Practice & Learn Sesotho (Sotho with audio)
Learn Sesotho
Sotho will reach more South Africans than English in the Free State, reaching 65% of people in their first language. Sesotho is also the national language of Lesotho (90%).
Greetings and Conversation
English |
Sesotho |
| Hello! (person) | Dumela! (motho) |
| Hello! (group) | Dumelang! (sehlopha) |
| How are you? | O phela jwang? |
| I'm fine, thanks. | Ke phela hantle, ke a leboha. |
| I could be better. | Ke a bo leka. |
| And you? | Wena? |
| I am well. | Ke phetse. |
| Goodbye (person staying) | Tsamaya hantle (motho ya salang) |
| Goodbye (group staying) | Tsamayang hantle (sehlopha se salang) |
| Goodbye (person leaving) | Sala hantle (motho ya tsamayang) |
| Goodbye (group leaving) | Salang hantle (sehlopha se tsamayang) |
| Anatomy: Learn with your body | Ditho tsa mmele: Ithute ka mmele wa hao |
| Head | Hlooho |
| Eye, Eyes | Leihlo, Mahlo |
| Ear, Ears | Tsebe, Ditsebe |
| Nose | Nko |
| Mouth | Molomo |
| Tongue | Leleme |
| Hand, Hands | Letsoho, Matsoho |
| Arm, Arms | Sephaka, Diphaka |
| Leg, Legs | Tlhafu, Ditlhafu |
| Foot, Feet | Leoto, Maoto |
| Chess: Learn with your mind | Chess: Ithute ka kelello ya hao |
| Chess Piece(s) | Se/dibapadiswa tsa Chess |
| King | Morena |
| Queen | Mofumahadi |
| Rook (Castle) | Khasele |
| Bishop | Bishopo |
| Knight (Horse) | Pere |
| Pawn (Soldier) | Lesole |
| Board | Boto |
| Square | Kgutlonnetsepa |
| Black | Ntsho |
| White | Tshweu |
| Chess Move(s) | Mo/metsamao ya Chess |
| Check! From Persian Shah (King) | Ela hloko! |
| Checkmate! From Persian Shah (King) + Māt (Dead) | Ha o na botshabelo! |
| I take your piece. | Ke nka sebapadiswa sa hao. |
| Good move! | Motsamao o motle! |
| I resign! | Ke a inehela! |
| Good luck for the game! | Mahlohonolo ka papadi! |
| Thank you for the game! | Ke a leboha ka papadi! |
| Dating: Learn with your heart | Tsa Marato: Ithute ka pelo ya hao |
| What's your name? | Lebitso la hao o mang? |
| Can I get your number? | Nka fumana nomoro ya hao? |
| Would you like to get coffee? | O ka thabela ho nwa kofi? |
| Would you like to go to dinner? | O ka thabela ho ya dijong tsa mantsiboya? |
| Would you like to go for a drink? | O ka thabela ho fumana se nowang? |
| Yes, I would. | Ee, nka se thabela. |
| No, but thank you. | Tjhe, ke a leboha. |
| You look beautiful. | O shebahala o le motle. |
| May I kiss you? | Ebe nka o suna? |
| I miss you. | Ke o hopotse. |
| I miss you too. | Le nna ke o hopotse. |
| I love you. | Ke a o rata. |
| I love you so much. | Ke o rata haholo. |
| Top 10 Interview Questions: Learn for success | Dipotso tse 10 tse ka Sehloohong tsa Inthaviu: Ho ithutela katleho |
| Tell us about yourself? | Re bolelle ka wena? |
| What are your main strengths? | Dintho tseo o leng matla haholo ho tsona ke dife? |
| What are your weaknesses? | Bofokodi ba hao ke bofe? |
| Why should we choose you for this job? | Hobaneng re lokela ho kgetha wena mosebetsing ona? |
| What is your salary expectation? | O lebelletse ho kgola bokae? |
| What are your hobbies outside of work? | Ke dife dintho tseo o ratang ho di etsa ha o se mosebetsing? |
| Where do you see yourself in five years' time? | O lebelletse ho fihlela eng dilemo tse hlano tse tlang? |
| Why are you leaving your current job? | Hobaneng o tlohela mosebetsi wa hao wa jwale? |
| Why do you want to work here? | Hobaneng o batla ho sebetsa mona? |
| Is there anything that you would like to ask me? | Na ho na le ho hong hoo o batlang ho mpotsa hona? |
Formal Business Letter
| Date: | Letsatsi: |
| Dear... | Mme (to a lady)... Ntate (to a gentleman)... |
| Yours Sincerely, | Ka botshepehi, |
| North | Leboya |
| South | Borwa |
| East | Botjhabela |
| West | Bophirimela |
| Sunday | Sontaha |
| Monday | Mantaha |
| Tuesday | Labobedi |
| Wednesday | Laboraro |
| Thursday | Labone |
| Friday | Labohlano |
| Saturday | Moqebelo |
| January | Pherekgong |
| February | Tlhakola |
| March | Tlhakubele |
| April | Mmesa |
| May | Motsheanong |
| June | Phupjane |
| July | Phupu |
| August | Phato |
| September | Loetse |
| October | Mphalane |
| November | Pudungwana |
| December | Tshitwe |
Sesotho speakers can visit our site in Sesotho Ditshebeletso tsa Diphetolelo Aforika Borwa:
English speakers can visit our Sesotho Translation Services page here.
Sesotho is the third most spoken language in the City of Johannesburg. Read more on our website: Translation Services Johannesburg
