U va ni siku lerinene
The English phrase "have a good day" is expressed in Tsonga as U va ni siku lerinene.
This phrase is a polite greeting used to wish someone a pleasant day as you are leaving them.
What does it mean word for word?
The literal translation of U va ni siku lerinene is "You have a day good".
Did you know?
- Tsonga is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used when saying siku can change the meaning of the word entirely, even if the spelling remains the same.
- Tsonga speakers often use a variety of greeting phrases depending on the social hierarchy, and using U va ni siku lerinene with an elder may require additional honorific markers.
- Tsonga is a language with many dialects, so a speaker in Limpopo might pronounce the vowels in lerinene with a slightly different pitch than a speaker in Mozambique.
Example conversation
Hlongwane is leaving Mbalane's house after a visit.
- HlongwaneNdzi famba swi nga ha rirhandza, Mbalane.I am leaving now, Mbalane.
- MbalaneU va ni siku lerinene, Hlongwane.Have a good day, Hlongwane.
- HlongwaneKhensa, na wena u va ni siku lerinene.Thanks, you have a good day too.
- MbalaneHaa, tiyela!Yes, take care!
