1. Conversational Tiv Sometimes a single word in Tiv may mean a long statement, phrase or sentence. In most cases, these are commands. For example:

2. + Examples of Commands and Statements or Phrases hide = come back due = get out Expalmations Doo ga!It's bad! or Too good Doo je kera doo gaTerrific Uwu!In a surprised tone Kpash!When disgusted Aye!In a sorrowful manner (Sometimes in a pleasantly surprised manner) Adanger agburUnbelievably full (of water) Ayaka (ka mku)!Surprised (at a loss) (symphathetic, consoling gesture)

3. Greetings U nder ve?Good morning (Are you awake?) En, We kpa u nder ve? Yes, You also good morning U nder nena?How are you? (How did you wake up?) M nder dedoI am fine (I woke up well) Wan wou ngu nena?How is your child? Wan wam ngu dedoMy child is fine Mbayev ou mba nena?How are your children? Mbayev av mba dedoMy children are well Ngou ngu nena?How is your mother? Ngôm ngu dedoMy mother is well

4. More Greetings U pande ve?Good evening (Did you take away—as in part of the day?) U pande nena?How are you (in the evening)? M pande dedo, I am well, what about you? we kpaa ga? Sesugh, Yadoo, man Terngu mba nena?How are Sesugh, Yadoo, and Terngu? Ve cii mba dedo.They are all well.

5. Some More Greetings M sugh kpishi (M sugh gbing)Thank you very much M sugh tomWell done (Greetings when someone is working) Kuma memenIt is time to rest M soo u memen gaI don't want to rest Va ya kwaghyanCome (and) eat food

6. Asking Questions When you arrive in Tivland, Nigeria, people will ask you questions and you too would like to ask them questions. Study and practice how questions are asked and how to answer them. 1.HANA = WHERE 2.ANA, AN = WHO 3.NYI = WHAT 4.SHA ACI U NYI = WHY 5.NENA = HOW Examine the following examples.

7. Practice asking questions The word ka is important in asking questions or making statements. It is used like is in English Ihungwa ngi hana?Where is the lavatory? (Lit. The pit is where?) Ka ana?Who is it? Ka mo, TernaIt's me, Terna Ishe na ka nena?How much is it? Ka han ma shie ne va nyere?When did you arrive? Se va nyer tugh.We arrived at night Ka nyi i ere?What happened? Ka nyi i lu erene?What is happening? Kwaghyan bee ve?Is the food ready? Kwaghyan doo kpishiThe food is very good (delicious) Ka nyi kwagh(a)?What is it? Ka kwagh gaIt's nothing

8. More Sentence Build-up U ngu zan hana?Where are you going? M ngu zan kasuaI am going to the market U hide ve?Welcome (Lit.: Are you back?) U za yam nyi?What did you buy? M yam wua, temato, man mkuremI bought Guinea corn, tomatoes, and oil Ka han Mr. Ami a lu?Where is Mr. Ami? Mr. Ami yar tomMr. Ami has gone to work U yam ishu sha nyi?For how much did you buy the fish?

9. Ishe i ishu (la) ka nena?What is the cost of the fish? M yam ishu sha naira pue.I bought the fish for ten naira Inyan bua taver ishe gandeBeef is too expensive Takzi ngu kpa?Is there taxi cab? Takzi taver ishe u toonThe cab is expensive take M soo u nyandenI want to urinate (pee) U ya kwaghyana? Would you like to eat (food)? Ka nyi u soo?What would you want? Ka nyi u soo?What do you want? M soo ruam kumenI want pounded yam food M soo ayabaI want bananas M soo u yan inyam toho.I want to eat bush meat