Greetings

1. Thobela

   Hello

   Usage

   A Sepedi (Northern Sotho) greeting usable all day. Also opens formal letters ("Thobela Morena", Dear Sir)

   Grammar Note

   Said to one person; use "Dumelang" for several people or one elder. "Thobela" is also a personal name and a radio-station name

2. Dumela

   Hello (to one person)

   Usage

   A greeting shared across the Sotho-Tswana languages and understood in Sepedi. "Thobela" is used the same way

   Grammar Note

   As a verb, "dumela" means believe or agree (Re dumela gore ... = we believe that). Plural greeting: Dumelang

3. Dumelang

   Hello (to several people or one elder)

   Usage

   The polite form for greeting several people, or one person who is older or senior

   Grammar Note

   The imperative with the plural/respect ending -ng (dumela + ng). The same pattern gives Šala → Šalang

4. Le kae?

   How are you? (to several people or one elder)

   Usage

   The usual follow-up after a greeting. Answer "Re gona" (we are well, lit. we are here)

   Grammar Note

   Literally "where are you (pl.)?". To a single peer: "O kae?" (a regularly composed sentence).

5. Re gona

   We are fine

   Usage

   The reply to "Le kae?". Literally "we are here"

   Grammar Note

   When answering for yourself alone, say "Ke gona"

6. Ke a leboga

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic way to say thanks, e.g. in restaurants and shops when receiving something

   Grammar Note

   The verb stem is "leboga" (with g). Southern Sesotho writes "Ke a leboha"; Setswana has the same form

7. Šala gabotse

   Goodbye (to the person staying)

   Usage

   Said by the person leaving to the person staying. Literally "stay well"

   Grammar Note

   Use "Šalang gabotse" to several people. Keep the š (Sala is wrong)

8. Sepela gabotse

   Goodbye (to the person leaving)

   Usage

   Said to the person who is leaving. Literally "walk/travel well"

   Grammar Note

   Mirrors "Šala gabotse"; a regularly composed sentence. To several people: "Sepelang gabotse"

9. Ke thabile kudu go go bona

   I am very glad to see you

   Usage

   Expresses delight at meeting someone; fits first meetings and reunions

   Grammar Note

   "kudu" means "very" here, not the antelope. To several people use "go le bona" instead of "go go bona"

10. Robala gabotse

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed; literally "sleep well"

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence. To several people: "Robalang gabotse"

11. Ke a leboga, re tla bonana

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A friendly way to part, not too casual

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence. "Re tla bonana" means we shall meet

12. Ke tla boa gape

    I will come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or lodging; "I will come back"

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence.

13. Ke boile

    I am back

    Usage

    A short phrase on coming back to the lodging or home

    Grammar Note

    "ke" is I and "boile" is the perfect of "boa" (return); said on coming back from being away

14. Tshwarelo, ke swanetše go sepela

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Used to leave a conversation or gathering politely

    Grammar Note

    "tshwarelo" is excuse me or sorry. "swanetše" means must

15. Ga go na bothata

    You are welcome (no problem)

    Usage

    A reply to thanks or an apology. Literally "there is no problem"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "there is no problem"; a reply to thanks or an apology

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