Photography

1. Ndinogona kutora mufananidzo here?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-to-ra mu-fa-na-ni-dzo he-re?

   Can I take a photo?

   Usage

   Used to ask permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "ndinogona ... here" is a polite way to ask permission in Shona

2. Munogona kunditorera mufananidzo here?

   Mu-no-go-na ku-ndi-to-re-ra mu-fa-na-ni-dzo he-re?

   Can you take a photo of me?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to take your photo

   Grammar Note

   "-rera" is a benefactive suffix meaning "for (someone)"

3. Pano hapatorwa mifananidzo.

   Pa-no ha-pa-to-rwa mi-fa-na-ni-dzo.

   Photography is not allowed here.

   Usage

   Used to inform that photography is not permitted

   Grammar Note

   "hapatorwa" is the negative passive form, meaning "photos are not taken"

4. Nzvimbo yakanaka yekutora mifananidzo iri kupi?

   Nzvi-mbo ya-ka-na-ka ye-ku-to-ra mi-fa-na-ni-dzo i-ri ku-pi?

   Where is a good spot for photos?

   Usage

   Used to ask about good photography spots

   Grammar Note

   "yakanaka" means "good/beautiful" and modifies a noun

5. Ngatitore mufananidzo pamwe.

   Nga-ti-to-re mu-fa-na-ni-dzo pa-mwe.

   Let's take a photo together.

   Usage

   Used to suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   "ngati-" is the hortative prefix meaning "let's"

6. Ndinogona kushandisa flash here?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-sha-ndi-sa flash he-re?

   Can I use flash?

   Usage

   Used to ask permission to use flash photography

   Grammar Note

   "kushandisa" means "to use/utilize" in Shona

7. Munogona kundiratidza mifananidzo here?

   Mu-no-go-na ku-ndi-ra-ti-dza mi-fa-na-ni-dzo he-re?

   Can you show me the photos?

   Usage

   Used to ask to see someone's photos

   Grammar Note

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

8. Camera yangu yapera mabhatiri.

   Camera ya-ngu ya-pe-ra ma-bha-ti-ri.

   My camera battery is dead.

   Usage

   Used to say the camera battery has run out

   Grammar Note

   "yapera" is the perfect form meaning "has run out/finished"

9. Ndinoda memory card.

   Ndi-no-da memory card.

   I need a memory card.

   Usage

   Used to say you need a memory card

   Grammar Note

   English technical terms like "memory card" are often used as-is in Shona

10. Munogona kunditumira mifananidzo here?

    Mu-no-go-na ku-ndi-tu-mi-ra mi-fa-na-ni-dzo he-re?

    Can you send me the photos?

    Usage

    Used to ask someone to send you photos

    Grammar Note

    "kunditumira" is "kutumira" (= "kutuma" to send + applicative "-ira", "send to") with the object marker "-ndi-" (me) inserted

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