紹納語的發展
標準的紹納語拼寫系統在二十世紀早期被確定下來，1957年，第一本紹納語小說《Solomon Mutswairo》出版紹。學校里也開展有紹納語課程。
紹納語的字母
| 字母 | 發音 |
| a | /a/ |
| b | /b/ |
| bh | /b̤/ |
| ch | /tʃ/ |
| d | /d/ |
| dh | /d̤/ |
| dy | /dʲɡ/ |
| dzv | /dβz/ |
| e | /e/ |
| f | /f/ |
| g | /ɡ/ |
| h | /h/ |
| i | /i/ |
| j | /dʒ/ |
| k | /k/ |
| l | /l/ |
| m | /m/ |
| mh | /m̤/ |
| n | /n/ |
| ng | /ŋ/ |
| o | /o/ |
| p | /p/ |
| r | /rw/ |
| s | /s/ |
| sv | /ɸs/ |
| sw | /skw/ |
| t | /t/ |
| tsv | /tɸs/ |
| ty | /tʲk/ |
| u | /u/ |
| v | /β/ |
| vh | /v/ |
| w | /w/ |
| y | /j/ |
| z | /z/ |
| zv | /βz/ |
紹納語日常用語
| 英語 | 紹納語 |
| Welcome | Mauya |
| Hello (General greeting) | Mhoro (sg) Mhoroi (pl) |
| How are you? | Wakadini zvako? (sg) Makadini zvenyu? (pl) |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Ndiri rayiti Ndiripo |
| Long time no see | Ko, vemakore! |
| What's your name? | Unonzani? (sg) Munonzani? (pl) |
| My name is ... | Ndinonzi ... Zita rangu i ... |
| Where are you from? | Unobva kupi? (sg) Munobva kupi?? (pl) |
| I'm from ... | Ndinobva ku ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Ndafara kukuziva (sg) Ndafara kukuzivai (pl) |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) | Mangwanani Mangwanani, marara sei? (reply) |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) | Masikati Masikati, maswera sei? (reply) |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) | Manheru Maswera sei (reply) |
| Good night | Urare zvakanaka (sg) Murare Zvakanaka (pl) |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) | Sara Zvakanaka (sg) Sariayi Zvakanaka (pl) |
| Good luck! | Uve nemhanza yakanaka (sg) Muve nemhanza yakanaka (pl) |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) | |
| Have a nice day | Uve nezuva rakanaka (sg) Muve nezuva rakanaka (pl) |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal | Mudye kunaka Mafidyongo |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey | Ufambe zvakanaka (sg) Mufambe zvakanaka (pl) |
| I don't understand | Handisi kunyaso nzwisisa |
| Please speak more slowly | Ndinokumbirawo kuti musakurumidze kutaura |
| Please say that again | Ndinokumbirawo kuti muzvitaure futi |
| Please write it down | Ndinokumbirawo kuti muzvinyore pasi |
| Do you speak...? | Unotaura ...? (sg) Munotaura ...? (pl) |
| How do you say ... inShona? | |
| Excuse me | Pamusoro (sg) Pamusoroyi (pl) |
| How much is this? | Chinoita marii? |
| Sorry | Ndineurombo |
| Thank you | Waita zvako (sg) Maita zvenyu (pl) |
| Reply to thank you | Unotendei? Zvakanaka |
| Where's the toilet? | Chimbuzi chiripi? |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | Baba ava ndivo vachabhadhara |
| This lady will pay for everything | Amai ava ndivo vachabhadhara |
| Would you like to dance with me? | Ungande kutamba? (sg) Mungade kutamba? (pl) |
| I love you | Ndinokuda |
| Get well soon | Ndinovimba kuti uchakurumidza kupora (sg) Ndinovimba kuti muchakurumidza kupora (pl) |
| Leave me alone! | Ndisiye! |
| Help! | Ndibatsireiwo! |
| Fire! | Moto! |
| Stop! | Mira! |
| Call the police! | Daiidzayi mapurisa! |
| Christmas and New Year greetings | Muve nekisimusi ne goredzva zvakanaka |
| Easter greetings | |
| Birthday greetings | Uve nezuva rakanaka rekuzvarwa Uve nebhavhadhe rakanaka |
| One language is never enough | Rurimi rumwe haruzadzikisa mutauro |
| My hovercraft is full of eels Why this phrase? | Hovercraft yangu yakazara nemikunga |
紹納語例文
（紹納語原文）
Vanhu vese vanoberekwa vakasununguka uyewo vakaenzana pahunhu nekodzero dzavo. Vanhu vese vanechipo chokufunga nekuziva chakaipa nechakanaka saka vanofanira kubatana nomweya wohusahwira.
（英文翻譯）
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
摘自《聯合國人權宣言》第一章
