Na mina ndza ku rhandza
The English phrase "I love you too" is translated into Tsonga as Na mina ndza ku rhandza.
This phrase is used as a response to tell someone that you feel the same love for them as they do for you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "And me I love you".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle na (and/with) is used alongside the word mina (me/I) to emphasize that the feeling is mutual.
Did you know?
- The word rhandza shares a common ancestor with the Zulu word thanda, making the core of this romantic expression a cousin to many other southern African languages.
- The verb rhandza can also be used in non-romantic contexts, such as expressing a strong liking for a particular food or a hobby.
- If you were to say this to a group of people, the phrase would need to change to reflect a plural 'you', as Tsonga grammar distinguishes between one person and many.
Examples in context
- Ndzi ku rhandza, na mina ndza ku rhandza.I love you, I love you too.
Example conversation
A couple is sharing a sweet moment before parting ways.
- NtsikiNdzi ku rhandza swinene, Xivani.I love you very much, Xivani.
- XivaniNdza ku rhandza, Ntsiki.I love you, Ntsiki.
- NtsikiNa mina ndza ku rhandza.I love you too.
- XivaniHi ta vonana sungula.We will see each other soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rhandza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
