Location up/place -> nzvimbo
To be -> Kuva
Kuva panzvimbo -> to be at a location
PART 11.1| Vocabulary
Nyika = country
Chikwama = wallet
Bheke/Bhegi = bag/backpack
Fafitera = window
Magazini = magazine
Chumba/kamure = room
Firiji = Refrigerator/fridge
Gwamba = freeze
Furiza = freezer
Imbwa = dog
Mbwanana = puppy
Mangoi; katsi = cat
Chidharimbo = kitten
Gonzo = rat
Mbewa = mouse
Karamu; peni = pen
Bhiro = ballpoint pen
Penzura = Pencil
Imba = house
Runhare = phone
Kofi = coffee
Resutorandi = restaurant
Chivakwa = building
Dangaradzimu/Terevhizheni = television
Amerika = America
Kanadha = Canada
Hotera = hotel
Chikoro = school
Bhengi = bank
Verbs_||
Kuva panzvimbo = to be at a location
Pa = to be at a location
Adjectives_||
Kuva nechinhu = to have something
Ne = have
PART 11.2 | Breaking it down
Kuva panzvimbo (to be at a location)
Ku - to/at
Pa - on
Mu - in
Similar to 'having', the particle for 'being at a location' is a particle, however it is placed before the place that the noun/object is at. Another thing about being at a location is that we also use 'ku', which is used as as a very broad particle, it appears all over in different types of sentences.
Example:
Ndiri kuchikoro. (I am at school)
Ndiri pachikoro. (I am at school).
When you use 'pa' it feels as though you are 'on' said location. Exactly there, on top of it, compared to 'ku' where it feels general. You're somewhere specific at the school, but you are at a school nevertheless.
So it goes either way.
USING 'Pa'| on
Ndiri pa uriri/mubhedha. (I am on the bed)
Ndiri pa sofa. (I am on the sofa).
Ndiri pa resutorandi. (I am at the restaurant)
Ndiri pa hotera. (I am at the hotel)
USING 'Ku'| to/at
Uri kumba. (You are at home)
Uri ku hotera. (You are at the hotel)
Uri ku chikoro. (You are at school)
Uri ku resutorandi. (You are at the restaurant).
USING 'Mu'| In
Vari mumba. (They are in the house)
Ari mu muuriri/mubhedha. (She/he is in the bed)
Vari mu hotera. (They are in the hotel)
Ari mu resutorandi. (She/he isin the restaurant)
PART 11.3 | The other side of 'Ku'.
I mentioned above that the particle 'Ku' is extensively varying, more than any other particle that I know of so far ;)
Ku can play the roles of 'to, at'. It works as part of 'to do'/'doing', as well as 'to be at a location'. The biggest thing to know is that, 'Ku' is used as the prefix to many Shona words, so learn to differentiate. Choosing the correct 'location' particle is the most important, e.g. mu or ku or pa. :)
Examples//
As 'to be at a location'
- Ari kumba. (He/she is at a home)
- Ari ku Amerika. (He/she is in America)
- Ari kuchivakwa chake. (He is at his building)
As part of 'doing something'
- Ari kudzana. (He/she is dancing)
- Ndiri kuimba (I am singing)
- Vari kudya (they are eating)
As a prefix of many words. For this we will use the above examples.
Ari kudzana. (He/she is dancing)
Ari (he/she is)
Kudzana (to dance)
Dzana (dance)
As you can see the word 'ku' is working double time, as a 'to do' as well as a prefix to the word 'dzana'. Incase you don't see it as so right, here is an example so you won't be confused later.
In English the adjectives such as 'to dance' are not left as they are, you don't say 'he is to dance' when you want to say 'he is dancing' they mean different things.
(He/she is to dance.) Has an air of expectation, like he is supposed to dance. You can add words like 'soon' or 'expected' to put time or emphasis in the words but they don't change meaning. He is still supposed to dance.
However, 'Ari kudzana' whilst in English it may mean 'he/she is to dance', in Shona it means he is dancing, as in right now.
"He is to dance" would be "Ari kufanhira kudzana"
Fill the blanks for practice :)
Ndiri ku_____. (I am at____/I am____)
Ari mu___. (he/she is in____)
Vari pa____. (They are on___/they are at____)
Ku_ (to _)
Ane _(he/she has a___)
Extra:
The word "karamu" is derived from Bantu languages particularly, Swahili which I believe takes this word from Arabic? Shona has a few Arabic words due to ancient trade relationship. Likewise, there is Portuguese and Afrikaans influences aside from expected Bantu language influences.
YOU ARE READING
LEARN SHONA🇿🇼 | Dzidza chiShona
Non-FictionSHONA is a bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe. It has mutually intelligible languages called: Ndau, Karanga, Manyika, Korekore, Zezuru,. It is believed to have been born from Tjikalanga, particularly Chikaranga. And it and it's native speakers share...
