Zimbabwe Slang Dictionary

Zimbabwean slang blends Shona and Ndebele with English into the lively everyday speech of Harare, Bulawayo and beyond. It shows up in Zimdancehall lyrics, campus banter, kombi ranks and social media, and it shifts quickly as each generation puts its own stamp on it. From street corners to WhatsApp groups, it's playful, sharp and full of local flavour. Explore the community-built dictionary of Zimbabwean slang below - and if a word you know is missing, be the first to define it.

Currency of Zimbabwe (ZWL) issued by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Example

Reintroduced in 2019 after a decade of using foreign currencies.

Travel Admin • 21 July 2025
A Southern African country with Victoria Falls, rich mineral resources, and economic challenges.
Example

Zimbabwe's Great Zimbabwe ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site from an ancient civilization.

Travel Admin • 23 June 2025

Swi

Swi is a Zimbabwean slang term for Alright/Fine.
Example

The poem you wrote ibinguswi

Thandazani • 05 January 2025
In Shona it means powers
Example

Hurumende ine masimba ekuchinja mutemo

Brighton Ngondi • 31 August 2022
Being selfish or being flashy
Example

We cant go out with him because ano dada

Scarboy_zw • 28 September 2021
Rutendo a female given name in Zimbabwe.

It translate to giving praise
Example

We give God Rutendo

Scarboy_zw • 28 September 2021
A bird
Example

Hona shiri

Meaning: Look at that bird

Scarboy_zw • 28 September 2021
A person
Example

Ndiye munhu wacho

Meaning: This is the person

Scarboy_zw • 28 September 2021
Love
Example

Anondipa Rudo(She/He gives me love )

Scarboy_zw • 28 September 2021
Breaking into pieces
Example

Ukadonha uno tyoka

Scarboy_zw • 28 September 2021
Something very dull, dumb and dangerous
Example

He is a ZANU PF

uCrist • 18 July 2021

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