Madimikira

Madimikira echiShona.

Shona idioms, where the meaning is never the words.

D

Dziya musoroTo do something out of sheer stubborn determination.

G

Gumi nefarariraA great many, more than can easily be counted.Gura mabviTo be completely worn out. Literally, to have your knees cut.

H

Hapadyiwi rinopisaThere is no peace to be had; things are too unsettled for anyone to rest.

K

Keyeuka bako mvura yagasaTo think of something only when the time it was needed has passed. Literally, to remember the rock shelter once the rain is over.Kubaya dondoTo speak off the point, straying from the matter being discussed. Literally, to strike off into the bush.Kubuda munhangaOf a girl, to get married. Literally, to come out of the nhanga, the hut where the girls of a homestead slept.Kubura munhu mumotoTo rescue someone from serious trouble. Literally, to pull a person out of the fire.Kubvunza nyama makushe uchiaonaTo ask about something that is already plain to see. Literally, to ask the meat about its fur while the fur is in front of you.Kudhonzera guvhu mukatiTo hurt someone badly. Literally, to pull their navel inwards.Kudya cheziyaTo earn your living by hard work, by the sweat of your brow.Kudya makomoTo beat an expert at their own game; to outdo someone known to be highly skilled.Kudya mutochaTo grumble or complain in a lofty, self-important way.Kudyira pfinhiTo use up food, or anything else you have, carelessly and wastefully, keeping nothing back for later.Kuenda kwanyakurovaTo die.Kugarira nhanzvaTo fail quickly, before really getting started. Literally, to sit on the nhanzva, the slippery slope children slide down on branches.Kugura kunoriraTo be hurt by something you never saw coming.Kuita maonerapamweTo work together and help one another.Kumedza kutsenga kuchadaTo rush into something before thinking it through, and regret it later. Literally, to swallow while chewing is still needed.Kunzwa parere moyoTo feel deep contentment. Literally, to feel where the heart lies down.Kupa rukukweTo sell sex; to live as a prostitute. Literally, to give the sleeping mat.Kupinda muhomweTo become so familiar with someone that you stop respecting them. Literally, to get into their pocket.Kupinda nomwenje mudzivaTo get so carried away with enjoyment that you do things that will land you in trouble. Literally, to walk into a pool carrying a lit torch.Kupinda-pindaTo sleep around or live as a prostitute. Literally, to keep going in and out.Kurara hope dzembwaTo be overcome by sleep while trying to look awake. Literally, to sleep a dog's sleep.Kurinda guyo sembwaTo wait in hope for something that will never come, like a dog keeping watch by a grinding stone.Kurodzerana mapfumoTo be ready and set to fight each other. Literally, to sharpen spears against each other.Kuronda nyayaTo trace a matter carefully and investigate it. Literally, to follow the tracks of a matter.Kurova bemberaTo speak out in public about a wrong done to you, so that the one responsible hears it without being named.Kurova gataTo consult a diviner (n'anga) to find out what caused a death.Kurovera hohoTo keep repeating a warning or a lesson to drive it home.Kuruka zanoTo work out a plan so that what you want will succeed. Literally, to weave a plan.Kutamba nyayaTo talk a matter over together; to converse.Kutambira nemaoko maviriTo accept something wholeheartedly and gladly. Literally, to receive with both hands.Kutorwa pfungwaTo be captivated or carried away by something. Literally, to have your mind taken.Kutsamira churuTo die. Literally, to lean against the anthill.Kutsenga mumukanwaTo talk around what you mean instead of saying it plainly; to mumble evasively. Literally, to chew inside the mouth.Kutsetsa nyayaTo tell a story slowly and at length, drawing out every detail.Kuva nemanyemweTo be pampered and spoilt, or to behave like someone who expects to be indulged.Kuyera mvuraTo be unwilling to bathe. Literally, to measure the water.Kuzvarira ivhuTo bear children only to lose them one after another. Literally, to give birth for the soil.

M

Makobvu nemateteInsults; harsh, wounding words. Literally, the thick and the thin.Moyo murefuPatience; being slow to anger and ready to forgive. Literally, a long heart.Muromo mututururuA mouth given to needling and provoking others; said of someone whose talk is mostly jibes.

N

N'ura moyoTo be deeply hurt or grieved. Literally, to have the heart pinched.Nyanga dzamushoreGreat trouble or serious danger. Literally, the horns of the mushore.Nyangira yaonaTo try to catch someone off guard when they have already seen you coming, so the move is too late to work. Literally, to stalk an animal that has already spotted you.Nyura muchipfekoTo wear clothes that fit you perfectly. Literally, to sink into the garment.Nzvengwa nechiri muchanzaTo miss out on something by a hair, when you all but had it. Literally, to be dodged by what was already in your palm.

P

Pasura masangoTo travel far and wide. Literally, to split through the forests.Pererwa nemashokoTo be at a loss for words; to run out of anything to say.Pinda negejo musvondoTo do something disgraceful or badly out of place. Literally, to take a plough into church.

R

Rasa musweTo celebrate wildly, rejoicing beyond all restraint. Literally, to throw away your tail.Rova imbwa wakaviga mupinyiTo speak indirectly, getting at someone without saying it outright. Literally, to beat the dog with the stick kept hidden.Rovera moyo padomboTo steel yourself and act bravely in spite of fear. Literally, to strike your heart against a rock.

T

Tsuro yotande imbwaA startling turn of events, the world turned upside down. Literally, the hare chasing the dog.Tsvuka chin'aiTo grow old, or to grow old together as a couple. Literally, to turn soot-brown, like the roof of a kitchen after years of cooking fires.

Z

Ziso ramamboA person appointed to watch over and lead an area on the chief's behalf. Literally, the king's eye.

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