LEARNING BASIC SESOTHO
LESSON 1:
|
GREETING
Good Day
Peace (greeting)
Sir
Madam
|
TUMEDISO
Good Day Dumela (singular) Dumelang (plural)
Kgotso (singular) Kgotsong (plural)
Ntate (singular) Bontate (plural)
Mme (singular) Bomme (plural) |
Application
|
Singular
Dumela ntate (Good day sir)
Dumela mme (Good day madam)
Kgotso ntate (Good day sir)
Kgotso mme (Good day madam) |
Singular Plural
Dumelang bontate (Good day gentlemen)
Dumelang bomme (Good day ladies)
Kgotsong bontate (Good day gentlemen)
Kgotsong bomme (Good day ladies) |
LESSON 2:
ENQUIRING ABOUT SOMEONE’S WELLBEING
O phela jwang? = how are you?
Le phela jwang? (many)
OR:
O kae? (one)
Le kae? (many)
RESPONDING
Ke teng (I am here)
Re teng (We are here)
OR
Ke phela hantle (I am well)
LESSON 3:
If someone comes into your office…….
1. Nka o thusa? = Can I help you?
2. If the person continues to speak Sesotho, refer him to Mr
Motsapi.
Bona ntate Motsapi (go and see Mr Motsapi)
3. O tla o thusa (he/she will help you)
Nka o thusa? (singular) Nka le thusa? (plural)
Bona ntate Motsapi (said to one person)
Bonang ntate Motsapi (said to more than one person)
O tla o thusa (to one) O tla le thusa (to more than one)
Kena = Come in
Dula = Sit
LESSON 4:
TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER
|
1. It is cold It is cold today Today
2. It is hot It is hot today
3. I am/feel cold
4. I am warm/hot |
= Ho a bata. = Ho a bata kajeno/ Kajeno ho a bata = Kajeno
= Ho a tjhesa = Ho a tjhesa kajeno/Kajeno ho a tjhesa
= Ke hatsetse
= Ke futhumetse |
Please note: hatsetse and futhumetse are used when a person feels cold or hot.
Bata and tjhesa are used when inanimate objects are/feel cold or hot.
For a dead person you also use bata (cold)
For a sick person who is hot with a fever, you use tjhesa.
Otherwise bata and tjhesa are not used for persons.
| 5. Rain is falling | = Pula e a na. |
LESSON 5:
GENERAL REMARKS
1. Have a nice day = Letsatsi le monate
2. Enjoy your work (lekker werk) = Sebetsa ha monate
4. I am tired = Ke kgathetse
5. I am thirsty = Ke nyorilwe
6. I am hungry = Ke lapile
7. I am happy = Ke thabile (the name Thabo (happy) derives from this)
LESSON 6:
INSTRUCTIONS
Write = ngola
Read = bala
Speak = bua
Look = sheba
Listen = mamela
Write a letter = Ngola lengolo
Read a book = Bala buka
Speak Sesotho = Bua Sesotho
Look at the book = Sheba buka
Listen to the news = Mamela ditaba
Listen here = Mamelo mona
LESSON 7:
GENERAL
|
We
may start
Good day, ladies and gentlemen Speak May I speak to Thabo? May I help you? Is he/she present? Thabo is here Where is Godfrey? I do not know He/she went out |
Re ka qala
Dumelang bomme le bontate Bua Nka bua le Thabo? Nka o thusa? Na o teng? Thabo o teng Godfrey o kae? Ha ke tsebe O tswile |