Zimbabwe
/z̤i.ᵐba.bwe/
Zimbabwe is the Shona name for the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The word refers to the country itself.
Meaning: Republic of Zimbabwe (name)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /z̤i.ᵐba.bwe/.
Did you know?
- The name Zimbabwe is actually a plural noun in Shona, referring to the 'stone houses' of the Great Zimbabwe ruins.
- The name Zimbabwe was intentionally reclaimed upon independence to link the modern state to a prehistoric kingdom that predates colonization.
- The word Zimbabwe shares a root with imba, which is used in many common Shona terms for domesticity and shelter.
Examples in context
- Ndinoda kuenda ku Zimbabwe.I want to go to Zimbabwe.
- Zimbabwe yakakura.Zimbabwe is large.
- Ndinogara mu Zimbabwe.I live in Zimbabwe.
Example conversation
Nyasha and Tinashe are talking about their travel plans.
- NyashaTinashe, uchishanyira Zimbabwe gore rino?Tinashe, are you visiting Zimbabwe this year?
- TinasheHongu, ndiri kuenda muZimbabwe muna Gumiguru.Yes, I am going to Zimbabwe in December.
- NyashaNdinofara kwazvo nezvazvo.I am very happy about that.
- TinasheTichakutaurira nezveZimbabwe kana ndadzoka.We will tell you about Zimbabwe when I return.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zimbabwe” translations and entries Zimbabwe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
