luvhone
The Venda word for handsome is luvhone.
The word luvhone is an adjective used specifically to describe an attractive man.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
Did you know?
- Venda is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch used when saying luvhone can change the emotional weight or emphasis of the compliment.
- A person might use a completely different word to describe a 'handsome' woman, such as 'vhaḓi', to avoid the masculine connotation of luvhone.
- Using the term luvhone to describe an object or a landscape would be considered a linguistic mismatch, as it is strictly reserved for human male qualities.
Example conversation
Mutsila is talking to Tshilidzi about a new colleague.
- MutsilaTshilidzi, vha vhone munna mushu?Tshilidzi, have you seen the new man?
- TshilidziEe, ndi vhone vho. Ndi mani?Yes, I have seen him. Who is it?
- MutsilaU luvhone vhukati, vha vhone?He is very handsome, did you see?
- TshilidziEe, u luvhone vhukati zwa maanda.Yes, he is extremely handsome.
