Basic Words

1. Ee

   Yes

   Usage

   Simple affirmative. Nodding as you say it makes it clear

   Grammar Note

   Same form as in Sesotho and Setswana. The negative is "Aowa"

2. Aowa

   No

   Usage

   Simple negative. Also used to turn down offers and street vendors

   Grammar Note

   Not "Tjhe" (Sesotho) or "Nnyaa" (Setswana). Also seen in "Aowa, ga go na bothata" (No, it does not matter)

3. Ka kgopelo

   Please

   Usage

   A polite way to ask for something. In casual requests the softener "hle" is added

   Grammar Note

   In text "ka kgopelo" often means "upon request". Not "Ka kopo" (Sesotho) or "Tsweetswee" (Setswana)

4. Ke a leboga

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic way to say thanks

   Grammar Note

   An object can follow, as in "Ke leboga tšohle" (thanks for everything). Not Sesotho "Ke a leboha"

5. Tshwarelo

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologise lightly

   Grammar Note

   Example: "Tshwarelo, o ka nthuša?" (Excuse me, can you help me?)

6. Ke maswabi

   I am sorry

   Usage

   Used to apologise or to say you regret something

   Grammar Note

   Example: "Ke maswabi, empa ga ke na tšhelete" (I'm sorry, but I don't have any money)

7. Go lokile

   It is OK / Fine

   Usage

   Used to agree or to say that all is fine

   Grammar Note

   In text it is used as a reply, e.g. "Go lokile," they said. It is the perfect of the verb loka (be right)

8. Ga ke kwešiše

   I don't understand

   Usage

   The basic phrase when you do not follow what is said

   Grammar Note

   Negative present: ga + subject + stem with final -a changed to -e (kwešiša → kwešiše)

9. Ke a kwešiša

   I understand

   Usage

   Tells the other person that you understood

   Grammar Note

   The affirmative counterpart of "Ga ke kwešiše"

10. Ke feditše

    I am finished

    Usage

    Used when you have finished a meal or a task

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words; "feditše" (finished) is a very common perfect form in text

11. Ema, hle

    Please wait

    Usage

    Asking someone to hold on or wait where they are

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words. To several people: "Emang, hle". "Ema" means stop/wait in text

12. Ema gannyane

    Just a moment

    Usage

    Asking for a short wait

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Fela, ema gannyane!" (But wait a minute!)

13. Motho yo mogolo o tee, ka kgopelo

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Used when buying an entry or travel ticket

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words. For two: "Batho ba bagolo ba babedi"

14. Ke kgopela gore o nthuše, hle

    Please help me

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for help

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Ke kgopela gore o nthuše hle" (Can you help me, please?). In an emergency: "Nthuše!"

15. Boeletša, hle

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Asks someone to repeat what they said

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Boeletša hle." (Please repeat!)

16. Bolela ka go iketla, hle

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Ask this when someone speaks too fast

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words. "ka go iketla" (slowly) also occurs in text, e.g. "much too slow"

17. Ke bolela Sepedi gannyane

    I speak a little Sepedi

    Usage

    Say it to show you speak a little; it is appreciated

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Ke bolela Sepedi gannyane" (I speak a little Pedi). Language names are capitalised

18. Naa o bolela Seisimane?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether the person speaks English

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words. "Seisimane" is the more frequent spelling of English

19. Se

    This one

    Usage

    Say it while pointing at something near you

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Ke nyaka go reka se" (I want to buy this). The form changes with the noun class of the thing

20. Seo

    That one (near you)

    Usage

    Say it about something near the listener

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Mpotše seo ..." (Tell me what you can see)

21. Sela

    That one over there

    Usage

    Say it about something far from both of you

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Se goba sela" (this or that)

22. Mo

    Here

    Usage

    Shows a place; "mo" is also a locative preposition

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary gives here = mo

23. Fao

    There (near you)

    Usage

    Shows a place near the listener

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary gives there = fao

24. Kua

    Over there

    Usage

    Shows a distant place

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Ke nyaka go ya kua godimo ga thaba" (I want to go up there on the mountain)

25. Nna

    Me / I

    Usage

    The independent pronoun for yourself

    Grammar Note

    Used for emphasis, as in "Le nna ke gona" (I am fine too). The subject concord is "ke"

26. Wena

    You

    Usage

    The independent pronoun for the person you address

    Grammar Note

    Used as in "Wena, o tšwa kae?" (And you, where do you come from?). Plural: lena

27. Mmogo

    Together

    Usage

    Used when you want to do something together

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary gives together = mmogo

28. Ke nyaka tše dingwe gape

    I want some more

    Usage

    Used to ask for a second helping or more of something

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words. "nyaka" means want; not Sesotho/Setswana "batla"

29. Gannyane

    Just a little

    Usage

    Ask for a small amount

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Ka go iketla gannyane" (a little slow)

30. Seripa

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half an amount

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Seripa sa iri" (half an hour). "seripagare" is the exact half

31. Tšohle

    All / everything

    Usage

    Means all or everything

    Grammar Note

    Example: "Ke leboga tšohle" (thanks for everything). Keep the š

32. Go lekane

    That is enough

    Usage

    Used to stop someone serving or pouring more

    Grammar Note

    Example: "ga go lekane" (... is not enough)

33. Motho o tee

    One person

    Usage

    Gives a head count

    Grammar Note

    Numbers agree with the noun class; for a person (class 1): o tee

34. Batho ba babedi

    Two people

    Usage

    Gives a head count

    Grammar Note

    "babedi" is "two" for class 2 (people). For things use "pedi"

35. Batho ba bararo

    Three people

    Usage

    Gives a head count

    Grammar Note

    "bararo" is "three" for class 2 (people). For things use "tharo"

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