-ri

   Please bring the bill

   Usage

   Used at the end of a meal to ask a waiter for the bill

   Grammar Note

   "bhiri" is borrowed from English "bill". Zimbabwean restaurants accept USD and Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG)

9. Ndinoda muriwo nenzungu

   Ndi-no-da mu-ri-wo ne-nzu-ngu

   I want muriwo (leafy greens) and nzungu (peanuts)

   Usage

   Used to order traditional Zimbabwean vegetable dishes

   Grammar Note

   "muriwo" is traditional leafy greens relish in Shona cuisine. "nzungu" (peanuts) is a staple ingredient

10. Tingadya pamwe here?

    Ti-nga-dya pa-mwe he-re?

    Shall we eat together?

    Usage

    A warm invitation to share a meal with someone

    Grammar Note

    "tinga-" is the first person plural potential prefix. Adding "here" at the end forms a yes/no question

11. Mupunga

    Rice (cooked)

    Usage

    Point at rice when ordering

12. Chingwa

    Bread

    Usage

    Point at bread when ordering or shopping

13. Nyama

    Meat

    Usage

    Point at meat in general; use the separate cards for each kind

14. Muriwo

    Vegetables

    Usage

    Point at vegetables

15. Muchero

    Fruit

    Usage

    Point at fruit

16. Muto

    Soup

    Usage

    Order soup; the word also covers gravy and juice

17. Chikafu chinopisa

    Spicy food

    Usage

    Ask whether a dish is spicy (kupisa = hot/spicy; "bitter" is kuvava, which is not meant here)

18. Chikafu chisina kubikwa

    Raw, uncooked food

    Usage

    Check whether food is uncooked

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