Practice & Learn Setswana (Tswana)

Learn Setswana

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

HeadTlhogo
Eye, EyesLeitlho, Matlho
Ear, EarsTsebe, Ditsebe
NoseNko
MouthMolomo
TongueLoleme
Hand, HandsSeatla, Diatla
Arm, ArmsLetsogo, Matsogo
Leg, LegsLeoto, Maoto
Foot, FeetLenao, Dinao

Chess: Learn with your mind

Chess: Ithute ka monagano wa gago

Chess Piece(s)Se(Di) tshamekisi tsa Chess
KingKgosi
QueenKgosigadi
Rook (Castle)Khasele
BishopBishopo
Knight (Horse)Pitse
Pawn (Soldier)Lesole
BoardBoto
SquareSekwere
BlackNtsho
WhiteTshweu
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

NorthBokone
SouthBorwa
EastBotlhabatsatsi
WestBophirima

Days of the Week

SundayLatshipi
MondayMosupologo
TuesdayLabobedi
WednesdayLaboraro
ThursdayLabone
FridayLabotlhano
SaturdayLamatlhatso

Months of the Year

JanuaryFerikgong
FebruaryTlhakole
MarchMopitlwe
AprilMoranang
MayMotsheganong
JuneSeetebosigo
JulyPhukwi
AugustPhatwe
SeptemberLwetse
OctoberDiphalane
NovemberNgwanatsele
DecemberSedimonthole

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.