Shona language

Zimbabwe has 16 official languages which are Chewa,Chibarwe,Kalanga,Shona,Koisan,Nambya,Sign language,Sotho,Venda,Ndebele,Xhosa,Tonga,Shangani,Ndau,Tswana and English.Shona is a language native to the Shona people in Zimbabwe.It is spoken by a large percentage of Zimbabweans.The Shona language dialects are Karanga,Manyika,Ndau,Zezuru and Korekore.Modern Shona is based on the dialect spoken by the Karanga people of Masvingo Province and the Zezuru people of Central and Northern Zimbabwe.However,all Shona dialects are officially considered to be of equal significance and are taught in local schools.Here are few a phrases in Shona.

When speaking to respectable people

Hello=Hevoi/Mhoroi
How are you?=Makadii?
Response to how are you/I am fine=Ndinofara
Thank you=Tatenda
My name is Mary=Ndinonzi Mary
What is your name?=Munonzi ani?
Nice to meet you=Ndafara kukuzivai

When speaking to your friends or young people

Hello=Ndeipi
How are you?=Urisei?
Response to How are you/I am fine=Ndiribho
My name is John=Ndinonzi John
I love you=Ndinokuda
You are beautiful=Wakanaka

Some Christian Phrases

I really love Jesus=Ndinoda Jesu nemoyo wangu wese
I love you Jesus=Ndinokudai Jesu

Jesus,you are awesome!=Makanaka Jesu!
God bless you=Mwari akukomborere
God loves you=Mwari anokuda
God loves me=Mwari anondida
My God is good=Mwari wangu akanaka

Some simple Shona Christian songs

1.Makanaka Jesu
Makanaka Jesu(You are awesome oh Lord)
Makanaka Jesu(You are awesome oh Lord)
Simudza ruoko rwako uchiti(As we lift our hands,in adoration)
Makanaka Jesu(You are awesome oh Lord)

Oh simudza ruoko(Oh as we lift our hands)
Rwako uchiti(in adoration)
Makanaka Jesu(You are awesome oh Lord)

Words in the song and their direct meanings
Makanaka=Awesome   Jesu=Jesu   Simudza=Lift   Ruoko=Hand   Rwako=Your   Uchiti=Saying

2.Tambira Jehovah
Tambira Jehovah(Come and dance to the Lord)
Tambira Jehovah(Come and dance to the Lord)
Iyelele yelele
Iyelele yelele
Tambira Jehovah(Come and dance to the Lord)

Words in the song and their direct meanings
Tambira=dance for    Jehovah=Jehovah    Iyeleleyelele =This is not Shona,its just for the melody