Numbers

1. Nngwe, pedi, tharo

   One, two, three

   Usage

   The numbers 1 to 3

   Grammar Note

   With a noun the numeral takes a class concord (batho ba le babedi, "two people"). Counting alone uses the bare form. In Botswana prices are often quoted in English.

2. Nne, tlhano, thataro

   Four, five, six

   Usage

   The numbers 4 to 6

   Grammar Note

   Bare forms confirmed in the dictionary and the Bible. The tlh in tlhano is one consonant.

3. Supa, robedi, robongwe

   Seven, eight, nine

   Usage

   The numbers 7 to 9

   Grammar Note

   supa has the same form as the verb "point". robedi is in the dictionary; robongwe is frequent on tn.wikipedia.

4. Lesome

   Ten

   Usage

   The number 10

   Grammar Note

   The plural of lesome is masome (the tens). 95 occurrences in the Bible text.

5. Lekgolo, sekete

   One hundred, one thousand

   Usage

   The numbers 100 and 1,000

   Grammar Note

   Plurals are makgolo and dikete (frequent on tn.wikipedia). The kg is one consonant.

6. Masome a mabedi

   Twenty

   Usage

   The number 20

   Grammar Note

   Built as "two tens". The form masome a mabedi is frequent on tn.wikipedia.

7. Masome a matlhano

   Fifty

   Usage

   The number 50

   Grammar Note

   Built as "five tens"; matlhano agrees with class 6. tn.wikipedia has masome a matlhano.

8. Ke kopa dipula di le masome a mabedi

   Please give me twenty pula

   Usage

   When stating an amount for payment or change

   Grammar Note

   pula is the currency; tn.wikipedia uses the plural dipula in forms like dipula di le 10. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

9. Dilo di le pedi

   Two things

   Usage

   To ask for two items

   Grammar Note

   dilo is the plural of selo. The numeral follows di le; the dictionary has dinku di le nne "four sheep". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

10. Supa le lesome ke lesome le bosupa

    Seven plus ten is seventeen

    Usage

    To state a sum

    Grammar Note

    Teens are lesome le + a bo- form (bosupa); tn.wikipedia has lesome le bosupa. The way of saying "plus" is composed. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

11. Ke na le dingwaga di le masome a mabedi le bosupa

    I am 27 years old

    Usage

    To state your age; swap the number

    Grammar Note

    Age is dingwaga di le + number; tn.wikipedia has many examples of dingwaga di le masome a ... . 27 = masome a mabedi le bosupa. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

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