Basic Verbs

1. Go ya

   To go

   Usage

   The infinitive; put the destination after it

   Grammar Note

   Conjugates as "Ke ya Polokwane" (I go to Polokwane); future "ke tla ya", past "ke ile"

2. Go tla

   To come

   Usage

   The infinitive

   Grammar Note

   The imperative is "Etla" (come!). "ke tla + verb" is also the future marker (will ...)

3. Go ja

   To eat

   Usage

   The infinitive

   Grammar Note

   The verb "ja" means eat. "Re ja kua sekolong" means we eat at school

4. Go nwa

   To drink

   Usage

   The infinitive

   Grammar Note

   The verb "nwa" means drink. "Ke nyaka go nwa" means I want to drink

5. Go reka

   To buy

   Usage

   The infinitive

   Grammar Note

   "rekiša" means sell

6. Go bona

   To see

   Usage

   The infinitive

   Grammar Note

   Also used in "Ke tla go bona" (See you!)

7. Go ema

   To wait

   Usage

   The infinitive; also means to stop or stand

   Grammar Note

   Waiting for something: "go emela"

8. Ke nyaka go ya

   I want to go

   Usage

   Put the destination after it

   Grammar Note

   Not Sesotho/Setswana "batla"

9. Ke nyaka go ja

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Says you are hungry and want to eat

   Grammar Note

   A regularly composed sentence; same pattern as "Ke nyaka go reka se"

10. Ke e nyaka

    I want it

    Usage

    Say it while pointing at what you want

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence. The object concord "e" changes with the noun class (se, a, di ...)

11. Ga ke e hloke

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Used to turn down offers and sellers

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence. Negative of "Ke hloka ..." (I need ...).

12. Ke nyaka go e hwetša

    I want to find it

    Usage

    Say it while naming what you are looking for

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence. Literally "I want to find it"; plain "nyaka" can also mean look for

13. Ke na le yona

    I have it

    Usage

    Says you have the thing with you

    Grammar Note

    "yona" changes with the noun class

14. Ga ke na yona

    I don't have it

    Usage

    Says you do not have it

    Grammar Note

    "ga ke na" means I do not have. "Ga ke na nako" means I have no time

15. Ke tla goga tšhelete

    I'll withdraw money

    Usage

    Before using an ATM or bank

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence.

16. Ke kgopela gore o nthuše ka yona

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    For asking help with a procedure, luggage or similar

    Grammar Note

    A regularly composed sentence (thuša ka = help with)

17. Mpotše, hle

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Used to ask for directions or a price

    Grammar Note

    Adding "hle" is a regularly composed sentence

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