Learn Ndau Online with the Vocabo Chrome Extension
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Master Ndau vocabulary while browsing the web. Free Chrome extension for language learners. Ndau is spoken by around 2.4 million people. Ndau gives direct access to the Chipinge and Chimanimani areas of eastern Zimbabwe and central Mozambique, and its recent recognition as an official language is opening up new teaching and broadcast material.
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About Ndau
Ndau was legally classified as a dialect of Shona until Zimbabwe's 2013 constitution recognized it as one of the country's 16 officially recognized languages in its own right.
Also known as: Chindau, Ndzawu, Njao
Speakers
around 2.4 million
Language Family
Bantu (Shona group)
Writing System
Latin alphabet, with additional letters (l, q, x) for sounds absent from standard Shona
Difficulty
Hard
Spoken in
Why Learn Ndau?
Ndau gives direct access to the Chipinge and Chimanimani areas of eastern Zimbabwe and central Mozambique, and its recent recognition as an official language is opening up new teaching and broadcast material.
Common Ndau Words
Start your Ndau journey with these essential words and phrases.
Zvakadini
Hello / How are you?
zvah-kah-DEE-nee
Ndinobonga
Thank you
ndee-noh-BOHN-gah
Ndapota
Please
ndah-POH-tah
Eya
Yes
EH-yah
Haiwa
No
HIGH-wah
Mvura
Water
MVOO-rah
Mhatso
House
MHAH-tsoh
Mungani
Friend
moon-GAH-nee
Zuwa
Sun / Day
ZOO-wah
History of Ndau
Ndau speakers live in the Chipinge and Chimanimani districts of eastern Zimbabwe and across the border in central Mozambique, an area colonial borders split between British and Portuguese territory. A Latin-based writing system was first devised for Ndau in 1911 by the phonetician Daniel Jones, and a separate Mozambican orthography followed in 2000. For most of the 20th century, Zimbabwean language policy grouped Ndau under a broader 'Shona' umbrella alongside Zezuru, Karanga, and Manyika, and it was only recognized as a distinct official language in the 2013 constitution.
Is Ndau Hard to Learn?
Ndau layers the noun-class agreement typical of Bantu languages onto a consonant inventory that's unusually rich for a Shona-group language: contact with neighbouring Nguni languages gave it click consonants and whistled sibilants that standard Shona doesn't have, alongside aspirated and implosive stops. It was only formally separated from Shona in Zimbabwe's 2013 constitution, so many existing teaching materials still treat it as a Shona dialect rather than describing its distinct sound system on its own terms.
Learning Ndau Online: FAQ
Can I learn Ndau online for free?
Yes — Vocabo is a free Chrome extension that teaches you Ndau vocabulary while you browse the web. It replaces words and short phrases on pages you already read with their Ndau equivalents, so you pick up vocabulary passively — no sign-up, no ads, and no daily lesson grind.
Is Ndau on Duolingo?
No — Duolingo doesn't currently offer a Ndau course for English speakers. You can still learn Ndau online for free: Vocabo supports Ndau and builds your vocabulary naturally while you browse.
Similar Languages to Ndau
If you're interested in Ndau, you might also want to explore these related languages:
Start Learning Ndau Today
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