Weather & Climate

1. Kuri kupisa nhasi, handiti?

   Ku-ri ku-pi-sa nha-si, ha-ndi-ti?

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Common weather conversation opener in Zimbabwe

   Grammar Note

   Hot weather is phrased "kuri kupisa" (it is in a hot state); "kupisa" alone describes a hot object

2. Zvinoita kunge mvura ichanaya

   Zvi-no-i-ta ku-nge mvu-ra i-cha-na-ya

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when rain appears likely

   Grammar Note

   "Kunge" expresses similarity or supposition. "To rain" is "kunaya", so "mvura ichanaya" means "the rain will fall"

3. Dutu riri kuuya

   Du-tu ri-ri ku-u-ya

   A storm is approaching

   Usage

   Warning when a storm is approaching

   Grammar Note

   "Riri" is the progressive auxiliary. "Ri-" prefix agrees with the noun class of "dutu"

4. Kuri kutonhora nhasi, handiti?

   Ku-ri ku-to-nho-ra nha-si, ha-ndi-ti?

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Used on cool days

   Grammar Note

   Cool or cold weather is phrased "kuri kutonhora" (it is in a cold state); "kutonhora" means cold/cool

5. Ndokumbirawo undiudze mamiriro ekunze

   Ndo-ku-mbi-ra-wo u-ndi-u-dze ma-mi-ri-ro e-ku-nze

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Politely ask about the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Mamiriro" means "conditions" and "ekunze" means "outside" — together forming "weather"

6. Ndinoda sunscreen here?

   Ndi-no-da sunscreen he-re?

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going out under the strong sun

   Grammar Note

   "Here" is a question-final particle. The English loanword "sunscreen" is used directly

7. Nditakure amburera here?

   Ndi-ta-ku-re a-mbu-re-ra he-re?

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to bring an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   "Amburera" is the Shona word for umbrella; "mambure" means "nets" and must not be used. "Ndi-" is the 1st person singular prefix

8. Nguva yechando inotangira rinhi?

   Ngu-va ye-cha-ndo i-no-ta-ngi-ra ri-nhi?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about Zimbabwe's dry season (May–October)

   Grammar Note

   "Chando" means "cold/winter". The dry, cool months (May–October) are called "nguva yechando" (the winter season). "Rinhi" means "when"

9. Nguva yemvura inotangira rinhi?

   Ngu-va ye-mvu-ra i-no-ta-ngi-ra ri-nhi?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about Zimbabwe's rainy season (November–April)

   Grammar Note

   "Nguva yemvura" = "time of rain" — a straightforward compound in Shona

10. Zuva rinopisa chaizvo nhasi

    Zu-va ri-no-pi-sa cha-i-zvo nha-si

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the intense Zimbabwean sun

    Grammar Note

    "Chaizvo" is an emphatic adverb meaning "really/truly". "Ri-" agrees with "zuva" class

11. Mvura

    Rain

    Usage

    Check the weather; the same word means water, so make the context clear

12. Mhepo

    Wind

    Usage

    Check for wind

13. Zuva

    Sun / sunny

    Usage

    Check whether it will be sunny; the word also means day

14. Makore

    Clouds / cloudy

    Usage

    Check whether it will be cloudy

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