Nightlife

1. Kune baa rakanaka pedyo pano?

   Ku-ne baa ra-ka-na-ka pe-dyo pa-no?

   Is there a good bar nearby?

   Usage

   Used to find a good bar in Harare's vibrant nightlife

   Grammar Note

   "kune" is Shona's existential "there is". "pedyo pano" means "close/near here" as an adverbial phrase.

2. Pinza! Nzvimbo yakanaka!

   Pi-nza! Nzvi-mbo ya-ka-na-ka!

   Cheers! Great night!

   Usage

   Used as a toast or celebration expression

   Grammar Note

   "pinza" is a Shona toast expression. Zimbabwe's beer culture includes "doro" (traditional sorghum beer).

3. Nzvimbo iyi inovhara rinhi?

   Nzvi-mbo i-yi i-no-vha-ra ri-nhi?

   What time does this place close?

   Usage

   Used to ask closing time at a bar or nightclub

   Grammar Note

   "vhara" means "to close/shut" in Shona. "rinhi" is the question word meaning "when?".

4. Ndinokumbira doro rimwe

   Ndi-no-ku-mbi-ra do-ro ri-mwe

   I would like one more beer please

   Usage

   Used to order another beer at a bar or social gathering

   Grammar Note

   "doro" refers to beer and traditional brews in Shona. It is a class 5 noun, so "one/another" is the class 5 form "rimwe". "ndinokumbira" is a polite request expression.

5. Maita basa. Husiku hwakanaka!

   Ma-i-ta ba-sa. Hu-si-ku hwa-ka-na-ka!

   Thank you. Have a good night!

   Usage

   Used when leaving a night out or saying goodbye to friends

   Grammar Note

   "husiku hwakanaka" means "good night". "hwakanaka" is the perfect of "naka" agreeing with the class 14 noun "husiku" (night) via "hwa-".

6. Ndinokumbira doro rezvibereko

   Ndi-no-ku-mbi-ra do-ro re-zvi-be-re-ko

   Please give me fruit beer / traditional brew

   Usage

   Used to order traditional fruit-based beer at a bar or local gathering

   Grammar Note

   "zvibereko" means "fruits/produce" (zvi-class). Traditional Zimbabwean "doro" is brewed from maize or fruits

7. Mvura chete, maita basa

   Mvu-ra che-te, mai-ta ba-sa

   Just water please, thank you

   Usage

   Used to decline alcohol and order only water during a night out

   Grammar Note

   "chete" means "just/only" in Shona. It keeps a polite, non-offensive tone when declining alcohol

8. Kune concert apa nhasi here?

   Ku-ne con-cert a-pa nha-si he-re?

   Is there a concert here today / tonight?

   Usage

   Used to ask about live music events at a bar or venue tonight

   Grammar Note

   Code-mixing is common in Zimbabwe; English "concert" is used directly. "nhasi usiku" = "tonight"

9. Ndinoenda kumba. Maita basa zvikuru!

   Ndi-no-e-nda ku-mba. Mai-ta ba-sa zvi-ku-ru!

   I am going home. Thank you very much!

   Usage

   Said when leaving a night out to return home, thanking friends or staff

   Grammar Note

   "kumba" means "home/to the house" (locative). "maita basa zvikuru" adds "zvikuru" (very much) for emphasis

10. Ndinokumbira kuudzwa nzvimbo dzekuenda muHarare

    Ndi-no-ku-mbi-ra ku-u-dzwa nzvi-mbo dze-ku-e-nda mu-Ha-ra-re

    Please recommend places to go in Harare

    Usage

    Used to ask locals for recommendations on nightlife venues in Harare

    Grammar Note

    "kuudzwa" is "to be told", "nzvimbo" is "places". "Ndinokumbira kuudzwa ..." is a polite request meaning "please tell me ..."

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