Koloi
Car
Usage
A car; the plural is dikoloi
Grammar Note
Example: "Koloi ya ka e gana go duma" (my car does not start); "sefatanaga" also means car or vehicle
Thekisi
Taxi
Usage
A taxi; the plural is dithekisi. South African minibus taxis are also usually called by this word
Grammar Note
A loanword from English taxi; "dithekisi" is common
Pese
Bus
Usage
A bus; "peseng" means on the bus
Grammar Note
Example: "Bana ba emetše pese" (the children are waiting for the bus)
Setimela
Train
Usage
A train; the loan "terene" also exists
Grammar Note
Example: "E be e le setimela se setelele kudu" (it was a very long train)
Sethuthuthu
Motorcycle
Usage
A motorcycle
Grammar Note
Example: "Sethuthuthu sa go fihla ka 125cc" (a motorcycle of up to 125cc)
Paesekela
Bicycle
Usage
A bicycle, borrowed from English
Grammar Note
Example: "O namela paesekela ya gagwe" (he rides his bike)
Sefofane
Aeroplane
Usage
An aeroplane; the plural is difofane. The airport is boemafofane
Grammar Note
Example: "Sefofane se fofa ka godimo ga thaba" (the aeroplane flew over the mountain)
Sekepe
Ship
Usage
A ship
Grammar Note
A common word, mostly the sense "vessel" in registration forms
Seketswana
Boat
Usage
A small boat, as in "the ant used the leaf as a boat"
Grammar Note
Example: "Thuša seketswana go fihla sehlakahlakeng" (help the boat get to the island)
Ampulense
Ambulance
Usage
An ambulance, borrowed from English
Grammar Note
Example: "mootledi wa ampulense" (ambulance driver); rare in writing
Lori
Truck / lorry
Usage
A truck or lorry; the plural is dilori
Grammar Note
Example: "laesense ya go otlela lori" (a truck driver's licence)
Karikana
Cart / wagon
Usage
A cart pulled by horses or oxen
Grammar Note
Example: "Pere le karikana" (horse and cart)
Sefatanaga
Vehicle / transport
Usage
A general word for a vehicle or car
Grammar Note
E.g. "Se ke sefatanaga sa rena" (this is our car)
More Sepedi (Northern Sotho) phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
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- Visa & Immigration
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- School & Education
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- Music & Entertainment
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- Festivals & Events
- Photography
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- Dating Apps
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- Time & Dates
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- Remote Work
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- Signs
- Body Parts
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- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences