By Livhuwani Nyelisani
email me at: [email protected]
You want to speak Venda, right? So you have to understand that it takes a lot of time and effort to learn a new language. You need to take it patiently.
I must emphasize though that: It would be easy if you had someone to help you with pronouncing Venda words. Otherwise it will be very difficult for you.
I'm still new to making language tutorials. Since I'm also not a linguistics professional these tutorials may also reflect that a lot. So bear with me, but I'll try to improve them every-time I think of something better. Those of you who know how to speak Venda and can help me in these tutorials, may also contact me via email. Your help is needed!
| Ndaa | Hello | Used by males to anyone, anytime. (Can also be used as a response any of the first 5 ways in the first column. ) |
| Aa | Hello | Used by females to anyone, anytime. (Can also be used as a response any of the first 5 ways in the first column. ) |
| *Ndi matsheloni | Good morning | Used by anyone in the morning |
| *Ndi masiari | Good afternoon | Used by anyone in the afternoon |
| *Ndi madekwana | Good evening | Used by anyone in the evening |
| Avhudi | Hello (To respond to any of the three ways indicated by stars above) | Used as a response when greeted by someone using any of the three ways indicated by stars above. |
And now for saying
Goodbye
| Ni sale zwavhudi | Good bye (To someone who is remaining behind) | Ni - pronoun to refer to the next person or people
sale - (from sala) means remain zwa (just a prefix) + vhudi( good/ well) |
| Ni tshimbile zwavhudi | Good bye or Go well (To someone who is leaving) | tshimbile - go zwavhudi - well |
| Ni vhe na vhusiku havhudi | Good night | Ni vhe - Have
vhusiku - night |
| Ni edele zwavhudi | Sleep well | Ni edele - sleep Zwavhudi - well |
| Ni vhe na duvha lavhudi | Have a Good day | Ni vhe na - have a duvha - day lavhudi- good |
| Nne | I, me |
| Inwi | You |
| Ene, vhone | Him/her/they |
| Ula | Him/her |
| vhala | those/them |
| Fhala | there |
| tshila , tshone | that, it (for things like animals and objects) |