Learn Shona

Learn to speak Shona with an app designed to get you talking fast. Start with uTalk now, and you’ll soon learn everyday phrases you can use with family and friends or when visiting Zimbabwe.

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Are you ready to say “Wakadini?” and connect with Shona speakers in Southern Africa?

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Learn Shona online and connect with confidence

You may be like many English speakers who want to learn the Shona language to communicate with your friends and family in Zimbabwe or explore Zimbabwean culture. Unfortunately, quality resources for this Bantu language are hard to find.

uTalk solves this problem. We help you avoid:

Struggling to find a Shona learning app that actually teaches spoken language
Wasting time on lessons that ignore pronunciation and everyday situations
Missing out on meaningful conversations because you don’t know basic Shona phrases

Learn Shona fast and begin having conversations with native speakers today.

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Why uTalk is the best Shona learning app

uTalk is perfect for beginners and fits your schedule to teach you practical Shona through an introductory course that focuses on real conversations.

Start in minutes

Our course covers greetings, family words, travel phrases and everyday situations. You’ll start by learning some of the words and phrases that matter most in Shona culture.

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Practise real phrases

With uTalk, you’ll hear authentic Zimbabwean pronunciation. We don’t use computer voices, just recordings of real people teaching you how Shona is actually spoken.

Speak like a local

Short sessions use games to help boost your memory. You can practise words and phrases first, then test yourself to build stronger recall.

What our learners say about us

"It’s perfect to use, easy, for all ages, mix interesting sections, great layout and come with professional helpful customer service!!!! I am so happy with this app! This app is the best."

Baruch.HaShem
"If you can't decide which language you want to learn, this app is great because you can dip in and try lots of different ones. And I love that it works on my computer, phone and iPad!"

Lillibet82
"It’s amazing to have so many languages to choose from. The games are simple and fun. I love that Starter Words is free in every language, so you can try as many as you like!"

Matt Garland
"Great app for learning different languages, it's great that you can learn from repeating common words and phrases spoken by natives. Great idea and fantastic for traveling"

Jocc1233
"It is a good app and very rewarding. My little girl has learnt alot from it! I have already paid for a few coins already, because I felt like paying for a good app!"

david bemrose
"the site is awesome! I love it. And Daniel in customer service was excellent. He addressed my problem immediately and to my satisfaction. I highly recommend uTalk!"

Debra DeGrasse
"Tried several languages (got package deal of 6). Fun playing those games with children, good for both language and memory. I do not regret this purchase"

Alex Shatzir
"I have been trying to find an app that has all the languages. I thought I would never find one, but I did and it has so many good learning techniques."

Samulana4
"I am currently doing arabic and i love it. I have tried a few things in other languages too gujrati punjabi tamil french. A very useful tool."

Adi24tya
"I love learning languages and this app is a great tool tool for getting better at the ones I know. I will enjoy using this for a long time!"

Kizzij

Three steps to learn Shona fast

With uTalk, there are no classes to schedule and no complicated setup. We provide you with a clear path to begin learning right away.

Speak first

Simply subscribe, download our app or open the website. Choose Shona and select your first category to get started.

Authentic native speakers

You’ll learn through short lessons with native speaker audio and memory-boosting games. Our reviews focus on words you need to practise more so you learn faster.

Beginner friendly, fun and effective

When you’re ready, try your Shona in real life. Both beginners and more experienced learners can quickly build basic and practical spoken language skills to start enjoying meaningful experiences right away.

Speak Shona language today – Common phrases and audio

uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.

Phrase Image - I’d like a coffee, please.

Ndingade kofi, ndapota.

I’d like a coffee, please.

Mhoro.

Hello.

Hongu.

Yes.

Hongu ndapota.

Yes please.

Kwete.

No.

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Kwete, ndapota.

No thanks.

Ndapota.

Please.

Ndinotenda.

Thank you.

Ndinotenda zvikuru.

Thank you very much.

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Uchitendei?

You’re welcome.

Doro kaviri, ndapota.

Two beers, please.

bhazi

bus

motokari

car

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muchovha

taxi

chitima

train

chiteshi chezvitima

railway station

nhandare yendege

airport

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hotera

hotel

pasipoti

passport

runhare

telephone

Pamusoroi.

Excuse me.

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Inguvai?

What time is it?

Phrase Image - Can you repeat that please?

Ungadzokorora here ndapota?

Can you repeat that please?

Phrase Image - Please speak more slowly.

Taura zvishoma nezvishoma ndapota.

Please speak more slowly.

Handisi kunzwisisa.

I don’t understand.

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Ndine urombo.

Sorry.

Zvimbuzi zviri kupi?

Where are the toilets?

Chimbuzi che vakadzi

Ladies’ Toilet

Chimbuzi che varume

Gents’ Toilet

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Ko bhichi riri kupi?

Where is the beach?

Bhanga riri kupi?

Where is the bank?

Ichi chinoita marii?

How much does this cost?

khadhi remari

credit card

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muchina wemari

cash machine

Mosara zvakanaka.

Goodbye.

mapiritsi

paracetamol

makiyi

keys

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chiratidzo chenzvimbo pabepa

map

ruboshwe

left

rudyi

right

motsi

one

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piri

two

tatu

three

Where is it spoken?

Zimbabwe

Number of speakers

11,000,000

Language family

Niger-Congo

Atlantic–Congo

Benue-Congo

Bantu

Fun facts | Shona

The language has borrowed many words from other languages such as 'yunivhesiti' - university - and 'motokari' - car - from English.
Clapping your hands is a gesture which accompanies greetings and can also mean thank you. Men clap with flat hands and women clap with cupped hands.
A Shona proverb says, 'it's a marvel to see a leopard playing with a goat' - manenji kuona kamba ichitamba nembudzi - which suggests that something suspicious is going on!

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How our Shona lessons work

At uTalk, we believe learning the Shona language should be simple and enjoyable. You’ll start with basic greetings and the most common words used across Zimbabwe. Then, you’ll move to practical topics such as family, numbers and essential phrases for everyday situations. Our lessons are short, fun and built for English speakers as well as speakers of other languages. During lessons, you’ll listen to native speakers, practise pronunciation and test what you’ve learned to strengthen your memory. Review sessions adapt to your learning and test you more on words you find tricky.

Once you pick a category, our app orders content to give you quick wins. You can choose English or another application language to learn from, if you prefer. We make it easy to learn online or offline, on any device you choose. You can also change categories at any time to follow the path that suits your goals. If you have questions, you can access our help resources in the app or contact our friendly UK-based support team. We’re here to help you succeed.

Shona vs. chiShona: what’s the difference?

Here’s what people mean when they say ‘Shona’ and ‘chiShona’.

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Key points

Shona is the English name for the language, but native speakers in Zimbabwe call it chiShona. The "chi-" prefix is a Bantu language naming convention that marks the language itself, similar to how Swahili speakers say Kiswahili or Zulu speakers say isiZulu.
In English, we simply say "Shona" to keep things straightforward for learners. Both terms refer to the same language.
When you're speaking with Zimbabweans, you might hear them say "I speak chiShona" or ask "Do you speak chiShona?" Now you'll know they're talking about the same language you're learning with uTalk.

Shona in Southern Africa

Learn Shona app being used on two phones in the hands of two women

Shona is the most widely spoken Bantu language in Zimbabwe, used by millions of people in their homes, at work and in everyday community life. It’s the foundation of Zimbabwean culture and identity.
Beyond Zimbabwe, you’ll also find Shona speakers in parts of Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia. Learning Shona opens doors throughout Southern Africa.

If you’re interested in other languages from the region, uTalk also teaches Tswana and Sesotho. Each language carries its own culture and history, and we recorded all of them with native speakers so you can explore the region’s rich linguistic diversity.

Start learning the Shona language today, and speak with confidence by next week.

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"We understand that finding quality Shona resources is hard"

"You may be longing to learn Shona but are struggling to find materials that teach the spoken language properly. At uTalk, we recorded Shona because every language is important to us. We also understand how essential Shona is for people wanting to connect with family or prepare for travel. We worked with native Zimbabwean speakers so you can learn authentic pronunciation and understand how people really talk. Get started with uTalk today."

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Richard Howeson

uTalk Founder

Why learners trust uTalk

We go out of our way to support minority and regional languages across Africa and beyond. We work with native speakers from Zimbabwe to record our content. The uTalk app works for English speakers and speakers of more than 140 other languages. Join our community and see how regular practice turns into real progress. You can check out reviews from people who’ve used uTalk to learn Shona and other languages.

Two women laughing about their Shona language learning progress

Your Shona language learning journey

If you’re like many uTalk learners, you’re looking to connect with family in Zimbabwe, explore Zimbabwean culture or prepare for travel to Southern Africa. But even though Shona is spoken by millions of people, finding quality lessons for beginners can feel impossible. It doesn’t have to be this way, though.

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uTalk can help. When you start, you can choose to begin with First Words or another topic that interests you to build useful words and phrases for real-life situations. Our app also gets you to listen to native speakers and record yourself copying their pronunciation. By comparing the two recordings, you’ll quickly improve. Our games make learning fun, with content that is practical for people with beginner to intermediate skill levels. You can learn online or offline and follow a guided pathway or explore freely. You choose what you want to learn and when.

In no time, you’ll speak the Shona language with confidence. You’ll understand more when listening to native speakers. And you’ll use your skills with friends, family and new connections across Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. Learning with uTalk fits your life, not the other way around.

See the difference

Before uTalk you were:

Unsure how to pronounce basic Zimbabwean phrases correctly
Memorising lists without understanding how to use words in everyday situations
Missing out on conversations because you lacked confidence
Struggling to find time for long, complicated lessons

"I'll never be able to speak Shona properly"

With uTalk you will be:

Using everyday Shona phrases fast, from greetings to travel
Speaking with clear pronunciation learned from native Zimbabwean speakers
Building confidence with short, focused lessons that fit your schedule
Understanding and joining real conversations in Shona

“I can actually have conversations in Shona”

Learn real-life topics in Shona

First Words Transport Restaurant Food and Drink Cooking Places Directions Illness Doctor Body Emergencies Social Phrases Leisure Likes and Dislikes Football Match Abroad Football Commentary Sports Shopping Words Fruit Vegetables Clothes Ingredients Home Bathroom Kitchen Tools Family Occupations Animals Animals' Bodies Farming Technology School Business Numbers up to Twenty Numbers up to Ten Million Essential Phrases Adjectives Prepositions Colours Countries Calendar Time Timetable Outdoors Holiday Skiing Camping Golf Sailing Driving Olympics Summer Olympics Winter Olympics Military Commands Military Peace Keeping Military Intelligence Accommodation Shopping Phrases Travelling Free Starter Words Disaster Relief - Volunteers Natural Disasters

Explore the Bantu language family

Shona belongs to the Bantu language family, which is a vast network of languages spoken across Sub-Saharan Africa. These languages share deep historical roots and often have similar vocabulary patterns and grammatical structures, so learning one can help you understand others.

If you’re curious to compare words, sounds or everyday phrases across the Bantu family, check out Bemba, Chichewa, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, Luganda, Swahili, Tswana, Tumbuka, Xhosa and Zulu.

Cross-learning these languages might feel more familiar once you start noticing the patterns they share.

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Your Shona questions, answered

Do you offer live online classes or is it just an app?

uTalk is an app and online language learning software. Lessons are digital, short and practical. If you want a tutor, the app still helps you prepare for class and review between sessions.

Can I start as a beginner?

Yes. The course begins with basic greetings and everyday words and phrases and takes you to an A1-A2 level on the CEFR scale. Some of our topics even cover material you’d learn as you grow your skills to B1 or B2.

What application languages do you support? Can I learn without English?

Yes. uTalk works for speakers of more than 140 languages. Choose the one that suits you in Settings.

How is content selected and ordered?

Topics are based on real life situations. You can select any category and the app suggests a smart learning order for beginners. You can change it at any time.

How does uTalk compare with YouTube lessons?

YouTube can be useful, but it’s hard to check pronunciation or get structured reviews. uTalk gives you native speaker audio, games that test tricky words more often and a clear path from basic to practical use.

Where can I learn a language with uTalk?

We’re available on iOS, Android, web, Mac and PC. Get started now and you’ll be directed to download uTalk for your device.

Is Shona hard to learn?

Shona has some challenging sounds for English speakers, but our native speaker recordings make learning pronunciation easier. Most uTalk learners make good progress with regular, short practice sessions. Our app tests you more on words you find difficult to help you improve faster.

Is Shona on Duolingo?

No, Shona is not available on Duolingo. But it is available on uTalk, which features 150+ languages, including minority and regional languages.

How long does it take to learn Shona?

Many learners can handle simple conversations after a few weeks of steady practice. We recommend short, regular sessions. Your speed depends on how often you use the app and how much you review.

Can I learn Shona for free with uTalk?

Getting started with uTalk is easy, and you can cancel whenever you want. We want you to love uTalk, so we offer a 28-Day Money Back Guarantee if you’re not satisfied.

Where is Shona spoken?

Shona is primarily spoken in Zimbabwe, where it’s one of the official languages. You’ll also find Shona speakers in parts of Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia, making it a valuable language throughout Southern Africa.

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