Useful Phrases

1. Ke Mojapane

   I am Japanese

   Usage

   Introducing your nationality

   Grammar Note

   Mojapane is attested on tn.wikipedia (plural Majapane). Before a noun, ke is the copula "am". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

2. Ke tswa kwa Japane

   I come from Japan

   Usage

   Saying where you are from; swap the country

   Grammar Note

   The answer to O tswa kae? ("Where are you from?"): tswa kwa + place. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

3. Ke motsamai

   I am a traveller

   Usage

   Saying you are a traveller

   Grammar Note

   motsamai is a dictionary headword (from tsamaya "go, walk"; plural batsamai). moeng "visitor, guest" is also usable. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

4. Ke tsamaya ke le nosi

   I am travelling alone

   Usage

   Saying you travel alone

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has ke le nosi "I alone". nosi means "alone, only" and agrees with the subject (ke le nosi, a le nosi). Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

5. Ke lekgetlo la ntlha ke tla kwano

   It is my first time here

   Usage

   Saying it is your first visit

   Grammar Note

   lekgetlo la ntlha "the first time" is attested on tn.wikipedia. No fixed "first time" sentence was found, so the clauses are simply joined. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

6. A re tsaye setshwantsho mmogo?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Inviting someone to a photo together

   Grammar Note

   A re + subjunctive (verb ends in -e) means "let us ...": tsaya becomes tsaye, as in A re je mmogo. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

7. O se ka wa ntsietsa!

   Do not cheat me!

   Usage

   A firm warning against being cheated

   Grammar Note

   O se ka wa + verb is the singular prohibitive. tsietsa "deceive" (19 times in the New Testament) takes the object n-: ntsietsa. For several people: Lo se ka lwa ntsietsa. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

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