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 Conversation: Learn with people	Setswana Puisano: Ithute le batho
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