Colors

1. Bohibidu

   Red

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has the adjective khibidu "red"; the noun bohibidu is common in the New Testament and tn.wikipedia. The adjective agrees with its noun class (for example mmala o mohibidu).

2. Mmala wa namune

   Orange

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   Literally "the colour of an orange". tn.wikipedia uses mmala wa namune as a colour name.

3. Bosetlha

   Yellow

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has the adjective setlha "yellow"; the New Testament uses bosetlha for withered grass, and tn.wikipedia for yellowish shades.

4. Botala

   Green

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary lists botala "green". The adjective tala covers both blue and green.

5. Pududu

   Dark blue

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary lists pududu "grey (dark blue)". tn.wikipedia uses it for the blue of a flag and of a shirt.

6. Botala jwa loapi

   Sky blue

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   Literally "blue-green of the sky". tn.wikipedia describes the light blue of the Botswana flag as botala jwa loapi. loapi is "sky".

7. Phepole

   Purple

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "purple". tn.wikipedia has mmala wa phepole.

8. Pinki

   Pink

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "pink". tn.wikipedia has mmala o o pinki.

9. Borokwa

   Brown

   Usage

   Naming a colour

   Grammar Note

   tn.wikipedia uses borokwa for brown (tshephe e e borokwa is the brown hyena). The New Testament also uses it for purple cloth.

10. Bosweu

    White

    Usage

    Naming a colour

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has tshweu "white"; the noun bosweu is in the New Testament.

11. Bontsho

    Black

    Usage

    Naming a colour

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has ntsho "black"; tn.wikipedia has mebala ya bontsho le bosweu "black and white".

12. Mmala wa molora

    Gray

    Usage

    Naming a colour

    Grammar Note

    Literally "the colour of ash". The dictionary explains grey as mmala wa molora.

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