Transportation

1. Ndinoda kuenda kuHarare

   Ndi-no-da ku-e-nda ku-Ha-ra-re

   I want to go to Harare

   Usage

   Used to tell a driver your destination in a taxi or kombi (minibus)

   Grammar Note

   "ku-" is the Shona locative prefix before place names. Zimbabwe's main cities are Harare and Bulawayo.

2. Mitengo yakangani?

   Mi-te-ngo ya-ka-nga-ni?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   Used to ask the fare for a taxi or kombi minibus in Zimbabwe

   Grammar Note

   Zimbabwe uses ZWG (Zimbabwe Gold) and USD. The "kombi" (minibus) is the main urban transport.

3. Ndinomira pano

   Ndi-no-mi-ra pa-no

   I am stopping/getting off here

   Usage

   Used to tell the driver to stop at your destination

   Grammar Note

   "kumira" means "to stop/get off". A practical phrase to use in kombis and buses in Zimbabwe.

4. Chiteshi chekombi chiri kupi?

   Chi-te-shi che-ko-mbi chi-ri ku-pi?

   Where is the kombi (bus) stop?

   Usage

   Used to find the kombi minibus stop or bus station

   Grammar Note

   "kupi" means "where?" in Shona. "chiri kupi" = "where is it?" (agreeing with the chi- class noun).

5. Nzira inoenda kuVictoria Falls iri kupi?

   Nzi-ra i-no-e-nda ku-Vic-to-ri-a Falls i-ri ku-pi?

   Where is the road to Victoria Falls?

   Usage

   Used to ask directions to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe's most famous attraction

   Grammar Note

   Victoria Falls is locally known as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (the smoke that thunders). A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6. Ndimire pano

   Ndi-mi-re pa-no

   Stop here for me

   Usage

   Used in a kombi or taxi to ask the driver to stop

   Grammar Note

   "ndimire" is the imperative of "mira" (stop) with object infix "ndi-" meaning "for me"

7. Tekisi iri kupi?

   Te-ki-si i-ri ku-pi?

   Where is the taxi?

   Usage

   Used at airports or in town to ask where to find a taxi

   Grammar Note

   "tekisi" is borrowed from English "taxi". In Zimbabwe, the "kombi" minibus is more common for local transport

8. Rwendo ruchatora nguva yakareba sei?

   Rwe-ndo ru-cha-to-ra ngu-va ya-ka-re-ba sei?

   How long will the journey take?

   Usage

   Used to ask travel duration for long-distance buses or trips

   Grammar Note

   "rwendo" is a ru-class noun meaning "journey". "-cha-" in "ruchatora" is the Shona future tense infix

9. Ndinoda tikiti rimwe kuenda kuBulawayo

   Ndi-no-da ti-ki-ti ri-mwe ku-e-nda ku-Bu-la-wa-yo

   I want one ticket to Bulawayo

   Usage

   Used to buy a ticket to Zimbabwe's second-largest city at a bus terminal or rail booking

   Grammar Note

   "rimwe" is "one" agreeing with ri-class "tikiti". Harare-Bulawayo is a busy long-distance bus route

10. Kune nzvimbo yekukodha mota apa here?

    Ku-ne nzvi-mbo ye-ku-ko-dha mo-ta a-pa he-re?

    Is there a car rental place here?

    Usage

    Used at airports or hotels to ask about car hire services

    Grammar Note

    "mota" is borrowed from English "motor" (car). "kukodha" means "to hire/rent" in Shona

Browse all TravelPhrases languages