mashona: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Academic / Ethnographic
Quick answer
What does “mashona” mean?
A member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population of Zimbabwe.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population of Zimbabwe.
The Bantu language of this people; also used to refer to cultural, historical, or social aspects relating to the Shona people as a collective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The term is most common in historical, anthropological, or Southern African regional contexts.
Connotations
Ethnographic, historical. In British colonial history, the term was used administratively; modern usage prefers 'Shona'.
Frequency
Equally low in both varieties, appearing mainly in specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “mashona” in a Sentence
[the] + Mashona + (people/culture/language)adjective + Mashona + nounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mashona” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The museum had a fascinating exhibit on Mashona artefacts.
- He studied Mashona dialects for his thesis.
American English
- The collection features traditional Mashona sculpture.
- Her research focuses on Mashona spiritual beliefs.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in context of Southern African trade or cultural tourism.
Academic
Used in anthropology, African studies, linguistics, and colonial history.
Everyday
Very rare in general conversation outside relevant regions.
Technical
Used in ethnography and historical texts to specify the collective groups.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mashona”
- Using 'Mashona' as a singular for a person (correct: 'a Shona person').
- Using 'Mashonas' as a plural (correct: 'the Mashona' or 'Shona people').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They refer to the same ethnic and linguistic group. 'Mashona' is often used as a collective plural noun (the people), while 'Shona' is the singular/plural noun for a person/people and the primary adjective (e.g., Shona language). 'Shona' is more common in contemporary usage.
No. The correct term for one person is 'a Shona person' or 'a Shona'. 'Mashona' refers to the people as a collective.
In historical texts, anthropological studies, and discussions of Southern African ethnography or colonial history.
It is not inherently offensive but is somewhat dated and colonial in origin. In modern, respectful discourse, 'Shona' is the preferred term unless specifically referring to the collective in a historical context.
A member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population of Zimbabwe.
Mashona is usually formal / academic / ethnographic in register.
Mashona: in British English it is pronounced /məˈʃəʊnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈʃoʊnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MAjority SHONa people in Zimbabwe.' MA-SHON-A.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE AS A COLLECTIVE ENTITY (The Mashona as a historical and cultural group).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern equivalent for the adjectival use of 'Mashona'?