Tswana phrasebook

Tswana (Setswana) is spoken in Botswana and South Africa.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

Consonants

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

Basics

Greeting

Hello.: Dumela (One person) Dumelang (More than one person); Dumela Rra - when addressing a man, Dumela Borra - when addressing men, more than one; Dumela Mma - when addressing a woman Dumela Bomma - when addressing women, more than one

Hello. (informal): . (Dumela ), singular; (Dumelang), plural
How are you?: O tsogíle jang? (O tsogile ?)
Fine, thank you.: . (Ke tsogile / Ke a leboga )
What is your name?: ? (Leina la gago ke mang ?)
My name is _______.: (Leina la me ke ________.)
Nice to meet you.: . (Ke itumela go go itse )
Please.: . (Ka tsweetswee )
Thank you.: . (Ke a leboga )
You're welcome.: . (O amogelesegile )
Yes.: . (Ee )
No.: . (Nnyaa )
Excuse me. (getting attention)

Tshwarelo rre: . ( )

Excuse me. (begging pardon): . ( )
I'm sorry.: . (Ke kopa maitshwarelo )
Goodbye Sala sentle - stay well Tsamaya sentle - go well
Goodbye (informal): Go siame
I can't speak Tswana [well].: [ ]. ( [Ga ke itse go bua Setswana sentle ])
Do you speak English?: ? (A o bua sekgowa ?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: ? (A gona le mongwe fa yo o buang sekgowa ?)
Help!: ! (Thusa !)
Look out!: ! (Bona koo !)
Good morning.: . (Moso o itumedisang )
Good evening.: . (motshegare )
Good night.: . (Bosigo jo bo monate/boitumedisang )
Good night (to sleep): . (Robala sentle )
I don't understand.: . (Ga ke tlhaloganye )
I (really) don't know.: (Ga ke itse (tota))
Come here boy/girl.: (Tla kwano mosimane/mosetsana)
Where is the toilet?: ? (Ntlwana ya boithusetso e kae?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: . (ntlogele .)
Don't touch me!: ! (o seka wa ntshwara/o seka wa nkgoma !)
I'll call the police.: . (ke tla leletsa mapodise .)
Police!: ! (mapodise !)
Stop! Thief!: ! ! (ema !legodu !)
Are you crazy?!: ? ! (Wa tsenwa?!)
I will beat you!: ! (Ke tlago betsa!)
I need your help.: . (ke kopa thuso ya gago .)
It's an emergency.: . (ke ka tshoganetso .)
I'm lost.: . (ke latlhegile/ke timetse .)
I lost my bag.: . (ke latlhegetswe ke kgetsana yame .)
I lost my wallet.: . (ke latlhile sepache same .)
I'm sick.: . (ke a lwala .)
I've been injured.: . (ke gobetse .)
I need a doctor.: . (ke batla ngaka .)
Can I use your phone?: ? (ke ka dirisa mogala wa gago ?)

Numbers

1: (bongwe )
2: (bobedi )
3: (boraro )
4: (bone )bone
5: (botlhano )
6: (boratato )
7: (bosupa )
8: (borobabobedi )
9: (borobabongwe )
10: (lesome )lesome
11: (lesome-le-bongwe )
12: (lesome-le-bobedi )
13: (lesome-le-boraro' )
14: (lesome-le-bone)
15: (lesome-le-botlhano )
16: (lesome-le-borataro )
17: (lesome-le-bosupa )
18: (lesome-le-borobabobedi )
19: (lesome-le-borobabongwe )
20: (masome-a-mabedi )
21: (masome-a-mabedi-le bongwe )
22: (masome-a-mabedi-le-bobedi' )
23: (masome-a-mabedi-le-boraro )
30: (masome-a-maroro )
40: (masome-a-mane )
50: (masome-a-matlhano )
60: (masome-a-marataro )
70: (masome-a-supa )ma
80: (masome-a-robabobedi )
90: (masome-a-robabongwe )
100: (lekgolo )lekgolo
200: (makgolo-a-mabedi )
300: (makgolo-a-mararo )
1,000: (sekete )sekete
2,000: (kete-tse-pedi )
1,000,000: (sedikadike )
1,000,000,000: ( )
1,000,000,000,000: ( )
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): (dipalo )
half: (sephatlo )
less: (bonnye )
more: (bontsi )

Time

now: (jaanong )
later: (kgantele )
before: (lantlha )
morning: (moso )
afternoon: (motshegare )
evening: (maitsebowa )
night: (bosigo )

Clock time

one o'clock AM: (nako ya bongwe maphakela )
two o'clock AM: (nako ya bobedi maphakela )
noon: (motshegare )
one o'clock PM: (nako ya bongwe maitsebowa )
two o'clock PM: (nako ya bobedi maistebowa )
midnight: (bosigo-gare )

Duration

10_____ minute(s): (metsotso' )
___5__ hour(s): (di oura )
_____ day(s): (matsatsi )
_____ week(s): (dibeke )
_____ month(s): (dikgwedi )
_____ year(s): (dingwaga )

Days

today: (gompieno )g
yesterday: (maabane )
tomorrow: (kamoso )
this week: (beke e tlang )
last week: (beke ee fetileng )
next week: (beke ee tlang )

Sunday: (tshipi )
Monday: (mosupologo )
Tuesday: (labobedi )
Wednesday: (laboraro )
Thursday: (labone )
Friday: ( labotlhano)
Saturday: (matlhatso )

Months

January: (Hirikgong )
February: (tlhakole )
March: (mopitlo)
April: (moranang )
May: (motsheganong )
June: (seetebosigo )
July: (phukwi )
August: (phatwe )
September: (lwetsi )
October: (Diphalane )
November: (ngwanatsele )
December: (sedimonthole )

Writing time and date

Colors

black: (bontsho )
white: (bosweu )
gray: (borokwa )
red: (boshibidu )
blue: (botala jwa loapi )
yellow: (seroloana )
green: (botala jwa tlhaga )
orange: (meals wa namune/wa lephutshe )
purple: (phepole )
brown: (bosetlha )

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: (thekete ke bokae? )
One ticket to _____, please.: (thekete e le nngwe ko_______tsweetswee )
Where does this train/bus go?: (terena kgotsa base e e ya kae? )
Where is the train/bus to _____?: (terena kgotsa base e ya ko_______? )
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: (a base kgotsa terenae e ema ko_______? )
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: ( )
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: (terenakgotsa base e e tla goroga leng ko______?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: (ke goroga jang koo______? )
...the train station?: (....maemelo a terena? )
...the bus station?: (....maemelo a dibaee? )
...the airport?: (...maemelo a difofane? )
...downtown?: (ko toropong? )
...the youth hostel?: ( )
...the _____ hotel?: ( )
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ( )
Where are there a lot of...: (ke ko kae ko go nang le_______se sentsi? )
...hotels?: ( )
...restaurants?: ( )
...bars?: (dibara? )
...sites to see?: ( )
Can you show me on the map?: (a o ka mpontsha mo mmepeng? )
street: (mokgwatha )
Turn left.: (kapogela ho molema )
Turn right.: (kapogela ho moja)
left: (molema )
right: (moja )
straight ahead: (stamaela ho sele )
towards the _____: (go lebagana le______ )
past the _____: (fetaa fa.... )
before the _____: (sele ga________ )
Watch for the _____.: (o lebelele_______ )
intersection: (mahosano )
north: (bokone )
south: (borwa )
east: (bothaba )
west: (bophirima )
uphill: (jodimo ja thaba )
downhill: (ho tlase ja thaba )

Taxi

Taxi!: ( )
Take me to _____, please.: (tonki)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: (ke go ya ko....? )
Take me there, please.: (nkisa teng,ka tsweetswee )

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: (a le ya borobalo ee senang ope? )
How much is a room for one person/two people?: (ke bokae ntlwana ya borobalo fa motho a le mongwe kgotsa ba le babedi? )
Does the room come with...: (a ntlwana e tla ka_______? )
...bedsheets?: ( )
...a bathroom?: (ntlawana ya go tlhapela? )
...a telephone?: (mogala? )
...a TV?: (setshwantsho sa motshikinyego?)
May I see the room first?: (a nkabona ntlwana ya borobalo pele? )
Do you have anything quieter?: ( )
...bigger?: (setona? )
...cleaner?: (bophepa? )
...cheaper?: (tlhwatlhwa tlase? )
OK, I'll take it.: (go siame,ke tla e tsaya )
I will stay for _____ night(s).: (ke nna bosigo(ma)a le______)
Can you suggest another hotel?: ( )
Do you have a safe?: ( )
...lockers?: ( )
Is breakfast/supper included?: (a dijo tsa phakela kgotsa bosigo mo teng? )
What time is breakfast/supper?: (dijo tsa phakela kgotsa bosigo ke nako mang? )
Please clean my room.: (ka tsweetswee phepafatsa ntlwana yame ya borobalo )
Can you wake me at _____?: (a o ka ntsosa ka______? )
I want to check out.: ( )
nails: (manala )
hair: (Morris/Morriri )
Hot: (Bolelo/Bollo )
Cold: (Tsididi/Maroro )

Money :(Madi)

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: ( )
Do you accept British pounds?: ( )
Do you accept euros?: ( )
Do you accept credit cards?: ( )
Can you change money for me?: ( )
Where can I get money changed?: ( )
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: ( )
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: ( )
What is the exchange rate?: ( )
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: ( )

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: (ke kopa tafole ya motho ale mongwe kgotsa ba le babedi,ka tsweetswee )
Can I look at the menu, please?: ( )
Can I look in the kitchen?: (a nka bona mo ntlwaneng ya boapeelo? )
Is there a house specialty?: (a gona le tsa ntlo tse di kgethegileng? )
Is there a local specialty?: (a gona le tsa setso/setswana tse di kgethegileng? )
I'm a vegetarian.: (ke ja merogo fela )
I don't eat pork.: (ga ke je nama ya kolobe )
I don't eat beef.: (ga ke je nama ya kgomo )
I only eat kosher food.: ( )
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): ( )
fixed-price meal: ( )
a la carte: ( )
breakfast: (dijo tsa moso/phakela )
lunch: (dijo tsa motshegare )
tea (meal): (tee/mogodungwana (dijo) )
supper: (dijo tsa selalelo/maitseboa )
I want _____.: (ke batla go ________ )
I want a dish containing _____.: (ke batla tse di nang le_______ )
chicken: (nama ya kgogo )
beef: (nama ya kgomo )
fish: (tlhapi )
ham: ( )
sausage: ( )
cheese: (botoro )
eggs: (mae )
salad: ( )
(fresh) vegetables: (merogo e e phepa )
(fresh) fruit: (maungo a a phepa )
bread: (borotho/senkgwe )
toast: ( )
noodles: ( )
rice: ( )
beans: (dinawa )
May I have a glass of _____?: (ke kopa galase ya_______? )
May I have a cup of _____?: (ke kopa kopi ya________? )
May I have a bottle of _____?: (ke kopa botlele ya_______? )
coffee: (kofi )
tea (drink): (tee/mogodungwana (nwa) )
juice: (matute a maungo )
(bubbly) water: ( )
(still) water: ( )
beer: (biri )
red/white wine: (mofine o mohibidu/o mosweu )
May I have some _____?: (ke kopa_____? )
salt: (letswai )
black pepper: ( )
butter: (botoro )
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
I'm finished.: (ke feditse )
It was delicious.: (go ne go le monate )
Please clear the plates.: (ka tsweetswee tsaya dijana )
The check, please.: ( )

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: (o rekisa bojalwa? )
Is there table service?: ( )
A beer/two beers, please.: (beri /diberi bobedi )
A glass of red/white wine, please.: (galasi ya mofine e shibidu/swewu, ka tsweetswee )
A pint, please.: ( )
A bottle, please.: ( )
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: ( )
whiskey: (ugologo )
vodka: ( )
rum: ( )
water: (metsi )
club soda: ( )
tonic water: ( )
orange juice: ( )
Coke (soda): ( )
Do you have any bar snacks?: ( )
One more, please.: (e nngwe,ka tsweetswee )
Another round, please.: ( )
When is closing time?: (go tswalwa nako mang? )
Cheers!: ( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: ( )
How much is this?: (ke bokae se? )
That's too expensive.: (se a tura thata )
Would you take _____?: (ao ka tsaya_______? )
expensive: (tura )
cheap: (ga se turu )
I can't afford it.: ( )
I don't want it.: (ga ke e batle )
You're cheating me.: (o a ntsietsa )
I'm not interested.: (.ga kena kgatlhego.)
OK, I'll take it.: (go siame,ke tla e tsaya )
Can I have a bag?: (ke kopa beke? )
Do you ship (overseas)?: ( )
I need...: (ke batla_______ )
...toothpaste.: (borache jwa meno )
...a toothbrush.: ( )
...tampons.: . ( )
...soap.: (molora oo tlhapang )
...shampoo.: ( )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ( )
...cold medicine.: (molemo oo tsidid )
...stomach medicine.: ... (molemo wa mala )
...a razor.: (legare )
...an umbrella.: (sekhukhu )
...sunblock lotion.: (setlolo sa go ithireletsa letsatsi )
...a postcard.: ( )
...postage stamps.: (stempe sa poso )
...batteries.: ( )
...writing paper.: (pampiri ya go kwalela )
...a pen.: (pena )
...English-language books.: (buka ya sekgoa/se esemane )
...English-language magazines.: ( )
...an English-language newspaper.: (pampiri ya dikgang ya sekgoa )
...an English-English dictionary.: ( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.: (ke batla go adimisa koloi )
Can I get insurance?: ( )
stop (on a street sign): (ema )
one way: (tsela ele nngwe )
yield: ( )
no parking: ( )
speed limit: (selekanyetso sa lobelo )
gas (petrol) station: ( )
petrol: ( )
diesel: ( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: (ga ke a dira sepe se se molato )
It was a misunderstanding.: (e ne e le tlhoka kutlwisisanyo )
Where are you taking me?: (o nkisa kae? )
Am I under arrest?: (a ke tsena mo kgolegelong? )
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: (ke moagedi wa ko america/australia/britis/canadian )
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: ( )
I want to talk to a lawyer.: (ke batla go bua le mmueledi )
Can I just pay a fine now?: (a ke ka duela madi a molato jaanong?)

Learning more

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