Emergency

1. Nthuše! Ke nyaka thušo!

   Help! I need help!

   Usage

   Shouted to call for help in an emergency

   Grammar Note

   The imperative of "thuša" (help) with "me". To several people: "Nthušeng"

2. Bitša maphodisa!

   Call the police!

   Usage

   Said to bystanders after a theft or crime

   Grammar Note

   "bitša maphodisa" is attested. To several people: "Bitšang"

3. Ke nyaka ngaka ka pela

   I need a doctor urgently

   Usage

   Used when you need a doctor quickly

   Grammar Note

   "ka pela" means quickly and "ngaka" is doctor

4. Ke lahlegile. Ga ke tsebe gore ke kae

   I am lost. I don't know where I am.

   Usage

   Said to passers-by or police when lost

   Grammar Note

   Perfect of "lahlega" (be lost). "ga ke tsebe" (I do not know) is common (composed from dictionary-verified words)

5. Koloi e nthulile

   I was hit by a car

   Usage

   Used to say you were hit by a car

   Grammar Note

   "thula" means bump into; literally "a car bumped into me"

6. Tšhelete ya ka e utswitšwe

   My money has been stolen

   Usage

   Used to report a theft to police or the hotel

   Grammar Note

   "utswitšwe" means stolen (koloi e utswitšwe = the car was stolen)

7. Mollo! Tšwang ka ntle!

   Fire! Get out!

   Usage

   Shouted to get people out of a fire

   Grammar Note

   "tšwang" is the plural imperative of "tšwa" (go out)

8. Ke na le bohloko bjo bogolo mpeng

   I have a very bad stomach ache

   Usage

   Used to tell a doctor or pharmacist about stomach pain

   Grammar Note

   "mpeng" is the locative of "mpa" (belly); "bohloko" is pain

9. Ke nyaka kliniki le ditirelo tša tšhoganetšo

   I need a clinic and emergency services

   Usage

   Used to ask for medical help

   Grammar Note

   "tšhoganetšo" means urgency; "ditirelo" is the plural of "tirelo" (service)

10. Tlogela seo!

    Stop it!

    Usage

    Used to make someone stop bothering you

    Grammar Note

    "tlogela" means leave or stop. To several people: "Tlogelang seo"

11. O se ke wa nkgwatha!

    Do not touch me!

    Usage

    A firm refusal when someone tries to touch you

    Grammar Note

    Prohibition is "o se ke wa" + verb (very common). "kgwatha" is touch

12. Ntlogele!

    Leave me alone!

    Usage

    Used to make a pest leave you

    Grammar Note

    The subjunctive of "tlogela" with "me"

13. Lehodu!

    Thief

    Usage

    Shouted when you spot a thief

    Grammar Note

    "lehodu" is a thief, and can also mean a robber

14. Mollo!

    Fire!

    Usage

    A shout to warn of a fire

    Grammar Note

    "mollo" means fire or flame

15. Polao!

    Murder

    Usage

    A word for reporting a murder

    Grammar Note

    "polao" is murder (a dictionary word); the verb is "bolaya"

16. Lehodu! Mo swareng!

    Thief! Catch him!

    Usage

    Shouted to bystanders to stop a thief

    Grammar Note

    "swara" means catch. "swareng" is the plural imperative, with "mo" (him)

17. Seteišene sa maphodisa se kae?

    Where is the police station?

    Usage

    Used to find a police station after an incident

    Grammar Note

    "seteišene" is class 7, so "se kae"

18. A go na le motho yo a bolelago Sejapane?

    Is there anyone who speaks Japanese?

    Usage

    Used to look for someone who can interpret

    Grammar Note

    "Sejapane" is Japanese; "yo a bolelago" is the relative clause "who speaks"

19. Ke bethilwe

    I was beaten

    Usage

    Used to say you were assaulted

    Grammar Note

    The passive perfect of "betha" (hit)

20. Go bile le kotsi ya tsela

    There has been a traffic accident

    Usage

    Used to report a road accident

    Grammar Note

    "kotsi" is accident or danger and "tsela" is road

21. Hlokomela!

    Watch out!

    Usage

    Used to warn of danger

    Grammar Note

    To several people: "Hlokomelang"

22. Akgofa, hle

    Please hurry

    Usage

    Used to ask for speed from rescuers or a driver

    Grammar Note

    "akgofa" means hurry or speed up; "hle" softens it

23. Tla gona bjale, hle

    Please come right away

    Usage

    Used when calling for help to come

    Grammar Note

    "gona bjale" means right now

24. Ke tšhoganetšo

    It's an emergency

    Usage

    Used to signal that it is an emergency

    Grammar Note

    "tšhoganetšo" means urgency or emergency

25. Ke kgopela gore o nkiše sepetlele

    Please take me to a hospital

    Usage

    Used to ask to be taken to a hospital

    Grammar Note

    "sepetlele" is hospital; "nkiše" is "iša" (take) with "me"

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