Traveling with Kids

1. Pane zvinhu zvevana here pano?

   Pa-ne zvi-nhu zve-va-na he-re pa-no?

   Is there something for children here?

   Usage

   Used when visiting a venue with children to ask about kid-friendly options

   Grammar Note

   "Vana" is the plural of "mwana" (child). "Zve-" is the plural possessive prefix. In Shona culture, children are cherished and raised by the extended community

2. Mwana wako akanaka kwazvo

   Mwa-na wa-ko a-ka-na-ka kwa-zvo

   Your child is very good / wonderful

   Usage

   Used to compliment a child, which brings great joy to Shona parents and families

   Grammar Note

   "Akanaka" = "a-" (3rd person singular subject concord) + "-ka-" + the stem "-naka" (good/beautiful). Complimenting children is very important in Shona culture and strengthens community bonds

3. Vana vanofarira kutamba

   Va-na va-no-fa-ri-ra ku-ta-mba

   Children love to play

   Usage

   Used when looking for a play area or activity for children

   Grammar Note

   "Kutamba" covers both playing and dancing in Shona. "Vanofarira" = "va-no-fara-ira" (they enjoy doing). Add specific games: "kutamba nhabvu" (to play football)

4. Mwana wangu ane makore mashanu

   Mwa-na wa-ngu a-ne ma-ko-re ma-sha-nu

   My child is five years old

   Usage

   Used to state your child's age. Replace "mashanu" with other numbers

   Grammar Note

   "Makore" is the plural of "gore" (year). Shona numbers: "rimwe" (1), "maviri" (2), "matatu" (3), "mana" (4), "mashanu" (5), "matanhatu" (6)

5. Mwana wangu arasika

   Mwa-na wa-ngu a-ra-si-ka

   My child is lost

   Usage

   Used urgently when a child has gone missing in a public place

   Grammar Note

   Add "Ndinoda rubatsiro!" (I need help!) for urgency. Shona communal values (unhu) mean that strangers will typically help find a lost child

6. Pane chikafu chevana here?

   Pa-ne chi-ka-fu che-va-na he-re?

   Is there a children's menu?

   Usage

   Used to ask if a restaurant has a children's menu or kid-friendly food

   Grammar Note

   "Che-" is the possessive prefix agreeing with the "chi-" class noun "chikafu" (food). Sadza (maize porridge) is popular with children in Zimbabwe

7. Ndinoda kuchengetedza mwana

   Ndi-no-da ku-che-nge-te-dza mwa-na

   I need to look after a child

   Usage

   Used to explain that you need to take care of a child

   Grammar Note

   "Kuchengetedza" means to protect, preserve, or care for. In Shona culture, childcare is a community effort involving grandmothers (ambuya) and extended family

8. Ndinoda kutengera mwana chipo

   Ndi-no-da ku-te-nge-ra mwa-na chi-po

   I want to buy a gift for a child

   Usage

   Used when shopping for a gift or souvenir for a child

   Grammar Note

   "Kutengera" = "kutenga" (to buy) + "-era" (benefactive suffix) = to buy for someone. "Chipo" means gift/present in Shona (not related to English "chip")

9. Vana vanofara

   Va-na va-no-fa-ra

   The children are happy

   Usage

   Used to express that children are happy and having a good time

   Grammar Note

   "Fara" means to rejoice or be happy. "Vanofara" = third-person plural present. "Ndinofara" (I am happy) expresses your own joy

10. Ndatenda nekufara kwevana

    Nda-te-nda ne-ku-fa-ra kwe-va-na

    Thank you for the children's joy

    Usage

    Used to thank someone for making children happy during an activity or visit

    Grammar Note

    "Nekufara kwevana" = "for the joy of the children". "Kwe-" is the possessive prefix for the "va-" class nouns. Kindness to children is highly valued in Shona culture

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