Money & Exchange

1. Ichi chinotengeswa nezvingani?

   I-chi chi-no-te-nge-swa ne-zvi-nga-ni?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   The basic phrase for asking how much something costs

   Grammar Note

   "Zvingani" means "how many/much". Simplified: "Inodhura zvingani?" (How much does it cost?). Zimbabwe uses USD as the main currency since 2009

2. Inodhura zvakanyanya

   I-no-dhu-ra zva-ka-nya-nya

   It is too expensive

   Usage

   Used to indicate a price is too high when starting to negotiate

   Grammar Note

   "Dhura" means expensive in Shona. "Nyanya" adds "excessively". "Handikwanisi kubhadhara zvakadaro" (I cannot pay that much) is useful for stronger negotiation

3. Ndinobhadhara nemari yaUSA

   Ndi-no-bha-dha-ra ne-ma-ri ya-U-S-A

   I will pay in US dollars

   Usage

   Used to indicate payment in USD, the primary currency in Zimbabwe

   Grammar Note

   "Mari" means money/currency in Shona. Zimbabwe adopted USD in 2009 after hyperinflation. The ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) currency has also been introduced more recently

4. Ndinoda kushandura mari

   Ndi-no-da ku-sha-ndu-ra ma-ri

   I want to exchange money

   Usage

   Used when you want to exchange foreign currency

   Grammar Note

   "Kushandura" means to change or transform (transitive). Banks ("bhangi" in Shona) and exchange bureaus are the safe places to change money in Zimbabwe

5. Unogamuchira card here?

   U-no-ga-mu-chi-ra card he-re?

   Do you accept card payment?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   "Gamuchira" means to receive or accept. Cards are accepted in formal urban businesses in Zimbabwe, but cash is essential in rural areas and small markets

6. Ndipe change yangu

   Ndi-pe change ya-ngu

   Give me my change

   Usage

   Used to request your change after making a payment

   Grammar Note

   Since English is official in Zimbabwe, "change" is used directly. "Chichange" is a Shona-morphology adaptation. Coins and small change are often in short supply

7. Pano pane ATM here?

   Pa-no pa-ne A-T-M he-re?

   Is there an ATM nearby?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether an ATM is nearby

   Grammar Note

   "Pano pane" = locative existential (here there is). Zimbabwe's ATMs dispense USD. EcoCash (Econet's mobile money) is also very widely used for payments

8. Ndinoda risiti

   Ndi-no-da ri-si-ti

   I want a receipt

   Usage

   Used to request a receipt after payment

   Grammar Note

   "Risiti" is borrowed from English "receipt". Formal businesses in Zimbabwe issue receipts. "Invoice" is also used directly from English for business transactions

9. Deredzai mutengo zvishoma

   De-re-dza-i mu-te-ngo zvi-sho-ma

   Make it a little cheaper

   Usage

   Used politely during price negotiation to ask for a small discount

   Grammar Note

   "Deredzai" is the polite imperative (-ai) of "kuderedza" (to reduce/lower); "mutengo" is the price. Price negotiation is common in Zimbabwean markets and is culturally acceptable

10. Ndabhadhara

    Nda-bha-dha-ra

    I have paid

    Usage

    Used to confirm that you have already paid

    Grammar Note

    "Ndabhadhara" = "nda-" (perfect aspect, 1st person) + "bhadhara" (to pay). This is the standard Shona perfect form indicating completed payment

11. Kadhi

    Card

    Usage

    Show that you want to pay by card

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