English to Sepedi: everyday phrases

Thobela

Hello (respectful)

The polite greeting for elders, strangers and formal settings; works for one person or many.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Thobela, mma

Hello, madam

Respectful greeting to a woman.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Thobela, tate

Hello, sir

Respectful greeting to a man; tate means father.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dumela

Hello (to one person)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dumelang

Hello (to several people)

Also used to greet one elder respectfully.

Source: common usage, needs native check

O kae?

How are you? (to one person)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Le kae?

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

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke gona

I'm fine

Reply to O kae?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re gona

We're fine

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke gona, wena o kae?

I'm fine, and how are you?

Source: common usage, needs native check

O phela bjang?

How are you?

Literally "how do you live?".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke phela gabotse

I am well

Source: common usage, needs native check

O tsogile bjang?

How did you wake up?

Morning greeting.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Le tsogile bjang?

How did you wake up? (to several people)

Morning greeting, plural or respectful.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tsogile gabotse

I woke up well

Reply to the morning greeting.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Robala gabotse

Sleep well

Said at night, like "good night".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Šala gabotse

Goodbye (stay well)

Said by the person who is leaving.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Šalang gabotse

Goodbye (stay well, to several people)

Said by the person who is leaving.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sepela gabotse

Goodbye (go well)

Said by the person who stays.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sepelang gabotse

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 gosasa

See you tomorrow

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tsena!

Come in!

Source: common usage, needs native check

O amogetšwe

You are welcome (to a visitor)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboga

Thank you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke leboga kudu

Thank you very much

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re a leboga

We thank you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hle

Please

Added to a request, e.g. Tla mo, hle (come here, please).

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kgopela thušo

Please help me

Literally "I ask for help".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke leboga thušo ya gago

Thank you for your help

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboga ka dijo

Thank you for the food

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ga go na taba

It doesn't matter

Source: common usage, needs native check

Leina la ka ke ...

My name is ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Leina la gago ke mang?

What is your name?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nna ...

I am ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

O tšwa kae?

Where are you from?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tšwa ...

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 go go tseba

I'm pleased to meet you

Literally "I am happy to know you".

Source: common usage, needs native check

O bolela Sepedi?

Do you speak Sepedi?

Source: common usage, needs native check

O bolela Seisimane?

Do you speak English?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke ithuta Sepedi

I'm learning Sepedi

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke moithuti

I am a student

Source: common usage, needs native check

Yo ke mogwera wa ka

This is my friend

Source: common usage, needs native check

Yo ke mma wa ka

This is my mother

Source: common usage, needs native check

Yo ke tate wa ka

This is my father

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ee

Yes

Source: common usage, needs native check

Aowa

No

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mohlomongwe

Maybe

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a kwešiša

I understand

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ga ke kwešiše

I don't understand

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a tseba

I know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ga ke tsebe

I don't know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Boeletša, hle

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

O nyaka eng?

What do you want?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyaka ...

I want ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Se ke eng?

What is this?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke mang?

Who is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka lebaka la eng?

Why?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Neng?

When?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kae?

Where?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bjang?

How?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ema gannyane

Wait a little

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tla mo

Come here

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dula fase

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 lapile

I'm tired

In Sepedi lapile means tired; in Sesotho the same word means hungry.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke thabile

I'm happy

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ga go na bothata

No problem

Source: common usage, needs native check

Go 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 nyaka go ya toropong

I want to go to town

Source: common usage, needs native check

Pese e tloga neng?

When does the bus leave?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Pese e fihla neng?

When does the bus arrive?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ema mo, hle

Please stop here

Said to a taxi driver.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke sepela 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 le botse!

Have a good trip!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bookelo bo 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

Go kgauswi?

Is it near?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Go kgole?

Is it far?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Go kgauswi

It's near

Source: common usage, needs native check

Go kgole kudu

It's very far

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka go le letona

To the right

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka go le letshadi

To the left

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka pele

In front / ahead

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ka morago

Behind

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mpontšhe tsela, hle

Please show me the way

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke timetše

I'm lost

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke bokae?

How much is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyaka go reka ...

I want to buy ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Go a bitša

It's expensive

Source: common usage, needs native check

Go bitša kudu

It's too expensive

Source: common usage, needs native check

Le na le borotho?

Do you have bread?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke tla tšea ye

I'll take this one

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke lefa ka tšhelete

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

Ke swerwe ke tlala

I'm hungry

Literally "I am held by hunger".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyorilwe

I'm thirsty

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke khorile

I'm full

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a leboga, ke khorile

Thank you, I'm full

Polite way to decline more food.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kgopela meetse

Water, please

Literally "I ask for water".

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kgopela teye

Tea, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke kgopela letswai

Salt, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dijo di bose

The food is tasty

Source: common usage, needs native check

A re jeng

Let's eat

Source: common usage, needs native check

O nyaka go ja eng?

What do you want to eat?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyaka bogobe le nama

I want porridge and meat

Bogobe is stiff maize porridge (pap).

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ga ke je nama

I don't eat meat

Source: common usage, needs native check

tee

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

šupa

seven

Source: common usage, needs native check

seswai

eight

Source: common usage, needs native check

senyane

nine

Source: common usage, needs native check

lesome

ten

Source: common usage, needs native check

masomepedi

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

lehono

today

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

gosasa

tomorrow

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

maabane

yesterday

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

bjale

now

Source: common usage, needs native check

ka morago

later

Source: common usage, needs native check

mesong

in the morning

Source: common usage, needs native check

mosegare

at midday / in the afternoon

Source: common usage, needs native check

mantšiboa

in the evening

Source: common usage, needs native check

bošego

at night

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nako mang?

What time is it?

Source: common usage, needs native check

beke ye e tlago

next week

Source: common usage, needs native check

ngwaga wo o fetilego

last year

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lamorena

Sunday

Literally "(day) of the Lord".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

Mošupologo

Monday

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

Labobedi

Tuesday

Literally "the second (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

Laboraro

Wednesday

Literally "the third (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

Labone

Thursday

Literally "the fourth (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

Labohlano

Friday

Literally "the fifth (day)".

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

Mokibelo

Saturday

Source: Unicode CLDR locale data for Northern Sotho

Pherekgong

January

English-based form: Janeware.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Dibokwane

February

English-based form: Febereware.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Hlakola

March

English-based form: Matšhe.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Moranang

April

English-based form: Aporele.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Mopitlo

May

English-based form: Mei.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Phupu

June

English-based form: June. Mojalefa (2011) places Phupu in July and Phato in June.

Source: Mojalefa 2011

Mosegamanye

July

English-based form: Julae. Mojalefa (2011) places it in August.

Source: Mojalefa 2011

Phato

August

English-based form: Agosetose.

Source: Mojalefa 2011

Lewedi

September

English-based form: Setemere.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Diphalane

October

English-based form: Oktobore.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Dibatsela

November

English-based form: Nofemere. DBE dates its November exam papers "Dibatsela".

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Manthole

December

Also Nthole. English-based form: Disemere.

Source: Mojalefa 2011, Ngwaga wa Mopedi, Verbum et Ecclesia 32

Kgwedi ye ke Pherekgong

This month is January

Source: common usage, needs native check

lapa la ka

my family

Source: common usage, needs native check

tate wa ka

my father

Source: common usage, needs native check

mma 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

kgaitšedi ya ka

my brother / my sister

Kgaitšedi is a sibling of the opposite sex.

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 nyetše

I am married (said by a man)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyetšwe

I am married (said by a woman)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a go rata

I love you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke go rata kudu

I love you very much

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke go hlologetše

I miss you

Source: common usage, needs native check

O mobotse

You are beautiful

Source: common usage, needs native check

Pelo ya ka

My heart

Term of endearment.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Moratiwa

My love / darling

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nagana ka wena

I'm thinking of you

Source: common usage, needs native check

O šoma kae?

Where do you work?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke šoma ...

I work at ...

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke nyaka mošomo

I'm looking for work

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke ya mošomong

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 go thuša?

Can I help you?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a lwala

I'm sick

Source: common usage, needs native check

O ikwa bjang?

How do you feel?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke opša ke hlogo

I have a headache

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke opša 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

Bitša ngaka

Call a doctor

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke hloka sehlare

I need medicine

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke gobetše

I'm injured

Source: common usage, needs native check

Thušang!

Help!

Called to everyone nearby.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nthuše!

Help me!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mollo!

Fire!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Go na le kotsi

There's been an accident

Source: common usage, needs native check

Lehodu!

Thief!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Letšetša maphodisa!

Call the police!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Matshidišo

Condolences

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re maswabi kudu

We are very sorry

Source: common usage, needs native check

Robala ka khutšo

Rest in peace

Source: common usage, needs native check

Modimo a le matlafatše

May God strengthen you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Poloko e tla ba neng?

When will the funeral be?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Modimo a go šegofatše

God bless you

Source: common usage, needs native check

A re rapeleng

Let us pray

Source: common usage, needs native check

Amene

Amen

Source: common usage, needs native check

Re ya kerekeng

We are going to church

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mahlatse!

Good luck / best wishes!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Letšatši la matswalo le le bose!

Happy birthday!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Keresemose ye bose!

Merry Christmas!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ngwaga wo mofsa wo bose!

Happy New Year!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ke a go thabela

I'm happy for you

Source: common usage, needs native check

A re keteke!

Let's celebrate!

Source: common usage, needs native check