Practice & Learn Setswana (Tswana)
Learn Setswana
Setswana will reach more South Africans than English in the Free State, Northern Cape and North West provinces.
Greetings and Conversation
English |
Setswana |
| Hello! (person) | Dumela! (motho a le mongwe) |
| Hello! (group) | Dumelang! (setlhopha) |
| How are you? | Le kae? |
| I'm fine, thanks. | Ke teng, o kae. |
| I could be better. | Go ka nna botoka. |
| And you? | Wena? |
| I am well. | Ke teng. |
| Goodbye (person staying) | Sala sentle (go sala motho a le mongwe) |
| Goodbye (group staying) | Salang sentle (go sala setlhopha) |
| Goodbye (person leaving) | Tsamaya sentle (go tsamaya motho a le mongwe) |
| Goodbye (group leaving) | Tsamayang sentle (go tsamaya setlhopha) |
Anatomy: Learn with your body |
Ditho tsa mmele: Ithute ka ga mmele wa gago |
| Head | Tlhogo |
| Eye, Eyes | Leitlho, Matlho |
| Ear, Ears | Tsebe, Ditsebe |
| Nose | Nko |
| Mouth | Molomo |
| Tongue | Loleme |
| Hand, Hands | Seatla, Diatla |
| Arm, Arms | Letsogo, Matsogo |
| Leg, Legs | Leoto, Maoto |
| Foot, Feet | Lenao, Dinao |
Chess: Learn with your mind |
Chess: Ithute ka monagano wa gago |
| Chess Piece(s) | Se(Di) tshamekisi tsa Chess |
| King | Kgosi |
| Queen | Kgosigadi |
| Rook (Castle) | Khasele |
| Bishop | Bishopo |
| Knight (Horse) | Pitse |
| Pawn (Soldier) | Lesole |
| Board | Boto |
| Square | Sekwere |
| Black | Ntsho |
| White | Tshweu |
| Chess Move(s) | Metsamao ya Chess |
| Check! From Persian Shah (King) | Ela tlhoko! |
| Checkmate! From Persian Shah (King) + Māt (Dead) | Ga o na botshabelo! |
| I take your piece. | Ke tsaya setshamekisi sa gago. |
| Good move! | Motsamao o montle! |
| I resign! | Ke a ineela! |
| Good luck for the game! | Masego a motshameko! |
| Thank you for the game! | Ke lebogela motshameko! |
Dating: Learn with your heart |
Tsa Marato: Ithute ka pelo |
| What's your name? | Leina la gago ke mang? |
| Can I get your number? | A nka bona nomore ya gago? |
| Would you like to get coffee? | A o ka rata go nwa kofi? |
| Would you like to go to dinner? | A o ka rata go ya tinareng? |
| Would you like to go for a drink? | A o ka rata go tswa go ya go bona seno? |
| Yes, I would. | Ee, nka rata jalo. |
| No, but thank you. | Nnyaa, ke a leboga. |
| You look beautiful. | O lebega o le montle. |
| May I kiss you? | A nka go atla |
| I miss you. | Ke go gopotse. |
| I miss you too. | Le nna ke go gopotse. |
| I love you. | Ke a go rata. |
| I love you so much. | Ke go rata thata. |
Top 10 Interview Questions: Learn for success |
Dipotso tse 10 tsa botlhokwatlhokwa tsa Potsotherisano: Ithutele go bona katlego |
| Tell us about yourself? | Re bolelele ka ga gago? |
| What are your main strengths? | Dipharologantsho tsa gago tse dikgolo tse di supang maatla le bokgoni ke dife? |
| What are your weaknesses? | Dipharologantsho tsa gago tse di supang bokoa ke dife? |
| Why should we choose you for this job? | Ke goreng re tshwanetse go tlhopha wena mo tirong e? |
| What is your salary expectation? | O solofela go amogela bokae? |
| What are your hobbies outside of work? | Dingwe tse o itlosang bodutu ka tsone fa o se fa tirong ke dife? |
| Where do you see yourself in five years' time? | O akanya go nna kae mo sebakeng sa dingwaga tse tlhano? |
| Why are you leaving your current job? | Ke goreng o tlogela tiro ya gago ya ga jaana? |
| Why do you want to work here? | Ke goreng o batla go dira fa? |
| Is there anything that you would like to ask me? | A go na le sengwe se o ka ratang go se mpotsa? |
Formal Business Letter Setswana |
|
Date: |
Letlha: |
| Dear... | Madume... |
| Yours Sincerely, | Ka boikokobetso, |
Directions |
|
| North | Bokone |
| South | Borwa |
| East | Botlhabatsatsi |
| West | Bophirima |
Days of the Week |
|
| Sunday | Latshipi |
| Monday | Mosupologo |
| Tuesday | Labobedi |
| Wednesday | Laboraro |
| Thursday | Labone |
| Friday | Labotlhano |
| Saturday | Lamatlhatso |
Months of the Year |
|
| January | Ferikgong |
| February | Tlhakole |
| March | Mopitlwe |
| April | Moranang |
| May | Motsheganong |
| June | Seetebosigo |
| July | Phukwi |
| August | Phatwe |
| September | Lwetse |
| October | Diphalane |
| November | Ngwanatsele |
| December | Sedimonthole |
Setswana is the fourth most-spoken language in the City of Johannesburg. Read more on our website: Translation Services Johannesburg
English speakers can find out more about the language on our dedicated Setswana Translation Services page.
Setswana speakers can visit our website in Setswana here: Ditirelo tsa Bofetoledi tsa Aforika Borwa.
Setswana is the fourth most-spoken language in the City of Johannesburg. Read more on our website: Translation Services Johannesburg
English speakers can find out more about the language on our dedicated Setswana Translation Services page.
Setswana speakers can visit our website in Setswana here: Ditirelo tsa Bofetoledi tsa Aforika Borwa.