Looking for practical NKo to Tiv phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Tiv translation (Tiv) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Tiv.
Tip: focus on one section per day (travel Monday, dining Tuesday, and so on) if you are preparing for a Tiv-speaking trip in a few weeks.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Tiv translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Mgbakpa(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Ior na(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Mgbakpa u sha(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Mgbakpa u kpa(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Mgbakpa u ter(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Mgbakpa u ter sha(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Kpa a joo(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Ior a joo(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Ior m ngu?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
M ngu John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Ior m nande?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Ior m nande a joo(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I kpa English?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
M nahan Hindi nahan.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
M nahan usha.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
M nahan usha kpa.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I kpa a sha?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I we a joo?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nenge a kpa a city center?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kpa a joo.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kpa a nahan.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kpa a sha.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nenge a kpa a fare?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
I kpa a ticket, please.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I we a nahan a nahan?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
M nahan sha.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I we a kpa a SIM card?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ee
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Naa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Iye
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
M na a kpa
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
M na a kpa nahan
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
I kpa a kpa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
U kpa a nahan?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
U kpa m nahan?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
M na a kpa nahan
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Kpa a kpa
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
M na a kpa
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Naa a kpa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
I kpa a kpa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
A kpa a kpa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
U kpa a kpa
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Ior a kpa?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ior a nyam?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ior a gande?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Nenge a kpa?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ior a nenge a?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
I na kpa a.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
I na kpa a kpa.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
I ma ior a gande?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Kpa a, please.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Nenge a kpa?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Ior kwagh nahan?(ior kwagh nahan)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Ior u kpa a kpa(ior u kpa a kpa)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ior m ngu u kpa?(ior m ngu u kpa)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ior m gban a card?(ior m gban a card)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
A doo a table m ngu a yô(a doo a table m ngu a yô)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ior a bill, please(ior a bill, please)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ior a service m nahan?(ior a service m nahan)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
A m vegetarian(a m vegetarian)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
A m nahan a spicy food(a m nahan a spicy food)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ior a kpa(ior a kpa)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ior m gban a menu?(ior m gban a menu)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
A glass a water, please(a glass a water)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Kpa a police(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Kpa a ambulance(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
M ba a doctor(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
M kpa a kpa(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
M kpa a nyam(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
I kpa a hospital mza?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
I kpa a sha(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
M kpa a passport m(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
I kpa a hotel m?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Kpa!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Ior u kpa.(mey wey deli ende wey)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Ka a hia ikyô.(nda werk wen wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nî kpa u kpa?(nda wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
M gbanor u kpe.(eñe wey werk wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
A hia nî u hia?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
M kpa u venge.(nda wey wey wey)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ior u nenge.(mey wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
M hia u kpa.(eñe wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ior a hia u mba?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ka m hia u.(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ikyô u kpa a Friday.(nda wey wey wey)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.