Word of the Day Archive

wadii? (wah-DEE?)

Informal “What’s up?” / “How are you?”

The 21st-century Shona “sup?” that replaces "wakadii hako" with maximum brevity and zero vowels wasted. Promax-tip: Answer “wadii?” with anything from “bho-o” to a five-minute rant; the word asks zero follow-ups unless you choose drama.

Sei-sei?

How are you? / What's up?

Hwapepe

Beard

Gwenya

Matches or lighter used to spark a cigarette, blunt or fire.

Your fire-starter: a box of matches or a pocket lighter. Without gwenya, that fresh mogo (cigarette) is just a fancy toothpick. Pro-tip: Carry a spare gwenya, nothing ruins a chill session like the “Who’s got fire?” scramble.

Mogo

A cigarette, usually a single stick rather than a full pack.

Contemporary substitute for the actual term "fodya". Informal, youth-to-middle-age vernacular; used at kombi ranks, shebeens, clubs, bottle stores. Rarely heard in formal Shona.