Directions

1. Mpontšhe tsela, hle

   Please show me the way

   Usage

   Used to ask a passer-by for directions

   Grammar Note

   "tsela" is a class 9 noun (road, way) (composed from dictionary-verified words)

2. Sepela pele

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   Used when giving directions

   Grammar Note

   "pele" means front or ahead. No word for exactly straight was verified, so this says go forward. For several people: "Sepelang pele" (composed from dictionary-verified words)

3. Retologela go la nngele

   Turn left

   Usage

   Used when giving directions

   Grammar Note

   Example: "retologela go la nngele" in a physical-education instruction

4. Retologela go la mmagoja

   Turn right

   Usage

   Used when giving directions

   Grammar Note

   Right is "mmagoja". Also found: a variant spelling "go la go ja" (composed from dictionary-verified words)

5. A go kgole?

   Is it far?

   Usage

   Used to ask how far a place is

   Grammar Note

   "kgole" means far; the opposite is "kgauswi" (near) (composed from dictionary-verified words)

6. Naa o na le mmepe wa tsela?

   Do you have a road map?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a map

   Grammar Note

   "mmepe" means map; "mmepe wa tsela" is the usual rendering of Roadmap (composed from dictionary-verified words)

7. O dula kae?

   Where do you live?

   Usage

   Used to ask where someone lives

   Grammar Note

   A textbook has "Na o dula kae?". The leading "na" can be left out

8. Go la mmagoja

   On the right

   Usage

   Used to describe where something is

   Grammar Note

   Example: "Ke phapoši ya bobedi go la mmagoja" (it is the second room on the right)

9. Go la nngele

   On the left

   Usage

   Used to describe where something is

   Grammar Note

   "go la nngele" is well attested

10. Boela morago

    Go back

    Usage

    Used to tell someone to go back the way they came

    Grammar Note

    "boela morago" is well attested. For several people: "Boelang morago"

11. Leboa

    North

    Usage

    Used for compass directions

    Grammar Note

    A compass word. South is "borwa", east "bohlabela", west "bodikela"

12. Borwa

    South

    Usage

    Used for compass directions

    Grammar Note

    The same word as in "Afrika Borwa" (South Africa)

13. Bohlabela

    East

    Usage

    Used for compass directions

    Grammar Note

    The word for the direction of the rising sun

14. Bodikela

    West

    Usage

    Used for compass directions

    Grammar Note

    Also used in province names such as the North West

15. Godimo

    Up

    Usage

    Used for up or above

    Grammar Note

    The opposite is "tlase" (down)

16. Tlase

    Down

    Usage

    Used for down or below

    Grammar Note

    The opposite is "godimo" (up)

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