Learn Shona Cultural Guide · Traditional Wisdom, Deep Meanings & English Equivalents
| Shona Saying (Tsumo / Dimikira) | Meaning & Lesson (Chidzidzo) | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
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Chara chimwe hachitswanyi inda.
📜 Tsumo
"One thumb cannot crush a louse."
|
Big challenges cannot be solved alone; true success and strength come from cooperation and community effort.
🇿🇼 Munhu mumwe chete haakwanisi kuita basa guru ari ega, panodiwa kubatana.
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Unity is strength / Many hands make light work. |
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Kusatenda uroyi.
📜 Tsumo
"Ingratitude is as evil as witchcraft."
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Failing to express heartfelt gratitude when someone helps you is one of the gravest social faults in Shona culture.
🇿🇼 Zvinonyadzisa chose kubatsirwa wobva watadza kutenda.
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Ingratitude is a crime against humanity / Count your blessings and say thank you. |
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Mwana asingachemi anofira mumbereko.
📜 Tsumo
"A baby who doesn't cry dies in the carrier sling."
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If you don't speak up about your needs, struggles, or hunger, no one will know how to help you.
🇿🇼 Kana usingatauri matambudziko ako hapana anoziva kuti anokubatsira sei.
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A closed mouth doesn't get fed / Speak up to be helped. |
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Kandiro kanoenda kunobva kamwe.
📜 Tsumo
"A small dish of food goes where another came from."
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Generosity and hospitality are reciprocal; when you share with neighbors, they will surely share with you.
🇿🇼 Kupa kunovamba nekupiwawo; ukaitira vamwe zvakanaka nawe unozviitirwawo.
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One good turn deserves another / Give and take. |
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Gudo guru peta muswe vadiki vakutye.
📜 Tsumo
"Big baboon, tuck in your tail so the young can respect you."
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Those in positions of leadership or age must carry themselves with dignity, restraint, and humility to earn genuine respect.
🇿🇼 Munhu mukuru anofanira kuzvibata zvakanaka kuti vana vadiki vamuremekedze.
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Respect is earned through humility / Leaders must lead by virtuous example. |
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Zano ndega wakasiya jira mumasese.
📜 Tsumo
"Mr. "My-Own-Idea" left his blanket soaked in the beer dregs."
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Refusing to seek counsel or heed warnings from others leads inevitably to embarrassment and loss.
🇿🇼 Munhu anoramba kuteerera mazano evamwe anozopedzisira awira mumatambudziko.
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Pride comes before a fall / No one is an island of wisdom. |
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Nzou hairemerwi nenyanga dzayo.
📜 Tsumo
"An elephant is never burdened by its own tusks."
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A person is equipped with the innate strength to bear their own family duties and cultural obligations.
🇿🇼 Hapana munhu anofanira kuona mhuri yake semutoro unorema; Mwari anopa simba rokuvachengeta.
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You are never given more than you can carry / Family responsibility is an honor, not a burden. |
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Chirere chigozokurerawo.
📜 Tsumo
"Nurture the child gently, so that they may nurture you in old age."
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Investing loving care, education, and attention into your children ensures the continuity and wellbeing of the family.
🇿🇼 Rera vana vako zvakanaka nerudo, ndivo vachazokuchengeta pauchembere hwako.
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What goes around comes around / Care for your children and they will care for you. |
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Aive madziva ave mazambuko.
📜 Tsumo
"What were once deep, impassable pools have become shallow river crossings."
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Circumstances and life situations change over time; those who were once mighty can become humble, and dry seasons give way to river crossings.
🇿🇼 Zvinhu zvinochinja muhupenyu; nhamo inogona kuva mufaro, kana masimba kupera.
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Times change / The wheel of fortune turns. |
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Totenda maruva tadya chakata.
📜 Tsumo
"We only praise the blossoms once we have tasted the ripe wild fruit."
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Do not assume success merely from promising beginnings; wait until the full results and fruit are secured.
🇿🇼 Usakurumidze kufara pamavambo echinhu kusvikira wabudirira chaizvo.
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Don't count your chickens before they hatch. |
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Kure kwemeso nzeve dzinonzwa.
📜 Tsumo
"Far for the eyes, but the ears still hear."
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Physical distance does not conceal bad deeds or secrets; news and truth always travel.
🇿🇼 Kunyange uri kure neziso, zvaurikuiita zvinongonzwikwa.
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Walls have ears / Truth travels across any distance. |
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Chinono chinengwe, kure kwegava ndokusina svosve.
📜 Tsumo
"Deliberate slowness belongs to the leopard stalking prey."
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Taking your time to plan and act with precision produces a superior result compared to reckless haste.
🇿🇼 Kuita zvinhu zvishoma nezvishoma zvine hurongwa kunoburitsa mhedzisiro yakanaka.
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Slow and steady wins the race / Measure twice, cut once. |
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Kure kwegava ndokusina mutsubvu.
📜 Tsumo
"Far for a jackal is only a place where there are no tsubvu berry trees."
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No distance or obstacle is too great when someone is truly determined to achieve what they love.
🇿🇼 Ukada chinhu nomoyo wose, hapana chinhu chinokutadzisa kuchiwana.
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Where there is a will, there is a way. |
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Shungu dzomumoyo hadzitengwi pamusika.
📜 Tsumo
"The determination of the inner heart cannot be purchased at a market."
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True grit, perseverance, and passion must come from within oneself; external goods cannot buy motivation.
🇿🇼 Chido chechokwadi chokusimukira chinobva mumoyo mako kwete mune zvokunze.
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Passion and grit cannot be bought. |
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Murombo haarovi chine nguo.
📜 Tsumo
"An underprivileged hunter rarely bags game with rich fur."
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Life can be particularly tough when resources are scarce; cherish whatever honest catch or blessing you receive.
🇿🇼 Kutenda zvidiki zvaunazvo nokuti zvinhu zvikuru hazvingouyi nyore.
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Beggars cannot be choosers / Value the little blessings. |
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Kugara nhaka huona dzevamwe.
📜 Tsumo
"Inheriting and leading well comes from observing how others navigated it."
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Wisdom and effective leadership are learned by studying the examples and mistakes of predecessors.
🇿🇼 Kuti uve mutungamiri akanaka unofanira kudzidza pane zvakaitwa nevamwe kare.
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Learn from the experience of others / Standing on the shoulders of giants. |
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Kubata maoko
💬 Dimikira
"To hold hands."
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To pay one's condolences, comfort a grieving family, and offer solidarity after a loss.
🇿🇼 Kunobata maoko kune vafirwa nekuvanyaradza.
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To offer heartfelt condolences / To extend sympathy. |
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Kuva nemoyo muchena
💬 Dimikira
"To possess a white heart."
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To be purely benevolent, generous, kind-hearted, and free from malicious intentions.
🇿🇼 Kuva munhu ane rudo, rupo, uye asina chigumbu kana ruvengo.
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To have a golden heart / To be generous and kind. |
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Kuruma nzeve
💬 Dimikira
"To bite someone's ear."
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To whisper a timely, confidential warning or piece of inside advice to someone you care about.
🇿🇼 Kuyambira mumwe munhu pachivande kuitira kuti asapinde munyatwa.
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To tip someone off / To whisper a friendly warning. |
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Kurova imbwa wakaviga mupinyi
💬 Dimikira
"Beating the dog while concealing the handle stick."
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Attacking, undermining, or criticizing someone slyly while pretending to be friendly or innocent.
🇿🇼 Kutuka kana kuitira mumwe zvakaipa uchizviita sedzisingazivikanwi.
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A wolf in sheep's clothing / Underhanded duplicity. |
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Kukanda mapfumo pasi
💬 Dimikira
"To throw the spears down to the ground."
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To surrender, cease hostilities, forgive grievances, and make peace.
🇿🇼 Kurega kurwa, kukumbira ruregerero kana kuita rugare.
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To bury the hatchet / To call a truce / To concede defeat gracefully. |
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Kubereka tsoka
💬 Dimikira
"To carry one's feet on the back."
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To sprint away at top speed due to sudden fright, surprise, or haste.
🇿🇼 Kutiza nesimba uye nokukurumidza nekuda kwekutya.
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To take to one's heels / To run like the wind. |
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Kuisa musoro mugonhi
💬 Dimikira
"Putting one's head between the doorframe and the closing door."
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Willfully stepping into obvious, unnecessary danger or inviting trouble onto oneself.
🇿🇼 Kuzvipinza mumatambudziko nemaune pasina chikonzero.
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Asking for trouble / Sticking your neck out recklessly. |
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Kucheka hukama
💬 Dimikira
"To sever kinship with a cut."
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To officially disown, sever family ties, or break off a relationship due to grave conflict.
🇿🇼 Kuparadza ukama hwekuzvarwa nekuda kwekupopotedzana kukuru.
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To cut ties / To disown family relations. |
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Kudyira mukanwa
💬 Dimikira
"To eat straight from hand to mouth."
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Living hand-to-mouth; consuming everything earned immediately with zero savings for tomorrow.
🇿🇼 Kushandisa zvose zvaunowana pasina kurongera mangwana.
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Living from hand to mouth / Failing to save for a rainy day. |
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Kusvika panyanga dzenzou
💬 Dimikira
"To arrive right at the elephant's tusks."
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To reach the very heart, apex, or climax of a matter or achievement.
🇿🇼 Kusvika pachinangwa chikuru chaizvo kana pabasa chairo.
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Reaching the pinnacle / Hitting the nail on the head. |