Sports & Activities

1. Ndinogona kuona mutambo kupi?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-o-na mu-ta-mbo ku-pi?

   Where can I watch the match?

   Usage

   Used to ask where to watch a sports match

   Grammar Note

   "Ndinogona" uses the subject prefix "ndi-" (I) + "-gona" (can/able to)

2. Ndiri kuda kutamba tennis / badminton.

   Ndi-ri ku-da ku-ta-mba ten-nis / bad-min-ton.

   I'd like to play tennis / badminton.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to play tennis or badminton

   Grammar Note

   "Ndiri kuda" is the Shona expression for "I would like / I want to"

3. Gym / nzvimbo yemitambo iri pedyo kupi?

   Gym / nzvi-mbo ye-mi-ta-mbo i-ri pe-dyo ku-pi?

   Where is the nearest gym / sports center?

   Usage

   Used to find the closest gym or sports facility

   Grammar Note

   "Ye-" is a Shona connective prefix meaning "of / for", used for possession and relation

4. Ndinogona kukodesha zvinoshandiswa mumitambo pano?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-ko-de-sha zvi-no-sha-ndi-swa mu-mi-ta-mbo pa-no?

   Can I rent sports equipment here?

   Usage

   Used to ask about renting sports gear

   Grammar Note

   "Zvinoshandiswa" is passive voice meaning "things that are used / equipment"

5. Mitambo ipi inodikanwa pano?

   Mi-ta-mbo i-pi i-no-di-ka-nwa pa-no?

   What sports are popular here?

   Usage

   Used to ask about locally popular sports

   Grammar Note

   "Inodikanwa" is the present passive of "-dika" (to like), meaning "is liked / popular"

6. Ndiri kuda kuenda kunoita hiking / cycling.

   Ndi-ri ku-da ku-e-nda ku-no-i-ta hi-king / cy-cling.

   I'd like to go hiking / cycling.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to go hiking or cycling

   Grammar Note

   English loanwords "hiking" and "cycling" are used directly in Shona

7. Ndinogona kushambira / kusafura kupi?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-sha-mbi-ra / ku-sa-fu-ra ku-pi?

   Where can I go swimming / surfing?

   Usage

   Used to find places for swimming or surfing

   Grammar Note

   "Ku-" is the Shona infinitive prefix added to verb roots

8. Kune mutambo wefutibhoro nhasi?

   Ku-ne mu-ta-mbo we-fu-ti-bho-ro nha-si?

   Is there a football / soccer game today?

   Usage

   Used to check if there's a football match today

   Grammar Note

   "Kune" is the Shona existential verb meaning "there is / there are"

9. Ndinogona kupinda mumutambo?

   Ndi-no-go-na ku-pi-nda mu-mu-ta-mbo?

   Can I join the game?

   Usage

   Used to ask permission to join a game in progress

   Grammar Note

   "Mu-" is a Shona locative prefix meaning "in / inside"

10. Mutambo wakanga wakanaka chaizvo!

    Mu-ta-mbo wa-ka-nga wa-ka-na-ka chai-zvo!

    That was an amazing match / game!

    Usage

    Used to express excitement after an amazing match

    Grammar Note

    "Chaizvo" is a Shona emphatic adverb meaning "really / truly / absolutely"

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