A Collection of Zimbabwe Shona Proverbs

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Afirwa Haatariswe Kumeso
Literal meaning: You can’t look directly into a bereaved person’s face. When a person is bereaving, it’s not the right time to be probing them with many questions. 


Aiva Madziva Ava Mazambuko
Meaning: Things change over time. For example, those who were once rich are now poor. Other proverbs with a similar meaning:
(1) Bvupa jena rakabva munyama.
(2) Dzaiva nhungo dzava mbariro.
(3) Kwava kusakara kweowo kuita serisakambodyiwa nyama.
(3) Chinokura chinokotama musoro wegudo chava chinokoro.


    Akuruma Nzeve Ndewako
    This proverb basically means a good friend will always stand by you no matter what and gives you constructive advice. 


    Ane Ganda Ane Nyama Hazvienzani Neasina
    We are not all on the same level in life. If you have few belongings, be grateful. You’re better than some people with nothing completely. Half a loaf is better than nothing.
    Other proverbs with a similar meaning:
    1. Ndongwe inyama hazvienzani nenhikiti. 
    2. Apunyaira Haashayi Misodzi. (If you try, it eventually pays off). 


    Ateya Mariva Murutsva Haatyi Kusviba Magaro
    A person will do whatever needs to be done to accomplish what they have set to achieve.


    Azvuva Sanzu Azvuva Nemarara Aro
    For example, if you marry a woman with her own child, the mother and the child become your responsibility. Atswinya Arwa If you try, at least you have done something, no matter how small it is. 


    Ashamba Haanokorerwi
    Meaning, If someone has already started doing something, don’t do it for them. If someone has washed their hands, its their responsibility to eat the food.


    Avengwa Anhuhwa
    Haters rarely hate alone. They feel compelled to entreat others to hate as they do. Akanga Nyimo Avangarara Meaning: setting a hard goal but working hard to achieve it. 

    Other proverbs with a similar:
    (1) Ateya mariva murutsva haatye kusviba magaro
    (2) Atanda nondo haachatyi kureba makanga.


      Ageza Haanokorerwi
      Once you are a grownup, it’s your responsibility to look after yourself.
      1. Chava chigondora chava chimombe
      2. Chasodzwa chave chitiyo
      3. Kubva muzai kava kashiri. 


      Bb

      Bofu Rikati Ndinokurova Rinenge Rine Charakatsika
      The assumption is that you can’t pursue doing something dangerous unless you know where you stand. Other proverbs with the same meaning: 

      Imbwa kumedza huona kudada nechivhuno.
        


      Benzi Bvunza Rakanaka 
      Its better to ask if you don’t know.


      Ane Benzi Ndoane Rake Rikadzana Unopururudza
      upporting those who belong to you. For example, if you have a foolish child, you applaud when the child dances. 


      Bveni Kuipa Kuipa Zvaro Asi Haridyi Chakafa Choga. 
      There is more to a person than meets the eye. A person may have a bad reputation but it doesn’t mean there is nothing good that comes out of them. There is value in everyone regardless of appearance, reputation or social status. 


      Cc

      Chikomo Chiremera Chevari Kure Vari Pedyo Vanotamba Nacho
      People getting used to valuable things or resourceful people in their midst but take them for granted instead of stop appreciating them.

      Zimbabwe Shona Proverbs

      Chitiyo Kupinda Muzai Huona Amai
       Children usually behave like their parents. Other proverbs with the same meaning:
      1. Mbudzi kudya muufenje hufana nyina.


      Chiri Mumusakasaka Chinozvinzwira.

        If you are among a group of people being advised, you take advice that applies to you.


        Chaitemura chava kuseva 
        Meaning: From rags to riches. Other proverbs that mean the same:

        1. Chaikanya chototsa
        2. Chaitotsa chokanyawo.


        Chara chimwe hachitswanyi inda.
        One person is limited in what he can achieve compared to team effort. Chara chimwe translated to Shona means a thumb finger. Inda means a louse. Translating this Shona proverb to English, it means one finger cannot crush a louse.
        Similar Proverbs:
        1. Mombe haipingudzwi nomunhu mumwe.
        2. Ndarira imwe hairiri.
        3. Rume rimwe harikombi churu.


        Chitsva chiri murutsoka.
        To experience new things, move to different locations.


        Charovedzera charovedzera gudo rakakwira mawere kwasviba.
        To be focussed on achieving your goal even under difficult circumstances.


        Chenga ose manhanga hapana risina mhodzi.
        Treat everyone with respect and dignity. There’s something deposited in every person.


        Chomujiri ndechemhanza chemudzimu ndechewadanirwa.
        Don’t expect to receive things on a silver platter.


        Charova sei chando chakwidza hamba mumuti
        Great surprise to see things that never used to happen.
        Similar proverbs:
        Zvina mashura dede kuwa mumuti.


        Chava chigondora chava chimombe kutadza kutunga hurema hwacho.
        Once you’re a grownup, you can look after yourself unless if you are a fool.


        Chakanaka chakanaka mukaka haurungwi (munyu).
        You can’t add extra things to something perfect.


        Chinoziva ivhu kuti mwana wembeva anorwara.
        Those close to you usually know about what’s troubling you or the hard times you are going through.


        Chinokanganwa idemo asi chitsiga hachikanganwe.
        If you offend someone, you may forget about it, but that person will always remember.


        Chimwe nechimwe chine nguva yacho.
        Everything has its own time.

        Chidziva chakadzikama ndicho chinogara ngwena.
        Still waters run deep.


        Chakabaya chikachokera.
        It’s impossible to change habits that are ingrained in you.


        Chakatanga ndochakachenjedza.


        Chikuriri chine chimwe.
        What was once great will be smaller at some point in life.


        Chakafukidza dzimba matenga.
        There are things that are not so obvious that happen behind the scenes in every home.


        Chisi hachieri musi vacharimwa.
        You reap what you sow not now, but later. If you do something bad, you will face the consequences.


        Chisingaperi chinoshura.
        All things have a beginning and an end.


        Chako ndechako kuseva unosiya muto.
        When you are using your own things, you make reservations for future use.


        Chavavana batisisa mudzimu haupi kaviri.
        Opportunities com once in life.


        Chawawana idya nehama mutorwa ane hanganwa.


        Chidamoyo hamba yakada makwati.
        To choose what you want even if it doesn’t appeal to other people.


        Chada mwoyo hachikoni, mwoyo chiremba.
        To chase your dream until you get it.


        Chura kugara mumvura handi kunwa.


        Chiri mumoyo chiri muninga unofa nacho.
        Secrets that remain buried inside you till death.


        Chirema ndechina mazano chinotamba chakazendama kumadziro.
        A disadvantaged person plays it safe in case anything goes wrong. They have something to fall back on.


        Chinokura usipo imombe munda unokura nokuvandurirwa.


        Chitaurirwa mbare dzekumusana.
        Experiencing things first hand differs from being told.


        Chembere masikati usiku imvana.


        Chembere mukadzi hazvienzani nekurara mugota.
        It’s better to have something not so good than to have nothing.


        Chinokura chinokotama musoro wegudo chave chinokoro.
        Situations change with the passing of time.


        Chitende chinorema ndechine mhodzi.
        Empty tins make a lot of noise.


        Chinonzi regedza ndechiri mumaoko chiri mumoyo unofa nacho.


        Chirere mangwana chigozokurerawo.
        Take care of a youngster. One day, that person will take care of you.


        China manenji hachifambisi chinomirira kuti mavara acho aonekwa.

        Chinono chine’ngwe bere rakadya richifamba.
        You must make hay while the sun shines. Do things hastily.


        Chiri pamuchena chiri pamutenure.
        If you have nothing, whatever you get doesn’t seem to last. It’s like putting money in a pocket with a hole.


        Mwoyo Muti Unomera Paunoda Aa Afirwa Haatariswe Kumeso
        Literal meaning: You can’t look directly into a bereaved person’s face. When a person is bereaving, it’s not the right time to be probing them with many questions. 


        Aiva Madziva Ava Mazambuko 

        Meaning: Things change over time. For example, those who were once rich are now poor.

        Other proverbs with a similar meaning: 
        (1) Bvupa jena rakabva munyama
        (2) Dzaiva nhungo dzava mbariro
        (3) Kwava kusakara kwedoo kuita serisakambodyiwa nyama
        (4) Chinokura chinokotama musoro wegudo chava chinokoro.


        Akuruma nzeve ndowako.
        This proverb basically means a good friend will always stand by you no matter what and gives you constructive advice. 


        Ane Ganda Ane Nyama Hazvienzani Neasina 
        We are not all on the same level in life. If you have few belongings, be grateful. You’re better than some people with nothing completely. Half a loaf is better than nothing. 
        Other proverbs with a similar meaning:
        (1) Ndongwe inyama hazvienzani nenhikiti. 
        (2) Ane Ganda Ane Nyama Hazvienzani Neasina


        We are not all on the same level in life. If you have few belongings, be grateful. You’re better than some people with nothing completely. Half a loaf is better than nothing. 

        Other proverbs with similar meaning:
        (1) Ndongwe inyama hazvienzani nenhikiti. 
        (2) Apunyaira Haashayi Misodzi
        If you try, it eventually pays off. Ateya Mariva Murutsva Haatyi Kusviba Magaro.
        A person will do whatever needs to be done to accomplish what they have set to achieve. 


        Azvuva Sanzu Azvuva Nemarara Aro
        For example, if you marry a woman with her own child, the mother and the child become your responsibility. 


        Atswinya Arwa 
        If you try, at least you have done something, no matter how small it is. 


        Ashamba Haanokorerwi
        Meaning, If someone has already started doing something, don’t do it for them. If someone has washed their hands, its their responsibility to eat the food. 


        Avengwa Anhuhwa.
        Haters rarely hate alone. They feel compelled to entreat others to hate as they do. 


        Akanga Nyimo Avangarara 
        Meaning: setting a hard goal but working hard to achieve it. Other proverbs with a similar:
        (1) Ateya mariva murutsva haatye kusviba magaro
        (2) Atanda nondo haachatyi kureba makanga.


        Ageza Haanokorerwi
        Once you are a grownup, it’s your responsibility to look after yourself.
        (1) Chava chigondora chava chimombe
        (2) Chasodzwa chave chitiyo
        (3) Kubva muzai kava kashiri.