Discover common Tiv greetings and learn how to introduce yourself in Tiv. This beginner-friendly lesson provides a foundation for everyday communication and cultural interaction.
Greeting someone properly matters in Tiv culture. A greeting is more than a quick hello: it shows respect, and it often goes on to ask after the other person's family and household. Being able to greet people and say who you are is the first step to real conversation in Tiv.
Greetings follow the time of day
Tiv greetings change with the time of day. In the morning people ask whether you have woken well, U nder ve?, and in the evening they use U pande ve?. A reply usually returns the greeting, and the conversation often continues with questions about the other person's children and relatives. The full set of greetings and replies is covered in the everyday greetings lesson.
Introducing yourself
When Tiv people introduce themselves, they often give their family connection as well as their name: whose child they are. The phrases below cover asking someone's name, giving your own, and saying how well you speak Tiv. Practise them in pairs, one person asking and the other answering, then swap. Replace the example names with your own and your family's. To check the meaning of any word, look it up in the dictionary.
Introducing yourself
| Tiv | English |
|---|---|
| Iti you er ana? | What is your name? |
| Iti yam er Terngu | My name is Terngu |
| M ngu wan u Nomishan | I am the son of Nomishan |
| Ka we i yer er Terdoo ye? | Are you the one called Terdoo? |
| Ei, ka mo Iorwuese | No, I am Iorwuese |
| U lamen zwa Tiv kpa? | Do you speak Tiv? |
| U fa zwa Tiv kpa? | Do you know (how to speak) Tiv? |
| M fa zwa Tiv dedo ga; kpa m ngu henen | I don't know Tiv very well; but I'm learning |
| En, m lamen cuku cuku | Yes, I speak a little |
| Inumbe kule, nahan m ngu yemen ken ya | The game is over, so I'm going home |
| Ka an nan lu yemen a we? | With whom are you going home? |
| Ka u er nena ve u yem ken ya? | How do you usually get home? |
| Baba ka a va toom | My grandpa picks me up |
| U ngu a anigbian u kwase e? | Do you have a sister? |
| Ei, kpa m ngu a anigbian u nomso | No, but I have a brother |
| We iee? | What about you? |
| M ngu wanmom | I'm an only child |
These tables are drawn from the archive's own records. If you spot a mistake, please tell us through the contribution form.
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