Emergency

1. Nthuseni!

   Help me!

   Usage

   A shout for help from people nearby

   Grammar Note

   "thusa" (help) with "me" and the plural command ending "-ni". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

2. Mbava!

   Thief!

   Usage

   A shout to alert others to a thief

   Grammar Note

   It names a person, so use it only in a real theft

3. Mulilo!

   Fire!

   Usage

   A shout when you notice a fire

   Grammar Note

   "mulilo" means fire or flame

4. Ṱavhanyani!

   Hurry!

   Usage

   A command to hurry, used to several people or politely

   Grammar Note

   "ṱavhanya" (hurry) with the plural command ending "-ni"

5. Vhidzani mapholisa!

   Call the police!

   Usage

   Asks bystanders to call the police

   Grammar Note

   "vhidza" (call) with the plural command ending "-ni". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

6. Ndi khou ṱoḓa dokotela

   I need a doctor

   Usage

   Asks for a doctor when you are unwell

   Grammar Note

   "ṱoḓa" means to look for or to need. This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

7. Ndi khou lwala

   I am sick

   Usage

   Says that you are ill

   Grammar Note

   "khou" marks the present state

8. Thumbu yanga i a vhavha

   My stomach hurts

   Usage

   Says that your stomach hurts

   Grammar Note

   "vhavha" means to hurt or be bitter; "yanga" and "i" agree with "thumbu". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

9. Ndi na vhuṱungu

   I am in pain

   Usage

   Says that you are in pain

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I have pain"; add the place afterwards. This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

10. Ndo xela

    I am lost

    Usage

    Used when you have lost your way

    Grammar Note

    "xela" means to be lost; "x" is a normal letter in Tshivenḓa, not a click. This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

11. Tshelede yanga yo tswiwa

    My money was stolen

    Usage

    Reports a theft

    Grammar Note

    "tswiwa" is the passive of "tswa" (steal); "yanga" and "yo" agree with "tshelede". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

12. Ndi khou ṱoḓa u ya sibadela

    I need to go to the hospital

    Usage

    Says that you need to go to a hospital

    Grammar Note

    "sibadela" is a loanword and takes no preposition here. This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

13. Ofisi ya mapholisa i ngafhi?

    Where is the police station?

    Usage

    Asks where the police station is

    Grammar Note

    Literally "where is the police office?". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

14. Kha vha ḓe nga u ṱavhanya

    Please come quickly

    Usage

    Politely asks someone to come quickly

    Grammar Note

    "nga u ṱavhanya" means "quickly". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

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