Learning Shona Through Music: "Pote"
Explore the beautiful Shona language through the lyrics of "Pote" by Learn Shona ft. Shona Prince & Tamy Moyo
Music is one of the most powerful tools for language learning. "Pote" is a beautiful modern love song that seamlessly blends Shona, English, and even some Zulu, making it perfect for learners who want to understand how these languages flow naturally in contemporary Zimbabwean music.
Key Phrases to Learn
Cultural Note: "Tiri bhande nebhurugwa"
This beautiful metaphor compares a couple to "a belt and trousers" - inseparable and essential to each other. It's a common Shona expression that captures the interdependence of a strong relationship.
Lyrics with Translations
🎶 NdokufungaTo think. ndichimukaTo get up; to rise from lying or sitting position.
"I think about you when I wake up"
🎶 NdokurindaGrave. • guard; watch against attack, injury, damage or any danger. uchisukaTo wash, such as cleaning a pot or dishes.
"I will watch you as you do the dishes"
🎶 Tiri bhandeBelt; a flexible band used to secure clothing. nebhurugwaPants or trousers, a garment worn on the lower body, covering each leg separately.
"We are like a belt and trousers"
🎶 Ngatisa paradzaneTo perish; to disperse
"May we be together forever/let's not destroy each other"
🎶 NdokufungaTo think. ndichimukaTo get up; to rise from lying or sitting position.
"I think about you when I wake up"
🎶 NdokurindaGrave. • guard; watch against attack, injury, damage or any danger. uchisukaTo wash, such as cleaning a pot or dishes.
"I will watch you as you do the dishes"
🎶 If you teach me how to love better
"Ukandidzidzisa kukupa rudo"
🎶 NdotodzidziraTo learn.
"I can learn from you/I will surely learn from you"
🎶 MoyoHeart. wako wave wangy bhebhi
"Your hide is mine, babe"
🎶 WotopfigiraTo keep something safe or secure by enclosing it.
"Keep it safe"
🎶 Themba Lami, Ungakhali ntombi[Zulu]
"Trust me, don't cry"
🎶 We gon live it up
"Tichanakidzwa"
🎶 Nyangwe zvikadini
"No matter what happens"
🎶 I will never leave you wega (alone)
"Handikusiye"
🎶 When the bass line kicking
"Mangoma achirira"
🎶 Girl your wasteline wicked
"Chiuno chako chakaipa"
🎶 I will be working
"Ndinenge nichishanda"
🎶 Through the weekend
"Panopera vhiki"
🎶 Till I'm earning 6 digits
"Kusvika ndabata million"
🎶 Got me feeling like Romeo
"Ndakunzwa kunge ndiri Romeo"
🎶 And you're my juliet,
"Iwewe uri Juliet wangu"
🎶 Every minute, every second, I wanna know
"Nguva dzose, ndoda kuziva"
🎶 Kuti (that) where you at
"Kuti uripi"
🎶 NdokufungaTo think. ndichimukaTo get up; to rise from lying or sitting position.
"I think about you when I wake up"
🎶 NdokurindaGrave. • guard; watch against attack, injury, damage or any danger. uchisukaTo wash, such as cleaning a pot or dishes.
"I will watch you as you do the dishes"
🎶 Tiri bhandeBelt; a flexible band used to secure clothing. nebhurugwaPants or trousers, a garment worn on the lower body, covering each leg separately.
"We are like a belt and trousers"
🎶 Ngatisa paradzaneTo perish; to disperse
"May we be together forever/let's not destroy each other"
🎶 NdokufungaTo think. ndichimukaTo get up; to rise from lying or sitting position.
"I think about you when I wake up"
🎶 NdokurindaGrave. • guard; watch against attack, injury, damage or any danger. uchisukaTo wash, such as cleaning a pot or dishes.
"I will watch you as you do the dishes"
🎶 Handimbo zvipotse maziso anoona
"I won't miss it the eyes can see"
🎶 Unotombo zvivhunza kuti ndini?
"I ask myself is this me?"
🎶 I kiss your lips then you believe me
"Ndokutsvoda wobva wabeliever"
🎶 Never leave me
"Usandisiye"
🎶 Now stuck to you like glue
"Ndanamira pauri kunge pashanda glue"
🎶 You are my everything
"Uri zvese kwandiri"
🎶 Tiri bhandeBelt; a flexible band used to secure clothing. nebhurugwaPants or trousers, a garment worn on the lower body, covering each leg separately.
"We are like a belt and trousers"
🎶 Whenever you leave
"Pese paunoenda"
🎶 NdinozvizivaTo know. unodzokaTo return.
"I know you're always come back"
🎶 Kundishaya babe haugone
"You can't live without me/You won't be able to not find me"
🎶 Vamwe avo ini handimbode
"I don't want any other person"
🎶 HuyaTo come. paduze coz
"Come closer because"
🎶 The street are lonely
"Hakuna vanhu muround"
🎶 Pandinoti poteTo leave or depart from a place. babe hande
"When I make a move lets go babe"
🎶 NdokufungaTo think. ndichimukaTo get up; to rise from lying or sitting position.
"I think about you when I wake up"
🎶 NdokurindaGrave. • guard; watch against attack, injury, damage or any danger. uchisukaTo wash, such as cleaning a pot or dishes.
"I will watch you as you do the dishes"
🎶 Tiri bhandeBelt; a flexible band used to secure clothing. nebhurugwaPants or trousers, a garment worn on the lower body, covering each leg separately.
"We are like a belt and trousers"
🎶 Ngatisa paradzaneTo perish; to disperse
"May we be together forever/let's not destroy each other"
🎶 NdokufungaTo think. ndichimukaTo get up; to rise from lying or sitting position.
"I think about you when I wake up"
🎶 NdokurindaGrave. • guard; watch against attack, injury, damage or any danger. uchisukaTo wash, such as cleaning a pot or dishes.
"I will watch you as you do the dishes"
💡 Learning Tips
- 1.Listen to the song multiple times while reading the lyrics
- 2.Try singing along to improve your pronunciation
- 3.Focus on the repeated phrases - they're easier to memorize
- 4.Notice how Shona and English blend naturally in modern music
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