Local Drinks

1. Bjalwa bja mohlaba

   Sorghum beer

   Usage

   The traditional sorghum drink, shared around at gatherings

   Grammar Note

   Bjalwa is spelled like the passive of "to plant", so context decides.

2. Sekala sa bjalwa bja mohlaba

   A can of sorghum beer

   Usage

   Names a container of sorghum beer as sold

   Grammar Note

   "sekala" is used here for a can, "sa" links it to what it holds. "bjalwa bja mohlaba" is the traditional sorghum beer

3. Teye ya Afrika Borwa

   South African tea

   Usage

   Refers to tea of South African origin, such as rooibos

   Grammar Note

   Listed in a glossary as the rendering of South African tea

4. Teye ya maswi

   Tea with milk

   Usage

   How to ask for tea made with milk

   Grammar Note

   A regularly composed sentence

5. Kofi ya maswi

   Coffee with milk

   Usage

   How to ask for coffee made with milk

   Grammar Note

   A regularly composed sentence

6. Beine

   Wine

   Usage

   Loanword for wine; South Africa is also a wine-producing country

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from Afrikaans and English

7. Ga ke nwe bjalwa

   I do not drink beer

   Usage

   A plain way to turn down a drink

   Grammar Note

   Negative: ga plus subject marker plus the verb with final -a changed to -e, as in Ga ke nwe maswi (I do not drink milk)

8. Meetse a go tonya

   Cold water

   Usage

   For when you want cold water

   Grammar Note

   A regularly composed sentence

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