Emva kwemini entle
Emva kwemini entle is the Xhosa way to say good afternoon.
This phrase is used as a greeting during the afternoon hours.
Meaning: greeting said in the afternoon (phrase)
Did you know?
- Social etiquette in Xhosa-speaking cultures means that using only a time-specific greeting like Emva kwemini entle without further inquiry can actually seem abrupt or even rude.
- The word 'entle' in the phrase means 'beautiful' or 'lovely'. While English speakers say 'good' afternoon, Xhosa speakers are literally wishing you a 'beautiful afternoon'.
- The structure of the phrase relies on the position of the sun to define time. Because emva means 'after' or 'behind', the greeting is essentially a temporal marker pointing to the period following the midday sun.
Example conversation
Lwazi and Siyabonga meet at a shop in the afternoon.
- LwaziEmva kwemini entle, Siyabonga.Good afternoon, Siyabonga.
- SiyabongaEmva kwemini entle, Lwazi.Good afternoon, Lwazi.
- LwaziUnjani namhlanje?How are you today?
- SiyabongaNdiphilile, enkosi.I am well, thank you.
