Adjectives

1. E kgolo

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the e- form used for a single thing. For several things say "Tse kgolo"

2. E nyane

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the e- form used for a single thing. "nyenyane" is a variant with the same meaning

3. E boima

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the e- form used for a single thing. It is about weight only

4. E bobebe

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only, a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the e- form used for a single thing

5. Theko e phahameng

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

   Grammar Note

   Literally "a high price". Official texts use this more often than the loan turu (<Afrikaans duur)

6. Theko e tlase

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

   Grammar Note

   Literally "a low price"; "tlase" means low or down

7. E tjhesang

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water; not the same as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Relative form of the verb tjhesa "be hot, burn". Hot weather is "Ho a tjhesa"

8. E batang

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food; not the same as cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Relative form of the verb bata "be cold". Cold weather is "Ho a bata"

9. E ntjha

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the e- form used for a single thing. Lesotho spelling: "e ncha"

10. E tsofetseng

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it can be rude

    Grammar Note

    Relative form of the verb tsofala "to age"; used of old things such as old seed or old machines

11. Motjha

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

    Grammar Note

    Means both "young" and "new" (young of people, new of things). Lesotho spelling: "mocha"

12. Motho ya tsofetseng

    Old (person)

    Usage

    For people, pick the respectful wording; to address someone use "Ntate" or "Mme"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "a person who has aged". Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

13. E hlwekileng

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water

    Grammar Note

    Perfect relative form of the verb hlweka "become clean"

14. E ditshila

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

    Grammar Note

    "ditshila" is also the noun "dirt, rubbish"; "e ditshila" means "is dirty"

15. E ntle

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for approval, and for a beautiful view

    Grammar Note

    Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the e- form used for a single thing

16. E mpe

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

    Grammar Note

    Adjectives agree with the noun class; this is the e- form used for a single thing

17. Haufi

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

    Grammar Note

    An adverb. With a place use "haufi le" (near to)

18. Hole

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

    Grammar Note

    An adverb. It also appears in negatives such as "Ha e hole" (it is not far)

19. Pele ho nako

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; a different matter from "fast"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "before the time"; it means ahead of schedule.

20. Ke diehile

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; a different matter from "slow"

    Grammar Note

    Perfect of the verb dieha "be late", meaning "I am late". Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

21. E ngata

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

    Grammar Note

    With several things use "tse ngata" (for example dibuka tse ngata "many books")

22. Mmalwa

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

    Grammar Note

    Placed after a noun, for example "matsatsi a mmalwa" (a few days)

23. Ho a tjhesa

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather; a different word from a hot object

    Grammar Note

    A common everyday word.

24. Ho a bata

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather; a different word from a cold object

    Grammar Note

    A common everyday word.

25. E monate

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

    Grammar Note

    "monate" means tasty or pleasant. For several dishes say "Di monate"

26. E makatsang

    Amazing

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or admiration

    Grammar Note

    Relative form of the verb makatsa "astonish"; it means astonishing

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