Zvimwe

Zvimwe is a term in the Shona language that conveys “other things” or “the others.” It is commonly used to refer to items that are not specifically listed or to indicate additional elements within a set. As a grammatical form, zvimwe can function both as a determiner in front of a noun phrase and as a pronoun that refers back to previously mentioned items. The word is widely used in everyday speech and in written Shona.

Grammatical use: When paired with a noun, zvimwe forms phrases such as zvimwe zvigadzirwa (other products) or zvimwe zvinhu (other things). It denotes an unspecified subset within a larger set. It can also stand alone as a pronoun in contexts like Ndinoda zvimwe, meaning “I want more/other (things).” In discourse, zvimwe helps avoid repetition by pointing to things not explicitly listed.

Examples and nuance: Ndine zvimwe zvokudya zvakasara. (I have some other foods left.) Zvimwe zvigadzirwa zvinogona kuve nemitengo yakasiyana. (Some products may have different prices.) The meaning of zvimwe can shift with tone and context, sometimes indicating quantity, variety, or contrast with items already mentioned.

Related terms and note: Zvimwe is part of a family of words that express inclusion and exclusion in Shona grammar, alongside izvozvi (this/these) and zvimwewo (also other). It appears in formal writing and in casual conversation, and its exact nuance is shaped by context and emphasis.