LEARNING BASIC SETSWANA
LESSON 1
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GREETING
Good Day
Peace (greeting) ("Pula" means "rain")
Sir
Madam Mme (singular) |
TUMEDISO
Dumela (singular) Dumelang (plural)
Pula (for singular and plural)
Rre (singular) Borre (plural)
Mme (singular) Bomme (plural) |
Application
|
Singular
Dumela rre (Good day sir))
Dumela mme (Good day madam) |
Plural
Dumelang borre (Good day gentlemen) Dumelang bomme (Good day ladies) |
LESSON 2
ENQUIRING ABOUT SOMEONE’S WELLBEING
O tsogile jang? = how are you?
Le tsogile jang? (many)
OR:
O kae? (one)
Le kae? (many)
(Le kae is also used for singular as a sign of respect)
RESPONDING
Ke gone (I am here) Go siame (it is fine)
Re gone (We are here)
OR
Ke tsogile sentle (I am well)
LESSON 3
If someone comes into your office…….
1. A nka go thusa? = Can I help you?
2. If the person continues to speak Setswana, refer him to Mr Motsapi.
Bona rre Motsapi (go and see Mr Motsapi)
3. O tla go thusa (he/she will help you)
A nka go thusa? (singular) A nka le thusa? (plural)
Bona rre Motsapi (said to one person)
Bonang rre Motsapi (said to more than one person)
O tla go thusa (to one) O tla le thusa (to more than one)
Tsena = Come in
Dula = Sit
Tseya = Take
LESSON 4
TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER
1. It is cold = Go tsididi/Go maruru.
It is cold today = Go tsididi gompieno/ Gompieno go tsididi
Today = Gompieno
2. It is hot = Go a fisa/Go bollo
It is hot today = Go a fisa gompieno/Gompieno go a fisa
3. I am/feel cold = Ke gatsetse/Ke sitilwe
4. I am warm/hot = Ke gotetswe
Please note: gatsetse and gotetswe are used when a person feels cold or hot.
Tsididi and fisa are used when inanimate objects are/feel cold or hot.
For a dead person you also use tsididi (cold)
For a sick person who is hot with a fever, you use fisa.
Otherwise tsididi and fisa are not used for persons.
5. Rain is falling = Pula ya na.
LESSON 5
GENERAL REMARKS
1. Have a nice day = O nne le letsatsi le le monate
2. Enjoy your work (lekker werk) = O dire sentle
3. I am tired = Ke lapile
4. I am thirsty = Ke nyorilwe
5. I am hungry = Ke tshwere ke tlala
6. I am happy = Ke itumetse
LESSON 6
INSTRUCTIONS
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Write Read Speak Look Listen
Write a letter Read a book Speak Setswana Look at the book Listen to the news Listen here |
= kwala = bala = bua = bona/leba = reetsa
= Kwala lekwalo = Bala buka = Bua Setswana = Bona/Leba buka = Reetsa dikgang = Reetsa fa |
LESSON 7
GENERAL
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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 simolola
Dumelang bomme le borre Bua A nka bua le Thabo? A nka go thusa? A o gona? Thabo o gona Godfrey o kae Ga ke itse O sa tswile |