DuraMazwi - Shona Comprehensive Dictionary is a digital Shona dictionary designed to make learning and exploring the Shona language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you're a beginner, a fluent speaker looking to deepen your understanding, or simply curious about Shona culture and linguistics, DuraMazwi - Shona Comprehensive Dictionary aims to be your trusted companion.
Our Mission
Our mission is to preserve and promote the Shona language by providing a comprehensive, user-friendly, and culturally rich resource. We believe that language is a vital part of identity and heritage, and we are committed to supporting its continued growth and appreciation worldwide.
What We Offer
- A growing collection of Shona words with detailed meanings in Shona and English.
- Explanations of Tsumo (Proverbs) and their profound cultural significance.
- Definitions and usage examples for Madimikira (Idioms).
- Insights into Nyaudzosingwi (Figurative Expressions and Ideophones).
- A personalized "Word of the Day" to help you learn consistently and relevantly.
- An intuitive search functionality to quickly find what you're looking for.
- Clean, readable entry pages designed for focused learning.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to creating a platform that is not only informative but also inspiring.DuraMazwi - Shona Comprehensive Dictionary is built with a deep respect for Shona culture and a passion for sharing its linguistic treasures. We continuously work on expanding our database, refining features, and ensuring a seamless user experience.
Sources and how entries are made
Every entry starts from Shona written by people who speak it. Words, idioms and ideophones come from the dictionary's contributors. Proverbs (tsumo) are checked against M. A. Hamutyinei and A. B. Plangger, Tsumo-Shumo: Shona Proverbial Lore and Wisdom (Mambo Press, 1987), and each proverb page names the number it carries in that collection.
The Shona is kept as it was written. The only changes made to it are corrections of scanning errors — a misread letter or a split word — never rewording.
English meanings are written from each entry's own Shona explanation, with machine assistance, and checked against that explanation before they are published. An English meaning that adds anything the Shona does not say, or misses its sense, is held back rather than published.
Found a mistake, or a word we are missing? Use the contact page or the “Suggest an entry” button on any search. Corrections are welcome.
This project is a labor of love. Thank you for joining us on this linguistic journey!