wakadii
In Shona, "how are you" is said as wakadii.
The phrase is used as a greeting to ask how someone is doing.
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Which one should you use?
wakadii is the singular form used for one person, while makadii is the plural form used for multiple people or to show respect to a single person.
How does it change in a sentence?
When responding to the greeting wakadii, a common reply is ndakasimba, which means "I am strong/well".
When do people say it?
A common response to the question wakadii is ndakasimba, which literally translates to "I am strong".
Did you know?
- In Shona culture, greetings often transition from wakadii into a detailed sequence of inquiries about the other person's home, livestock and extended family.
- Because Shona is a tonal language, the meaning of wakadii can shift depending on the pitch of your voice, even though the spelling does not change.
- The use of makadii is part of a wider linguistic system in Bantu languages known as the 'honorific plural' to signal social distance and respect.
Examples in context
- Kuzoti sei, boss?How have things turned out, boss?
- Wakadii nhasi?How are you today?
- Wakadii, shamwari?How are you, friend?
Example conversation
Ruvimbo meets Tinashe on the street.
- RuvimboMhoro Tinashe, wakadii?Hello Tinashe, how are you?
- TinasheNdiri bho, ko iwe?I am good, and you?
- RuvimboNdiripo zvangu.I am also fine.
- TinasheZvakanaka.That is good.
