Sesotho is spoken by around 6M+ people in Lesotho · South Africa. Here are common everyday words and phrases to get you started. Then practise saying them out loud with a Sesotho tutor.
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English
Flip through the everyday phrases below, then say them out loud.
Greetings
| Sesotho | English |
|---|---|
| Lumela | Hello (to one person) |
| Lumelang | Hello (to a group) |
| U kae? | How are you? |
| Ke teng | I am fine |
| Le phela joang? | How are you all? |
Everyday courtesy
| Sesotho | English |
|---|---|
| Kea leboha | Thank you |
| Kea leboha haholo | Thank you very much |
| Ntšoarele | Sorry / Excuse me |
| Ka kopo | Please |
Useful basics
| Sesotho | English |
|---|---|
| E | Yes |
| Che | No |
| Lebitso la ka ke ___ | My name is ___ |
| U bitsoa mang? | What is your name? |
| Kea u rata | I love you |
| Sala hantle | Goodbye (to one staying) |
| Tsamaea hantle | Goodbye (to one leaving) |
Numbers 1-5
| Sesotho | English |
|---|---|
| 'Ngoe | 1 |
| Peli | 2 |
| Tharo | 3 |
| 'Ne | 4 |
| Hlano | 5 |
Test yourself
Quick flashcards, multiple choice and typing practice built from the words above.
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Greetings
Everyday courtesy
Useful basics
Numbers 1-5
Start speaking Sesotho today
Reading phrases gets you started, but you learn Sesotho fastest by speaking it. Book a lesson with a tutor and practise these phrases out loud.
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