China

From -china (“fourth”), counting the days of the working week from Monday.


A

The first letter of the Shona alphabet, called a and written in the Latin script.


simba

simbá (canonical class-5)
masimbá (class-6 plural)


hanzi

hanzí (canonical class-9)
hanzí (class-10 plural)

From Afrikaans gans; compare Zulu ihansi.


baba

babá (canonical class-1a)
vababá (class-2 plural)


-na (canonical)
vana (class-2 plural-only)
mina (class-4 plural-only)
mana (class-6 plural-only)
zvina (class-8 plural-only)
ina (class-10 plural-only)
tuna (class-13 plural-only)


kamu

kámu (canonical class-9)
kámu (class-10 plural)


tema

-temá (canonical)
mutemá (class-1 singular)
vatemá (class-2 plural)
mutemá (class-3 singular)
mitemá (class-4 plural)
demá (class-5 singular)
matemá (class-6 plural)
chitemá (class-7 singular)
zvitemá (class-8 plural)
nhemá (class-9 singular)
nhemá (class-10 plural)
rutemá (class-11 singular)
katemá (class-12 singular)
tutemá (class-13 plural)
utemá (class-14 singular)
kutemá (class-15 singular)
patemá (class-15 class-16 singular)
kutemá (class-13 class-17 plural)
mutemá (class-18 plural)


ona

From Proto-Bantu *-bóna. Cognate to Zulu -bona.


toki

tokí (canonical class-9)
tokí (class-10 plural)


hope

From the root of Common Bantu *dʊ̀kópè, whence also chikope (“eyelid”).


funda

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu -funda.


gore

goré (canonical class-5)
makoré (class-6 plural)

Borrowed from a Khoe language; compare Khoekhoe kurib.


mari

marí (canonical class-9)
marí (class-10 plural)

From Swahili mali, from Arabic مَال (māl).


Sv

The letter of the Shona alphabet, written in the Latin script.


svo

svó (canonical class-9)
svó (class-10 plural)


bara

bará (canonical class-5)
mapará (class-6 plural)


joki

jóki (canonical class-5)
majóki (class-6 plural)


doko

-dóko (canonical)
mudóko (class-1 singular)
vadóko (class-2 plural)
mudóko (class-3 singular)
midóko (class-4 plural)
dóko (class-5 singular)
madóko (class-6 plural)
chidóko (class-7 singular)
zvidóko (class-8 plural)
dóko (class-9 singular)
dóko (class-10 plural)
rudóko (class-11 singular)
kadóko (class-12 singular)
tudóko (class-13 plural)
udóko (class-14 singular)
kudóko (class-15 singular)
padóko (class-15 class-16 singular)
kudóko (class-13 class-17 plural)
mudóko (class-18 plural)


gumi

gúmí (canonical class-5)
makúmí (class-6 plural)


mwaka

mwaká (canonical class-3)
mwaká (class-4 plural)


dana

From *-jítana, an associative form from Proto-Bantu *-jɪ́ta (“to call”).


tsotsi

sn-noun

tsótsi class 5 (plural matsótsi class 6)

tsótsi (canonical class-5)
matsótsi (class-6 plural)

criminal, thug, gangster, hooligan, hoodlum


onde

ondé (canonical class-5)
maondé (class-6 plural)


fofo

fófo (canonical class-9)
fófo (class-10 plural)

(especially Manyika) match (device to make fire)


kuru

-kúrú (canonical)
mukúrú (class-1 singular)
vakúrú (class-2 plural)
mukúrú (class-3 singular)
mikúrú (class-4 plural)
gúrú (class-5 singular)
makúrú (class-6 plural)
chikúrú (class-7 singular)
zvikúrú (class-8 plural)
húrú (class-9 singular)
húrú (class-10 plural)
rukúrú (class-11 singular)
kakúrú (class-12 singular)
tukúrú (class-13 plural)
ukúrú (class-14 singular)
kukúrú (class-15 singular)
pakúrú (class-15 class-16 singular)
kukúrú (class-13 class-17 plural)
mukúrú (class-18 plural)


tatu

-tatú (canonical)
vatatú (class-2 plural-only)
mitatú (class-4 plural-only)
matatú (class-6 plural-only)
zvitatú (class-8 plural-only)
nhatú (class-10 plural-only)
tutatú (class-13 plural-only)


hanga

hángá (canonical class-9)
hángá (class-10 plural)


sere

-séré (canonical)
vaséré (class-2 plural-only)
miséré (class-4 plural-only)
maséré (class-6 plural-only)
zviséré (class-8 plural-only)
tséré (class-10 plural-only)
tuséré (class-13 plural-only)


muti

mutí (canonical class-3)
mití (class-4 plural)


godo

gódó (canonical class-5)
makódó (class-6 plural)

Seemingly an innovation unique to the Shona group.


bika

From Proto-Bantu *-jìpɪka (“to cook, to boil”).


guyu

gúyu (canonical class-5)
makúyu (class-6 plural)


tete

-téte (canonical)
mutéte (class-1 singular)
vatéte (class-2 plural)
mutéte (class-3 singular)
mitéte (class-4 plural)
déte (class-5 singular)
matéte (class-6 plural)
chitéte (class-7 singular)
zvitéte (class-8 plural)
nhéte (class-9 singular)
nhéte (class-10 plural)
rutéte (class-11 singular)
katéte (class-12 singular)
tutéte (class-13 plural)
utéte (class-14 singular)
kutéte (class-15 singular)
patéte (class-15 class-16 singular)
kutéte (class-13 class-17 plural)
mutéte (class-18 plural)


sondo

sondo (canonical class-9)
sondo (canonical class-5)
sondo (class-10 plural)
masondo (class-6 plural)


viri

-virí (canonical)
vavirí (class-2 plural-only)
mivirí (class-4 plural-only)
mavirí (class-6 plural-only)
zvivirí (class-8 plural-only)
mbirí (class-10 plural-only)
tuvirí (class-13 plural-only)


gara

From Proto-Bantu *-jìkada, extensive form of *-jìka.


ruoko

ruókó (canonical class-11)
maókó (class-6 plural)


zai

zái (canonical class-5)
mazái (class-6 plural)


chuma

A wanderwort ultimately from Swahili chuma (“iron”).


mbwa

mbwá (canonical class-9)
mbwá (class-10 plural)


huku

húkú (canonical class-9)
húkú (class-10 plural)

From *nkʊ́kʊ́, a variant of Common Bantu *nkókó.


sadza

sadza, nshima (maize porridge, a staple in Shona cuisine)


mbira

mbíra (canonical class-9)
mbíra (class-10 plural)


Josefa

a male given name, equivalent to English Joseph


hure

húre (canonical class-5)
mahúre (class-6 plural)


zino

zínó (canonical class-5)
mazínó (class-6 plural)


chena

-chená (canonical)
muchená (class-1 singular)
vachená (class-2 plural)
muchená (class-3 singular)
michená (class-4 plural)
jená (class-5 singular)
machená (class-6 plural)
chichená (class-7 singular)
zvichená (class-8 plural)
chená (class-9 singular)
chená (class-10 plural)
ruchená (class-11 singular)
kachená (class-12 singular)
tuchená (class-13 plural)
uchená (class-14 singular)
kuchená (class-15 singular)
pachená (class-15 class-16 singular)
kuchená (class-13 class-17 plural)
muchená (class-18 plural)


moyo

heart (used in anatomy to refer to the muscular organ which pumps blood throughout the body, as well as in "metaphorical" terms in reference to emotional or romantic experiences)


mhata

mhátá (canonical class-9)
mhátá (class-10 plural)

(slang, vulgar) bad-mannered person, asshole


chitina

sn-noun

chitína class 7 (plural zvitína class 8)

chitína (canonical class-7)
zvitína (class-8 plural)


chipa

Borrowed from a Nguni language (compare Northern Ndebele -tshipa), from English cheap.


nyoka

nyóká (canonical class-9)
nyóká (class-10 plural)


ndimu

ndímu (canonical class-9)
ndímu (class-10 plural)

Borrowed from Swahili ndimu (“lemon or lime”), from Persian لیمو (limu).


uraya

From Proto-Bantu *-bʊ́daga, repetitive form of Proto-Bantu *-bʊ́da. Cognate with Zulu -bulala.


nyundo

A widely diffused word ultimately from Swahili nyundo.


windo

wíndo (canonical class-5)
mawíndo (class-6 plural)


chizi

chízi (canonical class-9)
chízi (class-10 plural)


ndege

ndége (canonical class-9)
ndége (class-10 plural)

Borrowed from Swahili ndege (“bird, airplane”).


mwana

mwaná (canonical class-1)
vaná (class-2 plural)


gejo

From a Nguni language. Compare Zulu igeja.


imbwa

imbwá (canonical class-9)
imbwá (class-10 plural)


jazi

jázi (canonical class-5)
majázi (class-6 plural)


bundo

→ English: bundu


rize

rizé (canonical class-5)
marizé (class-6 plural)


refu

-refú (canonical)
murefú (class-1 singular)
varefú (class-2 plural)
murefú (class-3 singular)
mirefú (class-4 plural)
refú (class-5 singular)
marefú (class-6 plural)
chirefú (class-7 singular)
zvirefú (class-8 plural)
ndefú (class-9 singular)
ndefú (class-10 plural)
rurefú (class-11 singular)
karefú (class-12 singular)
turefú (class-13 plural)
urefú (class-14 singular)
kurefú (class-15 singular)
parefú (class-15 class-16 singular)
kurefú (class-13 class-17 plural)
murefú (class-18 plural)


pungwe

pungwé class 5 (plural mapungwé class 6)

pungwé (canonical class-5)
mapungwé (class-6 plural)

pungwe (all-night political vigil or rally)


nondo

Damaliscus lunatus
Wikispecies:Damaliscus lunatus

tsessebe (an antelope, Damaliscus lunatus)


imba

imbá (canonical class-9)
dzimbá (class-10 plural)


gazi

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu igazi.


bundu

búndú (canonical class-5)
mapúndú (class-6 plural)


nyati

nyátí (canonical class-9)
nyátí (class-10 plural)

buffalo (Old World savannah-dwelling bovid)


hachi

háchi (canonical class-5)
maháchi (class-6 plural)

→ Chichewa: hatchi

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ihhashi), from a Khoe language (compare Khoekhoe has).


nyuchi

nyúchí (canonical class-9)
nyúchí (class-10 plural)


shwa

shwá (canonical class-9)
shwá (class-10 plural)


chimurenga

chimurenga class 7 (plural zvimurenga class 8)

rebellion, revolution; (in particular) a war fought against European colonists


zamu

zámú (canonical class-5)
mazámú (class-6 plural)

Borrowed from a Khoe language; compare Khoekhoe sams.


dako

dákó (canonical class-5)
matákó (class-6 plural)


umba

to mould, shape (clay or a similar substance)


Chitatu

From -chitatu (“third”), counting the days of the working week from Monday.


Chipiri

From -chipiri (“second”), counting the days of the working week from Monday.


Chishanu

From -chishanu (“fifth”), counting the days of the working week from Monday.


svondo

svondo class 5 (plural masvondo class 6)

svondo (canonical class-9)
svondo (canonical class-5)
svondo (class-10 plural)
masvondo (class-6 plural)

The same word as Svondo (“Sunday”). From a Nguni language, ultimately from Afrikaans Sondag; compare Zulu isonto (“week; church”) and iSonto (“Sunday”).


nyanza

nyanzá (canonical class-9)
nyanzá (class-10 plural)

Cognate to Rwanda-Rundi inyanja and Chichewa nyanja.


fodya

Borrowed from Portuguese folha (“leaf”).


mbiya

mbiyá (canonical class-9)
mbiyá (class-10 plural)


chikope

chikópé class 7 (plural zvikópé class 8)

chikópé (canonical class-7)
zvikópé (class-8 plural)

From Proto-Bantu *dʊ̀kópè. Cognate with Zulu ukhophe (“eyelash”), Swahili ukope (“eyelid, eyelash”), Rwanda-Rundi urugohe (“eyelid, eyelash”).


mvuu

mvuú (canonical class-9)
mvuú (class-10 plural)


nzungu

nzungú (canonical class-9)
nzungú (class-10 plural)

An irregular derivation of Proto-Bantu *njʊ̀gʊ́.


fupa

fúpá (canonical class-5)
mafúpá (class-6 plural)


shanu

-shánu (canonical)
vashánu (class-2 plural-only)
mishánu (class-4 plural-only)
mashánu (class-6 plural-only)
zvishánu (class-8 plural-only)
shánu (class-10 plural-only)
tushánu (class-13 plural-only)


duku

-dúku (canonical)
mudúku (class-1 singular)
vadúku (class-2 plural)
mudúku (class-3 singular)
midúku (class-4 plural)
dúku (class-5 singular)
madúku (class-6 plural)
chidúku (class-7 singular)
zvidúku (class-8 plural)
ndúku (class-9 singular)
ndúku (class-10 plural)
rudúku (class-11 singular)
kadúku (class-12 singular)
tudúku (class-13 plural)
udúku (class-14 singular)
kudúku (class-15 singular)
padúku (class-15 class-16 singular)
kudúku (class-13 class-17 plural)
mudúku (class-18 plural)


ndarama

sn-noun

ndaramá class 9 (plural ndaramá class 10)

ndaramá (canonical class-9)
ndaramá (class-10 plural)

A regional wanderwort, ultimately from Arabic دَرَاهِم (darāhim, “dirhams”); cognates include Tswana talama (“button”), Chichewa ndalama (“money”), and Tsonga ndzalama (“gem”).


chaira

-chaira (canonical)
kuchaira (infinitive)


diki

-díki (canonical)
mudíki (class-1 singular)
vadíki (class-2 plural)
mudíki (class-3 singular)
midíki (class-4 plural)
díki (class-5 singular)
madíki (class-6 plural)
chidíki (class-7 singular)
zvidíki (class-8 plural)
ndíki (class-9 singular)
ndíki (class-10 plural)
rudíki (class-11 singular)
kadíki (class-12 singular)
tudíki (class-13 plural)
udíki (class-14 singular)
kudíki (class-15 singular)
padíki (class-15 class-16 singular)
kudíki (class-13 class-17 plural)
mudíki (class-18 plural)


batya

An irregular derivation from Proto-Bantu *ìpácà.


mwe

-mwé (canonical)
múmwe (class-1 singular)
úmwe (class-1 singular)
vámwé (class-2 plural)
múmwé (class-3 singular)
mímwé (class-4 plural)
rímwé (class-5 singular)
mámwé (class-6 plural)
chímwé (class-7 singular)
zvímwé (class-8 plural)
ímwé (class-9 singular)
dzímwé (class-10 plural)
rúmwé (class-11 singular)
kámwe (class-12 singular)
túmwé (class-13 plural)
úmwé (class-14 singular)
kúmwé (class-15 singular)
pámwé (class-15 class-16 singular)
kúmwé (class-13 class-17 plural)
múmwé (class-18 plural)


jasi

jási (canonical class-5)
majási (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Southern Ndebele ijasi), from Afrikaans jas.


ngani

-nganí (canonical)
vanganí (class-2 plural-only)
minganí (class-4 plural-only)
manganí (class-6 plural-only)
zvinganí (class-8 plural-only)
nganí (class-10 plural-only)
tunganí (class-13 plural-only)


ishwa

ishwá (canonical class-9)
ishwá (class-10 plural)


nguruve

nguruve class 9 (plural nguruve class 10)


simbi

Cognate with Zulu insimbi, Luganda ensimbi. Ultimately from the verb -simba (“be strong”).


mbudzi

mbúdzí (canonical class-9)
mbúdzí (class-10 plural)


dhuku

dhúku (canonical class-5)
madhúku (class-6 plural)


magetsi

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ugesi), from English gas.


mboro

mbóró (canonical class-9)
mbóró (class-10 plural)


mimba

mímbá (canonical class-9)
mímbá (class-10 plural)

From Proto-Bantu *mbímbà, derived from Proto-Bantu *-bímba (“to swell”).


mbeu

mbéú (canonical class-9)
mbéú (class-10 plural)


chipfuva

chipfúvá class 7 (plural zvipfúvá class 8)

chipfúvá (canonical class-7)
zvipfúvá (class-8 plural)


rurimi

rurímí (canonical class-11)
ndímí (class-10 plural)


mhumhi

mhumhí (canonical class-9)
mhumhí (class-10 plural)

Lycaon pictus
Lycaon pictus#Translingual


musikana

musíkaná class 1 (plural vasíkaná class 2)

musíkaná (canonical class-1)
vasíkaná (class-2 plural)


mukomana

mukómaná class 1 (plural vakómaná class 2)

mukómaná (canonical class-1)
vakómaná (class-2 plural)


chikoro

chikóro class 7 (plural zvikóro class 8)

chikóro (canonical class-7)
zvikóro (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (like Northern Ndebele isikolo), ultimately from Afrikaans skool.


Chitanhatu

From -chitanhatu (“sixth”), counting the days of the working week from Monday.


vhiki

vhíki (canonical class-9)
vhíki (class-10 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Northern Ndebele iviki), from Afrikaans week.


Svondo

The same word as svondo (“week”); see there for more.


ingwa

ingwá (canonical class-9)
ingwá (class-10 plural)


mutumba

mutumba class 3 (plural mitumba class 4)


bvupa

bvúpá (canonical class-5)
mapfúpá (class-6 plural)


shumba

shúmba (canonical class-9)
shúmba (class-10 plural)


goridhe

From a Nguni language (compare Northern Ndebele igolide), from English gold.


mupunga

mupunga class 3 (plural mipunga class 4)


mundimu

mundímu class 3 (plural mindímu class 4)

mundímu (canonical class-3)
mindímu (class-4 plural)


bhodyera

bhódyera class 5 (plural mabhódyera class 6)

bhódyera (canonical class-5)
mabhódyera (class-6 plural)


bhodhoro

bhódhoro class 5 (plural mabhódoro class 6)

bhódhoro (canonical class-5)
mabhódoro (class-6 plural)


hembe

hémbe (canonical class-9)
hémbe (class-10 plural)


zanda

zandá (canonical class-5)
mazandá (class-6 plural)

Cognate with Zulu iqanda and Tsonga tandza.


twana

twána (canonical class-9)
twána (class-10 plural)


bhatye

bhátye class 5 (plural mabhátye class 6)

bhátye (canonical class-5)
mabhátye (class-6 plural)


sumburera

sumburéra class 5 (plural masumburéra class 6)

sumburéra (canonical class-5)
masumburéra (class-6 plural)


amburera

amburéra class 5 (plural maamburéra class 6)

amburéra (canonical class-5)
maamburéra (class-6 plural)


garafa

garáfa class 5 (plural magaráfa class 6)

garáfa (canonical class-5)
magaráfa (class-6 plural)


kandyera

kándyera class 5 (plural makándyera class 6)

kándyera class 9 (plural kándyera class 10)

kándyera (canonical class-5)
kándyera (canonical class-9)
makándyera (class-6 plural)
kándyera (class-10 plural)

Claimed to be from Portuguese, although candeia is an imperfect match.


bhurugwa

bhurúgwa class 5 (plural mabhurúgwa class 6)

bhurúgwa (canonical class-5)
mabhurúgwa (class-6 plural)


kanduru

kánduru class 5 (plural makánduru class 6)

kánduru class 9 (plural kánduru class 10)

kánduru (canonical class-5)
kánduru (canonical class-9)
makánduru (class-6 plural)
kánduru (class-10 plural)


bhurukwe

bhurúkwe class 5 (plural mabhurúkwe class 6)

bhurúkwe (canonical class-5)
mabhurúkwe (class-6 plural)


rokwe

rókwe (canonical class-5)
marókwe (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Southern Ndebele ilokwe), from Afrikaans rok.


bhotoro

bhótoro class 5 (plural mabhótoro class 6)

bhótoro (canonical class-5)
mabhótoro (class-6 plural)


bhikiri

bhíkirí class 5 (plural mabhíkirí class 6)

bhíkirí (canonical class-5)
mabhíkirí (class-6 plural)


dhirezi

dhirézi class 5 (plural madhirézi class 6)

dhirézi (canonical class-5)
madhirézi (class-6 plural)


purazi

purázi class 5 (plural mapurázi class 6)

purázi (canonical class-5)
purázi (canonical class-9)
mapurázi (class-6 plural)
purázi (class-10 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Northern Ndebele ipulazi), from Afrikaans plaas.


mbatatisi

mbatátisi class 9 (plural mbatátisi class 10)

mbatátisi (canonical class-9)
mbatátisi (class-10 plural)


chitoro

chitóro class 7 (plural zvitóro class 8)

chitóro (canonical class-7)
zvitóro (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Southern Ndebele isitolo), from English store.


dapiri

dápiri class 5 (plural matápiri class 6)

dápiri (canonical class-5)
matápiri (class-6 plural)


chikei

chikéi (canonical class-7)
zvikéi (class-8 plural)


zuva

zúvá (canonical class-5)
mazúvá (class-6 plural)


hukwana

húkwáná class 9 (plural húkwáná class 10)

húkwáná (canonical class-9)
húkwáná (class-10 plural)


chidhina

chidhína class 7 (plural zvidhína class 8)

chidhína (canonical class-7)
zvidhína (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Southern Ndebele isitina), from Afrikaans steen (“stone”).


garikuni

garikúní class 5 (plural makarikúní class 6)

garikúní (canonical class-5)
makarikúní (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ikalikuni), from Afrikaans kalkoen.


famu

fámu (canonical class-9)
fámu (class-10 plural)


tsvigiri

tsvigíri class 9 (plural tsvigíri class 10)

tsvigíri (canonical class-9)
tsvigíri (class-10 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Xhosa iswekile), from Afrikaans suiker.


bhurukwa

bhurúkwa class 5 (plural mabhurúkwa class 6)

bhurúkwa (canonical class-5)
mabhurúkwa (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ibhulukwe), from Afrikaans broek.


fafitera

fáfitera class 5 (plural mafáfitera class 6)

fáfitera (canonical class-5)
mafáfitera (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ifasitela), from Afrikaans venster.


chepfu

chépfu (canonical class-9)
chépfu (class-10 plural)


konobho

kónóbho class 9 (plural kónóbho class 10)

kónóbho (canonical class-9)
kónóbho (class-10 plural)


chituro

chitúro class 7 (plural zvitúro class 8)

chitúro (canonical class-7)
zvitúro (class-8 plural)


bhachi

bháchi class 5 (plural mabháchi class 6)

bháchi (canonical class-5)
mabháchi (class-6 plural)

From Afrikaans baadjie, from Dutch baadje, from Malay baju, from Classical Persian بازو (bāzū).


domasi

domási class 5 (plural madomási class 6)

domási (canonical class-5)
madomási (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Southern Ndebele itamatisi), from Afrikaans tamaties.


remoni

rémoni class 5 (plural marémoni class 6)

rémoni (canonical class-5)
marémoni (class-6 plural)


jon'osi

jón'osi class 5 (plural majón'osi class 6)

jón'osi (canonical class-5)
majón'osi (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ijongosi), from Afrikaans jongos.

ox, (especially) a young or untrained one


chikwereti

chikwéreti class 7 (plural zvikwéreti class 8)

chikwéreti (canonical class-7)
zvikwéreti (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu isikweleti), from Afrikaans skuld.


bhucha

bhúcha class 5 (plural mabhúcha class 6)

bhúcha (canonical class-5)
mabhúcha (class-6 plural)


siraha

siráha (canonical class-9)
siráha (class-10 plural)


chechi

chéchi (canonical class-9)
chéchi (class-10 plural)


chamboko

chambóko class 7 (plural zvambóko class 8)

chambóko (canonical class-7)
zvambóko (class-8 plural)


bhandi

bhándi class 5 (plural mabhándi class 6)

bhándi (canonical class-5)
mabhándi (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ibhandi), from Afrikaans band.


kirike

kiríke class 5 (plural makiríke class 6)

kiríke (canonical class-9)
kiríke (canonical class-5)
kiríke (class-10 plural)
makiríke (class-6 plural)


dhorobha

dhoróbha class 5 (plural madhoróbha class 6)

dhoróbha (canonical class-5)
madhoróbha (class-6 plural)


bakayau

bakayáu class 5 (plural mabakayáu class 6)

bakayáu (canonical class-5)
mabakayáu (class-6 plural)


chituru

chitúru class 7 (plural zvitúru class 8)

chitúru (canonical class-7)
zvitúru (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Southern Ndebele isitulo), from Afrikaans stoel.


taundi

táundi class 5 (plural matáundi class 6)

táundi (canonical class-5)
matáundi (class-6 plural)


nachisi

náchisi class 5 (plural manáchisi class 6)

náchisi (canonical class-5)
manáchisi (class-6 plural)


chipikiri

chipíkírí class 7 (plural zvipíkírí class 8)

chipíkírí (canonical class-7)
zvipíkírí (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language, from Afrikaans spyker.


dhongi

dhongí class 5 (plural madhongí class 6)

dhongí (canonical class-5)
madhongí (class-6 plural)

From English donkey, likely by way of Afrikaans donkie.


koroni

koroni (canonical class-9)
kóroni (canonical class-9)


foshoro

fóshoro class 9 (plural fóshoro class 10)

fóshoro (canonical class-9)
fóshoro (class-10 plural)

From a Nguni language in which metathesis was applied (compare Zulu ifosholo), from English shovel.


chipanji

chipánji class 7 (plural zvipánji class 8)

chipánji (canonical class-7)
zvipánji (class-8 plural)


chishambo

chishambo class 7 (plural zvishambo class 8)

(Korekore, Zezuru) sponge (animal and cleaning tool)


chiponji

chipónji class 7 (plural zvipónji class 8)

chipónji (canonical class-7)
zvipónji (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu isiponji), from English sponge.


chibhokisi

From English pox, perhaps conflated with bhokisi (“coffin”).


teburu

téburu (canonical class-9)
téburu (class-10 plural)


tafura

táfura (canonical class-9)
táfura (class-10 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu itafula), from Afrikaans tafel.


mwedzi

mwedzí (canonical class-3)
mwedzí (class-4 plural)


girazi

girázi class 5 (plural magirázi class 6)

girázi (canonical class-5)
magirázi (class-6 plural)

Either from English glass or Afrikaans glas.


muRungu

muRungu class 1 (plural vaRungu class 2)


muPutukezi

muPutukezi class 1 (plural vaPutukezi class 2)

muPutukézi class 1 (plural vaPutukézi class 2)

muPutukezi (canonical class-1)
muPutukézi (canonical class-1)
vaPutukezi (class-2 plural)
vaPutukézi (class-2 plural)


chiRungu

a European language; (in particular) English


chiPutukezi

chiPutukezi (canonical class-7)
chiPutukézi (canonical class-7)


chinanazi

chinánazí class 7 (plural zvinánazí class 8)

chinánazí (canonical class-7)
zvinánazí (class-8 plural)


mbwanana

mbwánaná class 9 (plural mbwánaná class 10)

mbwánaná (canonical class-9)
mbwánaná (class-10 plural)


bhaudhi

bháudhi class 5 (plural mabháudhi class 6)

bháudhi (canonical class-5)
mabháudhi (class-6 plural)


mbudzana

mbúdzaná class 9 (plural mbúdzaná class 10)

mbúdzaná (canonical class-9)
mbúdzaná (class-10 plural)


gweta

gwetá (canonical class-5)
magwetá (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu igqwetha.


dhongana

dhongáná class 5 (plural madhongáná class 6)

dhongáná (canonical class-5)
madhongáná (class-6 plural)


nanazi

nánazí class 5 (plural manánazí class 6)

nánazí (canonical class-5)
manánazí (class-6 plural)


ngurwana

ngúrwaná class 9 (plural ngúrwaná class 10)

ngúrwaná (canonical class-9)
ngúrwaná (class-10 plural)


imbwanana

imbwánaná class 9 (plural imbwánaná class 10)

imbwánaná (canonical class-9)
imbwánaná (class-10 plural)


vhiri

vhíri (canonical class-5)
mavhíri (class-6 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Xhosa ivili), from Afrikaans wiel.


marasha

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu amalahle).


bhazi

bházi (canonical class-5)
mabházi (class-6 plural)


chipoko

chipóko class 7 (plural zvipóko class 8)

chipóko (canonical class-7)
zvipóko (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Northern Ndebele isipoko), from Afrikaans spook.


gwavha

gwávha class 5 (plural magwávha class 6)

gwávha (canonical class-5)
magwávha (class-6 plural)


muhedheni

muhédheni class 1 (plural vahédheni class 2)

muhédheni (canonical class-1)
vahédheni (class-2 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Swazi umhedeni), from Afrikaans heiden.


mugodhi

mugodhí class 3 (plural migodhí class 4)

mugodhí (canonical class-3)
migodhí (class-4 plural)

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu umgodi.


kepisi

képisi (canonical class-9)
képisi (class-10 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu ikepisi), likely from English cap.


chigwagwagwa

chigwagwagwa class 7 (plural zvigwagwagwa class 8)


chingwa

chingwa class 7 (plural zvingwa class 8)

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu isinkwa.


chiwepu

chiwépu class 7 (plural zviwépu class 8)

chiwépu (canonical class-7)
zviwépu (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu isiswebhu), from Afrikaans sweep.


sirivha

sírivha class 9 (plural sírivha class 10)

sírivha (canonical class-9)
sírivha (class-10 plural)

From English silver; compare Zulu isiliva.


bhokisi

bhókisi class 5 (plural mabhókisi class 6)

bhókisi (canonical class-5)
mabhókisi (class-6 plural)

From English box, probably via a Nguni language (compare Zulu ibhokisi (“box, coffin”)).


sipo

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu insipho), from Afrikaans seep.


muoko

muókó (canonical class-3)
miókó (class-4 plural)


gwaimani

gwáimani class 9 (plural magwáimani class 10)

gwáimani (canonical class-9)
magwáimani (class-10 plural)

Supposedly from Afrikaans kwaai man (“angry man”).


chitokisi

chitókisi class 7 (plural zvitókisi class 8)

chitókisi (canonical class-7)
zvitókisi (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu isitokisi), from English stocks.


muManyika

muManyíka class 1 (plural vaManyíka class 2)

muManyíka (canonical class-1)
vaManyíka (class-2 plural)


motokari

mótokari class 9 (plural mótokari class 10)

mótokari (canonical class-9)
mótokari (class-10 plural)

Likely from English motorcar, but compare Chichewa galimoto.


muZezuru

muZezúru class 1 (plural vaZezúru class 2)

muZezúru (canonical class-1)
vaZezúru (class-2 plural)


kwereta

-kwérétá (canonical)
kukwérétá (infinitive)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu -kweleta), from Afrikaans skuld.


aini

áini (canonical class-9)
áini (class-10 plural)


nyeredzi

nyéredzí class 9 (plural nyéredzí class 10)

nyéredzí (canonical class-9)
nyéredzí (class-10 plural)


ziso

zísó (canonical class-5)
mazísó (class-6 plural)


hozhwa

hózhwa (canonical class-9)
hózhwa (class-10 plural)


chiroto

chirótó class 7 (plural zvirótó class 8)

chirótó (canonical class-7)
zvirótó (class-8 plural)


hosipitari

hósipiritari class 9 (plural hósipiritari class 10)

hósipiritari (canonical class-9)
hósipiritari (class-10 plural)


chipatara

chipatara class 7 (plural zvipatara class 8)

→ Chichewa: chipatala

From a Southern Bantu language (compare Tswana sepatêla), from English hospital.


nyenyedzi

nyényedzí class 9 (plural nyényedzí class 10)

nyényedzí (canonical class-9)
nyényedzí (class-10 plural)


nyarara

-nyárára (canonical)
kunyárára (infinitive)


dhura

From a Nguni language (compare Northern Ndebele -dula), from Afrikaans duur.


bhuku

bhúku (canonical class-5)
mabhúku (class-6 plural)


chiraparapa

From a common Fanagalo expression, ultimately from Zulu lapha, lapha (“here, here”).


chipunu

chipúnu class 7 (plural zvipúnu class 8)

chipúnu (canonical class-7)
zvipúnu (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu isipunu), from English spoon.


dhaka

→ English: dagga


garwe

gárwe (canonical class-5)
makárwe (class-6 plural)


goko

gókó (canonical class-5)
makókó (class-6 plural)

Perhaps from the same root as Rwanda-Rundi igikoko (“wild animal”).


mhou

mhóu (canonical class-9)
mhóu (class-10 plural)


nhoro

nhoró (canonical class-9)
nhoró (class-10 plural)


mhowani

mhowani class 9 (plural mhowani class 10)


Bhunu

Bhunú (canonical class-5)
maBhunú (class-6 plural)

Borrowed from a Nguni language (compare Zulu iBhunu), from Afrikaans Boer.


chiBhunu

Borrowed from a Nguni language (compare Zulu isiBhunu), from Afrikaans Boer.


mhuno

Cognate with Chichewa mphuno and Swahili pua.


itsvo

itsvó (canonical class-9)
itsvó (class-10 plural)


tsvo

tsvó (canonical class-9)
tsvó (class-10 plural)


bhiza

bhizá (canonical class-5)
mabhizá (class-6 plural)


mufundi

mufúndí class 1 (plural vafúndí class 2)

mufúndí (canonical class-1)
vafúndí (class-2 plural)

Either from a Nguni language (compare Zulu umfundi) or by surface analysis, derived from -funda.


bhadhara

-bhadhara (canonical)
kubhadhara (infinitive)

From a Nguni language (compare Zulu -bhadala), from Afrikaans betaal.


njanji

njanjí (canonical class-9)
njanjí (class-10 plural)

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu ujantshi.


muchairi

muchairi class 1 (plural vachairi class 2)


dhonza

-dhonza (canonical)
kudhonza (infinitive)

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu -donsa.


mutyairi

mutyairi class 1 (plural vatyairi class 2)


vhara

From a Nguni language; compare Zulu -vala.


dhiraivha

dhiráivha class 1a (plural vadhiráivha class 2)

dhiráivha (canonical class-1a)
vadhiráivha (class-2 plural)


tyaira

-tyaira (canonical)
kutyaira (infinitive)

From a Nguni language; compare Northern Ndebele -tshayela, Zulu -shayela.


nyenga

-nyéngá (canonical)
kunyéngá (infinitive)


hapwa

hapwá (canonical class-9)
hapwá (class-10 plural)


chidhakwa

chidhakwá class 7 (plural zvidhakwá class 8)

chidhakwá (canonical class-7)
zvidhakwá (class-8 plural)


mhene

mhené (canonical class-9)
mhené (class-10 plural)

From a root originally meaning "goat"; compare Rwanda-Rundi ihene/impene.


hwai

Uncertain, but potentially from a Khoe language (compare Khoekhoe gū-i). Other Bantu languages borrowed this in the form *-gu, for example Sotho nku and Zulu imvu.


mukadzi

mukádzí class 1 (plural vakádzí class 2)

mukádzí (canonical class-1)
vakádzí (class-2 plural)


chigaro

chigaro class 7 (plural zvigaro class 8)


muonde

muondé (canonical class-3)
miondé (class-4 plural)


ngarava

ngaravá class 9 (plural ngaravá class 10)

ngaravá (canonical class-9)
ngaravá (class-10 plural)

Ultimately from Swahili galawa; compare Chichewa ngalawa.


mukuyu

mukúyu (canonical class-3)
mikúyu (class-4 plural)


chikepe

chiképé class 7 (plural zviképé class 8)

chiképe class 7 (plural zviképe class 8)

chiképé (canonical class-7)
chiképe (canonical class-7)
zviképé (class-8 plural)
zviképe (class-8 plural)

From a Nguni language (compare Northern Ndebele isikepe), from Afrikaans skip.


ngamera

ngaméra class 9 (plural ngaméra class 10)

ngaméra (canonical class-9)
ngaméra (class-10 plural)

An old borrowing, ultimately from Swahili ngamia, from Arabic جَمَل (jamal). Compare Chichewa ngamira.


gamera

gaméra (canonical class-9)
gaméra (class-10 plural)


zvi-

From Proto-Bantu *jí-, plus augment. Originally the pronominal and verbal concord, it displaced the older Bantu noun prefix *bì-. The tone was lowered by analogy with other noun prefixes.


tsva

-tsvá (canonical)
mutsvá (class-1 singular)
vatsvá (class-2 plural)
mutsvá (class-3 singular)
mitsvá (class-4 plural)
idzvá (class-5 singular)
matsvá (class-6 plural)
chitsvá (class-7 singular)
zvitsvá (class-8 plural)
itsvá (class-9 singular)
itsvá (class-10 plural)
rutsvá (class-11 singular)
katsvá (class-12 singular)
tutsvá (class-13 plural)
utsvá (class-14 singular)
kutsvá (class-15 singular)
patsvá (class-15 class-16 singular)
kutsvá (class-13 class-17 plural)
mutsvá (class-18 plural)


kobvu

-kobvú (canonical)
mukobvú (class-1 singular)
vakobvú (class-2 plural)
mukobvú (class-3 singular)
mikobvú (class-4 plural)
gobvú (class-5 singular)
makobvú (class-6 plural)
chikobvú (class-7 singular)
zvikobvú (class-8 plural)
hobvú (class-9 singular)
hobvú (class-10 plural)
rukobvú (class-11 singular)
kakobvú (class-12 singular)
tukobvú (class-13 plural)
ukobvú (class-14 singular)
kukobvú (class-15 singular)
pakobvú (class-15 class-16 singular)
kukobvú (class-13 class-17 plural)
mukobvú (class-18 plural)


tsvuku

-tsvukú (canonical)
mutsvukú (class-1 singular)
vatsvukú (class-2 plural)
mutsvukú (class-3 singular)
mitsvukú (class-4 plural)
dzvukú (class-5 singular)
matsvukú (class-6 plural)
chitsvukú (class-7 singular)
zvitsvukú (class-8 plural)
tsvukú (class-9 singular)
tsvukú (class-10 plural)
rutsvukú (class-11 singular)
katsvukú (class-12 singular)
tutsvukú (class-13 plural)
utsvukú (class-14 singular)
kutsvukú (class-15 singular)
patsvukú (class-15 class-16 singular)
kutsvukú (class-13 class-17 plural)
mutsvukú (class-18 plural)


pfupi

-pfúpi (canonical)
mupfúpi (class-1 singular)
vapfúpi (class-2 plural)
mupfúpi (class-3 singular)
mipfúpi (class-4 plural)
bfúpi (class-5 singular)
mapfúpi (class-6 plural)
chipfúpi (class-7 singular)
zvipfúpi (class-8 plural)
pfúpi (class-9 singular)
pfúpi (class-10 plural)
rupfúpi (class-11 singular)
kapfúpi (class-12 singular)
tupfúpi (class-13 plural)
upfúpi (class-14 singular)
kupfúpi (class-15 singular)
papfúpi (class-15 class-16 singular)
kupfúpi (class-13 class-17 plural)
mupfúpi (class-18 plural)


shava

-shává (canonical)
mushává (class-1 singular)
vashává (class-2 plural)
mushává (class-3 singular)
mishává (class-4 plural)
shává (class-5 singular)
mashává (class-6 plural)
chishává (class-7 singular)
zvishává (class-8 plural)
shává (class-9 singular)
shává (class-10 plural)
rushává (class-11 singular)
kashává (class-12 singular)
tushává (class-13 plural)
ushává (class-14 singular)
kushává (class-15 singular)
pashává (class-15 class-16 singular)
kushává (class-13 class-17 plural)
mushává (class-18 plural)


tsaru

-tsáru (canonical)
mutsáru (class-1 singular)
vatsáru (class-2 plural)
mutsáru (class-3 singular)
mitsáru (class-4 plural)
dzáru (class-5 singular)
matsáru (class-6 plural)
chitsáru (class-7 singular)
zvitsáru (class-8 plural)
tsáru (class-9 singular)
tsáru (class-10 plural)
rutsáru (class-11 singular)
katsáru (class-12 singular)
tutsáru (class-13 plural)
utsáru (class-14 singular)
kutsáru (class-15 singular)
patsáru (class-15 class-16 singular)
kutsáru (class-13 class-17 plural)
mutsáru (class-18 plural)


pamhi

-pamhí (canonical)
mupamhí (class-1 singular)
vapamhí (class-2 plural)
mupamhí (class-3 singular)
mipamhí (class-4 plural)
bamhí (class-5 singular)
mapamhí (class-6 plural)
chipamhí (class-7 singular)
zvipamhí (class-8 plural)
mhamhí (class-9 singular)
mhamhí (class-10 plural)
rupamhí (class-11 singular)
kapamhí (class-12 singular)
tupamhí (class-13 plural)
upamhí (class-14 singular)
kupamhí (class-15 singular)
papamhí (class-15 class-16 singular)
kupamhí (class-13 class-17 plural)
mupamhí (class-18 plural)


zhinji

-zhínjí (canonical)
vazhínjí (class-2 plural-only)
mizhínjí (class-4 plural-only)
mazhínjí (class-6 plural-only)
zvizhínjí (class-8 plural-only)
zhínjí (class-10 plural-only)
tuzhínjí (class-13 plural-only)


pfumbamwe

-pfumbamwe (canonical)
vapfumbamwe (class-2 plural-only)
mipfumbamwe (class-4 plural-only)
mapfumbamwe (class-6 plural-only)
zvipfumbamwe (class-8 plural-only)
pfumbamwe (class-10 plural-only)
tupfumbamwe (class-13 plural-only)


nomwe

-nomwé (canonical)
vanomwé (class-2 plural-only)
minomwé (class-4 plural-only)
manomwé (class-6 plural-only)
zvinomwé (class-8 plural-only)
nomwé (class-10 plural-only)
tunomwé (class-13 plural-only)


tanhatu

-tánhatú (canonical)
vatánhatú (class-2 plural-only)
mitánhatú (class-4 plural-only)
matánhatú (class-6 plural-only)
zvitánhatú (class-8 plural-only)
nhánhatú (class-10 plural-only)
tutánhatú (class-13 plural-only)


shoma

-shoma (canonical)
mushoma (class-1 singular)
vashoma (class-2 plural)
mushoma (class-3 singular)
mishoma (class-4 plural)
shoma (class-5 singular)
mashoma (class-6 plural)
chishoma (class-7 singular)
zvishoma (class-8 plural)
shoma (class-9 singular)
shoma (class-10 plural)
rushoma (class-11 singular)
kashoma (class-12 singular)
tushoma (class-13 plural)
ushoma (class-14 singular)
kushoma (class-15 singular)
pashoma (class-15 class-16 singular)
kushoma (class-13 class-17 plural)
mushoma (class-18 plural)


vusiku

night (in two Shona languages, Karanga and Ndau language).


nguva

ngúvá (canonical class-9)
ngúvá (class-10 plural)


muhacha

muhacha class 3 (plural mihacha class 4)


chirebvu

chirebvu class 7 (plural zvirebvu class 8)


tenesi

ténesi (canonical class-9)
ténesi (class-10 plural)


kwenya

-kwenya (canonical)
kukwenya (infinitive)


dumbu

From Common Bantu *ìtʊ̀mbò (“belly, abdomen”). Cognate with Zulu ithumbu.


zvimba

-zvímbá (canonical)
kuzvímbá (infinitive)


kuuzuru

A class 17 locative of Proto-Bantu *ìgʊ̀dʊ̀.


pauzuru

A class 16 locative of Proto-Bantu *ìgʊ̀dʊ̀.


nzeve

nzevé (canonical class-9)
nzevé (class-10 plural)

From Proto-Bantu *njèbé, a variant of Proto-Bantu *ndèbé, derived from Proto-Bantu *-dèba (“be slack, be hanging”).


nhanga

sn-noun

nhanga class 9 (plural manhanga class 6)


muboora

cooked pumpkin leaves (a dish similar to collard greens)


muRozvi

muRozví class 1 (plural vaRozví class 2)

muRozví (canonical class-1)
vaRozví (class-2 plural)

A member of the Rozvi tribe, the ruling class of the Rozvi Empire.


vh

A letter of the Shona alphabet, written in the Latin script.


firimu

fírimu (canonical class-9)
fírimu (class-10 plural)


bhaiskopu

bháiskopu class 5 (plural mabháiskopu class 6)

bháiskopu (canonical class-5)
mabháiskopu (class-6 plural)


dzimba

dzimbá class 10 . (canonical)
imbá (singular)