Looking for practical NKo to Venda phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Venda translation (Venda) — 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 Venda.
Tip: read the Venda line out loud three times, then cover the NKo side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Venda 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
Ndi matsheloni(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Ndi a livhuwa(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Ndi matsheloni(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Ndi masiari(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Ndi madekwana(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Ndi masiari a u fhela(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Tshilidzi(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Vhuyani(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Ndi mini dzina lenu?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Dzina langa ndi John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Ni khou itea?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Ndi khou funa u vhuya na inwi(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ni a ṱhota ṅwambo?(ni a thota n'wambo)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
A ndi ṱhoti Hindi zwavhudi(a ndi thoti Hindi zwavhudi)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
A ndi ḓivhi(a ndi dhiwi)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ndi ṱhanyela u ṱhota nga ṱhoho(ndi thanyela u thota nga thoho)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ndi a ṱanga zwenezwi?(ndi a thanga zwenezwi)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Bani hu na khotani?(bani hu na khotani)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ndi ya hani u ya tsini na muṱa?(ndi ya hani u ya tsini na mutha)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fhulu u ya shango(fhulu u ya shango)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fhulu u ya ṱhoho(fhulu u ya thoho)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ḓi ṱhota nga ṱhoho(dhi thota nga thoho)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Fhasi i na hani?(fhasi i na hani)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ticket ye ḽa, nd please(ticket ye la, nd please)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I na fhasi u bva hone?(i na fhasi u bva hone)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ndi a fhedza(ndi a fhedza)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ndi nga wana SIM card phi?(ndi nga wana SIM card phi)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ee
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Aih
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ndi nga si
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Ndi a livhuwa
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ndi a sa livhuwi
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Izwi zwine zwa ita zwavhuya
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
U vhona mini?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
U nga nthusa?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ndi na nyito
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Langa muthu
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ndi a humbula
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
A hu na nḓila
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ndi a livhuwa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ndi a ni ṱhonifha
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ndi a ni ṱhonifha na u shuma
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Uphi i-station ye-train?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Uphi i-bus stop?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
I-platform efani na?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Iri ngafhi?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Iyi ndi ndowei efani?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Iri khathihi na.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Iri khulwane na.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
U nga nanga u tshi khou vhona kha maphu?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Dzhia fhedzi, ndi khou livhuwa.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Zwi tshi dzhia ngafhi?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Zwi khou itea ngani?(aɡa fɔtɔ?)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Izwi ndi zwihulu.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ni na zwine zwa itea nga nṱha?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ndi nga fhira nga khadi?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ndi khou ṱoḓa tafela ya vhuṱanzi.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ndi ṱhoḓa muthu, ndapota.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ndi na tshelete ya vhuṱanzi?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ndi muvegetarian.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
A si na food ya vhuṱhiri, ndapota.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Izi ndi zwitukwama.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ndi nga ṱoḓa menu?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ndi ṱhoḓa glasi ya mvura, ndapota.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Fhonelela mapolisa(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Fhonelela ambulanse(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Ndi funa ngaka(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Ndi a shota(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
Ndi na u shota kha phiri(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Ndi wani hoso ya vhuṱungu?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Zwi a vha na mulalo hone(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Ndi fhedza pasipoti yangu(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
U nga fhonelela hotele yangu?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Ramba!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Ndi khou livhuwa u vhulunga(mey wey deli ende wey)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
A ri vhe na thendo(nda werk wen wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ndi ngani ini u shuma na yone?(nda wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Ndi do ruma ripoti ndayani(eñe wey werk wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
A ri nga bvela phanda nga ndayo?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ndi khou humbela u wana faele yo thomulwaho(nda wey wey wey)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ndi a livhuwa nga ha u ralo(mey wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ndi khou takalela u shuma na inwi(eñe wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
A ni nga sumbedza nḓila iṅwe?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ndi do bva u ya u inwi(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nḓila i khou fhela nga ṋaṅwe(nda wey wey wey)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.