Directions

1. Mpontshe tsela, ka kopo

   Please show me the way

   Usage

   A polite request for directions

   Grammar Note

   "Mpontshe" is the imperative of bontsha (show) with the object concord for "me". Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

2. Tsamaya o otlolohile

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   Used to tell someone to go straight ahead

   Grammar Note

   The pattern "Tsamaya o otlolohile ho fihlela o bona ..." (go straight until you see ...). For several people or a respected person use Tsamayang

3. Na e hole?

   Is it far?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether a destination is far away

   Grammar Note

   "Hole" means far. The form "e hole" is used because "hole" alone can also be a verb (to grow). Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

4. Ke nahana hore ke lahlehile

   I think I am lost

   Usage

   Used to say that you are lost and need help

   Grammar Note

   Lahleha is "get lost". Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

5. Ke kopa mmapa wa ditsela

   I would like a road map

   Usage

   Used to politely ask for a road map

   Grammar Note

   "Ke kopa ..." is the polite way to request something. Mmapa is map. Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

6. O dula kae?

   Where do you live?

   Usage

   Used to ask in a friendly way where someone lives

   Grammar Note

   For where someone comes from use O tswa kae?

7. Na Maseru e haufi?

   Is Maseru nearby?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, is close

   Grammar Note

   Haufi is near. Town names often take no locative -ng. Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

8. Ka ho le letona

   On the right

   Usage

   Short enough to read in a moving vehicle

   Grammar Note

   Letona is also the word for a minister

9. Ka ho le letshehadi

   On the left

   Usage

   Hold up the screen for the driver to show the side

   Grammar Note

   A common everyday word.

10. Boela morao

    Go back

    Usage

    When you have gone too far

    Grammar Note

    boela means "go back". Morao means behind. Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

11. Emisa mona

    Stop here

    Usage

    Show it where you want the driver to stop so you can get out

    Grammar Note

    Emisa is the causative of ema (stop), "make it stop". Mona means "here". Composed sentence built with regular grammar.

12. Leboya

    North

    Usage

    The compass word, clearest shown with a map

    Grammar Note

    Leboya is north.

13. Borwa

    South

    Usage

    The compass word; it is also part of Afrika Borwa, South Africa

    Grammar Note

    Borwa is south; Afrika Borwa is South Africa.

14. Botjhabela

    East

    Usage

    The compass word, related to the sun rising (letsatsi le tjhaba)

    Grammar Note

    Botjhabela is east. The Lesotho spelling is Bochabela

15. Bophirimela

    West

    Usage

    The compass word, related to the sun setting (letsatsi le dikela)

    Grammar Note

    Bophirimela is west.

16. Hodimo

    Up / upstairs

    Usage

    Point at it when asking which floor something is on

    Grammar Note

    Hodimo means above or up.

17. Tlase

    Down / downstairs

    Usage

    For pointing downstairs or toward ground level

    Grammar Note

    Tlase means below or down

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