Learn Venda!
Useful Phrases/Introductions
| Hello | ♀Aa /♂ Ndaa |
| Yes | Ee (“ayyy”) |
| No | Hai |
| Good Morning ● Good Morining (in response) |
Ndi matsheloni ● Matsheloni abuthi |
| Good Afternoon | Ndi masiari |
| Good Evening | Ndi madekwana |
| What is your name? ● My name is... |
Ndipfi mnyi? ● Dzina langa ndi... |
| Pleasure to Meet You | Ndo takala rodivanah |
| Thank you ● Thank you very much |
Rolivhuwa (plural) / Ndolivhuwa (singular) ● (One of the above) + nga mandah |
| Goodbye (“Go Well”) ● Other variations of goodbye |
Vha tshimbila zwavudi ● Basali swavhuti ● Kabasali |
| I don’t speak Tshivenda well | Atikoni amba Tshivenda zavhuti |
| See you tomorrow ● Today ● Yesterday |
Rido vhonana (see you) matshelo (tomorrow) ● Namusi ● Mulovha |
| No problem | Ahuna thaidzo |
| Can we help? ● Help |
Khombela (please) uthusa? ● Thusa |
| I am lost. | Ndo xhela (“hayla”) |
| Please forgive me | Khombela farela. |
| I love you ● We love you |
Ndi anifuna ● Ri anifuna |
| Stay well | Nisale zwavhudi |
Conversations/Needs
| How are you? (Formal) ● Easier variation ● Informal variation ● Good. How are you? (In response) |
Vho vuwa hani? ● Huitahani? (“Who ate the honey?”) ● Rini (rolling R) → Don’t say to an old woman! ● Ndo Vuwa. Vo nay? |
| How was your day? ● My day was good. |
Vho twa hani? ● Ndotwa zwavhudi. ● When in doubt, ‘Ndovuwa zwavhudi’ is a good reply to any questions asked about your day! |
| How was your night? | Vhusika hanu novha hani? |
| What is this? | Ndi mini itshi? |
| I am going to… (place) ● I am going to school. ● I have come from… (place) ● Place |
Ndi khou ya… ● Ndi khou ya tshikolo. ● Ndi khou bva… ● Fhateh (“bhato”) |
| It is hot today. | Duvha likhou fhisa namusi. |
| Can I please have…? ● Food ● Water ● Pap ● Mopani worms |
Ndi khou humbela…? ● Zwiliwa ● Madi ● Vhuswa ● Mashondzha |
| I am hungry. ● I am thirsty. |
Ndina ndala. ● Ndina dora. |
| I am tired. I am going home. | Ndo neta. Ndi khou ya hayani. |
| I’m going to sleep. | Ndi khou ya u edela (“aytela”). |
| Where are you going? | Ni khou ya gai? |
| Where do you go to school? | Ni dzhena (“jenna”) tshikolo gayi? |
| What are you talking about? | Ni khou amba nga ha mini? |
| What are you happy for? | No takalela (“takalayla”) mini? |
| Delicious food! | Zwiliwa zikodipa |
| What a beautiful home | Ah zwonaka |
Vocabulary
| Church | Garic |
| Mielie meal | Mugayo |
| Fatcakes | Magwinya |
| Cow pie | Matoko |
| White person (“White thing”) | Makua |
| Gift | Tshifhiwa |
| Hope | Fhulufhelo |
| Hands | Zwanda |
| Girl | Musidzana (“museedzana”) |
| Boy | Mutukana |
| Family ● Mom/Dad ● My Mom/Dad |
Muta ● Mme / Khotsi ● Mme / Khotsi anga |
| My friend | Mu-ngana-wanga |
| Teacher | Mudededzi |
| House | Nndu |