MADIMIKIRA (IDIOMS)

Madimikira mashoko kana kuti boka remashoko rine dudziro yakasiyana neyezwi rimwe nerimwe pacharo. Anopa hupfumi hwakadzama kumutauro wedu. Kunzwisisa madimikira kunobatsira zvikuru mukunzwisisa ChiShona chepamusoro.

(Idioms are words or a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of each individual word. They give profound richness to our language. Understanding idioms greatly helps in understanding advanced Shona.)

MADIMIKIRA NEMIENZANISO (IDIOMS AND EXAMPLES)

1. Kuva nemuromo

Zvarinoreva (Meaning): Kutaura zvakanyanya; to be talkative, to have a big mouth.

Mutsetse (Sentence): Mai Chipo vane muromo, vanongotaurisa zvisina basa.

English: Mrs. Chipo is very talkative; she just says a lot of unnecessary things.

2. Kurova imbwa

Zvarinoreva: Kunyepa zvikuru; to tell a big lie.

Mutsetse: Akandirova imbwa achiti aive kuHarare iye ari kuBulawayo.

English: He told me a big lie saying he was in Harare, yet he was in Bulawayo.

3. Kudya marara

Zvarinoreva: Kutaura zvisina musoro, kutaura zvinonyadzisa; to talk nonsense, to say shameful things.

Mutsetse: Paakadhakwa, akatanga kudya marara pamberi pevanhu.

English: When he got drunk, he started talking nonsense in front of people.

4. Kuisa musoro

Zvarinoreva: Kufunga zvakadzama, kushandisa njere; to think deeply, to use one's intellect.

Mutsetse: Nyaya iyi inoda kuti tiise misoro pamwechete kuti tiiwane mhinduro.

English: This issue requires us to put our heads together (think deeply) to find a solution.

5. Kudya mahumbwe

Zvarinoreva: Kutamba kana kuita zvinhu zvisina basa pane kushanda; to play around, to waste time on trivialities instead of working.

Mutsetse: Vakomana ava vanongodya mahumbwe pachikoro panzvimbo pekudzidza.

English: These boys just play around at school instead of learning.

6. Kuva neruoko

Zvarinoreva: Kuba, kuva netsika yekuba; to be a thief, to have a tendency to steal.

Mutsetse: Chenjerai naye, ane ruoko rurefu.

English: Be careful with him; he has a long hand (he is a thief).

7. Kucheka nyaya

Zvarinoreva: Kugadzirisa nyaya, kutonga nyaya; to settle a matter, to judge a case.

Mutsetse: Sabhuku akacheka nyaya yemombe yakadya minda yevamwe.

English: The village headman settled the case of the cattle that ate other people's crops.

8. Kutsvaga demo

Zvarinoreva: Kutsvaga kupopotedzana kana kurwa; to look for trouble, to provoke a fight.

Mutsetse: Akauya achinditsvaga demo asi ndakangonyarara.

English: He came looking for a fight with me, but I just kept quiet.

9. Kupisa guva

Zvarinoreva: Kuita chinhu chinoshamisa kana chisingatarisirwi; to do something extraordinary or unexpected (often in a negative or shocking way related to a deceased person's memory).

Mutsetse: Akaroora mukadzi wasahwira wake achangofa, akapisa guva chaiyo.

English: He married his best friend's wife shortly after he died; he really did something shocking/disrespectful.

10. Kuva nenzeve

Zvarinoreva: Kuteerera, kunzwisisa zvinotaurwa; to be a good listener, to understand what is said.

Mutsetse: Mwana uyo ane nzeve, anobata zvaanodzidziswa.

English: That child is a good listener; he grasps what he is taught.

11. Kudhonza makumbo

Zvarinoreva: Kufamba zvishoma nezvishoma, kunonoka; to drag one's feet, to be slow.

Mutsetse: Rega kudhonza makumbo, tichasara.

English: Stop dragging your feet; we will be left behind.

12. Kurova bembera

Zvarinoreva: Kutaura zvisina chokwadi, kufungidzira; to guess, to speculate.

Mutsetse: Usangorova bembera, taura zvaunonyatsoziva.

English: Don't just guess; say what you really know.

13. Kuva negotsi

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nerombo rakanaka, kubudirira muzvinhu; to be lucky, to be fortunate.

Mutsetse: Ane gotsi musikana uyu, akawana basa asingatarisiri.

English: This girl is lucky; she found a job unexpectedly.

14. Kudya munhu

Zvarinoreva: Kunyeya munhu, kureva munhu zvakaipa; to backbite someone, to speak ill of someone.

Mutsetse: Vanopedza zuva rose vachidya vanhu muhofisi umu.

English: They spend the whole day backbiting people in this office.

15. Kugara makagadhi

Zvarinoreva: Kungwarira, kuva wakagadzirira; to be alert, to be on guard.

Mutsetse: Muchengeti anofanira kugara makagadhi husiku hwese.

English: The guard must be alert all night.

16. Kutamba nemoto

Zvarinoreva: Kuita zvinhu zvine njodzi; to play with fire, to do dangerous things.

Mutsetse: Kutyaira wakadhakwa kutamba nemoto.

English: Drunk driving is playing with fire.

17. Kuva gumbo mumba gumbo panze

Zvarinoreva: Kusagadzikana, kuda kubva panzvimbo; to be unsettled, to always want to be on the move (one foot in, one foot out).

Mutsetse: Haagari pasi murume uyu, anongova gumbo mumba gumbo panze.

English: This man doesn't settle down; he's always on the move.

18. Kudya mwoyo

Zvarinoreva: Kunetseka mupfungwa, kuzvidya mwoyo; to be worried, to be anxious.

Mutsetse: Ari kudya mwoyo nekuda kwevana vake vari kure.

English: She is worried about her children who are far away.

19. Kupfeka demo

Zvarinoreva: Kuzvigadzirira kurwa kana kunetsana; to arm oneself (figuratively) for a confrontation.

Mutsetse: Paakanzwa kuti mukoma wake arovha, akabva apfeka demo rake.

English: When he heard his brother was beaten, he immediately prepared for a fight.

20. Kuva nebapu

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nesimba rekumhanya kana kushanda kwenguva refu; to have stamina, to have endurance.

Mutsetse: Anomhanya nhanganyaya iyoyo ane bapu chairo.

English: That marathon runner has real stamina.

21. Kutora hana

Zvarinoreva: Kuvhundutsa, kutyisa; to startle, to frighten.

Mutsetse: Nyoka yakanditora hana pandakaiwana mubindu.

English: The snake startled me when I found it in the garden.

22. Kuzvuva makumbo

Zvarinoreva: Kufamba zvisina simba kana uchirwara; to drag one's feet due to illness or weakness. (Similar to kudhonza makumbo but often implies illness).

Mutsetse: Ari kuzvuva makumbo kubva zvaakarwara nesvondo rakapera.

English: He has been dragging his feet (weakly) since he got sick last week.

23. Kugeza maoko

Zvarinoreva: Kuzvipa mhosva, kubvuma kukundwa kana kusada kuenderera mberi; to wash one's hands of a matter, to give up.

Mutsetse: Panyaya iyi ndageza maoko, handichapindiri.

English: On this matter, I have washed my hands; I will no longer interfere.

24. Kudya hope

Zvarinoreva: Kurara zvakanyanya, kuva nehope huru; to oversleep, to be a heavy sleeper.

Mutsetse: Anodya hope murume uyu, mangwanani haamuki.

English: This man is a heavy sleeper; he doesn't wake up in the morning.

25. Kuva nemoyo chena

Zvarinoreva: Kuva munhu akanaka, ane rudo; to be kind-hearted, to be good-natured.

Mutsetse: Mbuya vangu vaiva nemoyo chena, vaibatsira vanhu vose.

English: My grandmother was kind-hearted; she used to help everyone.

26. Kudya manonoko

Zvarinoreva: Kuzvidemba; to regret.

Mutsetse: Achadya manonoko nekusateerera vabereki vake.

English: He will regret not listening to his parents.

27. Kuva musoro

Zvarinoreva: Kuva mutungamiri, kuva nepfungwa dzakakura; to be the head/leader, to be intelligent.

Mutsetse: Ndiye musoro wemhuri yavo, anotarisira zvose.

English: He is the head of their family; he takes care of everything.

28. Kupinda nomumwena wesindano

Zvarinoreva: Kupukunyuka nepaburi diki, kupona panjodzi huru; to escape by a hair's breadth, to narrowly survive great danger.

Mutsetse: Takapinda nomumwena wesindano mutsaona yemotokari iyi.

English: We narrowly escaped in this car accident.

29. Kuva neshungu

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nehasha dzakadzama kana kusuwa kukuru; to have deep anger, bitterness, or sorrow.

Mutsetse: Ane shungu nekurasikirwa nebasa rake.

English: He is bitter about losing his job.

30. Kurova danana

Zvarinoreva: Kukurukura zvakadzama, kuita musangano; to have a serious discussion, to hold a meeting.

Mutsetse: Vakuru vakagara pasi ndokurova danana pamusoro penyaya iyi.

English: The elders sat down and had a serious discussion about this issue.

31. Kuva nerutsoka

Zvarinoreva: Kufamba rwendo rurefu kana kufamba kazhinji; to travel a lot, to be a frequent traveler.

Mutsetse: Baba vangu vaiva nerutsoka, vaifamba nyika dzakawanda.

English: My father travelled a lot; he visited many countries.

32. Kudya magaka nemunyu

Zvarinoreva: Kuva muhurombo hwakanyanya; to be extremely poor (eating cucumbers with salt signifies having very little).

Mutsetse: Kubva zvakafa murume wavo, mhuri iyi yava kudya magaka nemunyu.

English: Since their husband died, this family has been extremely poor.

33. Kuisa maoko muhomwe

Zvarinoreva: Kusashanda, kuva neusimbe; to do nothing, to be lazy (hands in pockets).

Mutsetse: Usangogara wakaisa maoko muhomwe, tsvaga zvekuita.

English: Don't just sit with your hands in your pockets (doing nothing); find something to do.

34. Kurova neshungu

Zvarinoreva: Kuita chinhu nehasha kana nekutsunga kukuru; to do something with intense effort or anger.

Mutsetse: Akarova bhora neshungu rikapinda mugedhe.

English: He struck the ball with great force, and it went into the goal.

35. Kuva ziso

Zvarinoreva: Kungwarira, kuva wakasvinura; to be watchful, to be alert.

Mutsetse: Ngarava ziso rako pamwana, anogona kudonha.

English: Keep your eye on the child; he might fall.

36. Kudya nhoko dzezvironda

Zvarinoreva: Kutambura zvakanyanya, kuomerwa neupenyu; to suffer greatly, to face extreme hardship (literally "to eat the scabs of wounds").

Mutsetse: Vazhinji kumaruwa vari kudya nhoko dzezvironda nekuda kwekusanaya kwemvura.

English: Many in rural areas are suffering greatly due to the drought.

37. Kutamba naye

Zvarinoreva: Kusatora munhu kana chinhu serious, kumurerutsa; to not take someone or something seriously, to underestimate.

Mutsetse: Usatambe nemudzidzisi wako, anogona kukupa basa rakawanda.

English: Don't mess with your teacher; he might give you a lot of work.

38. Kuzvuzvurudza dumbu

Zvarinoreva: Kufamba uchitambura kana uine nzara huru; to drag oneself along due to extreme hunger or suffering.

Mutsetse: Akazvuzvurudza dumbu kusvika kumusha mushure mekunge arasika musango.

English: He dragged himself home after getting lost in the forest (implying hunger and exhaustion).

39. Kuoma musoro

Zvarinoreva: Kusateerera, kuva nemisikanzwa; to be stubborn, to be disobedient.

Mutsetse: Mwana iyeye akaoma musoro, haateereri zvaanoudzwa.

English: That child is stubborn; he doesn't listen to what he's told.

40. Kudya mataputapu

Zvarinoreva: Kupfuma, kugara zvakanaka; to be wealthy, to live in luxury (eating delicious things).

Mutsetse: Kubva zvaakawana basa guru, ava kudya mataputapu.

English: Since he got a big job, he is now living in luxury.

41. Kubata hana

Zvarinoreva: Kudzikama, kusavhunduka; to remain calm, not to panic.

Mutsetse: Paakaona tsaona, akabata hana yake ndokufonera mapurisa.

English: When he saw the accident, he remained calm and called the police.

42. Kutema ugaro

Zvarinoreva: Kugara panzvimbo imwe kwenguva refu, kusada kuchinja; to settle permanently in one place, to be resistant to change.

Mutsetse: Vakuru ava vakatemera ugaro pamusha uyu, havachadi kubva.

English: These elders have settled permanently at this homestead; they no longer want to leave.

43. Kupisa tsoka

Zvarinoreva: Kufamba nekukurumidza, kumhanya; to walk quickly, to run (feet getting hot).

Mutsetse: Akabva ipapo achipisa tsoka nekutya.

English: He left that place quickly out of fear.

44. Kuva nemaziso matsvuku

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nehasha, kutsamwa; to be angry (to have red eyes).

Mutsetse: Akauya aine maziso matsvuku achida kundirova.

English: He came with red eyes (angry), wanting to beat me.

45. Kudya mweya

Zvarinoreva: Kunetsa munhu, kumushungurudza; to trouble someone, to harass someone.

Mutsetse: Musikana uyu ari kundidya mweya nekundifonera nguva dzose.

English: This girl is troubling me by calling me all the time.

46. Kupfumbata maoko

Zvarinoreva: Kusabatsira, kunyima; to be unhelpful, to be stingy (to keep fists clenched).

Mutsetse: Paakakumbirwa rubatsiro, akangopfumbata maoko ake.

English: When asked for help, he just kept his fists clenched (was unhelpful).

47. Kudonha mushekede

Zvarinoreva: Kuwira murudo zvakanyanya; to fall head over heels in love.

Mutsetse: Kubva zvaakaona musikana uyu, akabva adonha mushekede.

English: Ever since he saw this girl, he has fallen head over heels in love.

48. Kuoma gotsi

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nerombo rakaipa, kusabudirira; to be unlucky, to be unfortunate (literally "to have a hard back of the neck").

Mutsetse: Ane gotsi rakaoma, zvinhu zvake hazvifambi zvakanaka.

English: He is unlucky; things don't go well for him.

49. Kurova matumbu

Zvarinoreva: Kudya zvakanyanya kusvika pakuguta zvisina mwero; to overeat, to stuff oneself.

Mutsetse: Pamabiko, takarova matumbu kusvika takoniwa kufema.

English: At the feast, we stuffed ourselves until we could hardly breathe.

50. Kuisa guvhu

Zvarinoreva: Kutsamwa kana kugumbuka usingatauri; to sulk, to be silently angry or resentful.

Mutsetse: Akaisa guvhu paakarambidzwa kuenda kumafirimu.

English: He sulked when he was forbidden to go to the movies.

51. Kuturika ngundu

Zvarinoreva: Kurega basa, kuenda pamudyandigere; to retire from work (to hang up one's hat).

Mutsetse: Baba vangu vakaturika ngundu gore rakapera mushure memakore makumi mana vachishanda.

English: My father retired last year after working for forty years.

52. Kuita chivindi

Zvarinoreva: Kuvaushingi, kusatya; to be brave, to be courageous.

Mutsetse: Akaita chivindi chekupinda mumba maitsva kununura mwana.

English: He showed bravery by entering the burning house to rescue a child.

53. Kudya dura

Zvarinoreva: Kupedza pfuma kana chikafu chose chisina kurongwa; to deplete resources recklessly (to eat the granary empty).

Mutsetse: Vari kudya dura remhuri nekutenga zvinhu zvisina basa.

English: They are depleting the family's resources by buying unnecessary things.

54. Kuva nemuswe

Zvarinoreva: Kuteverwa nenjodzi kana rombo rakaipa; to be followed by misfortune (to have a tail [of bad luck]).

Mutsetse: Zvinoita kunge ane muswe, njodzi dzinongomutevera.

English: It seems like he is cursed; misfortunes just follow him.

55. Kupisa maoko

Zvarinoreva: Kupindira munyaya dzevamwe zvisina kufanira; to meddle in other people's affairs (to burn one's fingers).

Mutsetse: Ndakatsva maoko pandakaedza kuyananisa vaviri vairwa.

English: I burned my fingers (got into trouble) when I tried to reconcile the two who were fighting.

56. Kugara pasi pemuti

Zvarinoreva: Kusava nebasa, kungogara usingaiti chinhu; to be unemployed, to just sit around doing nothing (sitting under a tree).

Mutsetse: Vakomana vazhinji muguta vanongogara pasi pemuti.

English: Many young men in the city are just unemployed (sitting under trees).

57. Kudya manza

Zvarinoreva: Kunetseka zvakanyanya, kusagadzikana mupfungwa; to be extremely worried or stressed (literally "to eat foreheads/fates").

Mutsetse: Ari kudya manza nekuda kwechikwereti chaainacho.

English: He is extremely worried because of the debt he has.

58. Kutsika matama

Zvarinoreva: Kusaremekedza, kuzvidza; to disrespect, to scorn (to step on someone's cheeks).

Mutsetse: Musikana uyo anotsika matama evakuru.

English: That girl disrespects elders.

59. Kurova pasi

Zvarinoreva: Kuramba zvachose, kusabvuma; to refuse flatly, to disagree strongly.

Mutsetse: Akakumbirwa kupa mari asi akarova pasi.

English: He was asked to give money, but he refused flatly.

60. Kuva nerurimi rurefu

Zvarinoreva: Kunyeya, kutaura makuhwa; to gossip, to spread rumors (to have a long tongue).

Mutsetse: Ane rurimi rurefu, anoziva nyaya dzemunhu wese.

English: She has a long tongue (is a gossip); she knows everyone's business.

61. Kudya nharo

Zvarinoreva: Kupikisa, kuda kukakavara; to argue, to be argumentative.

Mutsetse: Mwana iyeye anodya nharo, haabvumi zvaanoudzwa nyore.

English: That child is argumentative; he doesn't easily accept what he's told.

62. Kuvhura meso

Zvarinoreva: Kujekeserwa, kunzwisisa zvinhu zvawanga usingazivi; to have one's eyes opened, to become aware or enlightened.

Mutsetse: Kubva zvaakaenda kuguta, maziso ake akavhurwa.

English: Since he went to the city, his eyes have been opened (he has become more aware).

63. Kutamba kirokesheni

Zvarinoreva: Kunzvenga basa kana chinhu chaunofanira kuita; to dodge responsibility, to play hide-and-seek with duties.

Mutsetse: Ari kutamba kirokesheni nesu, haadi kubhadhara chikwereti.

English: He is playing hide-and-seek with us; he doesn't want to pay the debt.

64. Kudya moto

Zvarinoreva: Kutsamwa zvakanyanya; to be very angry (to eat fire).

Mutsetse: Akadya moto paakanzwa kuti bamunini vake vashungurudzwa.

English: He became very angry when he heard his younger brother was mistreated.

65. Kuva neruvara

Zvarinoreva: Kusavimbika, kuchinja-chinja; to be untrustworthy, to be fickle (to have many colors, like a chameleon).

Mutsetse: Musikana iyeye ane ruvara, nhasi anokuda mangwana haachakudi.

English: That girl is fickle; today she loves you, tomorrow she doesn't.

66. Kurova demo kumuchechetere

Zvarinoreva: Kuita chinhu panzvimbo isiri iyo, kutambisa nguva; to do something in the wrong place or manner, to waste effort (to strike an axe on a slippery spot).

Mutsetse: Kuedza kumudzidzisa Chirungu iye asingadi kurova demo kumuchechetere.

English: Trying to teach him English when he doesn't want to is wasting effort.

67. Kudya nyika

Zvarinoreva: Kutonga nyika, kana kunakidzwa neupfumi hwenyika; to rule a country, or to enjoy the wealth of a country.

Mutsetse: Mutungamiri mutsva ava kudya nyika nevanhu vake.

English: The new leader is now ruling the country with his people / enjoying the country's wealth.

68. Kuva neronda pamwoyo

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nepfungwa inogara ichikunetsa kana chinhu chinokurwadzisa; to have a deep-seated emotional wound or grievance.

Mutsetse: Ane ronda pamwoyo kubva zvaakarambwa nemukadzi wake.

English: He has an emotional wound since his wife left him.

69. Kupfira mate pasi

Zvarinoreva: Kutaura chokwadi, kuvimbisa; to speak truthfully, to make a solemn promise (not to swallow one's spit).

Mutsetse: Ndichakupfira mate pasi kuti handifi ndakakukanganwa.

English: I swear to you (literally: I will spit on the ground for you) that I will never forget you. (More commonly "Handimedzi mate" - I won't swallow my spit)

70. Kuita ziso rimwe

Zvarinoreva: Kusarura, kubata vamwe zvisina kuenzana; to be biased, to discriminate (to have one eye - focusing on one side).

Mutsetse: Mubereki haafaniri kuita ziso rimwe kuvana vake.

English: A parent should not be biased towards their children.

71. Kudya magaka nembwa

Zvarinoreva: Kusawirirana zvachose; to be enemies, to not get along at all (to eat cucumbers with a dog - dogs don't typically eat cucumbers, signifying incompatibility).

Mutsetse: Ivo vaviri vanodya magaka nembwa, havataudzani.

English: Those two are enemies; they don't talk to each other.

72. Kutsvaira dura

Zvarinoreva: Kupedza zvese, kusasiya chinhu; to clear out everything, to leave nothing behind (to sweep the granary).

Mutsetse: Mbavha dzakatsvaira dura mumba umu, hapana chakasara.

English: Thieves cleared out everything in this house; nothing was left.

73. Kuva nedumbu

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nemimba; to be pregnant. (Polite way of saying it)

Mutsetse: Mai Rejoice vava nedumbu remwedzi mitanhatu.

English: Mrs. Rejoice is six months pregnant.

74. Kupfugama nguruve

Zvarinoreva: Kufa (kazhinji kunoshandiswa kune vanhu vakaipa kana zvisikwa); for a bad person or creature to die (a pig kneeling down).

Mutsetse: Muroyi uya anonzi akazopfugama nguruve svondo rakapera.

English: That witch is said to have finally died last week.

75. Kudya mufenje

Zvarinoreva: Kunyengedzwa, kubiridzirwa; to be deceived, to be cheated (to eat something that looks good but isn't, like a wild banana).

Mutsetse: Akafunga kuti awana goridhe asi akadya mufenje, yaiva simbiwo zvayo.

English: He thought he had found gold, but he was deceived; it was just ordinary metal.

76. Kuisa maoko

Zvarinoreva: Kubatsira, kupa rubatsiro; to help, to lend a hand.

Mutsetse: Ngatiisei maoko tibatsire vavakidzani vedu vari kuvaka.

English: Let's lend a hand and help our neighbors who are building.

77. Kupedza mate mukanwa

Zvarinoreva: Kutaura zvakawanda pasina anoteerera, kutambisa mashoko; to waste one's breath, to talk a lot without being listened to.

Mutsetse: Ndiri kupedza mate mukanwa nekutaura nemi imi musingateereri.

English: I am wasting my breath talking to you who don't listen.

78. Kuva nenyanga

Zvarinoreva: Kuva munhu ane simba kana anotyisa; to be powerful or fearsome (to have horns).

Mutsetse: Murume uyu ane nyanga, hapana anomutamba naye.

English: This man is fearsome; no one messes with him.

79. Kudya makoko

Zvarinoreva: Kushanda zvakaoma kuti urarame, kunyanya pabasa risingabhadhari zvakanyanya; to toil for a living, often in menial jobs (to eat the hard crust of sadza from the pot).

Mutsetse: Vazhinji vari kudya makoko mumaguta kuti variritire mhuri dzavo.

English: Many are toiling in cities to support their families.

80. Kurova chidembo

Zvarinoreva: Kuita rombo rakanaka zvisingatarisirwi, kuwana chinhu chakakosha netsaona; to strike it lucky, to find something valuable by chance (like stumbling upon a skunk, which has valuable musk).

Mutsetse: Akarova chidembo paakawana dombo regoridhe achifamba musango.

English: He struck it lucky when he found a gold nugget while walking in the forest.

81. Kuita makwati

Zvarinoreva: Kuchembera, kukwegura; to grow old (to develop bark like a tree).

Mutsetse: Sekuru vangu vava nemakwati, asi vachakasimba.

English: My grandfather is now old, but he is still strong.

82. Kudya ivu

Zvarinoreva: Kufa uye kuvigwa; to die and be buried (to eat soil).

Mutsetse: Mhuri yese yakasuwa nekuti baba vavo vakanga vodya ivu.

English: The whole family was sad because their father had died (was now eating soil).

83. Kuva nemhino inofemba kure

Zvarinoreva: Kunzwa kana kuziva zvinhu zvisati zvaitika kana zviri kure; to have a premonition, to be perceptive (to have a nose that smells from afar).

Mutsetse: Mbuya vangu vane mhino inofemba kure, vanogara vachiziva kana njodzi iri kuuya.

English: My grandmother is very perceptive; she always knows when danger is coming.

84. Kupfeka nguvo chena

Zvarinoreva: Kufa (kazhinji kune vanhu vakanaka); for a good person to die (to wear white clothes - symbol of purity/angels).

Mutsetse: Tose takasuwa nekupfeka nguvo chena kwamai Maria.

English: We were all saddened by the death of Mrs. Maria.

85. Kudya munyu wemumwe

Zvarinoreva: Kutsigira mumwe munhu kana bato rake; to support someone or their cause (to eat someone's salt).

Mutsetse: Anodya munyu wasabhuku, saka anogara achimutsigira.

English: He supports the village headman (eats his salt), so he always backs him.

86. Kuita chiroto chazuro

Zvarinoreva: Chinhu chakapfuura kare, chisina basa iyezvino; something that is outdated or irrelevant (to be yesterday's dream).

Mutsetse: Nyaya yekare iyi yava chiroto chazuro, ngatitaurei zvitsva.

English: This old issue is now outdated; let's talk about new things.

87. Kurova nebutiro

Zvarinoreva: Kutaura zvisina kunanga, kureva chinhu nenzira isina kujeka; to speak indirectly, to hint (to hit with a covering).

Mutsetse: Akataura achirova nebutiro, asi takazonzwisisa zvaaireva.

English: He spoke indirectly, but we eventually understood what he meant.

88. Kuva nedziva

Zvarinoreva: Kuva munhu ane huchenjeri hwakadzama kana ruzivo rwakavanzika; to be profound, to have deep or hidden knowledge (to have a deep pool).

Mutsetse: Sekuru ava vane dziva, vanoziva nhoroondo dzakawanda.

English: This grandfather is profound; he knows many histories.

89. Kudya hope negwenzi

Zvarinoreva: Kunyengedzwa zviri nyore, kusvinura; to be easily deceived, to be gullible (to sleep by a bush where anyone can see/harm you).

Mutsetse: Musadye hope negwenzi, svinurai kumakadhi aya.

English: Don't be gullible; be alert to these conmen.

90. Kupinda mudziva

Zvarinoreva: Kupinda mumatambudziko makuru; to get into deep trouble (to enter a deep pool).

Mutsetse: Akazvipinza mudziva paakaba mari yekambani.

English: He got himself into deep trouble when he stole company money.

91. Kuva demo rinocheka mativi ese

Zvarinoreva: Kuva munhu anobatsira kana kukuvadza mativi ese ari kunetsana; to be a double-edged sword, someone who can benefit or harm both sides of a conflict.

Mutsetse: Muyananisi uyu akazova demo rinocheka mativi ese, akatowedzera bopoto.

English: This mediator became a double-edged sword; he actually worsened the conflict.

92. Kudya mwoyo weshumba

Zvarinoreva: Kuva neushingi hwakanyanya; to be extremely brave (to eat the heart of a lion).

Mutsetse: Musikana uyo akadya mwoyo weshumba nekupokana nemukuru webasa.

English: That girl was extremely brave to argue with the boss.

93. Kuita senda inoparadza musha

Zvarinoreva: Munhu anokonzera kuparara kwemhuri kana nzanga; to be a destructive influence in a family or community (like a louse that destroys a home).

Mutsetse: Hama iyi yava senda inoparadza musha nekuda kwehunhu hwayo hwakaipa.

English: This relative has become a destructive influence in the family due to his bad character.

94. Kurova tsuro nedemo

Zvarinoreva: Kushandisa simba rakawandisa pachinhu chidiki; to use excessive force for a minor issue (to hit a rabbit with an axe).

Mutsetse: Kudzinga mushandi basa nekuda kwekukanganisa kudiki kurova tsuro nedemo.

English: Firing an employee for a small mistake is using excessive force.

95. Kuva chiremba wepfungwa

Zvarinoreva: Munhu anogona kunzwisisa kana kupanga vamwe mazano akanaka; someone good at understanding and advising others (a doctor of thoughts).

Mutsetse: Shamwari yangu chiremba wepfungwa, anogara achindipa mazano akanaka.

English: My friend is a good advisor; he always gives me good counsel.

96. Kudya mazai eimwe shiri

Zvarinoreva: Kupindira munyaya dzisiri dzako, kunyanya dzerudo; to meddle in other people's affairs, especially romantic ones (to eat another bird's eggs).

Mutsetse: Usadye mazai eimwe shiri, siya nyaya yavo yevaviri.

English: Don't meddle in their affairs; leave their personal matter alone.

97. Kuisa mufiriji

Zvarinoreva: Kumbomisa nyaya kana chirongwa, kusambochifunga kwenguva; to put something on hold, to shelve an issue (to put in the fridge).

Mutsetse: Nyaya yekuvaka imba takaimboisa mufiriji nekuda kwekushaya mari.

English: We put the issue of building a house on hold due to lack of funds.

98. Kurova manyatera

Zvarinoreva: Kufamba netsoka, kunyanya rwendo rurefu; to walk on foot, especially a long distance.

Mutsetse: Takafamba netsoka kubva kumusha kusvika kuchikoro, tichirova manyatera chaiwo.

English: We walked from home to school, really trekking a long distance.

99. Kuva nerumbo rwenyuchi

Zvarinoreva: Kugara uchifamba famba, kusagadzikana panzvimbo imwe; to be always on the move, restless (to have the song/hum of a bee).

Mutsetse: Ane rumbo rwenyuchi, haagari pasi kwenguva refu.

English: He is always on the move; he doesn't stay in one place for long.

100. Kudya nhopi nemuromo

Zvarinoreva: Kuvimbisa zvisipo, kutaura zvisingaitiki; to make empty promises, to talk about things that won't happen (to eat pumpkin mash with the mouth - i.e., just talking about it, not actually eating).

Mutsetse: Anongodya nhopi nemuromo achiti achatenga mota asi mari haana.

English: He just makes empty promises saying he will buy a car, but he has no money.

101. Kuita ziso regondo

Zvarinoreva: Kuva neziso rinopinza, kuona zvinhu zviri kure kana zvakavanzika; to have sharp eyesight, to see things from afar or hidden things (to have the eye of an eagle).

Mutsetse: Muchengeti uyo ane ziso regondo, anoona mbavha dzichiri kure.

English: That guard has eagle eyes; he spots thieves while they are still far.

102. Kudya midzi

Zvarinoreva: Kutsamira tsika nemagariro ekare; to rely on old traditions and customs (to eat roots).

Mutsetse: Mhuri iyi ichiri kudya midzi, haidi kuchinja tsika dzayo.

English: This family still relies on old traditions; it doesn't want to change its customs.

103. Kurova dede nemuromo (Kufanana nekubaya dede nemuromo)

Zvarinoreva: Kutaura zvikuru usingakwanisi kuzviita, kuvimbisa zvisipo; to boast or make empty threats (to hit/stab a baboon with the mouth).

Mutsetse: Anongorova dede nemuromo achiti anoziva zvese asi haana chaanoziva.

English: He just boasts that he knows everything, but he knows nothing.

104. Kuva neruvara rwegwiza

Zvarinoreva: Kuchinja-chinja mafungiro kana divi raunotsigira; to be fickle, to change allegiance easily (to have the color of a chameleon - gwiza is another word for it).

Mutsetse: Haavimbiki munhu uyu, ane ruvara rwegwiza.

English: This person is not trustworthy; he is very fickle.

105. Kudya hope dzematsi

Zvarinoreva: Kurara zvakanyanya zvekuti haunzwi kana chinhu chikaitika; to be in a very deep sleep, oblivious to surroundings (to sleep the sleep of the deaf).

Mutsetse: Akanga akarara hope dzematsi, haana kunzwa mbavha dzichipinda.

English: He was in a very deep sleep; he didn't hear the thieves entering.

106. Kupfeka chirema

Zvarinoreva: Kuzviita munhu asingakwanisi kana asina ruzivo kuti usapiwe basa; to feign incompetence or ignorance to avoid work (to wear a disability).

Mutsetse: Anogara achipfeka chirema kana onzi aite basa.

English: He always feigns incompetence when asked to do work.

107. Kuisa bako musana

Zvarinoreva: Kuramba, kuratidza kusafarira; to turn one's back on something, to show disapproval or rejection.

Mutsetse: Akaisa bako musana kuchikumbiro chedu chekubatsirwa.

English: He turned his back on our request for help.

108. Kurova jongwe muromo

Zvarinoreva: Kunyaradza munhuanga achitaura zvakawanda kana kupopota; to silence someone who is talking too much or being noisy (to hit the rooster on its beak).

Mutsetse: Akataurisa zvekuti sabhuku akazomurova jongwe muromo.

English: He talked so much that the village head eventually silenced him.

109. Kuva nemoyo wehove

Zvarinoreva: Kukanganwa nyore; to be forgetful (to have the heart of a fish - short memory).

Mutsetse: Usavimbe naye kuti achengete mari, ane moyo wehove.

English: Don't trust him to keep money; he is very forgetful.

110. Kudya nyemba nadzo

Zvarinoreva: Kutambura kana kuomerwa neupenyu zvakanyanya; to face extreme hardship (to eat beans with themselves - i.e., nothing else to accompany them).

Mutsetse: Mushure mekurasikirwa nebasa, mhuri yake yava kudya nyemba nadzo.

English: After losing his job, his family is now facing extreme hardship.

111. Kuturika demo padare

Zvarinoreva: Kuzivisa pachena kuti warega kuita chimwe chinhu kana kuti wapedza basa; to publicly announce retirement or completion of a task (to hang the axe at the court/meeting place).

Mutsetse: Mushure memakore mazhinji achitonga, sabhuku akazoturika demo padare.

English: After many years of ruling, the village headman finally announced his retirement.

112. Kuita setsvimbo mugocha

Zvarinoreva: Kusabatsira, kungovhiringa basa riri kuitwa; to be useless or a hindrance (like a walking stick in a roasting process).

Mutsetse: Pabasa iri, ari kungoita setsvimbo mugocha, haasi kubatsira chinhu.

English: In this job, he is just being a hindrance; he is not helping at all.

113. Kurova gletye

Zvarinoreva: Kubudirira zvikuru, kuwana pfuma yakawanda; to strike it rich, to become very successful (gletye from Afrikaans "kleitjie" - small piece of gold).

Mutsetse: Akarova gletye kumigodhi, akavaka dzimba dzakawanda.

English: He struck it rich at the mines; he built many houses.

114. Kuva nechitunha mumba

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nechakavanzika chikuru kana dambudziko rinonyadzisa; to have a skeleton in the closet, a hidden shameful secret or problem.

Mutsetse: Mhuri iyoyo ine chayo chitunha mumba, asi vanoedza kuchivanza.

English: That family has its own skeleton in the closet, but they try to hide it.

115. Kudya uswa

Zvarinoreva: Kufa (kunyanya kunoshandiswa kumhuka); to die (especially for animals - to eat grass, signifying grazing for the last time).

Mutsetse: Mombe yangu yandainyanya kuda yakazodya uswa nezuro.

English: My favorite cow finally died yesterday.

116. Kupfeka huso hwembwa

Zvarinoreva: Kusanyara, kuita zvinhu zvinonyadzisa pachena; to be shameless, to do embarrassing things openly (to wear the face of a dog).

Mutsetse: Akapfeka huso hwembwa paakakumbira chikafu kumunhu waasingazivi.

English: He was shameless when he asked for food from a stranger.

117. Kuisa pfungwa dzose

Zvarinoreva: Kufunga zvakadzama nezvechinhu chimwe chete, kupa ngwariro yese; to concentrate fully, to give one's entire attention.

Mutsetse: Kana uchidzidza, isa pfungwa dzose kuti unzwisise.

English: When you are studying, concentrate fully so that you understand.

118. Kurova hanganwa

Zvarinoreva: Kukanganwa zvachose; to completely forget.

Mutsetse: Ndakarova hanganwa zita rake kunyangwe takambosangana.

English: I completely forgot his name even though we had met before.

119. Kuva nerumbo

Zvarinoreva: Kuva nembiri yakaipa, kuzivikanwa nekuita zvakaipa; to have a bad reputation (to have a song - implying people sing/talk about your misdeeds).

Mutsetse: Ane rumbo rwekubata vasikana zvisina mwero.

English: He has a bad reputation for mistreating girls.

120. Kudya manhenga

Zvarinoreva: Kubudirira zvakanyanya uye nekukurumidza (kazhinji nekuda kwerombo); to become successful or wealthy quickly, often through luck (to eat feathers - light and quick).

Mutsetse: Kubva zvaakahwina lottery, ava kudya manhenga.

English: Since he won the lottery, he has become wealthy quickly.