All Nyaudzosingwi

Figurative Expressions

• gurungundyuDescribes swallowing quickly.
• gurunu
• gururuThe sound of an animal roaring or bellowing. Also the sound of a person snoring, usually while asleep. Compare gwiriri.
• gurwadaDescribes kneeling down in a way that shows humility when handing something to a person one holds in respect. Example: the bride knelt gurwada on the ground as she handed her mother-in-law the bread. Also describes kneeling in a way that shows the knees have no strength. Compare -guda, -gwadara.
• gurwi
• gutsuDescribes raising the head up and lowering it again to show agreement with what is being said, i.e. nodding. While his father spoke, the son kept nodding his head to show he approved of what was being said.
• gutya
• guumu
• gwaDescribes striking or chopping with a stone or some other object. Compare gwe.
• gwaDescribes a place, or a clay object that was wet, becoming hard and dry; also the drying up of water, as in a well. Also describes snapping off, as a dry stick does.
• gwa gwa gwa
• gwaba gwabaDescribes the slow, little-by-little walking of a person or animal whose knees have no strength. The sick person walked gwaba gwaba as though about to fall.
• gwabadaRepeated as gwabada gwabada, it describes a person walking noisily, like someone wearing oversized shoes. The illustrative example is incomplete.
• gwabadaraDescribes falling down out of exhaustion. Compare gwadara.
• gwabhuDescribes pulling off a lid or a patch from where it was stuck, or finishing off what one was doing. Example: the bottle top went gwabhu, and the drinker started on the beer inside. Compare kwetsu.
• gwabvu
• gwacharaUsed of a vessel or utensil that has fallen with a clatter. He flung down the bundle of firewood and it went gwachara on the ground. Also used of a person collapsing from tiredness or weakness.
• gwachata
• gwada
• gwadabuDescribes lifting off a heavy cover or lid that was closing a vessel or some other place.
• gwadabvuDescribes ripping or tearing something open with a horn, or scratching at it forcefully.
• gwadagwa
• gwadaraDescribes dropping or falling flat to the ground. He was struck with that knobkerrie and fell flat on the ground.
• gwadara gwadaraDescribes the struggling and rising up of an animal that had been lying down on the ground.
• gwagwada
• gwajanuDescribes the coming apart of pieces of metal that had been fastened or joined together. The plough struck the rocks and went gwajanu, with pieces flying this way and that. Compare kwetsu.
• gwajataThe sound of something falling noisily, as when a bundle of firewood is dropped on the ground.
• gwaju
• gwamuUsed of a person who has been given a hard, heavy slap.
• gwanguDescribes scooping something out, such as milk from a container, using a ladle.
• gwanhu
• gwanzuUsed of a log that has been split down the middle; also of striking a hard slap. He was dealt a resounding slap and the boy saw stars in broad daylight.
• gwaradaThe sound made by a stiff, hardened hide. Compare kwanyanu.
• gwaragwada
• gwaragwadaUsed of a thing that makes a grating, rattling noise when it is bent or crumpled.
• gwaranuThe slight noise made when opening or closing a door that scrapes against the ground.
• gwashuVariant spelling of "gwishu".
• gwauDescribes barking loudly and forcefully.
• gwavaDescribes standing at a distance from the person to whom one wishes to make a request; a worker does so when asking the farm manager for leave. Also describes shifting from one spot to another while remaining seated.
• gwavava
• gweDescribes people coming upon one another suddenly and unexpectedly. Also describes settling on top of something: the baboon, having eaten its fill of maize, went gwe and sat on top of a rock in the field. Also describes striking a person, animal or vessel with a stone or some other object.
• gweba gwebaDescribes walking little by little in a way that shows there is no strength in the knees.
• gwebede gwedebe
• gwebuDescribes prising off a lid or lifting a flat slab of stone to see what is beneath it. He lifted the flat stone gwebu and saw a scorpion.
• gwedeDescribes things, especially metal ones, fitting closely together when they are being joined.
• gwede
• gwede gwedeDescribes making a noise like that of a wagon on the move. Also describes rocking something such as a pole planted in the ground so as to work it loose. He first rocked the pole gwede gwede, then pulled it out easily.
• gwede reDescribes walking little by little in a way that shows a lack of strength.
• gwedeba
• gwedebu
• gwedemuDescribes banging dishes together. The plates were clattered gwedemu so that mother would hear that the sadza was finished. Also describes jabbing someone under the chin, done by a person who has been provoked.
• gwedu
• gwedzva gwedzvaDescribes walking without lifting the legs much, in a manner showing lack of strength.
• gwedzvede gwedzvedeDescribes walking with the legs dragging along because of tiredness.
• gwegwedu
• gwegwendereThe clattering sound a metal vessel makes when it falls onto hard ground. Mother heard a plate go gwengwendere and ran to where the dishes were being washed.
• gwejeDescribes things, especially metal ones, fitting closely together. Compare gedye.
• gweje gweje
• gwejenuDescribes the forcing apart of pieces of metal that are joined together. Used, for example, of a door being wrenched open so that those shut inside can get out.
• gwendereThe noise made by vessels or utensils knocking repeatedly against one another.
• gwengwendere
• gwenjere
• gwerebvuVariant spelling of "gwabvu".
• gwerede gwerede
• gwerenuDescribes the removing of the barrier poles that close the entrance of a cattle pen or a garden.
• gwi
• gwiDescribes cutting through and severing something in a single stroke. Also used of a person who is strong and in good health.
• gwi mb uDescribes the tearing or breaking off of a branch from a tree.
• gwibaDescribes vehicles crashing into one another and denting each other; also the bringing of horns together as bulls do when fighting. Also used of blocking up an opening that stands gaping.
• gwibuDescribes cutting something into two pieces, as when he cut the sugarcane and shared it between Tendai and Zivanai. Also describes laughing in a way that shows a free and happy heart.
• gwindiriDescribes a person being in good health and sturdy — as when an old man is still strong although he has lived many years. Also used of a thing lying just where it has been thrown down, looking of no use.
• gwipfuDescribes breaking something off with the hands; he broke off the morsel and threw it into his mouth.
• gwiriDescribes setting off on a journey, or following a trail where an animal has passed.
• gwirididiDescribes the sky being closed over with cloud. When the early morning is overcast in this way, the elders say that something ominous is going to happen.
• gwirigwidiDescribes darting into a hole at once; the creature shot into its hole on seeing the dogs coming.
• gwiririDescribes breathing noisily while asleep. A person who breathes gwiriri in their sleep is not taken along to share a sleeping place.
• hachuDescribes the snatching of something out of a person's hands, leaving them grasping at air; also the catching of something thrown through the air, such as a ball.
• hadaDescribes showing very great joy.
• hahararaDescribes being unsteady or lacking firmness. A person who is haharara makes others wary of going about with them, since one would be taken for a loose, unrestrained person; a door that is haharara is standing wide open.
• hakanuDescribes the coming undone of something that was fastened by hooking — as when a belt gives way and the trousers drop in front of a crowd.
• hakuDescribes hooking together a chain, a yoke, trek-chains or other things that need to be joined.
• hapuDescribes lifting something heavy very quickly. The pot of beer was lifted hapu, and then up on top, tsve-e. Cf. dzadzu.
• hata hataDescribes breathing heavily, with the breath blocked up, because of anger.
• hatuDescribes grabbing with the hand something that is escaping or falling, or is about to. Also used of catching something that has been thrown into the air. Compare katu.
• hauThe sound of a dog howling. Cf. hu-u.
• havaDescribes the spreading of the flames of a fire as it burns over a large area.
• havaDescribes a fire catching and then flaring up into very large flames. Compare tupwi-i.
• hesvuDescribes excusing someone from paying a levy they were due to pay. Also, lifting the plough so that it makes a shallower furrow.
• hetsuDescribes the blowing out of mucus from the nose.
• hiDescribes loading heavy things onto a person's head.
• hi hi hiThe noise and panting-like sound made by a person when a spirit is about to possess them or come out of them.
• hi-i hiDescribes the crying of someone who utters no words, as small children usually do.
• hichaDescribes snatching something away forcefully.
• hodhiUsed of asking permission to enter a house. A visitor says hodhi on arriving at the door. Cf. godi.
• homuThe sound of baboons crying out.
• hu huThe sound of a dog barking.
• humbanguDescribes banging a door shut.
• humbuThe noise made in the throat when drinking a thick drink.
• hunyataDescribes the outside growing dark after the sun has set. Hyenas begin to move about as soon as it gets dark.
• hurududuDescribes grieving and being distressed, as a person who has suffered a bereavement.
• hurwadaDescribes kneeling down to hand something, such as food, to a person who is respected; also the sinking to the knees of an animal or person whose legs have lost their strength.
• hutuDescribes leaving a place or vanishing so quickly as never to be seen again, as of a creature shooting off towards the clouds. Compare tande.
• hwa-aDescribes food or other things running out completely, with nothing at all left. The mealie-meal is finished hwa-a; I don't know what we will eat today.
• hwa muDescribes grazing a great deal of grass at one time, as a hungry beast does.
• hwachuDescribes taking something quickly, or snatching it away.
• hwapuVariant spelling of "hweshu".
• hwaradadaUsed of a house standing bare, the goods that were in it no longer there because they have been stolen or removed.
• hwararaDescribes stooping low while kneeling before a person or people whom one respects.
• hwashuDescribes leaving a place in a hurry. Also the sound made by a person walking through grass.
• hwatataDescribes an animal lying low in ambush for another, or people lying in wait for one another — as a lion lies hidden in the grass so that a buffalo will come near it.
• hwauThe sound of a dog yelping. Also used of a thing that has become dry or hardened.
• hweUsed of the sky when the sun is about to rise. Also of having thoughts that are quite clear about what one is doing.
• hwehwerereUsed of the outdoors growing light, when day has broken.
• hwembuUsed of a person drinking thick milk. Also describes pulling something that stretches, like rubber.
• hweshuUsed of a person who has left the place where they were in a hurry.
• hweshuDescribes taking something, or taking it from a person, by force.
• hweshuDescribes seizing a person quickly with the hands.
• hwetuDescribes cutting grass with a sickle.
• hwi hwi
• hwi hwi hwiUsed of a wound that is throbbing painfully.
• hwi-iyo
• hwi mb uDescribes taking one big gulp of a drink at a time.
• hwibuDescribes the cutting or severing of something in a single stroke. Also used of quickly snatching up a utensil one is working with.
• hwipuDescribes drawing soup off a spoon with the mouth. Also, pulling up grass from the ground at its base.
• hwishuDescribes the cutting of something into small pieces with a knife.
• i-iUsed to show being weighed down by what one is carrying. He said i-i as he lifted a big stone.
• i-iUsed to show surprise or anger.
• jaDescribes a person falling and striking the ground on the back, with the legs up in the air. Also the falling of a bundle of firewood when someone unloads it and flings it to the ground.
• jaDescribes chopping so as to cut right through, or to leave a deep hole.
• ja ja jaDescribes the leaking of water from a container that has a hole in it, or from a house roof that has not been thatched properly.
• jabhuDescribes dipping clothes into water, taking them out and putting them back in again, over and over.
• jabuDescribes cutting tender meat with a blade.
• jabu jabuUsed of a person or animal that walks jabu jabu, moving along with a bounding, leaping gait.
• jadaraDescribes lying down on one's back. Compare dedema.
• jaduDescribes chopping something and severing it right off. Also describes falling over on one's side.
• jagaduDescribes the chopping of meat or other things repeatedly.
• jakawayaDescribes scattering utensils or other things about all over the place. Also used when food or other things are in great abundance: we left meat and beer lying about in plenty at home.
• janduDescribes chewing food that is very soft.
• janhiDescribes leaping from one place and landing on another. Compare tomu.
• jeDescribes cutting with a very sharp knife.
• jeDescribes opening the eyes wide while staring at something.
• je-eDescribes the weather when it is je-e: the sun is scorching and there are no clouds in the sky.
• je je jeThe sound of groundnuts being shelled by hand.
• je je jeThe sound made by birds or other small creatures. Also used of beer or water that is very cold, and of scissors cutting through cloth or paper.
• jejeUsed of people who are equal to one another in age, in height or in size.
• jekenyeDescribes being at peace, with the mind thoroughly settled and calm.
• jiUsed of people standing still in a group, all of them looking at one and the same happening.
• jigimuDescribes stamping on the ground with one foot, or digging out a small hollow using the heel.
• jikitiDescribes a person coming down to the ground after leaping or going up into the air. Compare jiti.
• kaDescribes tying things up, as in: he tied his luggage with a rope ka and then set off along the path. Also describes striking one hard object against another, as in: he struck him on the head with a stick ka.
• ka ka kaDescribes pulling a rope or wire so that it binds tightly. Also describes stammering or faltering in speech. Compare bvabva, mvamva.
• kabadaVariant spelling of "kwabada".
• kabada kabadaDescribes the walk of a person wearing oversized shoes, so that they slap against the feet; also the walk of someone dragging the shoes along, as a weak person does; also walking hurriedly with the legs straightened out.
• kabiVariant spelling of "kamhi".
• kabiDescribes putting a large piece of food into the mouth: he took a sweet potato from the dish and put the whole of it in. Also throwing food into the mouth quickly, or snatching at something to eat. Compare kacha.
• kabuDescribes biting into meat, as in: the hyena bit the cow kabu on the thigh. Also used of sleeping outside or without any covering, and of the way a dead person or animal lies; also of a vessel or a stream being full or being filled up. Compare kunaunva, nde.
• kabu kabuDescribes butting with the horns. Also describes eating quickly, as a dog does.
• kabvauDescribes tearing or ripping something open over a wide area (compare bvaru); also cutting a thing with another, sharp object (compare randau).
• kabvuDescribes tearing something apart or cutting off a large piece, as in: the greedy young man cut kabvu a huge chunk of meat. Compare dyu.
• kabwadaUsed of a stomach or a sack that has caved inwards, showing that there is nothing inside. Also describes the way a person lies down when they are at a loss for what to do, in a pitiable state.
• kachaDescribes snatching at something to eat, or the hurried eating of a hungry person. Also used of being astonished at unusual happenings, of boarding a bus or car (compare kata), and of taking something by force.
• kachiDescribes choking on saliva or on food that has stuck in the throat; also snatching at food (compare kacha), and breaking into a conversation that you find already under way.
• kachuUsed when you crush something with a stone; to say kachu to a thing is to have smashed it.
• kachu kachuDescribes the way a dog eats. Also used of moulding sadza by turning it round and round in the dish.
• kadabuDescribes taking a piece off something by biting or cutting it; also digging with force.
• kadyaDescribes drinking while swallowing in a way that makes an audible noise. Compare gadya.
• kadzvaDescribes putting something such as a jersey over the shoulder.
• kahaDescribes showing astonishment at something.
• kahananaDescribes being puzzled or baffled by something. Also describes staring fixedly at something. Compare tsviriri.
• kakaakaDescribes stretching oneself while standing (compare zazanu). Also used of something being filled right up to the top, like a hill, or of many people standing in a line: the women stood strung out in a queue on their way to the well.
• kakaanuDescribes pulling out or dragging towards you something that lies a short distance away.
• kakabvuDescribes biting a large piece off something hard. Also describes scratching the skin when scratching oneself.
• kakacha kakacha
• kakachiDescribes snatching something and eating it straight away.
• kakaiDescribes walking while leaning to one side, showing that the body is in pain.
• kakai kakaiDescribes drinking quickly, swallowing a great deal at one time.
• kakanyaDescribes walking while dragging one's limbs along, as a person with sore legs does, or one who is full of self-regard.
• kakanyuDescribes straightening a wire by pulling it.
• kakanyuDescribes tearing something off with the teeth, as one does when eating the sinew on a bone.
• kakara kakaraDescribes walking a little at a time in a way that shows the walking is proving difficult for the person.
• kakararaDescribes rising up slightly in a manner that shows dignity or importance.
• kakashaDescribes the coarse, rough feel of a thing: when you handle something that is not smooth or slippery, you feel it as kakasha. Compare kwakwasha.
• kakashuDescribes the way a dead person lies (compare kabu, kungunya); also the fullness of a container used for carrying, such as a large pail or a sack, as in: the sack was packed kakashu with grain.
• kakashuDescribes snapping or tearing off something hard with the teeth.
• kakataUsed of arguing stubbornly, in a way that cannot be checked. Also used of climbing up a tree or a hill. Compare kata kata.
• kakauDescribes biting and pulling at the same time as you tear off tough meat or sinew.
• kakavaDescribes being argumentative, refusing to listen to what others think.
• kakayaDescribes struggling or labouring as one walks, in a way that shows the person is in pain.
• kamanyaDescribes walking quickly.
• kambaiUsed of moving about on the hands and legs, as a small child does.
• kambashaDescribes moving along slowly and creepingly as one walks, the way a tortoise (kamba) does.
• kambuDescribes eating rapidly with the fingers, as in: just eat this porridge up kambu kambu, it has cooled. Also describes helping oneself to an excessive amount of relish.
• kamhiDescribes failing to walk properly because of the gingerly way you step on the ground when you have injured your leg.
• kamuUsed of taking away or reducing things by a small amount.
• kanduDescribes throwing something in a hurry.
• kangaiDescribes being of a colour between grey and reddish; also the reddening of a fruit that is about to ripen. Maroro fruits that are kangai are not left alone by mice. Variant: kangavi.
• kangaiDescribes being so preoccupied that one neither thinks about nor notices what is going on. Example: we only came to ourselves when the pot of boiled maize had already burnt.
• kangandaDescribes walking with a heavy tread, like that of an elephant or some other large, powerful animal.
• kanganyaVariant spelling of "chanjama".
• kanganyaDescribes being stiff and hard, as cowhide is. Also used of lying on one's back, or lying stretched out flat: I arrived to find him just lying there flat on his back.
• kanganyaDescribes moving sideways as one walks, or edging backwards in small steps.
• kangaraUsed of the eyes: to make them bulge out while glaring, or when one has been startled. Compare wetsu.
• kangaviVariant spelling of "kangai".
• kangaya kangayaDescribes walking as though you are stepping gingerly on the ground.
• kanhaDescribes showing great astonishment at something that has happened. When they saw a child born with teeth in its mouth, the midwives were simply astounded. Compare kanhama.
• kanha kanha
• kanhama
• kanuDescribes showing surprise, or being struck with alarm.
• kanya kanyaDescribes the walk of a person who is puffing himself up or showing off. Example: the young man strutted (kanya kanya) in front of the girls.
• kanyuDescribes eating food quickly, usually in a way that shows greed. Example: bitter medicine we swallow kanyu before we can taste it.
• kanyuDescribes spreading the legs wide apart, usually when one is squatting. Also used of weeding vigorously.
• kanyu kanyuUsed of mixing sadza with milk together as one eats it.
• kanzvaVariant spelling of "dzva".
• kapa
• kapa kapa
• kapi kapiDescribes drinking water by scooping it up hurriedly with the hands. Example: he quickly drank kapi kapi of water at the stream before crossing the river.
• kapuUsed of wiping sweat off with the hand: I wiped off the sweat and straightened up in the row. Also of skimming the froth off the top of milk (compare weru), and of stripping the skin or bark off a tree (compare svuu).
• kapuDescribes staring hard at something, either in astonishment or when there is something you are expecting or watching for.
• karakataVariant spelling of "kata".
• karanjanjaDescribes leaning backwards on the back of the head, with the knees bent up.
• karuDescribes being startled or seized with alarm, or being filled with doubt, when something surprising and frightening happens. Example: he gave a start (karu) on seeing a snake in front of him. Compare kanu.
• kaseDescribes the giving off of a foul-smelling odour. You catch kase when someone who does not bathe passes in front of you.
• kaseUsed of the rain stopping falling.
• kashuDescribes being full, as a sack or pocket packed tight with things. Compare shaku.
• kashuDescribes tearing something off with the teeth, as a dog does when eating meat.
• kasvaDescribes the dangling of something that has nothing holding it up from below: a cow's udder always just hangs like this. Compare rabada, kasve kasve, kasvata.
• kataDescribes climbing up on top of something high. Examples: he climbed (kata) onto the roof of the house using a ladder; all the monkeys clambered (kata kata) up the tree.
• katabvuDescribes cutting deeply into the skin or the flesh. Compare nye-e.
• katai katai
• katanuDescribes removing clothing from the body. Example: he stripped off his clothes (katanu) and got in among the blankets. Also used of pulling a garment or cloth free when it has caught on thorns or wire. Compare kumu.
• katuUsed of a fire that has been small and then goes katu: it begins to blaze up much more strongly than it was before. Antonym: ngandu.
• katyaDescribes a person showing great astonishment. Compare katyama.
• katyamaVariant spelling of "katya".
• kavanguDescribes the spilling or gushing out of things that are watery. Variant: kabvau.
• kavari kavariDescribes the walking of a person who is in a great hurry. Compare kavaya kavaya.
• kaviDescribes digging a small hole in the ground, putting seed in it and covering it over. Example: groundnuts should simply be dibbled in (kavi kavi) with a hoe, rather than being scattered behind the plough.
• kavuDescribes kicking or striking out with the legs.
• kayayaVariant spelling of "farara".
• kayayaDescribes failing to walk properly, as though your legs were weighing you down. Compare dhananga dhananga, tanja tanja.
• kazhu
• kazhuUsed of grinding or milling coarsely, so that the result is not fine.
• keThe sound made by cloth or a piece of material as it tears slightly or rips.
• ke ke ke-eDescribes the tearing of a cloth as it rips on little by little.
• ke ke ke-eDescribes a short burst of laughter in a high-pitched voice; when a person is said to go ke ke ke-e, they laugh briefly in a high voice, as happens with a giggle. Compare ka ka ka-a.
• kecheThe sound of a gun being cocked, or of a knife being folded shut. Also the sound of a lock as it is being locked. Compare kede.
• kedeVariant spelling of "keche".
• kedeDescribes going inside quickly. Compare keche, potyo.
• keke-e
• kekerereDescribes dragging a person or some other heavy thing, hauling it far off. Example: the teacher dragged him kekerere to his office to beat him. Compare kukururu, kwekwerere.
• kekerereDescribes the dragging of something light, not heavy, which makes an audible scraping noise. Compare kukururu.