Sesotho: phrases, voice typing and voice notes

Dumela

Hello (to one person)

South African spelling; in Lesotho it is written Lumela.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dumelang

Hello (to several people)

Also used to greet one elder as a sign of respect.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dumela, ntate

Hello, sir

To a man or father figure; ntate means father.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dumela, mme

Hello, madam

To a woman or mother figure; mme means mother.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dumela, abuti

Hello, brother

To a young man.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dumela, ausi

Hello, sister

To a young woman.

Source: common usage, needs native check

O phela jwang?

How are you? (to one person)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Le phela jwang?

How are you? (to several people, or respectfully)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke phela hantle

I am well

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re phela hantle

We are well

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke teng

I'm fine

Literally "I am here"; a common short reply.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke teng, le wena?

I'm fine, and you?

Source: common usage, needs native check

O tsohile jwang?

How did you wake up?

Morning greeting.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tsohile hantle

I woke up well

Reply to the morning greeting.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Le tsohile jwang?

How did you wake up? (to several people)

Morning greeting, plural or respectful.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Robala hantle

Sleep well

Said at night, like "good night".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Robalang hantle

Sleep well (to several people)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sala hantle

Goodbye (stay well)

Said by the person who is leaving.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Salang hantle

Goodbye (stay well, to several people)

Said by the person who is leaving.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tsamaya hantle

Goodbye (go well)

Said by the person who stays.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tsamayang hantle

Goodbye (go well, to several people)

Said by the person who stays.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re tla bonana

See you later

Literally "we will see each other".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re tla bonana hosane

See you tomorrow

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kgotso!

Peace!

Called out on arriving at a homestead; the reply is also Kgotso.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kena!

Come in!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboha

Thank you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboha haholo

Thank you very much

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re a leboha

We thank you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka kopo

Please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kopa thuso

Please help me

Literally "I ask for help".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboha ka thuso ya hao

Thank you for your help

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboha ka dijo

Thank you for the food

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ha ho na taba

It doesn't matter / no problem

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lebitso la ka ke ...

My name is ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lebitso la hao ke mang?

What is your name?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nna ...

I am ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

O tswa kae?

Where are you from?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tswa ...

I come from ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

O dula kae?

Where do you live?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke dula ...

I live in ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke thabela ho o tseba

I'm pleased to meet you

Literally "I am happy to know you".

Source: common usage, needs native check

O bua Sesotho?

Do you speak Sesotho?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke bua Sesotho hanyane

I speak a little Sesotho

Source: common usage, needs native check

O bua Senyesemane?

Do you speak English?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke ithuta Sesotho

I'm learning Sesotho

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke moithuti

I am a student

Source: common usage, needs native check

Enwa ke motswalle wa ka

This is my friend

Source: common usage, needs native check

Enwa ke mme wa ka

This is my mother

Source: common usage, needs native check

Enwa ke ntate wa ka

This is my father

Source: common usage, needs native check

E

Yes

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tjhe

No

South African spelling; Lesotho writes Che.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mohlomong

Maybe

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a utlwisisa

I understand

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ha ke utlwisise

I don't understand

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a tseba

I know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ha ke tsebe

I don't know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bua butle, ka kopo

Please speak slowly

Source: common usage, needs native check

Pheta hape, ka kopo

Please say it again

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke maswabi

I'm sorry

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ntshwarele

Excuse me / forgive me

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kopa tshwarelo

I apologise

Source: common usage, needs native check

O batla eng?

What do you want?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke batla ...

I want ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sena ke eng?

What is this?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke mang?

Who is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hobaneng?

Why?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Neng?

When?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kae?

Where?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Jwang?

How?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ema hanyane

Wait a little

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tlo kwano

Come here

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dula fatshe

Sit down

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka nnete?

Really?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nnete

It's true

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kgathetse

I'm tired

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a thaba

I'm happy

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ha ho bothata

No problem

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ho lokile

It's fine / alright

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a tla

I'm coming

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ntlwana ya boithomelo e kae?

Where is the toilet?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke ya ...

I'm going to ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

O ya kae?

Where are you going?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke batla ho ya toropong

I want to go to town

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tekesi ena e ya kae?

Where is this taxi going?

Minibus taxi.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bese e tloha neng?

When does the bus leave?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bese e fihla neng?

When does the bus arrive?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ema mona, ka kopo

Please stop here

Said to a taxi driver.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tla theoha mona

I'll get off here

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tsamaya ka maoto

I'm walking (on foot)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke fihlile

I've arrived

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re fihlile

We've arrived

Source: common usage, needs native check

Leeto le monate!

Have a good trip!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sepetlele se kae?

Where is the hospital?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lebenkele le kae?

Where is the shop?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kereke e kae?

Where is the church?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sekolo se kae?

Where is the school?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ho haufi?

Is it near?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ho hole?

Is it far?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ho haufi

It's near

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ho hole haholo

It's very far

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tsamaya ka kwano

Go this way

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka ho le letona

To the right

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka ho le letshehadi

To the left

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka pele

In front / ahead

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka morao

Behind

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mpontshe tsela, ka kopo

Please show me the way

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke lahlehile

I'm lost

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke bokae?

How much is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke batla ho reka ...

I want to buy ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

E a bitsa

It's expensive

Source: common usage, needs native check

E a bitsa haholo

It's too expensive

Source: common usage, needs native check

Le na le bohobe?

Do you have bread?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tla nka ena

I'll take this one

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kopa tjhentjhe

May I have my change, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kopa rasiti

May I have a receipt, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke patala ka karete

I'm paying by card

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke patala ka tjhelete

I'm paying cash

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lebenkele le bula neng?

When does the shop open?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lebenkele le kwala neng?

When does the shop close?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke lapile

I'm hungry

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyorilwe

I'm thirsty

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kgotshe

I'm full

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboha, ke kgotshe

Thank you, I'm full

Polite way to decline more food.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kopa metsi

Water, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kopa tee

Tea, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kopa letswai

Salt, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dijo di monate

The food is tasty

Source: common usage, needs native check

A re je

Let's eat

Source: common usage, needs native check

O batla ho ja eng?

What do you want to eat?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke batla papa le nama

I want pap and meat

Papa is stiff maize porridge.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ha ke je nama

I don't eat meat

Source: common usage, needs native check

nngwe

one

Source: common usage, needs native check

pedi

two

Source: common usage, needs native check

tharo

three

Source: common usage, needs native check

nne

four

Source: common usage, needs native check

hlano

five

Source: common usage, needs native check

tshelela

six

Source: common usage, needs native check

supa

seven

Source: common usage, needs native check

robedi

eight

Source: common usage, needs native check

robong

nine

Source: common usage, needs native check

leshome

ten

Source: common usage, needs native check

mashome a mabedi

twenty

Source: common usage, needs native check

lekgolo

one hundred

Source: common usage, needs native check

sekete

one thousand

Source: common usage, needs native check

kajeno

today

Source: common usage, needs native check

hosane

tomorrow

Source: common usage, needs native check

maobane

yesterday

Source: common usage, needs native check

jwale

now

South African spelling; Lesotho writes joale.

Source: common usage, needs native check

hamorao

later

Source: common usage, needs native check

hoseng

in the morning

Source: common usage, needs native check

motsheare

at midday / in the afternoon

Source: common usage, needs native check

mantsiboya

in the evening

Source: common usage, needs native check

bosiu

at night

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nako mang?

What time is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

beke e tlang

next week

Source: common usage, needs native check

selemo se fetileng

last year

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sontaha

Sunday

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Mantaha

Monday

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Labobedi

Tuesday

Literally "the second (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Laboraro

Wednesday

Literally "the third (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Labone

Thursday

Literally "the fourth (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Labohlano

Friday

Literally "the fifth (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Moqebelo

Saturday

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Pherekgong

January

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Hlakola

February

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Hlakubele

March

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Mmesa

April

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Motsheanong

May

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Phupjane

June

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Phupu

July

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Phato

August

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Lwetse

September

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Mphalane

October

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Pudungwana

November

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

Tshitwe

December

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Sesotho

lelapa la ka

my family

Source: common usage, needs native check

ntate wa ka

my father

Source: common usage, needs native check

mme wa ka

my mother

Source: common usage, needs native check

ngwana wa ka

my child

Source: common usage, needs native check

bana ba ka

my children

Source: common usage, needs native check

abuti wa ka

my brother

Source: common usage, needs native check

ausi wa ka

my sister

Source: common usage, needs native check

O na le bana?

Do you have children?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke na le bana ba babedi

I have two children

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyetse

I am married (said by a man)

Ho nyala: a man marries.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyetswe

I am married (said by a woman)

Ho nyalwa: a woman is married.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a o rata

I love you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a o rata haholo

I love you very much

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke o hlolohetswe

I miss you

Source: common usage, needs native check

O motle

You are beautiful

Source: common usage, needs native check

Pelo ya ka

My heart

Term of endearment.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Moratuwa

My love / darling

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nahana ka wena

I'm thinking of you

Source: common usage, needs native check

O sebetsa kae?

Where do you work?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke sebetsa ...

I work at ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke batla mosebetsi

I'm looking for work

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke ya mosebetsing

I'm going to work

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re na le kopano

We have a meeting

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nka o thusa?

Can I help you?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a sebetsa kajeno

I'm working today

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a kula

I'm sick

Source: common usage, needs native check

O ikutlwa jwang?

How do you feel?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke opelwa ke hlooho

I have a headache

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke opelwa ke mpa

I have a stomach ache

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke hloka ngaka

I need a doctor

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bitsa ngaka

Call a doctor

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke hloka moriana

I need medicine

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke lemetse

I'm injured

Source: common usage, needs native check

Fola kapele!

Get well soon!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Thusa!

Help!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nthuse!

Help me!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mollo!

Fire!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ho na le kotsi

There's been an accident

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lesholu!

Thief!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tloha!

Go away!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Letsetsa mapolesa!

Call the police!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Matshediso

Condolences

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re a le tshedisa

We comfort you (our condolences)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re maswabi ka tahlehelo ya lona

We are sorry for your loss

Source: common usage, needs native check

Robala ka kgotso

Rest in peace

Source: common usage, needs native check

Modimo a le matlafatse

May God strengthen you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Modimo a o hlohonolofatse

God bless you

Source: common usage, needs native check

A re rapeleng

Let us pray

Source: common usage, needs native check

Amen

Amen

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re ya kerekeng

We are going to church

Source: common usage, needs native check

Modimo o molemo

God is good

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mahlohonolo!

Congratulations / best wishes!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Letsatsi le monate la tswalo!

Happy birthday!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Keresemese e monate!

Merry Christmas!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Selemo se setjha se monate!

Happy New Year!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke o thabela

I'm happy for you

Source: common usage, needs native check

A re keteke!

Let's celebrate!

Source: common usage, needs native check