Common Setswana phrases

Setswana/Tswana is a bantu language spoken in Botswana, South Africa and parts of Namibia.

It is the national langage of Botswana and one of South Africa’s official languages.

Vowels

Setswana has five vowels:

a - can

e - get

i - feet

o - so

u - cook

Personal pronouns

I/me ~ Nna

You ~ Wena

He/she/it- Him/her/it ~ Ena/ena/yona

we/us ~ Rona

They/them ~ Bona

Consonants

Setswana has three click consonants:

Dental click (c) - /ǀ/

Lateral click (x) - /ǁ/

Palatal click (q) - /ǃ/

Greetings in Setswana

English Setswana
Good evening. Dumelang/Dumela
Good morning. Dumelang/Dumela
Good afternoon. Dumelang/Dumela
How are you? O tsogile jang?
How are you today? O tsogile jang tsatsi leno?
I am fine. Ke siame/ke tsogile sentle
Have a good day. Nna le letsatsi le lentle
I am doing great. Ke tsogile sentle
Hi/Hello. Dumelang/Dumela/Eitah/Ola
Nice to meet you. Ke itumelela go go bona
See you soon. Ke tla go bona mo nakong e e sa fediseng pelo
See you later. Ke tla go bona kgantele

Setswana Love Words and Phrases

English Setswana
I love you. Ke a go rata
I miss you. Ke go tlhwafaletse
Love you so much Ke go rata thata
I want to see you. Ke batla go go bona
I love you with all my heart. Ke go rata ka pelo yame yotlhe
I love you too. Ke a go rata lenna
I want to see you. Ke batla go go bona
I like you. Ke a go rata
You are beautiful. O montle
My love. Moratiwa
You look beautiful. O ntse monte
My beautiful wife. Mosadi wa ka o motle
I miss you so much, darling. Ke go tlhwafaletse thata
I need you. Ke a go tlhoka
You will miss me. A o tlaa ntlhwafalela
Goodbye, my love. Go siame moratiwa
See you tomorrow. Ke tla go bona kamoso
I will marry you. Ke tla go nyala
I want some space. Ke batla go hema phefo
I need your love. Ke tlhoka lerato la gago
You are mine. O wa me

Directions in Setswana

English Setswana
Where are you? O ko kae?
Where did you go? O ile kae?
Where do you live? O nna kae?
Where are you going? O ya kae?
Where were you? O ne o le kae?

Common Questions in Conversations in Setswana

English Setswana
How much? Ke bokae?
How are you feeling? O ikutlwa jang?
How have you been? O tlhotse jang?
What is your name? Leina la gago ke mang?
What are you doing? O dirang?
What are you cooking/eating? o apeileng?
Are you okay, dear? A o siame?
When are you coming? O tlaa leng?
How was your night/day? O robetse sentle?
How are you doing? A o tsogile?
How is your family? Ba tsoga jang kwa lapeng?
How was your day? Letsatsi la gago le ne le ntse jang?
What is wrong? Molato ke eng?
What do you mean? O raya yang?
How's the weather over there? Seemo sa bosa se ntse jang koo?
Have you gone to church? A o ile kerekeng?
What is this? Ke eng mo?
What's going on? Go diragala eng?
Are you listening? O reeditse?
Have you heard? A o utlwile?
Can I go home? A nka ya lapeng?
Can I ask something? A nka go botsa sengwe?
How is everything? A sengwe sengwe se siame?
What’s your phone number? Nomoro ya mogala wa letheka wa gago ke mang?

Everyday Conversations in Setswana

English Setswana
Happy birthday Nna le letsatsi la matsalo le lentle
Thank you Ke a leboga
I am sorry Ke kopa maitswarelo?
You are welcome. O amogelesegile
Me too! Le nna!
God bless you. Modimo a go segofatse.
May god protect you. A Modimo a go babalele.
She is happy. O itumetse.
Please help me. Ke kopa thuso ya gago.
I don't know. Ga ke itse.
I will come tomorrow. Ke etla kamoso.
Come here! Tla kwano!
Feel at home. Amogelesega .
Be blessed. Segofala.
I am coming soon. Ke etla go se kgale.
Excuse me. Bona foo
Leave me alone. Ntlogele.
It is okay. Go siame.
I am going home. Ke ya ko lapeng.
I don't want. Ga ke batle.
Love is a beautiful thing. Lorato ke selo se sentle.
Let me try. Tla ke leke .
Welcome home. O amogelesegile mo gae
I reached home safely. Ke gorogile sentle mo gae
God is good. Modimo o siame .
I don't understand. Ga ke tlhaloganye.
We are happy to see you. Re itumelela go go bona.
I have it. Ke nale yone.
Rest in peace. Robala ka kagiso.
I don't have money. Ga ke na madi.
I am done. Ke feditse.
I am going to the shop. Ke ya ko mabentleleng.
Happy new year. Ngwaga yo mosha.
Bad manners. Maitsholo a a sa lolamang.
Stop using your phone. Emisa go dirisa mogala wa gago wa letheka.
I need a favour, please. Ke tlhokana le thuso ya gago.
Haven’t seen you for ages. Go lebaka ke sa go bone.
Great to see you again. Ke itumelela go go bona gape.
I really appreciate it. Ke amogetse fela thata .
You made my day. O ntiretse letsatsi.
No problem. Ga gona molato.

 

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