Indulgences

1. Jwala ba Sesotho

   Sesotho traditional beer

   Usage

   Traditional home-brewed beer served at gatherings. You may politely decline if it is offered.

   Grammar Note

   Jwala is the South African spelling (Lesotho writes joala).

2. Jwala

   Beer, alcohol

   Usage

   The general word for alcohol; the traditional home brew is jwala ba Sesotho.

   Grammar Note

   Many people do not drink for religious reasons.

3. Seno se tahang

   Alcoholic drink

   Usage

   Phrase to check whether a drink contains alcohol.

   Grammar Note

   A noun; the word alone is enough on a menu or at a shop counter.

4. Ha ke nwe, ha ke tsube.

   I do not drink and I do not smoke.

   Usage

   To decline politely when offered alcohol or tobacco.

   Grammar Note

   The negative present is ha ke + stem ending in -e.

5. Kwae

   Tobacco

   Usage

   Tobacco, also used for the crop.

   Grammar Note

   A noun; the word alone is enough on a menu or at a shop counter.

6. Sikarete

   Cigarette

   Usage

   A cigarette.

   Grammar Note

   The plural is disikarete.

7. Kuku

   Cake

   Usage

   Cake for celebrations or tea time.

   Grammar Note

   The plural is dikuku.

8. Tjhokolete

   Chocolate

   Usage

   Chocolate.

   Grammar Note

   A loan from English; "tjh" is a single sound.

9. Sehwapa

   Biltong (dried meat)

   Usage

   Dried meat, a South African favourite for snacking or as a gift.

   Grammar Note

   The plural is dihwapa.

10. Ke rata dikuku.

    I like cakes.

    Usage

    To say you have a sweet tooth.

    Grammar Note

    Dikuku is the plural of kuku. Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

11. Ke batla ho reka tjhokolete.

    I want to buy chocolate.

    Usage

    When buying sweets in a shop.

    Grammar Note

    "Ke batla ho" + verb means "I want to ...". Composed sentence built with regular Sesotho grammar (composed).

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