Adjectives

1. E kgolo

   Big

   Usage

   Describes the size of a thing; "ke ye kgolo" (it is big) also occurs

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). The opposite is "E nnyane"

2. E nnyane

   Small

   Usage

   Describes the size of a thing

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). For a person (class 1): "yo monnyane"

3. E boima

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describes the weight of luggage

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). Example: "E boima bjalo ka tlou" (as heavy as an elephant)

4. E tura

   Expensive

   Usage

   Says the price is high; also opens a negotiation

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). Example: "Naga e tura" (land is expensive)

5. E fiša

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   Describes the temperature of a drink or food

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). For weather use "Go fiša"

6. E tonya

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   Describes the temperature of a drink or food

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). For weather use "Go tonya"

7. E mpsha

   New

   Usage

   Says that a thing is new

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo")

8. Ya kgale

   Old (thing)

   Usage

   Says that a thing is old

   Grammar Note

   Example: "oli ya kgale" (old oil) and "toulo ya kgale" (old towel); it follows the noun

9. Yo monnyane

   Young

   Usage

   Says a person is young or younger

   Grammar Note

   Example: "Ke nna yo monnyane ka gae" (I am the youngest at home). Class 1 (person) form

10. Mokgalabje

    Old person (old man)

    Usage

    Refers to an elderly person; use respectfully

    Grammar Note

    Example: "ke mokgalabje lehono" (I am an old man now). It refers to a man; the word for an old woman is not verified

11. E hlwekile

    Clean

    Usage

    Describes a clean room or toilet

    Grammar Note

    Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). For a person: "o hlwekile"

12. E ditšhila

    Dirty

    Usage

    Used for a dirty room or toilet

    Grammar Note

    Example: "meetse a ditšhila" (dirty water) and "PPE e le ditšhila". composed from dictionary-verified words

13. E botse

    Good

    Usage

    Praises the quality of something; "ke ye botse" also occurs

    Grammar Note

    Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). Example: "Taolo e botse" (good control)

14. E mpe

    Bad

    Usage

    Says something is of poor quality

    Grammar Note

    Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo"). Do not use "e šoro" for "bad"; it means severe

15. Kgauswi

    Near

    Usage

    Says something is close

    Grammar Note

    Can be a predicate as "Go kgauswi". Example: "Mogala wa kgauswi" (the nearest phone)

16. E kgole

    Far

    Usage

    Says something is far away

    Grammar Note

    Example: "e kgole le ..." (far from ...). Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the class 9 form (as in "ntlo e kgolo")

17. Ka pela

    Early / quickly

    Usage

    For an early time, or to ask someone to hurry

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Etla ka pela" (Come quickly) and "temošo ya ka pela" (early warning)

18. Morago ga nako

    Late

    Usage

    When you are past the expected time

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Gantši mošomo o dirwa morago ga nako" (The work is often done late)

19. E ntši

    Many / a lot

    Usage

    Says there is a lot of something

    Grammar Note

    Example: "tšhelete e ntši" (a lot of money). People: "ba bantši"; things (plural): "tše dintši"

20. Go fiša

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Describes the weather or temperature

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Ee, go a fiša" (Yes, it is very hot) and "O kwa go fiša?" (Are you hot?)

21. Go tonya

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Describes the weather or temperature

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Go tonya kudu" (It is very cold) and "O kwa go tonya?" (Are you cold?)

22. Se monate

    Delicious

    Usage

    Praises food

    Grammar Note

    "se monate" and "di monate" (plural) occur once each. For several dishes say "Di monate". Few attestations, so native review is advised

23. Go makatša

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or wonder

    Grammar Note

    Example: "A sereto sa go makatša!" (What a strange poem!). It means astonishing; use as praise is not attested

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