Greetings
Salibonani
sa-lee-bo-NA-nee
Hello, to more than one person or as a general greeting. The single most useful word in Bulawayo — and it is Ndebele, not Shona.
Sawubona
sa-woo-BO-na
Hello, to one person. Literally 'we see you'. Reply 'Yebo, sawubona'.
Linjani? / Unjani?
leen-JA-nee / oon-JA-nee
How are you — plural and singular. Answer 'Ngiyaphila', I am well.
Social
Ngiyabonga / Siyabonga
ngee-ya-BON-ga / see-ya-BON-ga
Thank you — 'I thank you' and 'we thank you'. Zimbabweans use the plural generously.
Yebo / Hatshi
YEH-bo / HA-tshee
Yes / no.
Ngicela...
ngee-CHE-la
'I request…' — the polite way to ask for anything, from directions to a kombi fare.
Umngane
oom-NGA-neh
Friend.
Sala kahle / Uhambe kuhle
SA-la KA-shleh / oo-HAM-beh KOO-shleh
Stay well / go well. The one who leaves says the first; the one who stays says the second.
Daily life
Malini?
ma-LEE-nee
How much? The opener at Egodini and every roadside stall.
Kiya-kiya
KEE-ya KEE-ya
Hustling, improvising, making a plan when the formal route is closed. Nationwide slang, and in a city that lost its factories it describes most of the economy.
Food
Isitshwala
ee-see-TSHWA-la
Stiff maize meal — what the rest of Zimbabwe calls sadza. Ordering it by the Shona name in Bulawayo marks you instantly.
Emergency
112 · 993 · 994 · 995 · 999
One-one-two
112 reaches emergency services from an Econet or Telecel mobile; 993 fire, 994 ambulance, 995 police and 999 general emergency on a landline. Bulawayo City Council also runs an Econet toll-free line on 08080081.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.