Language/Shona/Vocabulary/Clothes
Hi Shona learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about Shona vocabulary related to clothes. Clothing is an important aspect of any culture, and the Shona culture is no exception. Learning vocabulary related to clothes will help you better understand the culture and communicate with Shona speakers. Don't forget to practice with native speakers on Polyglot Club. You can find native speakers and ask them any questions you have!
General Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Before we talk about specific clothing items, let's learn some general vocabulary related to clothing.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| nzara | n͡dzɑɾɑ | clothes, clothing |
| shangara | ʃɑŋgɑɾɑ | dress |
| bhowa | bʱɔwɑ | shirt |
| jinzi | d͡ʒĩzɪ | pants/trousers |
| isiketi | isiꜜketi | jacket |
| kofoti | kʷːfɔti | coat |
| gobvu | gɔbvu | hat |
| mjomba | mʒɔmba | shoes |
Here are some sample sentences to practice the vocabulary:
- Person 1: Ndine nzara rangu. (I have my clothes.)
- Person 2: Shangara rako rinonaka zvakare. (Your dress looks nice too.)
- Person 1: Ndinoda bhowa rakakwana. (I want a well-fitting shirt.)
- Person 2: Jinzi dzako dzinonditendera (Your trousers inspire me.)
Traditional Clothing[edit | edit source]
Traditional clothing is an essential part of Shona culture. The following are some traditional clothing items.
Dhuku[edit | edit source]
The dhuku is a headdress worn by women.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| dhuku | dʱúkú | headdress |
| ngubo | ŋɡúbo | dress |
- Person 1: Dhuku rako rinobuditsa mhosva. (Your headdress is bothering me.)
- Person 2: Ndiri kushonga ngubo yangu yaiedza. (I'm sewing my dress I designed.)
Chitenge[edit | edit source]
The chitenge is a cloth wrap worn by both men and women. It is a versatile piece of clothing that can be used as a skirt, shirt, dress or headwrap.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| chitenge | t͡ʃiꜜtɛŋɡɛ | cloth wrap |
- Person 1: Ndokusungisa chitenge. (I want to wear my cloth wrap.)
- Person 2: Chitenge icho chiye chandinoda! (This cloth wrap is exactly what I wanted!)
Mafiriji[edit | edit source]
The mafiriji, also known as babarigas, is a pair of baggy trousers that are tied at the waist with a drawstring. They are mostly worn by men.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mafiriji | mafiriji | baggy trousers |
- Person 1: Kufamba zvakanaka ne mafiriji. (Walking is comfortable with baggy trousers.)
- Person 2: Mafiriji ane muswe unotendera. (Baggy trousers with a jacket look smart.)
Lachema[edit | edit source]
The lachema is a colorful, long-sleeved, button-up shirt. It is also known as a dashiki and is mostly worn by men.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| lachema | lachema | colorful long-sleeved shirt |
- Person 1: Lachema ndeyangu yokutendera. (The colorful long-sleeved shirt belongs to me.)
- Person 2: Ndiri kushandisa lachema yangu ndinodhura. (I'm using my colorful shirt today.)
Western Style Clothing[edit | edit source]
Moderization and the influence of the West have brought about a fusion of traditional and Western-style clothing. Many younger Shona people have embraced Western-styled clothes.
Jazi[edit | edit source]
Jazi, also known as jeans, are popular among both men and women.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| jazi | jazi | jeans |
- Person 1: Jazi dzangu dzinondinyanya. (My jeans are too tight.)
- Person 2: Ko uti chizvino nezuro wandiri kutangira kutora jazi dzainoda here? (Are you saying you started by getting the perfect jeans yesterday and now you don't want them?)
Sketi[edit | edit source]
The Shona people have adopted the English word "skirt" and use "sketi" to describe this popular clothing item.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sketi | sketi | skirt |
- Person 1: Sketi rakatendera pa shop ipapo nikwari! (The skirt I saw at the shop looked beautiful!)
- Person 2: Ko uma kare ona sketi yangu nayo inobuda murivani? (Have you seen my skirt? What size does it come in?)
Jaketi[edit | edit source]
The Shona have also adopted the English word "jacket."
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| jaketi | dzakɛti | jacket |
- Person 1: Ndoda jaketi yemakore. (I want a leather jacket.)
- Person 2: Kuitira mmari kutambisa jaketi iyo? (Are you willing to pay a fortune for that jacket?)
Accessories[edit | edit source]
Accessories are essential to complete any outfit, and the Shona culture has a variety of accessories.
Imbenge[edit | edit source]
An imbenge is a necklace made of beads or shells.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| imbenge | imbenge | necklace |
- Person 1: Ndashanda kutengesa imbenge yangu kunhika. (I went to sell my necklace at the market.)
- Person 2: Imbenge yacho yakaonaka pakufuya kwauri. (Your necklace looked good at your party.)
Gushungo[edit | edit source]
The gushungo is a traditional Shona hat made from woven grass.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| gushungo | guɕuŋgo | traditional hat |
- Person 1: Tanga tatora gushungo! (Let's take a traditional hat!)
- Person 2: Gushungo inobvira kunze ikoko, goridhe kuramba. (The traditional hat is only worn on special occasions.)
Mvunzi[edit | edit source]
The mvunzi is a walking stick and is a symbol of authority or respect.
| Shona | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mvunzi | munzi | walking stick |
- Person 1: Baba vakasara ne mvunzi here? (Does my father sit with a walking stick?)
- Person 2: Kwese kwese zvinoendera kudai munhu wese ane mvunzi, mubvunzo hwake wese. (Nowadays, anyone respectable has a walking stick as a symbol of authority.)
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- How to say Good Bye?
- Drinks
- Education
- Animals
- Geography
- Colors
- Health
- Count to 10
- Fruits
- Feelings and Emotions
Sources[edit | edit source]
- English to Shona Meaning of fashion - fashoni
- Shona people - Wikipedia
- English to Shona Meaning of clothes - mbatya