Zimbabwe Language - What do they speak

Zimbabwe people essentially speak three languages namely English, Shona and Ndebele. Shona (also known as chiShona) and Ndebele (also known as Sindebele) are the most common indigenous languages spoken in Zimbabwe. These are generally spread geographically with Shona spoken in the northern and central parts of the country and Ndebele in the central and southern parts of the country.

Ndebele language spoken in Zimbabwe is amazingly similar to Zulu language spoken in South Africa. For this reason many Ndebele speaking Zimbabweans found it much easier to fit into South African society at the height of Zimbabwe economic turmoil as economic refugees.

Shona has its variants represented through different dialects such as Zezuru, Karanga, Manyika and Ndau. Shona in its variants is spoken by up to 10 million people in the Mashonaland region of Zimbabwe. Most city dwellers in cities in Zimbabwe speak Shona.

The following are some common words in Shona translated to English;

Greetings in Shona


Masikati in English means Good afternoon.
Makadini in English means How are you or How do you do
Maswera sei in English means How has been your day. 


Thanks giving in Shona


Tatenda in English means Thank You
Waita hako in English means Thank You Very Much


There is general tendency for most Zimbabweans to address you in the language they first assume you speak judging by the color of your skin or your facial features. This is not necessarily meant to offend but simply indicates the widespread assumption that everyone speaks the same language i.e Shona or Ndebele.

People of a fairer skin are naturally addressed in English sometimes "broken" English but its often easy to make sense of it all.


Apart from Shona and Ndebele the people of Zimbabwe also fluently speak English. English actively works as a bridge between non-Shona speakers and non-Ndebele speakers. English is the language of business in Zimbabwe.

National state news media is broadcast in English, Shona and Ndebele on a daily basis. The main language of instruction in Zimbabwe schools, colleges and Universities is English. However the same institutions also teach local languages mostly for academic reasons.

The emphasis of English in Zimbabwe is mostly a function of the history of Zimbabwe under English colonization which ended at independence in 1980.

Do you have  an experience to share about Zimbabwe language? Submit your experience below