Transportation

1. Ke kgopela gore o nkiše Johannesburg

   Please take me to Johannesburg

   Usage

   Used to ask a taxi driver to take you to a destination

   Grammar Note

   "Ke kgopela gore o" + subjunctive is the request pattern. "nkiše" is the subjunctive of iša (take) with "me" included (composed from dictionary-verified words)

2. Go ya kua ke bokae?

   How much does it cost to get there?

   Usage

   Used to check the fare for a taxi or shared ride

   Grammar Note

   The price question "Ke bokae?" with "Go ya kua" (going there) placed in front (composed from dictionary-verified words)

3. Ke emetše pese ya go ya Durban

   I am waiting for the bus to Durban

   Usage

   Used at a stop to say you are waiting for a bus to a place

   Grammar Note

   The perfect "emetše" of emela (wait for) gives the state "am waiting". "pese ya go ya" + place means the bus to that place (composed from dictionary-verified words)

4. Ke kgopela go theoga mo

   Please, let me off here

   Usage

   Used on a bus or taxi to say where you want to get off

   Grammar Note

   "theoga" means to go down or get off. "Ke kgopela go" + verb means "please let me ..." (composed from dictionary-verified words)

5. Tsela ya go ya boemafofane e kae?

   Where is the road to the airport?

   Usage

   Used to ask the way to the airport

   Grammar Note

   "tsela" is a class 9 noun, so "e kae?" asks its place (same pattern as "Pese e kae?") (composed from dictionary-verified words)

6. Ema mo, hle

   Please stop here for me

   Usage

   Used to tell a driver where to stop

   Grammar Note

   The imperative "ema" (stop) with the softener "hle". To several people: "Emang" (composed from dictionary-verified words)

7. Thekisi e kae?

   Where is the taxi?

   Usage

   Used to ask where to find a taxi

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from English "taxi". The place question is noun + "e kae?"

8. Leeto le tla tšea nako e kaakang?

   How long will the journey take?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long a trip takes

   Grammar Note

   "tšea nako e kaakang" is the pattern for "how long it takes" (attested) (composed from dictionary-verified words)

9. Ke kgopela thekethe e tee ya go ya Cape Town

   Please give me one ticket to Cape Town

   Usage

   Used at a ticket counter or with a bus driver to ask for a ticket

   Grammar Note

   "thekethe" is class 9, so the numeral is "e tee". The destination follows "ya go ya" (composed from dictionary-verified words)

10. A go na le ofisi ya go hira dikoloi mo?

    Is there a car rental here?

    Usage

    Used to look for a car rental office

    Grammar Note

    "A go na le ...?" asks "is there ...?". The plural of koloi (car) is "dikoloi" (composed from dictionary-verified words)

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