Setswana is the national language with minor differences in dialect notable around the country. English is the official business language, and it is widely spoken in urban areas with most written communication being in this language. However, knowing and using a bit of Setswana always helps and Batswana will be pleased that you have made the effort.
Here are some of the basic phrases in Setswana:
| English | Setswana |
|---|---|
| Yes mam/Yes sir | Ee (Ee, mma – answering a woman, ee rra – answering a man) |
| No mam/No sir | Nnyaa, mma/rra |
| Hello mam | Dumela, mma (Dumelang, bo mma – plural) |
| Hello sir | Dumela, rra (Dumelang, bo rra – plural) |
| How are you? | Le kae? O tsogile jang? |
| Good bye – it is OK | Go siame |
| Go well | Tsamaya sentle |
| Stay well | Sala sentle |
| Thank you | Kea leboga |
| I do not know | Ga ke itse (“g” is pronounced as “r” in French) |
| Do you speak Setswana? | A o bua Setswana? |
| I speak Setswana just a little | Ke bua Setswana go le gonnye fela |
| I don’t speak Setswana | Ga ke bue Setswana |
| No problem | Ga gona mathata |
| I am fine | Ke tsogile sentle. Ke teng. |
| Come in | Tsena (Tsenang – plural) |
| Come here | Tla kwano |
| How much is this? | Ke bo kae? |
| I don’t have any money | Ga ke na madi |
| What would you like? | O batla eng? or O rata eng? |
| I want some water | Ke kopa metsi |
How are you doing in Botswana?
How are you? – O Kae? How much does it cost? – Ke bokae?
What is I love you in Tswana?
Like and love In Setswana the word for ‘like’ and ‘love’ is the same verb –rata. If one says Ke a go rata it can mean ‘I like you’ or ‘I love you’.
How do you say good morning in Botswana?
- Dumela means Good day/Morning/Afternoon/Evening. You can say this to anyone at any time of the day.
- Dumelang you say this to greet a group of people together.
- Gaborone pronounce.
- Go Siame means goodbye.
- Sharp also means goodbye (but used by young people)
- Madi means money.
- Dijo (di-dinner, means food.
How is your day in Tswana?
How was your day? in Setswana we say ‘o tlhotse jang / ne le ntse jang letsatsi la gago gompieno‘.