Greetings

1. Dumela

   Hello (to one person)

   Usage

   The basic all-day greeting in South African Sesotho (Free State and elsewhere). In Lesotho the same greeting is spelled "Lumela"

   Grammar Note

   Used to one person; use "Dumelang" for several people or one elder. The reply is also "Dumela"

2. Dumelang

   Hello (to several people, or politely to one elder)

   Usage

   Used to greet a group, or to greet an older person respectfully. The Lesotho spelling is "Lumelang"

   Grammar Note

   The plural-imperative ending -ng on dumela. Sesotho uses plural forms to show respect to a single elder

3. Ke a leboha

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common way to say thanks. Add "ntate" (sir) or "mme" (madam) when thanking an elder

   Grammar Note

   Sesotho writes the parts as separate words. "We thank" is "Re a leboha". Do not confuse with Sepedi/Setswana "leboga" (Sesotho has h)

4. Ke leboha haholo

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Used to thank someone warmly

   Grammar Note

   "haholo" is an adverb meaning very much. The present marker "a" is often left out

5. Sala hantle

   Goodbye (said to the person staying)

   Usage

   Said to the person who stays. To the one leaving say "Tsamaya hantle"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "stay well". For several people: "Salang hantle". Sesotho has hantle, not Setswana "sentle"

6. O phela jwang?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The usual follow-up after a greeting. Answer "Ke teng" (I am well)

   Grammar Note

   Literally "how do you live?". For an elder or several people use "Le phela jwang?". Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed). Lesotho spelling: "O phela joang?"

7. Dumela, ke teng

   Hello, I am fine

   Usage

   A natural reply to "O phela jwang?". "ke teng" means both "I am well" and "I am here"

   Grammar Note

   Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

8. Tsamaya hantle

   Goodbye (said to the person leaving) / Go well

   Usage

   Said to the person who is leaving. To the one staying say "Sala hantle". To several people: "Tsamayang hantle"

   Grammar Note

   Farewells differ for the one leaving and the one staying. Not Setswana "Tsamaya sentle". Lesotho spelling: "Tsamaea hantle"

9. Ke thabile ho kopana le wena

   I am glad to meet you

   Usage

   A first-meeting greeting. For an elder or several people replace "wena" with "lona"

   Grammar Note

   "ke thabile ho + verb" means glad to do something. Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

10. Letsatsi le monate!

    Have a good day!

    Usage

    A farewell wishing someone a good day

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

11. Ntshwarele

    Excuse me / Sorry

    Usage

    Used to get someone's attention, to pass through, or to apologise lightly. Politer: "Ntshwarele hle"

    Grammar Note

    An imperative with the object prefix n- "me". Lesotho spelling: "Ntshoarele"

12. Ha ke bue Sesotho

    I don't speak Sesotho

    Usage

    Used to say you cannot speak Sesotho, often before asking for help in English

    Grammar Note

    Present negative = "ha + subject + stem with final -a changed to -e": bua -> ha ke bue. Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

13. Ke tla kgutla hape

    I will come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

    Grammar Note

    Future is "ke tla + verb". "kgutla" means to return

14. Ke thabile haholo

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye, to show you enjoyed yourself

    Grammar Note

    Literally "I am very happy". Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

15. Ke a leboha, re tla bonana

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

16. Robala hantle

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before bed, for example at a guesthouse. For several people: "Robalang hantle"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "sleep well". Never add "le motho" (with a person) to robala; that changes the meaning

17. Ke a tsamaya

    I am heading out

    Usage

    Casual phrase said when leaving the house

    Grammar Note

    "tsamaya" means go or walk.

18. Ke kgutlile

    I am back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house or guesthouse

    Grammar Note

    The perfect of kgutla "to return".

19. Ntshwarele, ke tlameha ho tsamaya

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    A polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others

    Grammar Note

    "ke tlameha ho + verb" means "I must". Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

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