Phrases › Tsonga
Phrases
Early draft: There was little reliable source material for this language, so some lines may be wrong. Check with a speaker before relying on them.
In Tsonga, hello is Avuxeni and thank you is Ndza khensa. Here are 22 everyday Tsonga phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Tsonga · How to say thank you in Tsonga · How to say goodbye in Tsonga · How to say please in Tsonga · How to say sorry in Tsonga
| English | Tsonga |
|---|---|
| Hello | Avuxeni Literally 'good morning'; a common general greeting. Use 'Riperile' in the afternoon. |
| Goodbye | Sala kahle Said to the person staying; they reply 'Famba kahle' (go well). |
| Please | Ndzi kombela Literally 'I request/beg'; add before or after the request. |
| Thank you | Ndza khensa Shorter everyday form: 'Inkomu'. |
| Yes | Ina |
| No | Aikhona Also 'e-e' in casual speech. |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Xolo General apology and way to get attention politely. |
| Do you speak English? | Xana wa swi kota ku vulavula Xinghezi? 'Xinghezi' is English (the language). |
| I don't understand | A ndzi twisisi |
| Please speak slowly | Ndzi kombela u vulavula hi ku nonoka |
| How much is it? | Xi ri ni thayeri? Literally 'it is at what price'. |
| Where is the bathroom? | Yindlu ya Xihundla yi kwihi? 'Yindlu ya xihundla' = toilet/bathroom. |
| I'd like this, please | Ndzi lava leswi, ndzi kombela 'Leswi' (this) agrees with a class-8 item; point at the object. |
| The bill, please | Ndzi kombela bili 'Bili' is a loanword from English 'bill', in wide use. |
| Where is …? | … yi kwihi? Fill the gap with the place, e.g. 'Hodela yi kwihi?' (Where is the hotel?); use 'ri kwihi' for class-5 nouns. |
| Help! | Pfuna! Shout this to call for help. |
| I need a doctor | Ndzi lava dokodela 'Dokodela' is a loanword for doctor. |
| Call the police! | Vitana maphoyisa! 'Maphoyisa' (police) is a widely used loanword. |
| I don't speak Tsonga | A ndzi vulavuli Xitsonga |
| Can you help me? | Xana u nga ndzi pfuna? 'Xana' opens a yes/no question politely. |
| English | Tsonga |
|---|---|
| Where is the nearest grocery store? | Xitolo xa swakudya lexi nga ekusuhi xi kwihi? xitolo = shop |
| How do you say this in Tsonga? | Leswi swi vuriwa njhani hi Xitsonga? |
Flashcards, verb tables and a textbook for four levels, from Basic to Advanced. Free, no account needed, no ads.