Useful phrases in Tiv

A collection of useful phrases in Tiv (dzwa Tiv), a Southern Bantoid language spoken mainly in Benue State in southeast Nigeria.

Jump to phrases

See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Phrase	dzwa Tiv (Tiv)
Welcome	M sugh u za van
Hello (General greeting)	M sugh u
Hello (on phone)
How are you?	U pande nena? (How is your day going?) U ngu nena? (How do you do?)
Reply to 'How are you?'	M ngu dedoo, m sugh
Long time no see
What's your name?	Iti yo er nyi?
My name is ...	Iti yam er ...
Where are you from?
I'm from ...
Pleased to meet you
Good morning (Morning greeting)	U nder ver
Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting)	U pander ver
Good evening (Evening greeting)
Good night
Goodbye (Parting phrases)	Saa shie u gen Za dedoo
Good luck!
Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking)
Have a nice day
Bon appetit / Have a nice meal
Bon voyage / Have a good journey	Za dedoo
Yes	Een
No	Ei
Maybe
I don't know
I don't like it	Mso ga
Do you understand?
I understand
I don't understand
Please speak more slowly
Please say that again
Please write it down
Do you speak English?
Do you speak Tiv?
Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
I don't speak Tiv	M fa dzwa Tiv ga
Do you speak a language other than Tiv?
Speak to me in Tiv
How do you say ... in Tiv?
Excuse me
How much is this?
Sorry	M sugh u
Please	Mzamber we
Thank you	M sugh u M sugh u kpishi
Reply to thank you
Where's the toilet / bathroom?
This gentleman will pay for everything
This lady will pay for everything
Would you like to dance with me?
Do you come here often?
I miss you
I love you
Get well soon
Go away!
Leave me alone!
Help!
Fire!
Stop!
Call the police!
Christmas greetings
New Year greetings
Easter greetings
Birthday greetings
Congratulations!
One language is never enough
My hovercraft is full of eels

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Hear some phrases in Tiv:

Information about Tiv | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Other collections of Tiv phrases

Phrases in Bantoid languages

Bamum, Tiv

Phrases in other languages

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