Compass points in chiShona language

Compass points in chiShona language

Basic cardinal directions​

EnglishChiShona
NorthMawodzanyemba or Maodzanyemba
EastMabvazuva, Kumabudezuva or Mabvirazuva
SouthChamhembe
WestMadokero or Mavirira


Intermediate points of the compass:​

EnglishChiShona
North-northeastMawodzanyemba akakwidza Kumabvazuva
NortheastPakati peMawodzanyemba neMabvazuva
East-northeastMabvazuva akakwidza kuMabvazuva
East-southeastMabvazuva akadziva kuMabvazuva
SoutheastPakati peChamhembe neMabvazuva
South-southeastChamhembe chakadziva kuMabvazuva
South-southwestChamhembe chakadziva KuMadokero
SouthwestPakati peChamhembe neMadokero
West-southwestMadokero akadziva kuMadokero
West-northwestMadokero akakwidza kuMadokero
NorthwestPakati peMaodzanyemba neMadokero
North-northwestMawodzanyemba akakwidza kuMadokero


Example 1:
The enemies are coming from the north — "Vavengi vari kuuya kubva kumaodzanyemba."

The sun always rises from the east — "Igaroziva zuva rinobuda kumabvazuva."

Nex oan e fram di southside — "Mufesi uyu anobva kuchamhembe."

Mek wi guh toward de west — "Handeyi so, takananga kumavirira."

Example 2:
Person 1: "A yuh wan traveling man?" → "Uri murume ari murwendo here?"

Person 2: "I dey travel fram west fi east" → "Ndiri murwendo kubva kumavirira ndichienda kumabvirazuva."


Other basic directions:​

EnglishChiShona
UpKumusoro
DownKuzasi, Kudzasi (slang Kudhaza)
FrontKumberi
BehindKumashure, Kumasure
LeftKuruboshwe
RightKurudyi
NearPedyo or Padyo
FarKure or Kachana
InsideMukati
OutsidePanze or Kunze (slang Awezi)
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