Ni edele zwavhudi
The English phrase "good night" is expressed in Venda as Ni edele zwavhudi.
Ni edele zwavhudi is used as a parting salutation when leaving a group of people at night or when they are going to bed.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "You (plural) slept well".
Did you know?
- In Venda, the greeting Ni edele zwavhudi is phrased as a wish for a completed action, meaning 'You slept well', rather than a wish for a future state like 'sleep well'.
- In Venda culture, greetings and farewells like Ni edele zwavhudi often change based on the social hierarchy, as the level of respect shown to elders is embedded in the grammar of the address.
- Because Ni edele zwavhudi is specifically plural, saying it to a single person requires changing Ni to U to avoid sounding like you are addressing an invisible crowd.
Examples in context
- Ni edele zwavhudi, vhana.Sleep well, children.
- Ni edele zwavhudi, vhatshila.Sleep well, friends.
Example conversation
Mphandavhula and Ndivhuwo are saying goodbye at the end of a visit.
- MphandavhulaNdivhuwo, nne ndi a tshimbila.Ndivhuwo, I am leaving now.
- NdivhuwoNdo pfa, Mphandavhula.I understand, Mphandavhula.
- MphandavhulaNi edele zwavhudi.Sleep well.
- NdivhuwoVho hone, ni edele zwavhudi.Okay, sleep well too.
