linguistics

In the Shona language (or Chivanhu), ziyama means a container that is not full, like a cup or bottle. It has less than half of something like water or juice. Example sentences for ziyama "Tanki repeturu raziyama nekufamba nemotokari." (The petrol tank is almost empty from driving the car.)...

In the Shona language (or Chivanhu), zizi means a bird that comes out at night, has big eyes, and makes a "hoo-hoo" sound. In English, this bird is called an "owl." Example sentences for zizi "Ndakanzwa zizi richichema usiku." (I heard an owl hooting at night.) "Zizi rine maziso makuru." (An...

In the Shona language (or Chivanhu), zvodza means to smear. It is what you do when you spread something soft, like butter or cream, over a surface. Another similar word is zora. Example sentences for zvodza Zvodza mafuta emota muinjini. (Apply engine oil to the car engine.) Ndichazvodza...

In the Shona language (or Chivanhu), zonda means to hate. It's used when someone doesn't like something or someone else. Example sentences for zonda Amai vangu vanozonda hutsvina. (My mother hates dirtiness.) Vana vanozonda kudya muriwo. (Children hate to eat vegetables.) Ndinonzonda kunyepa...

In the Shona language (or Chivanhu), "zondo" means the hoof or lower leg of a cow or other animals like it. The plural form in that context is mazondo. Zondo also means "envy" or "grudge." Another similar word is zvondo. "Zondo" as hoof/lower leg Ndakatenga mazondo emombe pamusika. (I bought...

In the Shona language, zongororo means a millipede. This long, thin creature has many legs that curl up when touched. It lives in damp places and moves slowly on the ground. Example sentences for zongororo Mazongororo ane makumbo akawanda. (Millipedes have many legs.) Mwana akatya paakaona...

In the Shona language (or Chivanhu), "zora" means to apply oil or ointment to the skin or hair. This action is usually done to smooth the skin or to care for the hair. Example sentences for zora Amai vari kuzora mwana mafuta. (Mother is applying oil to the baby.) Zora mafuta aya pamusoro...

In the Shona language, "zoro" means a change or a new turn in work. It is used when someone switches to a different job shift, takes on a new role, or starts a different task at their workplace. Example sentences for zoro Ndine zoro nhasi, ndichashanda masikati. (I have a shift change today; I...

zorora (verb) To stop work or movement for a time; to take a rest. Example sentences for zorora Ndaneta, ndoda kuzorora. (I'm tired, I want to rest.) Zorora pasi pemumvuri wemuti. (Rest under the shade of the tree.) Mushure mekufamba kwenguva refu, vakazorora. (After walking for a long time...

Zororo noun Holiday: A day of no work, a time for play or rest. Peace: Quiet and calm; no fighting or trouble. Meaning 1: "Holiday" Ndine zororo revhiki rinouya. (I have a holiday next week.) Vana vari kufara nezororo rechikoro. (The children are enjoying the school holiday.) Tichaenda...

In the Shona language, "zuda" has two meanings depending on its use. First, if someone says "zuda," they might be talking about someone with no hair on their head--that's what "bald" means. The second meaning of "zuda" is about money. It can mean either one dollar or one euro. Example sentences...

In the Shona language (or Chivanhu), zungaira means to act silly or foolishly. Another similar word is zingaira. Example sentences for zungaira Usazungaira pamberi pevakuru. (Don't act foolishly in front of elders.) Akanga achizingaira nekuda kwekunwa doro. (He was acting foolishly because of...

In the Shona language, zungunuka means to make something shake or move quickly. Example sentences for zungunuka Injini yemotokari yakazungunuka zvisingaite. (The car engine shook violently.) Denga remba rakazungunuka nemhepo ine simba. (The roof of the house shook with the strong wind.) Ndiri...

In the Shona language, zungura means turning grain in a basket to remove the outer shells or husks. Example sentences for zungura Ambuya vari kuzungura mapfunde. (Grandmother is winnowing the sorghum.) Zungura tsanga zvakanaka kuti ubvise hundi. (Winnow the millet well to remove the chaff.)...

In the Shona language, zunguza means to move something quickly from side to side or up and down. Example sentences for zunguza Zunguza tauro kuti ubvise guruva. (Shake the towel to remove the dust.) Zunguza makumbo ako usati wamhanya. (Shake your legs before you run.) Mhepo iri kuzunguza...

In the Shona language, zunguzurwa means "tadpole." It's the term for the small, wriggly creatures you see developing in ponds and slow streams, eventually growing into frogs. So when you see those tiny swimmers that look like little fish with tails, you're looking at zunguzurwa or buruuru...

In the Shona language, "zunza" means "shake." It describes what happens when something moves back and forth or up and down quickly. If you're dancing and getting into the groove, you might zunza your hips. Or, when you grab a bottle of salad dressing, you zunza it to mix up the ingredients. It's...

In the Shona language, "zuro" means "yesterday." It's used just like in English when talking about the day before today. So, if today is Tuesday, zuro would refer to Monday. Simple, right? Well, another way to say yesterday is nezuro. Example sentences for zuro Zuro ndakaenda kumusika...

In the Shona language, "zurura" means "open." Another similar word is zarura. Example sentences for zurura "Zurura mwoyo wako ugamuchire rudo." (Open your heart and receive love.) "Zurura bhuku rako pane chitsauko chekutanga." (Open your book to the first chapter.) "Zurura hwindo remba uone...

In the Shona language, "zuva" means "day." It refers to 24 hours from one midnight to the next, including both daylight hours and nighttime. Zuva also means "sun." Example sentences for zuva as "day" "Nhasi izuva rakanaka." (Today is a beautiful day.) "Ndinoshanda mazuva mashanu pasvondo." (I...