Shona Verbs
Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Shona. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Shona.
Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Shona conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:
| Present Tense - Shona |
|---|
| I speak English ndinotaura chirungu |
| you speak French unotaura chifrench |
| he speaks German anotaura chigerman |
| she speaks Italian anotaura chiitaly |
| we speak Arabic tinotaura chiarab |
| they speak Chinese vanotaura chichina |
The past tense in Shona conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:
| Past Tense - Shona |
|---|
| I visited France ndakashanyira france |
| you visited Italy wakashanyira italy |
| he visited Morocco akashanyira morocco |
| she visited China akashanyira china |
| we visited Mexico takashanyira mexico |
| they visited Kenya vakashanyira kenya |
The future tense in Shona conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:
| Future Tense - Shona |
|---|
| I will drink milk ndichanwa mukaka |
| you will drink coffee uchanwa kofi |
| he will drink tea achanwa tii |
| she will drink water achanwa mvura |
| we will drink apple juice tichanwa muto wemaapuro |
| they will drink tea vachanwa tii |
Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.
ear nzeve |
eye ziso |
mouth muromo |
nose mhino |
hair bvudzi |
face chiso |
head musoro |
heart mwoyo |
hand ruoko |
fingers minwe |
leg gumbo |
feet tsoka |
Travel Phrases in Shona
Imagine yourself in some Shona speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!
| English - Shona |
|---|
| Can you help me? ungandibatsirawo here? |
| Can I help you? ndingakubatsira here? |
| Where is the airport? nhandare yendege iri kupi? |
| Go straight ramba wakananga mberi |
| Then uye |
| Turn left kona kuruboshwe |
| Turn right kona kurudyi |
I hope this lesson about the verbs in Shona was not hard for you. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. To see the full menu, you can also click on the "Menu" icon on the left side.
Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe |