Pharmacy & Health

1. Une mushonga wemarwadzo emusoro?

   U-ne mu-sho-nga we-ma-rwa-dzo e-mu-so-ro?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a pharmacy in Zimbabwe

   Grammar Note

   "Mushonga" is the Shona word for medicine, derived from a common Bantu root

2. Ndinoda mushonga wemudumbu

   Ndi-no-da mu-sho-nga we-mu-du-mbu

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Ndinoda" = "I want/need". "Ndi-" is the first-person subject prefix in Shona

3. Ndinoda mushonga wemanyoka

   Ndi-no-da mu-sho-nga we-ma-nyo-ka

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Manyoka" is the Shona term for diarrhea. English "diarrhea" is also understood

4. Ndine fivha

   Ndi-ne fi-vha

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Fivha" is the Shona spelling of the English loan "fever". "Ndine" = "I have". You can also say "Muviri wangu uri kupisa" (my body is burning)

5. Ndine allergy

   Ndi-ne allergy

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   Shona typically uses the English word "allergy" directly

6. Ndinoda chigwere

   Ndi-no-da chi-gwe-re

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   English "plaster" and "band-aid" are also commonly used in Zimbabwe

7. Ndinoda mushonga wekurwisa zvipukanana

   Ndi-no-da mu-sho-nga we-ku-rwi-sa zvi-pu-ka-na-na

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Zvipukanana" is the plural form meaning "small insects". "Kurwisa" means "to fight against"

8. Ndinoda mushonga wekudzivirira zuva

   Ndi-no-da mu-sho-nga we-ku-dzi-vi-ri-ra zu-va

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Zuva" means "sun/day" in Shona. "Kudzivirira" means "to protect/shield"

9. Ndinonwa sei mushonga uyu?

   Ndi-no-nwa se-i mu-sho-nga u-yu?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Sei" is the Shona question adverb "how". "Ndinonwa" = "I drink/take" (stem -nwa)

10. Panodiwa prescription here?

    Pa-no-di-wa prescription he-re?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Panodiwa" is the passive form meaning "is needed". "Prescription" is an English loanword

11. Mushonga wemarwadzo

    Painkiller

    Usage

    Ask for a painkiller

12. Mushonga wemaziso

    Eye drops

    Usage

    Ask for eye drops

13. Kondomu

    Condom

    Usage

    Ask for condoms

14. Ndapota, mushonga wekupatira

    Nda-po-ta, mu-sho-nga we-ku-pa-ti-ra

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Ask for a laxative at a pharmacy

    Grammar Note

    A descriptive "medicine for constipation": "kupatira" put into the same "mushonga we + noun" frame as "mushonga wemanyoka" (diarrhoea medicine).

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