Greetings

1. Dumela

   Hello (to one person)

   Usage

   The basic greeting, usable all day. For an elder use the plural Dumelang

   Grammar Note

   Singular Dumela; plural or respectful Dumelang. Always greet before asking for anything.

2. Dumelang

   Hello (to several people or a respected person)

   Usage

   A polite greeting for a group, or for one elder

   Grammar Note

   The ending -ng marks the plural or respect form; it is also used for a single elder.

3. Dumelang, Rra

   Hello, sir

   Usage

   For an older man or male staff at an office or hotel. For a woman use Mma

   Grammar Note

   The address term Rra follows the greeting. Use Mma for a woman, never Rra.

4. Dumelang, Mma

   Hello, madam

   Usage

   For an older woman or female staff at an office or hotel. For a man use Rra

   Grammar Note

   Mma is the address term for a woman; use Rra for a man.

5. O tsogile jang?

   How are you? (to one person)

   Usage

   For a peer or a child. For an elder use Le tsogile jang?

   Grammar Note

   Literally "how did you wake up". O is the singular subject concord for "you". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

6. Le tsogile jang?

   How are you? (to several people or an elder)

   Usage

   For a group, or for one elder

   Grammar Note

   Le is the plural / respectful subject concord; the polite version of O tsogile jang? Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

7. Ke teng, ke a leboga

   I am fine, thank you

   Usage

   A reply to a greeting. Ke teng means "I am here", i.e. I am well

   Grammar Note

   Ke teng is attested in the Bible text and tn.wikipedia. The second half is the basic thanks pattern. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

8. Ke a leboga

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic way to thank someone. To several people say Ke a lo leboga

   Grammar Note

   ke a + verb means "I do ...". It is written disjunctively, never joined. Ke a go leboga means "I thank you".

9. Ke a leboga thata

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   When you want to thank someone warmly

   Grammar Note

   thata means "very, strongly" and follows the verb. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

10. Tsweetswee

    Please

    Usage

    Add to a request. In shops Ke kopa ... ("may I have ...") is more usual

    Grammar Note

    Absent from the 1993 dictionary but attested in the Bible text and tn.wikipedia.

11. Intshwarele

    Excuse me / I am sorry (forgive me)

    Usage

    To pass someone or for a light apology. To several people use Intshwareleng

    Grammar Note

    Reflexive i- + tshwarela ("forgive"), imperative. The Bible has the form Lo intshwarele. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

12. Ke maswabi

    I am sorry

    Usage

    For bad news, someone's misfortune, or a sincere apology

    Grammar Note

    maswabi means "sorrow"; the phrase says roughly "I am (in) sorrow". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

13. Sala sentle

    Goodbye (said to the person who stays)

    Usage

    Said by the one leaving to the one staying. The reply is Tsamaya sentle

    Grammar Note

    Plural: Salang sentle. Do not swap Sala and Tsamaya: Sala is for the one who stays.

14. Tsamaya sentle

    Goodbye (said to the person who leaves)

    Usage

    Said by the one staying to the one leaving. The reply is Sala sentle

    Grammar Note

    Plural: Tsamayang sentle.

15. Go siame

    It is fine / all right

    Usage

    To agree, to accept, or to answer a light apology

    Grammar Note

    66 occurrences in the Bible text and 19 on tn.wikipedia. go is the impersonal subject concord.

16. Ga go na sepe

    You are welcome / it is nothing

    Usage

    A reply to thanks or an apology

    Grammar Note

    Literally "there is nothing". 13 occurrences in the Bible text and 29 on tn.wikipedia.

17. Ke itumelela go go bona

    I am glad to see you

    Usage

    A greeting at a first meeting or a reunion

    Grammar Note

    The first go marks the infinitive; the second go is the object concord "you". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

18. Ga ke bue Setswana

    I do not speak Setswana

    Usage

    To say you cannot speak it. Follow with A o bua Sekgoa?

    Grammar Note

    Negative = ga + subject concord + final -a becomes -e (bua → bue). Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

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