Tshivenda overview

Free Tshivenda starter kit — 25 phrases you can print

A one-page Tshivenda cheat sheet for absolute beginners. Every phrase shows the Tshivenda spelling, what it means, and a respelling with the stressed syllable in capitals so you can say it out loud today. Limpopo, South Africa, and southern Zimbabwearound 1.5 million.

First words

Greet someone and be polite

  • NdaaHello/n-DAA/
  • Ndo livhuwaThank you/n-doh lee-VHOO-wah/
  • Nga khouvhonaPlease/nga khoh-VHOH-na/
  • Kha ri saleGoodbye/kha ree SAH-leh/
  • EeYes/EH-eh/
  • HaiNo/HAH-ee/
  • Ndi khou humbela pfareloSorry/n-dee khoh hoom-BEH-la pfa-REH-loh/
  • Ni a tanganedzwaWelcome/nee ah tan-ga-NEH-jwa/

Free starter kit

Get all 25 Tshivenda phrases

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Is Tshivenda hard to learn?

  • Underlined consonants are made with the tongue behind the teeth.
  • Tone is meaningful.
  • Distinct from both Nguni and Sotho–Tswana languages.