Massage & Spa

1. Ndinoda kupurwa muviri wose

   Ndi-no-da ku-pur-wa mu-vi-ri wo-se

   I want a full body massage

   Usage

   Used to request a full body massage at a spa or wellness center

   Grammar Note

   "kupurwa" is the passive of "pura" (to rub/massage). "wose" means "whole/all" in Shona.

2. Izvi zvichatora nguva yakareba sei?

   I-zvi zvi-cha-to-ra ngu-va ya-ka-re-ba se-i?

   How long will this take?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long a massage session will last

   Grammar Note

   "sei" means "how/in what way?" in Shona. "yakareba sei" asks "how long?" about duration.

3. Zvakasimba zvikuru. Nyorosha zvishoma.

   Zva-ka-si-mba zvi-ku-ru. Nyo-ro-sha zvi-sho-ma.

   It is too strong. Soften it a little.

   Usage

   Used to tell the therapist when massage pressure is too strong

   Grammar Note

   "nyorosha" means "to soften/ease". "zvishoma" means "a little/slightly" as an adverb.

4. Zvinonaka zvikuru — ndiri kuzorora

   Zvi-no-na-ka zvi-ku-ru — ndi-ri ku-zo-ro-ra

   This feels very good — I am relaxing

   Usage

   Used to tell the therapist you are enjoying the massage

   Grammar Note

   "naka" is a polysemous verb meaning "to be good/pleasant". "zvinaka" = "it (things) is good".

5. Maita basa — waita basa rakanaka

   Ma-i-ta ba-sa — wa-i-ta ba-sa ra-ka-na-ka

   Thank you — you did a great job

   Usage

   Used to thank the therapist after a massage session

   Grammar Note

   "maita basa" literally means "you have done the work" and is the standard "thank you" in Shona.

6. Ndinoda kupurwa zvinyoronyoro

   Ndi-no-da ku-pur-wa zvi-nyo-ro-nyo-ro

   I want a gentle / relaxation massage

   Usage

   Used to request a gentle relaxation-style massage at a spa

   Grammar Note

   "zvinyoronyoro" is an adverb meaning "gently/softly/smoothly". Useful for directing massage pressure

7. Zvinorwadza pano. Tarisa pano.

   Zvi-no-rwa-dza pa-no. Ta-ri-sa pa-no.

   It hurts here. Look here please.

   Usage

   Used to indicate a painful spot to the therapist during a massage

   Grammar Note

   "rwadza" means "to hurt/cause pain" in Shona. "tarisa" is the imperative of "tarisa" (to look/examine)

8. Ndinoda kupurwa nemafuta emaruva

   Ndi-no-da ku-pur-wa ne-ma-fu-ta e-ma-ru-va

   I want a massage with flower / aromatic oil

   Usage

   Used to request an aromatherapy or floral oil massage

   Grammar Note

   "maruva" means "flowers" (ma-class noun). "nemafuta emaruva" = "with flower oil" using the "ne-" instrumental

9. Ndinokumbira nguva yakareba zvishoma

   Ndi-no-ku-mbi-ra ngu-va ya-ka-re-ba zvi-sho-ma

   Please give me a bit more time

   Usage

   Used to request a session extension during a massage

   Grammar Note

   "nguva yakareba zvishoma" means "a little longer time". "zvishoma" is the adverb for "a little/slightly"

10. Kune shower mushure mekupurwa here?

    Ku-ne sho-wer mu-shu-re me-ku-pur-wa he-re?

    Is there a shower after the massage?

    Usage

    Used to ask about shower facilities at a spa or massage centre

    Grammar Note

    "mushure me-" means "after [something]". English "shower" is code-mixed directly into Shona speech

Browse all TravelPhrases languages