Shopping

1. Ichi chinotengeswa nemari yakangani?

   I-chi chi-no-te-nge-swa ne-ma-ri ya-ka-nga-ni?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Standard phrase for asking the price of an item in any shop or market

   Grammar Note

   "chinotengeswa" is passive meaning "is sold". Zimbabwe uses both USD and Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG).

2. Inodhura zvikuru. Unogona kuderedza mutengo?

   I-no-dhu-ra zvi-ku-ru. U-no-go-na ku-de-re-dza mu-te-ngo?

   It is too expensive. Can you lower the price?

   Usage

   Used when bargaining at Zimbabwean markets and street vendors

   Grammar Note

   "inodhura" is an adjectival verb meaning "it is expensive". In Shona, adjectives often conjugate like verbs.

3. Ndiri kuona chete

   Ndi-ri ku-o-na che-te

   I am just looking

   Usage

   Used to tell an eager seller you are only browsing

   Grammar Note

   "chete" means "just/only" in Shona. Placed at the end of a clause or sentence.

4. Ndichatora ichi

   Ndi-cha-to-ra i-chi

   I will take this

   Usage

   Used when you have decided to purchase an item

   Grammar Note

   "-cha-" is the Shona future tense infix. Pattern: "ndi-cha-[verb]" = "I will [do something]".

5. Une bhegi repapiri?

   U-ne bhe-gi re-pa-pi-ri?

   Do you have a paper bag?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a bag after shopping. Plastic bags are used but awareness is growing.

   Grammar Note

   "une" asks "do you have?" in Shona. "re-" is the possessive connective linking "bhegi" and "papiri".

6. Unogamuchira kadhii here?

   U-no-ga-mu-chi-ra ka-dhii he-re?

   Do you accept card payment?

   Usage

   Used to ask if card payments are accepted at a shop

   Grammar Note

   "gamuchira" means "to accept/receive". In Zimbabwe, USD is the most widely accepted currency

7. Ndinokumbira mutengo wakatenderana

   Ndi-no-ku-mbi-ra mu-te-ngo wa-ka-te-nde-ra-na

   I request a fair / agreed price

   Usage

   Used at markets to request a fair local price

   Grammar Note

   "tenderana" means "to agree". "wakatenderana" is the perfect tense meaning "agreed upon/fair"

8. Ndinoda kutenga shangu

   Ndi-no-da ku-te-nga sha-ngu

   I want to buy shoes

   Usage

   Used in a shoe shop or market to say you want to buy shoes

   Grammar Note

   "shangu" means "shoes" in Shona. It is a class 10 (plural) noun

9. Kune imwe mhando here?

   Ku-ne i-mwe mha-ndo he-re?

   Is there another type / variety?

   Usage

   Used to ask if there is another colour, size, or style available

   Grammar Note

   "mhando" means "type/variety" in Shona. "imwe" means "another/other" as a modifying adjective

10. Maita basa — unotengesera zvakanaka

    Mai-ta ba-sa — u-no-te-nge-se-ra zva-ka-na-ka

    Thank you — you sell well / give great service

    Usage

    Used to thank shop staff after completing a purchase

    Grammar Note

    "tengesera" is the applied form of "tengesa" (to sell), meaning "to sell to/serve". A natural compliment

11. Handidi risiti

    Ha-ndi-di ri-si-ti

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining a receipt — the opposite of "Ndinoda risiti" ("I want a receipt")

    Grammar Note

    Shona negates with the frame ha- … -i: ndinoda becomes handidi. "Handichidi" also carries -chi- ("no longer"); the plain negative drops it.

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