KwaunobvaMadimikira
Idioms, indirect speech
Madimikira echiShona.
Shona idioms, where the meaning is never the words.
Kudyira pfinhiTo use something, especially food, carelessly or wastefully.Kudya makomoTo surpass or outdo an expert or a highly skilled person.Kudya cheziyaTo gain something through hard, strenuous work.Dziya musoroTo do something out of sheer stubborn determination.Kupinda nomwenje mudzivaTo recklessly enjoy doing things that will bring trouble upon oneself.Kuva nemanyemweTo be someone's favourite; to be doted on or shown special favour.Kubaya dondoTo speak off-topic, straying from the matter being discussed.Kupinda muhomweTo become overly familiar with someone and start disrespecting them.Kurinda guyo sembwaTo wait hopefully for something that will never come.Kutsenga mumukanwaTo speak without being clear or direct; to mumble evasively.Muromo mututururuTo have a habit of only ever saying provocative or insulting things.Kuzvarira ivhuTo repeatedly lose children to death after giving birth to them.Keyeuka bako mvura yagasaTo think of something only after the time it was needed has already passed.Ziso ramamboA person appointed to oversee and lead an area on the chief's behalf.Kuyera mvuraTo be unwilling to bathe or wash.Kutambira nemaoko maviriTo accept something wholeheartedly and with great satisfaction.Kutsamira churuTo die.N'ura moyoTo be deeply hurt or grieved.Nyangira yaonaTo wrong someone brazenly, right before their eyes, without fear of consequence.Moyo murefuTo be patient and forgiving.Rasa musweTo celebrate joyfully; to let loose in celebration.Kumedza kutsenga kuchadaTo rush into doing something that you will later come to regret.Kupa rukukweTo engage in prostitution.Tsuro yotande imbwaA shocking, astonishing turn of events.Pasura masangoTo travel widely across the land.Pererwa nemashokoTo be at a loss for words.Hapadyiwi rinopisaThere is no peace to be had.Kupinda-pindaTo engage in prostitution.Kubura munhu mumotoTo rescue someone from trouble.Tsvuka chin'aiTo grow old, or to age together with someone.Kutorwa pfungwaTo be captivated or enchanted by something.Kubuda munhangaTo get married (said of a woman).Kutsetsa nyayaTo narrate a story slowly, dragging it out in exaggerated detail.Kuruka zanoTo devise a plan so that one's goals succeed.Kutamba nyayaTo converse or discuss something.Kugarira nhanzvaTo fail quickly, before really getting started.Gumi nefarariraTo be excessive; far too much.Gura mabviTo become completely exhausted.Pinda negejo musvondoTo do something disgraceful or shameful.Makobvu nemateteInsults; abusive words.Kurara hope dzembwaTo be overtaken by sleep while pretending to still be awake and alert.Kurovera hohoTo drive home or reinforce words of warning or instruction.Kurodzerana mapfumoTo be already poised and prepared to fight one another.Kuronda nyayaTo carefully trace and investigate a matter.Nzvengwa nechiri muchanzaTo narrowly miss out on something, by the smallest margin.Rova imbwa wakaviga mupinyiTo speak indirectly, hinting at something without saying it outright.Kurova bemberaTo speak out, venting a complaint or grievance.Rovera moyo padomboTo steel oneself; to be brave and resolute.Nyanga dzamushoreGreat troubles; serious difficulties.Nyura muchipfekoTo wear clothes that fit really well.Kunzwa parere moyoTo feel deeply satisfied and content.Kuita maonerapamweTo help one another; to cooperate.Kudya mutochaTo grumble or complain in a pretentious, high-and-mighty manner.Kubvunza nyama makushe uchiaonaTo ask for an explanation of something that is already plain to see.Kudhonzera guvhu mukatiTo cause pain.Kuenda kwanyakurovaTo die.Kugura kunoriraTo be hurt by something one never saw coming.Kurova gataTo consult a diviner to find out what caused someone's death.
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