Traveling with Kids

1. Bana ba tshameka

   The children are playing

   Usage

   Describing children at play

   Grammar Note

   tn.wikipedia has Bana ba tshameka kwa motseng wa Khwai ("the children play in the village of Khwai"). bana is the plural of ngwana "child".

2. O tshameka eng?

   What are you playing?

   Usage

   Asking a child what they are playing

   Grammar Note

   The question word eng goes at the end. To a respected adult the plural form Le tshameka eng? would be used instead. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

3. Ngwana o robetse

   The child is asleep

   Usage

   Saying that a child is sleeping

   Grammar Note

   robetse is the perfect of robala "sleep, lie down" and gives the state "is asleep". tn.wikipedia has the form o robetse. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

4. Bana ba ya sekolong

   The children are going to school

   Usage

   Saying the children are going to school

   Grammar Note

   sekolong is sekolo "school" plus the locative -ng. tn.wikipedia has go ya sekolong "to go to school". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

5. Bana ba itumetse

   The children are happy

   Usage

   Saying the children are happy

   Grammar Note

   itumetse is the perfect of itumela "rejoice, be happy". tn.wikipedia has Ke itumetse "I am happy". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

6. Ngwana o kae?

   Where is the child?

   Usage

   Asking where a child is

   Grammar Note

   The place question kae comes last, with class 1 agreement o on the subject. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

7. Bana ba rata go tshameka

   Children like to play

   Usage

   A general remark that children love to play

   Grammar Note

   rata go + verb means "like to ...". rata is "love, like" (dictionary). Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages