This post contains a list of widely used interjections in chiShona language you may come across either in the written form on social media or in spoken form i.e., in audiovisual media.
this is used for expressing surprise or shock after hearing/reading juicy gossip or witnessing interesting events play out. However, most of the time that injection it's often used by women instead of men.
this is used for expressing annoyance, anger, or frustration. But can also be used when reacting to unexpected shocking events.
this is mainly used as an exclamation of triumph and celebration. But can also be used for emphasizing a punchline or a witty comeback.
this is used for expressing agreement, thanking another person, or simply saying yes.
e.g., "Bhoo! Wagona ndokubata same time tomorrow wangu"
this is used for expressing exasperation or self-pity.
E.g. "Hayas, wamukira kudhakwa futi makuseni akadaii?"
or "Hayas, zvandinenge ndarasa mari yangu—aya ndo anonzi ma1 chaiwo"
this is used for expressing negation or refusal and is often repeated about three times during public speeches.
e.g. "Hatizvidi, hatizvidi, hatizvidi... pasi nemhanduuu -- pasi navo!"
this is also used for expressing negation, contempt, or dismissal. It's closely related to hatizvidi and likewise, it's an exclamation often repeated three times during public speeches.
e.g. "Ngazviende, ngazviende, ngazviende... vavengi ne vatengesi are enemises of progress!"
this is used for expressing joyful excitement or regret and can be written in each of those three ways. The meaning remains the same still.
e.g. "Eeee askana ka, zvatanga huya uone zviri pano wena"
this is used for expressing surprise or shocking excitement and can be written in each of those two ways although pakaipur is more of a stylized way of writing it. However, the pronunciation remains the same.
e.g. "Ndati pakaipa mheni, haha, mira uone. Nhasi hakudanwe anonzwa."
this is used for expressing hesitation, doubt, or disagreement.
e.g. "Haaa futika, kuti kudaro here askana?"
this is used as a form of a greeting to a person roughly the same age as you or younger than you. But this should NOT be used when talking to an adult or senior citizen. It's interpreted as a lack of respect in Shona culture.
e.g. "Hesi, madhiri ari seyi nhasi wangu?"
this is used for expressing a mild, indifferent surprise.
e.g. "Aizve, saka vakazozvifambisa sei paya?"
this is used as a means to draw attention to the speaker. And usually, it's said twice or thrice.
e.g. "Heyi, heyi, ndo indescipline iyoyo mukatodara ndozvivharisa!"
Note: an interjection is simply an exclamatory word or phrase often used to express emotion or to highlight a specific point.
Yuhwi, Wuriii
this is used for expressing surprise or shock after hearing/reading juicy gossip or witnessing interesting events play out. However, most of the time that injection it's often used by women instead of men.
Hezvo or Hezvoness
this is used for expressing annoyance, anger, or frustration. But can also be used when reacting to unexpected shocking events.
Twabam!
this is mainly used as an exclamation of triumph and celebration. But can also be used for emphasizing a punchline or a witty comeback.
Bhoo
this is used for expressing agreement, thanking another person, or simply saying yes.
e.g., "Bhoo! Wagona ndokubata same time tomorrow wangu"
Hayas or Ahyas
this is used for expressing exasperation or self-pity.
E.g. "Hayas, wamukira kudhakwa futi makuseni akadaii?"
or "Hayas, zvandinenge ndarasa mari yangu—aya ndo anonzi ma1 chaiwo"
Hatizvidi
this is used for expressing negation or refusal and is often repeated about three times during public speeches.
e.g. "Hatizvidi, hatizvidi, hatizvidi... pasi nemhanduuu -- pasi navo!"
Ngazviende
this is also used for expressing negation, contempt, or dismissal. It's closely related to hatizvidi and likewise, it's an exclamation often repeated three times during public speeches.
e.g. "Ngazviende, ngazviende, ngazviende... vavengi ne vatengesi are enemises of progress!"
Iiii, Eeee or Hiii
this is used for expressing joyful excitement or regret and can be written in each of those three ways. The meaning remains the same still.
e.g. "Eeee askana ka, zvatanga huya uone zviri pano wena"
Pakaipur or Pakaipa
this is used for expressing surprise or shocking excitement and can be written in each of those two ways although pakaipur is more of a stylized way of writing it. However, the pronunciation remains the same.
e.g. "Ndati pakaipa mheni, haha, mira uone. Nhasi hakudanwe anonzwa."
Haaa Futika?
this is used for expressing hesitation, doubt, or disagreement.
e.g. "Haaa futika, kuti kudaro here askana?"
Hesi
this is used as a form of a greeting to a person roughly the same age as you or younger than you. But this should NOT be used when talking to an adult or senior citizen. It's interpreted as a lack of respect in Shona culture.
e.g. "Hesi, madhiri ari seyi nhasi wangu?"
Aizve or Aikaka!
this is used for expressing a mild, indifferent surprise.
e.g. "Aizve, saka vakazozvifambisa sei paya?"
Heyi, Heyi
this is used as a means to draw attention to the speaker. And usually, it's said twice or thrice.
e.g. "Heyi, heyi, ndo indescipline iyoyo mukatodara ndozvivharisa!"
Note: an interjection is simply an exclamatory word or phrase often used to express emotion or to highlight a specific point.