Tiv is a language spoken primarily in Nigeria, with rich traditions, stories, and everyday expressions. In this article, we explore common Tiv phrases you can use in daily conversations to connect with the language and its speakers.
Greetings in Tiv
| English |
Tiv |
| Good evening. |
Mté mnger. |
| Good morning. |
Nder wer. |
| Good afternoon. |
Membe mnger. |
| How are you? |
U ngu nena? |
| How are you today? |
U ngu nena nyian? |
| I am fine. |
M ngu kpaa. |
| Have a good day. |
Zenda iyol I dedoo. |
| I am doing great. |
M ngu kpaa gungun. |
| Hi / Hello. |
M tsua we. |
| Nice to meet you. |
I doo mo u zuan a we. |
| See you soon. |
Se zua hegen. |
| See you later. |
Se zua ken hemen. |
Tiv Love Words
| English |
Tiv |
| I love you. |
U doo mo ishima. |
| I miss you. |
M ngu sôon u nengen a we. |
| Love you so much I want to see you. |
U doo mo ishima kpishi, m soo u nengen a we. |
| I love you with all my heart. |
U doo mo ishima a ishima yam cii. |
| I love you too. |
We kpa u doo mo ishima. |
| I want to see you. |
M soo u nengen a we. |
| I like you. |
U doo mo. |
| You are beautiful. |
U doo kwagh. |
| My love. |
Dooshima wam. |
| You look beautiful. |
U doo nengen. |
| My beautiful wife. |
Kwase wam u doon kwagh. |
| I miss you so much, darling. |
M ngu sôon u nengen a we kpishi, dooshima wam. |
| I need you. |
M soo we. |
| You will miss me. |
Me gba u ishima. |
| Goodbye, my love. |
Mnder gber, dooshima wam. |
| See you tomorrow. |
Se zua kper. |
| I will marry you. |
Me sôr we. |
| I want some space. |
De mo tswen hanyi. |
| I need your love. |
M soo dooshima wou. |
| You are mine. |
U ngu u wam. |
Directions in Tiv
| English |
Tiv |
| Where are you? |
U ngu han? |
| Where did you go? |
U yém han? |
| Where do you live? |
U tsan han? |
| Where are you going? |
U ngu yemen han? |
| Where were you? |
U yange u ngu han? |
Common Questions in Tiv
| English |
Tiv |
| How much? |
Ka inyaregh nena? |
| How are you feeling? |
U ngu nena ken iyol wou? |
| How have you been? |
U lu nena? |
| What is your name? |
Iti you ér ana? |
| What are you doing? |
U ngu eren nyi? |
| What are you cooking/eating? |
U ngu yôon/yan nyi? |
| Are you okay, dear? |
U ngu sùláíyì, dooshima wam? |
| When are you coming? |
U ngu van hanma shighe? |
| How was your night/day? |
Mnder wou/Iyange you lu nena? |
| How are you doing? |
U ngu nena? |
| How is your family? |
Tsombor wou ngu nena? |
| How was your day? |
Iyange you lu nena? |
| What is wrong? |
Nyi i ze we iyolo? |
| What do you mean? |
U ngu kaan ér nyi? |
| How's the weather over there? |
Ilu i kperan heen nena? |
| Have you gone to church? |
U yém adǔwà kpa? |
| What is this? |
Ngun ka nyi? |
| What's going on? |
Nyi i lu erene? |
| Are you listening? |
U ngu ungwan kpa? |
| Have you heard? |
U ungwa kpa? |
| Can I go home? |
Me fatyô u yemen ken ya kpa? |
| Can I ask something? |
Me fatyô u pinen kwagh kpa? |
| How is everything? |
Aka cii nga nena? |
| What’s your phone number? |
Namba i foun you ér ana? |
Everyday Conversations in Tiv
| English |
Tiv |
| Happy birthday. |
Mdoom ma mar u iyor. |
| Thank you. |
M wuese. |
| I am sorry. |
M zamber. |
| You are welcome. |
M wuese we kpaa. |
| Me too! |
Mo kpaa! |
| God bless you. |
Aondo a ver we. |
| May god protect you. |
Aondo a kura we. |
| She is happy. |
Saa un iyol. |
| Please help me. |
M zamber we, wase mo. |
| I don't know. |
M fa ga. |
| I will come tomorrow. |
Me va kper. |
| Come here! |
Va heen! |
| Feel at home. |
Tôr i ya. |
| Be blessed. |
Zua a averen. |
| I am coming soon. |
M ngu van hegen. |
| Excuse me. |
De mo. |
| Leave me alone. |
De mo tswen. |
| It is okay. |
Ngun doo. |
| I am going home. |
M ngu yemen ken ya. |
| I don't want. |
M soo ga. |
| Love is a beautiful thing. |
Dooshima ngu kwagh u doon. |
| Let me try. |
De me kar yé. |
| Welcome home. |
M va u ken ya. |
| I reached home safely. |
M nyôr ken ya doo doo. |
| God is good. |
Aondo doo. |
| I don't understand. |
M kav ga. |
| We are happy to see you. |
I doo se iyol u nengen a we. |
| I have it. |
Ngu a mo. |
| Rest in peace. |
Mem ken bem. |
| I don't have money. |
M ngu a inyaregh ga. |
| I am done. |
M bee. |
| I am going to the shop. |
M ngu yemen ken tsoho. |
| Happy new year. |
Inyom i he i dedoo. |
| Bad manners. |
Inja i bo. |
| Stop using your phone. |
De u lamen sha foun. |
| I need a favour, please. |
M zamber we, wase mo a kwagh. |
| Haven’t seen you for ages. |
I gba ica i nenge a we ga. |
| Great to see you again. |
I doo u nengen a we shi. |
| I really appreciate it. |
M wuese kpishi. |
| You made my day. |
U na i doo mo iyol nyian. |
| No problem. |
Zayol ngu ga. |
| We are hiring. |
Se ngu keren mbatom. |
Don't stop here. Learning a language requires constant practice, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The best trick is to master at least five Tiv words daily from the Tiv dictionary.
Join the Lughayangu Community!
Learnt a thing or two? Subscribe and get similar stories directly in
your inbox every week. We share curated and original content on African culture, languages and history. It's time to tell our stories.
Join fellow 5,110 African history enthusiasts! Discover fascinating stories and insights about our rich heritage. You'll also receive an exlusive e-book featuring 30
captivating African riddles that will entertain and challenge you.
