Looking for practical Shona to Kanuri phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Shona phrase first, then the Kanuri translation (Kanuri) — 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 Kanuri.
Tip: focus on one section per day (travel Monday, dining Tuesday, and so on) if you are preparing for a Kanuri-speaking trip in a few weeks.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Shona to Kanuri 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.
Mhoro
Sannu
Ndatenda
Nagode
Mangwanani akanaka
Ina kwana
Masikati akanaka
Ina yamma
Manheru akanaka
Ina dare
Usiku hwakanaka
Sai da safe
Tichasangana gare gare
Zan ganka
Sara zvakanaka
Sai anjima
Zita rako ndiani?
Menene sunanka?
Zita rangu ndiri John
Sunana John
Uri sei?
Lafiya lau?
Ndinofara kukuziva
Na ji dadin haduwa da kai
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Unotaura Chirungu here?
Kuna magana da Turanci?(unotaura chirungu here)
Handitauri Hindi zvakanaka
Ba na magana da Hindi sosai.(handitauri hindi zvakanaka)
Handinzwisisi
Ba na fahimta.(handinzwisisi)
Ndokumbirawo utaure zvishoma
Don Allah, ku yi magana a hankali.(ndokumbirawo utaure zvishoma)
Ungazvitaura zvakare here?
Za ku iya faɗin hakan sake?(ungazvitaura zvakare here)
Chimbuzi chiripi?
Ina wanka?(chimbuzi chiripi)
Ndingasvika sei kumusoro kwemaguta?
Ta yaya zan isa tsakiyar birni?(ndingasvika sei kumusoro kwemaguta)
Tendeuka kuruboshwe
Juya hagu.(tendeuka kuruboshwe)
Tendeuka kurudyi
Juya dama.(tendeuka kurudyi)
Enda mberi
Tafiya kai tsaye.(enda mberi)
Mari yechikwereti ingani?
Nawa ne farashin?(mari yechikwereti ingani)
Tikiti imwe, ndapota
Tiket ɗaya, don Allah.(tikiti imwe, ndapota)
Iko kure here kubva pano?
Shin yana da nisa daga nan?(iko kure here kubva pano)
Ndakakanganiswa
Na ɓace.(ndakakanganiswa)
Ndingatenga kupi kadhi reSIM?
Ina zan iya sayen kati na SIM?(ndingatenga kupi kadhi reSIM)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Ehe
Eey(ee-y)
Kwete
A'a(ah-ah)
Pangove
Wata(wah-tah)
Ndinobvumirana
Na amu(nah ah-moo)
Handibvumirane
Na a'a amu(nah ah-ah ah-moo)
Izvozvo zvinonzwika zvakanaka
Iya na(ee-yah nah)
Unofungei?
Kaya ka yi tunani?(kah-yah kah yee too-nah-nee)
Unogona kundibatsira here?
Za ka iya taimaka min?(zah kah ee-yah tie-mah-kah meen)
Ndiri kuda rubatsiro
Na bukaci taimako(nah boo-kah-chee tie-mah-koh)
Mirira kwechinguva
Duba dan lokaci(doo-bah dahn loh-kah-chee)
Ndine urombo
Na yi hakuri(nah yee hah-koo-ree)
Hapana chakaipa
Babu matsala(bah-boo maht-sah-lah)
Makorokoto
Taya murna(tah-yah moor-nah)
Makorokoto ezuva rekuzvarwa
Barka da haihuwa(bar-kah dah hai-hoo-wah)
Iva nerwendo rwakanaka
Ka yi tafiya lafiya(kah yee tah-fee-yah lah-fee-yah)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Kupi kune chiteshi chechitima?
Nye boko na gari?(Kupi kune chiteshi chechitima?)
Kupi kune chiteshi chebhazi?
Nye boko na bas?(Kupi kune chiteshi chebhazi?)
Ndeipi puratifomu?
Wane boko na?(Ndeipi puratifomu?)
Inobva nenguva ipi?
Wane lokaci ya tafi?(Inobva nenguva ipi?)
Iyi ndiyo nzira chaiyo here?
Shin wannan hanya ce?(Iyi ndiyo nzira chaiyo here?)
Iri pedyo pano
Yana kusa da nan(Iri pedyo pano)
Iri kure nepano
Yana nesa da nan(Iri kure nepano)
Unogona kundiratidza pamepu here?
Za ka iya nuna mini a taswirar?(Unogona kundiratidza pamepu here?)