Yao kana ChiYao rurimi rwunotaurwa munyika dzinoti: Malawi; Zambia, Mozambique neZimbabwe. Mutauro uyu wakapararira munyika dzeSADC nokuda kwevanhu vakatamira munyika idzi vachitsvaga mabasa, vari vashandi vakabva kuMalawi neZambia. ChiYao chine mazwi mazhinji anotodzana neChiShona nemamwe akafanana zvachose. Izwi rokuti nyama (meat; animals used for meat) ndiro rimwe kuChiYao neShona. Izwi rokuti mbwa (meat; animals used for meat) ndiro rimwe kuChiYao neShona. Izwi rokuti nguo (cloth; calico) ndiro rimwe kuChiYao neShona. Izwi rokuti chigamba (a patch) ndiro rimwe kuChiYao neShona. Izwi rokuti chilindo (hut in a field where watch is kept for thieves, animals etc) rinotaurwa mururimi rweYao richireva nhungu. VaYao vanoti kung'wa (to drink), kureva kunwa. VaYao vanoti kuwawa (bitter taste), kureva kuvava. VaYao vanoti wato (canoe), kureva bwato. VaYao vanoti kuwaka (to build), kureva kuvaka. VaYao vanoti mbusi (goat), kureva mbudzi. VaYao vanoti liso (eye), kureva ziso.