Basic Words

1. Ee

   Yes

   Usage

   The affirmative reply, often followed by a short clause

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary calls it an interjection of assent. The negative is Nnyaa.

2. Nnyaa

   No

   Usage

   The negative reply. To decline politely: Nnyaa, ke a leboga

   Grammar Note

   Spelled nnyaa with a long final vowel, not nnya. 125 occurrences in the Bible text.

3. Ke kopa

   Please (may I have ...)

   Usage

   The standard way to ask for something; add the thing wanted (e.g. Ke kopa metsi)

   Grammar Note

   kopa means "ask for"; the object noun simply follows.

4. Ke a leboga

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic expression of thanks

   Grammar Note

   ke a + verb; to several people say Ke a lo leboga.

5. Intshwarele

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get attention or to pass someone

   Grammar Note

   To several people use Intshwareleng. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

6. Ke maswabi

   I am sorry

   Usage

   For your own mistake or another person's misfortune

   Grammar Note

   maswabi is a noun meaning "sorrow". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

7. Go siame

   It is OK

   Usage

   To agree, or to answer a light apology

   Grammar Note

   66 occurrences in the Bible text.

8. Ga ke tlhaloganye

   I do not understand

   Usage

   When you cannot follow

   Grammar Note

   Negative = ga + subject concord + final -a becomes -e (tlhaloganya → tlhaloganye).

9. Ke a tlhaloganya

   I understand

   Usage

   To show that you follow

   Grammar Note

   Affirmative is ke a + verb; in the negative the a drops and the ending becomes -e. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

10. Tsweetswee, leta

    Please wait

    Usage

    When you need someone to wait

    Grammar Note

    leta is the imperative of "wait". To several people use Letang. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

11. Ke kopa o nthuse

    Please help me

    Usage

    When you need help

    Grammar Note

    The verb after ke kopa is in the subjunctive (ending -e). nthuse = n- "me" + thuse. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

12. Ke kopa o bue gape

    Please say it again

    Usage

    When you did not catch what was said

    Grammar Note

    gape means "again"; the subjunctive of bua is bue. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

13. Ke kopa o bue ka bonya

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the other person speaks too fast

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses bonya as "slow"; ka bonya means "slowly". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

14. A o bua Sekgoa?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    To check whether English will work

    Grammar Note

    A opens a yes/no question. Sekgoa is the neutral word for English in Botswana. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

15. Ke bua Sekgoa fela

    I only speak English

    Usage

    When you have no local language

    Grammar Note

    fela means "only". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

16. Nna

    Me / I

    Usage

    To point at yourself or to stress "I"

    Grammar Note

    The independent pronoun; ordinary sentences use ke.

17. Wena

    You

    Usage

    To point at the other person

    Grammar Note

    Singular independent pronoun; the plural is lona.

18. Kwano

    Here

    Usage

    To indicate a place

    Grammar Note

    Also "to here" (Tla kwano = come here). fano also means "here".

19. Koo

    There

    Usage

    To indicate a place some way off

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses koo as "there".

20. Mmogo

    Together

    Usage

    To say "all together"

    Grammar Note

    A basic word, over 3,000 occurrences on tn.wikipedia.

21. Go lekane

    That is enough

    Usage

    To say you need no more

    Grammar Note

    Attestation of lekane ("be enough") comes from tn.wikipedia only. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

22. Gotlhe

    All / everything

    Usage

    To say "all"

    Grammar Note

    118 occurrences in the Bible text. After a noun it takes a class form (dijo tsotlhe, batho botlhe).

23. Go le gonnye

    Just a little

    Usage

    To ask for a small amount

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses gonnye as "a little". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

24. Motho a le mongwe

    One person

    Usage

    To state the number of people

    Grammar Note

    9 occurrences in the Bible text and 78 on tn.wikipedia.

25. Batho ba le babedi

    Two people

    Usage

    To state the number of people

    Grammar Note

    22 occurrences on tn.wikipedia. The numeral agrees with the noun class (batho → ba-bedi).

26. Batho ba le bararo

    Three people

    Usage

    To state the number of people

    Grammar Note

    34 occurrences on tn.wikipedia.

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