Tswana (Setswana) is spoken in Botswana and South Africa.

Pronunciation guide

Phrase list

Basics

Common signs OPEN bula CLOSED tswala ENTRANCE kgoro/mojako/lebati EXIT tswa/tswaya fa PUSH kgorometsa PULL goga HERE kafa/ fa THERE kafoo/foo TOILET ntlwana ya boithuselo MEN banna/borre WOMEN basadi/bomme LADY nchadinyana/msadinyana

Greeting

Hello.

Dumela (One person) Dumelang (More than one person)

Dumela Rra - when addressing a man, Dumela Borra - when addressing men, more than one

Dumela Mma - when addressing a woman Dumela Bomma - when addressing women, more than one

Hello. (informal)

. (Dumela ), singular; (Dumelang), plural

How are you?

O tsogíle jang? (O tsogile ?)

Fine, thank you.

. (Ke tsogile / Ke a leboga )

What is your name?

 ? (Leina la gago ke mang ?)

My name is _______.

(Leina la me ke ________.)

Nice to meet you.

. (Ke itumela go go itse )

Please.

. (Ka tsweetswee )

Thank you.

. (Ke a leboga )

You're welcome.

. (O amogelesegile )

Yes.

. (Ee )

No.

. (Nnyaa )

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Tshwarelo rre: . ( )

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

. ( )

I'm sorry.

. (Ke kopa maitshwarelo )

Goodbye Sala sentle - stay well Tsamaya sentle - go well

Goodbye (informal)

Go siame

I can't speak Tswana [well].

[ ]. ( [Ga ke itse go bua Setswana sentle ])

Do you speak English?

 ? (A o bua sekgowa ?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

 ? (A gona le mongwe fa yo o buang sekgowa ?)

Help!

 ! (Thusa !)

Look out!

 ! (Bona koo !)

Good morning.

. (Moso o itumedisang )

Good evening.

. (motshegare )

Good night.

. (Bosigo jo bo monate/boitumedisang )

Good night (to sleep)

. (Robala sentle )

I don't understand.

. (Ga ke tlhaloganye )

I (really) don't know.

(Ga ke itse (tota))

Come here boy/girl.

(Tla kwano mosimane/mosetsana)

Where is the toilet?

 ? (Ntlwana ya boithusetso e kae?)

Problems

Leave me alone.

. (ntlogele .)

Don't touch me!

 ! (o seka wa ntshwara/o seka wa nkgoma !)

I'll call the police.

. (ke tla leletsa mapodise .)

Police!

 ! (mapodise !)

Stop! Thief!

 ! ! (ema !legodu !)

Are you crazy?!

 ? ! (Wa tsenwa?!)

I will beat you!

 ! (Ke tlago betsa!)

I need your help.

. (ke kopa thuso ya gago .)

It's an emergency.

. (ke ka tshoganetso .)

I'm lost.

. (ke latlhegile/ke timetse .)

I lost my bag.

. (ke latlhegetswe ke kgetsana yame .)

I lost my wallet.

. (ke latlhile sepache same .)

I'm sick.

. (ke a lwala .)

I've been injured.

. (ke gobetse .)

I need a doctor.

. (ke batla ngaka .)

Can I use your phone?

? (ke ka dirisa mogala wa gago ?)

Numbers

1

(bongwe )

2

(bobedi )

3

(boraro )

4

(bone )bone

5

(botlhano )

6

(boratato )

7

(bosupa )

8

(borobabobedi )

9

(borobabongwe )

10

(lesome )lesome

11

(lesome-le-bongwe )

12

(lesome-le-bobedi )

13

(lesome-le-boraro' )

14

(lesome-le-bone)

15

(lesome-le-botlhano )

16

(lesome-le-borataro )

17

(lesome-le-bosupa )

18

(lesome-le-borobabobedi )

19

(lesome-le-borobabongwe )

20

(masome-a-mabedi )

21

(masome-a-mabedi-le bongwe )

22

(masome-a-mabedi-le-bobedi' )

23

(masome-a-mabedi-le-boraro )

30

(masome-a-maroro )

40

(masome-a-mane )

50

(masome-a-matlhano )

60

(masome-a-marataro )

70

(masome-a-supa )ma

80

(masome-a-robabobedi )

90

(masome-a-robabongwe )

100

(lekgolo )lekgolo

200

(makgolo-a-mabedi )

300

(makgolo-a-mararo )

1,000

(sekete )sekete

2,000

(kete-tse-pedi )

1,000,000

(sedikadike )

1,000,000,000

( )

1,000,000,000,000

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

(dipalo )

half

(sephatlo )

less

(bonnye )

more

(bontsi )

Time

now

(jaanong )

later

(kgantele )

before

(lantlha )

morning

(moso )

afternoon

(motshegare )

evening

(maitsebowa )

night

(bosigo )

Clock time

one o'clock AM

(nako ya bongwe maphakela )

two o'clock AM

(nako ya bobedi maphakela )

noon

(motshegare )

one o'clock PM

(nako ya bongwe maitsebowa )

two o'clock PM

(nako ya bobedi maistebowa )

midnight

(bosigo-gare )

Duration

10_____ minute(s)

(metsotso' )

___5__ hour(s)

(di oura )

_____ day(s)

(matsatsi )

_____ week(s)

(dibeke )

_____ month(s)

(dikgwedi )

_____ year(s)

(dingwaga )

Days

today

(gompieno )g

yesterday

(maabane )

tomorrow

(kamoso )

this week

(beke e tlang )

last week

(beke ee fetileng )

next week

(beke ee tlang )

Sunday

(tshipi )

Monday

(mosupologo )

Tuesday

(labobedi )

Wednesday

(laboraro )

Thursday

(labone )

Friday

( labotlhano)

Saturday

(matlhatso )

Months

January

(Hirikgong )

February

(tlhakole )

March

(mopitlo)

April

(moranang )

May

(motsheganong )

June

(seetebosigo )

July

(phukwi )

August

(phatwe )

September

(lwetsi )

October

(Diphalane )

November

(ngwanatsele )

December

(sedimonthole )

Colors

black

(bontsho )

white

(bosweu )

gray

(borokwa )

red

(boshibidu )

blue

(botala jwa loapi )

yellow

(seroloana )

green

(botala jwa tlhaga )

orange

(meals wa namune/wa lephutshe )

purple

(phepole )

brown

(bosetlha )

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

(thekete ke bokae? )

One ticket to _____, please.

(thekete e le nngwe ko_______tsweetswee )

Where does this train/bus go?

(terena kgotsa base e e ya kae? )

Where is the train/bus to _____?

(terena kgotsa base e ya ko_______? )

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

(a base kgotsa terenae e ema ko_______? )

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

( )

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

(terenakgotsa base e e tla goroga leng ko______?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

(ke goroga jang koo______? )

...the train station?

(....maemelo a terena? )

...the bus station?

(....maemelo a dibaee? )

...the airport?

(...maemelo a difofane? )

...downtown?

(ko toropong? )

...the youth hostel?

( )

...the _____ hotel?

( )

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

( )

Where are there a lot of...

(ke ko kae ko go nang le_______se sentsi? )

...hotels?

( )

...restaurants?

( )

...bars?

(dibara? )

...sites to see?

( )

Can you show me on the map?

(a o ka mpontsha mo mmepeng? )

street

(mokgwatha )

Turn left.

(kapogela ho molema )

Turn right.

(kapogela ho moja)

left

(molema )

right

(moja )

straight ahead

(stamaela ho sele )

towards the _____

(go lebagana le______ )

past the _____

(fetaa fa.... )

before the _____

(sele ga________ )

Watch for the _____.

(o lebelele_______ )

intersection

(mahosano )

north

(bokone )

south

(borwa )

east

(bothaba )

west

(bophirima )

uphill

(jodimo ja thaba )

downhill

(ho tlase ja thaba )

Taxi

Taxi!

( )

Take me to _____, please.

(tonki)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

(ke go ya ko....? )

Take me there, please.

(nkisa teng,ka tsweetswee )

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

(a le ya borobalo ee senang ope? )

How much is a room for one person/two people?

(ke bokae ntlwana ya borobalo fa motho a le mongwe kgotsa ba le babedi? )

Does the room come with...

(a ntlwana e tla ka_______? )

...bedsheets?

( )

...a bathroom?

(ntlawana ya go tlhapela? )

...a telephone?

(mogala? )

...a TV?

(setshwantsho sa motshikinyego?)

May I see the room first?

(a nkabona ntlwana ya borobalo pele? )

Do you have anything quieter?

( )

...bigger?

(setona? )

...cleaner?

(bophepa? )

...cheaper?

(tlhwatlhwa tlase? )

OK, I'll take it.

(go siame,ke tla e tsaya )

I will stay for _____ night(s).

(ke nna bosigo(ma)a le______)

Can you suggest another hotel?

( )

Do you have a safe?

( )

...lockers?

( )

Is breakfast/supper included?

(a dijo tsa phakela kgotsa bosigo mo teng? )

What time is breakfast/supper?

(dijo tsa phakela kgotsa bosigo ke nako mang? )

Please clean my room.

(ka tsweetswee phepafatsa ntlwana yame ya borobalo )

Can you wake me at _____?

(a o ka ntsosa ka______? )

I want to check out.

( )

nails

(manala )

hair

(Morris/Morriri )

Hot

(Bolelo/Bollo )

Cold

(Tsididi/Maroro )

Money :(Madi)

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

( )

Do you accept British pounds?

( )

Do you accept euros?

( )

Do you accept credit cards?

( )

Can you change money for me?

( )

Where can I get money changed?

( )

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

( )

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

( )

What is the exchange rate?

( )

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

( )

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

(ke kopa tafole ya motho ale mongwe kgotsa ba le babedi,ka tsweetswee )

Can I look at the menu, please?

( )

Can I look in the kitchen?

(a nka bona mo ntlwaneng ya boapeelo? )

Is there a house specialty?

(a gona le tsa ntlo tse di kgethegileng? )

Is there a local specialty?

(a gona le tsa setso/setswana tse di kgethegileng? )

I'm a vegetarian.

(ke ja merogo fela )

I don't eat pork.

(ga ke je nama ya kolobe )

I don't eat beef.

(ga ke je nama ya kgomo )

I only eat kosher food.

( )

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

( )

fixed-price meal

( )

a la carte

( )

breakfast

(dijo tsa moso/phakela )

lunch

(dijo tsa motshegare )

tea (meal)

(tee/mogodungwana (dijo) )

supper

(dijo tsa selalelo/maitseboa )

I want _____.

(ke batla go ________ )

I want a dish containing _____.

(ke batla tse di nang le_______ )

chicken

(nama ya kgogo )

beef

(nama ya kgomo )

fish

(tlhapi )

ham

( )

sausage

( )

cheese

(botoro )

eggs

(mae )

salad

( )

(fresh) vegetables

(merogo e e phepa )

(fresh) fruit

(maungo a a phepa )

bread

(borotho/senkgwe )

toast

( )

noodles

( )

rice

( )

beans

(dinawa )

May I have a glass of _____?

(ke kopa galase ya_______? )

May I have a cup of _____?

(ke kopa kopi ya________? )

May I have a bottle of _____?

(ke kopa botlele ya_______? )

coffee

(kofi )

tea (drink)

(tee/mogodungwana (nwa) )

juice

(matute a maungo )

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

( )

beer

(biri )

red/white wine

(mofine o mohibidu/o mosweu )

May I have some _____?

(ke kopa_____? )

salt

(letswai )

black pepper

( )

butter

(botoro )

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

( )

I'm finished.

(ke feditse )

It was delicious.

(go ne go le monate )

Please clear the plates.

(ka tsweetswee tsaya dijana )

The check, please.

( )

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

(o rekisa bojalwa? )

Is there table service?

( )

A beer/two beers, please.

(beri /diberi bobedi )

A glass of red/white wine, please.

(galasi ya mofine e shibidu/swewu, ka tsweetswee )

A pint, please.

( )

A bottle, please.

( )

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

( )

whiskey

(ugologo )

vodka

( )

rum

( )

water

(metsi )

club soda

( )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

( )

Coke (soda)

( )

Do you have any bar snacks?

( )

One more, please.

(e nngwe, ka tsweetswee )

Another round, please.

( )

When is closing time?

(go tswalwa nako mang? )

Cheers!

( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

( )

How much is this?

(ke bokae se? )

That's too expensive.

(se a tura thata )

Would you take _____?

(ao ka tsaya_______? )

expensive

(tura )

cheap

(ga se turu )

I can't afford it.

( )

I don't want it.

(ga ke e batle )

You're cheating me.

(o a ntsietsa )

I'm not interested.

(.ga kena kgatlhego.)

OK, I'll take it.

(go siame,ke tla e tsaya )

Can I have a bag?

(ke kopa beke? )

Do you ship (overseas)?

( )

I need...

(ke batla_______ )

...toothpaste.

(borache jwa meno )

...a toothbrush.

( )

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

(molora oo tlhapang )

...shampoo.

( )

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

( )

...cold medicine.

(molemo oo tsidid )

...stomach medicine.

... (molemo wa mala )

...a razor.

(legare )

...an umbrella.

(sekhukhu )

...sunblock lotion.

(setlolo sa go ithireletsa letsatsi )

...a postcard.

( )

...postage stamps.

(stempe sa poso )

...batteries.

( )

...writing paper.

(pampiri ya go kwalela )

...a pen.

(pena )

...English-language books.

(buka ya sekgoa/se esemane )

...English-language magazines.

( )

...an English-language newspaper.

(pampiri ya dikgang ya sekgoa )

...an English-English dictionary.

( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.

(ke batla go adimisa koloi )

Can I get insurance?

( )

stop (on a street sign)

(ema )

one way

(tsela ele nngwe )

yield

( )

no parking

( )

speed limit

(selekanyetso sa lobelo )

gas (petrol) station

( )

petrol

( )

diesel

( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

(ga ke a dira sepe se se molato )

It was a misunderstanding.

(e ne e le tlhoka kutlwisisanyo )

Where are you taking me?

(o nkisa kae? )

Am I under arrest?

(a ke tsena mo kgolegelong? )

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

(ke moagedi wa ko america/australia/britis/canadian )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

( )

I want to talk to a lawyer.

(ke batla go bua le mmueledi )

Can I just pay a fine now?

(a ke ka duela madi a molato jaanong?)

Learning more

Setswana Info wiki - A Tswana reference for residents of Botswana