kha vha sale
In Venda, kha vha sale is used to say bye.
This phrase is used specifically when the speaker is the one staying and wishes well to the person who is departing.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "may you go well."
How does it change in a sentence?
The form kha vha sale uses the respectful/plural pronoun vha, making it suitable for addressing elders or groups of people.
Did you know?
- In Venda, the person departing responds to a goodbye by saying ndo sale, which translates to 'I have stayed'. This creates a linguistic mirror where the person who is actually moving away claims the position of the one staying.
- The use of kha vha sale is a practical application of hlonipho, a deep-rooted cultural system of respect that governs how language is adapted based on social hierarchy.
- The root word sale in kha vha sale is related to the concept of 'remaining' or 'staying', creating a linguistic mirror where the departure is defined by who stays behind.
Examples in context
- Kha vha sale.Goodbye.
- Kha vha sale, vha nga vhuya.Goodbye, you will come back.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are leaving the office.
- TshilidziNdivhuwo, kha vha sale.Ndivhuwo, bye.
- NdivhuwoKha vha sale, Tshilidzi.Bye, Tshilidzi.
- TshilidziU vha vhona masiari.I will see you tomorrow.
- NdivhuwoEe, u vha vhona.Yes, see you.
