Language Learning

1. Ndiri kudzidza mutauro uyu.

   Ndi-ri ku-dzi-dza mu-ta-u-ro u-yu.

   I am studying this language.

   Usage

   Used to say you are studying a language

   Grammar Note

   "ndiri ku-" forms the present continuous in Shona

2. Munogona kutaura zvishoma nezvishoma here?

   Mu-no-go-na ku-ta-u-ra zvi-sho-ma ne-zvi-sho-ma he-re?

   Can you speak more slowly?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to speak more slowly

   Grammar Note

   "zvishoma" alone means "a little"; "zvishoma nezvishoma" ("little by little") is how "slowly" is expressed (same phrase as «Ndapota taurai zvishoma nezvishoma»)

3. Izvi zvinonzi sei?

   I-zvi zvi-no-nzi se-i?

   How do you say this?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to say something

   Grammar Note

   "zvinonzi sei" asks "how is it said/called?" in Shona

4. Ndataurira zvakanaka here?

   Nda-ta-u-ri-ra zva-ka-na-ka he-re?

   Is my pronunciation correct?

   Usage

   Used to ask if your pronunciation is correct

   Grammar Note

   "zvakanaka here" asks "was it done well/correctly?"

5. Munogona kundikurudzira bhuku rakanaka rekudzidza here?

   Mu-no-go-na ku-ndi-ku-ru-dzi-ra bhu-ku ra-ka-na-ka re-ku-dzi-dza he-re?

   Can you recommend a good textbook?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a good language textbook recommendation

   Grammar Note

   "-ndi-" in "kundikurudzira" is the first person object marker "to me"

6. Tinogonawo kutausana mumitauro?

   Ti-no-go-na-wo ku-ta-u-sa-na mu-mi-ta-u-ro?

   Shall we do a language exchange?

   Usage

   Used to propose a language exchange partnership

   Grammar Note

   "-ana" in "kutausana" is a reciprocal suffix meaning "with each other"

7. Munogona kunditsanangurira grammar iyi here?

   Mu-no-go-na ku-ndi-tsa-na-ngu-ri-ra grammar i-yi he-re?

   Can you explain this grammar to me?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a grammar explanation

   Grammar Note

   "-ira" in "kunditsanangurira" is the applicative meaning "for me"

8. Munogona kudzokorodza here?

   Mu-no-go-na ku-dzo-ko-ro-dza he-re?

   Can you say that again?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to repeat what they said

   Grammar Note

   "kudzokorodza" means "to repeat/say again" in Shona

9. Ndinoshandisa app yedictionary.

   Ndi-no-sha-ndi-sa app yedictionary.

   I use a dictionary app.

   Usage

   Used to mention using a dictionary app

   Grammar Note

   "app" and "dictionary" are borrowed from English and used in Shona

10. Ndinodzidzira mazuva ose.

    Ndi-no-dzi-dzi-ra ma-zu-va o-se.

    I practice every day.

    Usage

    Used to say you practice every day

    Grammar Note

    "mazuva ose" means "all days" = every day in Shona

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