Looking for practical Afar to Shona phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Afar phrase first, then the Shona translation (Shona) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Shona.
Tip: read the Shona line out loud three times, then cover the Afar side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Afar to Shona translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Nagaad
Mhoro(nagaad)
Galatooma
Ndatenda(galatooma)
Bariis
Mangwanani akanaka(bariis)
Galab
Masikati akanaka(galab)
Haal
Manheru akanaka(haal)
Haalka habeen
Usiku hwakanaka(haalka habeen)
Ilaa mar kale
Tichasangana gare gare(ilaa mar kale)
Nagaad
Sara zvakanaka(nagaad)
Maa magacaa?
Zita rako ndiani?(maa magacaa)
Magacaygu waa John
Zita rangu ndiri John(magacaygu waa John)
Iska waran?
Uri sei?(iska waran)
Aad baan ku faraxsanahay
Ndinofara kukuziva(aad baan ku faraxsanahay)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Inni ingiriisi maahaa?
Unotaura Chirungu here?(unotaura chirungu here)
Hindi maahaa hinjiru
Handitauri Hindi zvakanaka(handitauri hindi zvakanaka)