Sesotho speaking like a local
200 speaking like a local phrases in Sesotho, each with a say-it-like guide. Tap a phrase to hear it and see how it is used.
- Help!Ke kopa thusokeh KOH-pah TOO-soh
- Hi / hello, to one person. This one word is both the casual and the polite greeting; Lesotho spells it 'lumela', South Africa 'dumela'. To be respectful, add a title or use the plural 'Lumelang', even to one elderLumelaloo-MEH-lah (Lesotho) / doo-MEH-lah (SA)
- Hey / Peace . More neutral/standard: 'Lumela'KhotsoKHOH-tso (kh = throaty h)
- How's it?U kae?oh KAH-eh
- I'm good / I'm hereKe tengkeh TENG
- I'm fine / all goodKe sharpkeh SHARP
- ThanksKea lebohakeh-ah leh-BOH-hah
- Yeah / yesEeEH-eh
- Nope / noCheCHEH
- Cool / OK / got itSharp / Sharp-sharpSHARP / SHARP-SHARP
- OK / alrightHo lokilehoh loh-KEE-leh
- BroAbuti / Butiah-BOO-tee / BOO-tee
- SisAusiah-OO-see
- Please / I'm askingKea kopakeh ah KOH-pah
- ByeSala hantle / Tsamaea hantleSAH-lah HAN-tleh / tsah-MAH-eh-ah HAN-tleh
- Community / nationSechabaB1seh-CHAH-bah
- NeighbourMoahisaniB1moh-ah-hee-SAH-nee
- A community meetingPitsoB1PEE-tsoh
- To help one anotherHo thusanaB1hoh thoo-SAH-nah
- Municipality'MasepalaB1m-mah-seh-PAH-lah
- I live in the village/townKe lula motsengB1keh DOO-lah moh-TSEHNG
- We'll meet at the gatheringRe tla kopana pitsongB1reh tlah koh-PAH-nah pee-TSOHNG
- Come and visitTloo u tle u eteleB1TLOH oh tleh oh eh-TEH-leh
- Thank you for the helpKe leboha thusoB1keh leh-BOH-hah THOO-soh
- And peaceLe khotsoB1leh KHOH-tsoh
- PhoneMohalaB2moh-HAH-lah
- ComputerKhomphieuthaB2khohm-pee-OO-tah
- The internetInthaneteB2een-tah-NEH-teh
- I send a messageKe romella molaetsaB2keh roh-MEH-llah moh-lah-EH-tsah
- EmailImeileB2ee-MEH-ee-leh
- Picture / photoSetšoantšoB2seh-tshwah-NTSHOH
- To callHo letsaB2hoh LEH-tsah
- It is not workingHa e sebetseB2ha eh seh-BEH-tseh
- May I have your numberKe kopa nomoro ea haoB2keh KOH-pah noh-MOH-roh yah HAH-oh
- App / programmeLenaneoB2leh-nah-NEH-oh
- To downloadHo jarollaB2hoh jah-ROH-llah
- PasswordSekhahlaB2seh-KHAH-hlah
- The web / networkMarang-rangB2mah-rahng-RAHNG
- To saveHo bolokaB2hoh boh-LOH-kah
- Device / toolSesebelisoaB2seh-seh-beh-DEE-swah
- EnvironmentTikolohoB2tee-koh-LOH-hoh
- Clean waterMetsi a hloekilengB2MEH-tsee ah hloh-eh-KEE-leng
- To cleanHo hloekisaB2hoh hloh-eh-KEE-sah
- Rubbish / dirtLitšilaB2dee-TSHEE-lah
- TreeSefateB2seh-FAH-teh
- To plant / to farmHo lemaB2hoh LEH-mah
- RainPulaB2POO-lah
- Sun / dayLetsatsiB2leh-TSAH-tsee
- Let us help one anotherRe thusaneB2reh too-SAH-neh
- Care / protectionTlhokomeloB2tlhoh-koh-MEH-loh
- PollutionTšilafaloB2tshee-lah-FAH-loh
- AnimalsLiphoofoloB2dee-phoh-oh-FOH-loh
- Land / countrysideNahaB2NAH-hah
- To protect the environmentHo boloka tikolohoB2hoh boh-LOH-kah tee-koh-LOH-hoh
- Custom / traditionMoetloB2moh-EH-tloh
- Celebration / feastMoketeB2moh-KEH-teh
- Wedding / marriageLenyaloB2leh-NYAH-loh
- Respect / honourTlotlaB2TLOH-tlah
- AncestorsBalimoB2bah-DEE-moh
- Faith / beliefTumeloB2too-MEH-loh
- SongPinaB2PEE-nah
- DanceTantšiB2TAHN-tshee
- We are glad / rejoicingRea thabaB2reh ah THAH-bah
- Heritage / cultureSetsoB2seh-TSOH
- Initiation school / age-groupMophatoB2moh-PHAH-toh
- Bridewealth / dowryBohaliB2boh-HAH-dee
- FuneralMoletlo oa lefuB2moh-LEH-tloh wah LEH-foo
- To celebrateHo ketekaB2hoh keh-TEH-kah
- Traditional clothingLiaparo tsa setsoB2dee-ah-PAH-roh tsah seh-TSOH
- StoryPaleB2PAH-leh
- To tell / to narrateHo phetaB2hoh PHEH-tah
- Once upon a timeKa nako e 'ngoeB2kah NAH-koh eh NNGWEH
- First / beforePeleB2PEH-leh
- And thenEabaB2YAH-bah
- After thatKa mor'a mooB2kah moh-RAH MOH-oh
- In the end / finallyQetellongB2keh-teh-LLOHNG
- SuddenlyKa tšohanyetsoB2kah tshoh-hah-NYEH-tsoh
- BecauseHobaneB2hoh-BAH-neh
- For that reasonKa lebaka leoB2kah leh-BAH-kah LEH-oh
- But it was …Empa ho ne ho le …B2EHM-pah hoh neh hoh leh
- At once / immediatelyHang-hangB2hahng-HAHNG
- Ending / conclusionPheletsoB2pheh-LEH-tsoh
- ExampleMohlalaB2moh-HLAH-lah
- AdviceKeletsoB2keh-LEH-tsoh
- ProblemBothataB2boh-THAH-tah
- SolutionTharolloB2thah-ROH-lloh
- You ought to / should …U lokela ho …B2oh loh-KEH-lah hoh
- I will help youKe tla u thusaB2keh tlah oh THOO-sah
- Be calm / take it easyIketleB2ee-KEH-tleh
- We will solve the problemRe tla rarolla bothataB2reh tlah rah-ROH-llah boh-THAH-tah
- I could perhaps …Nka ke ka …B2NKAH keh kah
- It would be good to …Ho ka ba molemo ho …B2hoh kah bah moh-LEH-moh hoh
- Tell meMpolelleB2mpoh-LEH-lleh
- Think of another wayNahana ka tsela e 'ngoeB2nah-HAH-nah kah TSEH-lah eh NNGWEH
- If you want my advice …Ha u batla keletso ea ka …B2ha oh BAH-tlah keh-LEH-tsoh yah kah
- Carry on / keep goingTsoela peleB2TSWEH-lah PEH-leh
- I thank you for this opportunityKea leboha ka monyetla onaC1keh ah leh-BOH-hah kah moh-NYEH-tlah OH-nah
- I request permissionKe kopa tumelloC1keh KOH-pah too-MEH-lloh
- The meeting is beginningKopano ea qalaC1koh-PAH-noh eh ah KHAH-lah
- ChairpersonMolulasetuloC1moh-doo-lah-seh-TOO-loh
- Member of the committee / councilSetho sa lekhotlaC1SEH-thoh sah leh-KHOH-tlah
- A reportTlalehoC1tlah-LEH-hoh
- According to the law / regulationHo ea ka molaoC1hoh yah kah moh-LAH-oh
- We have reached an agreementRe fihlile tumellanongC1reh fee-HLEE-leh too-meh-llah-NOHNG
- I will send a letterKe tla romela lengoloC1keh tlah roh-MEH-lah leh-NGOH-loh
- With respect / humblyKa boikokobetsoC1kah boh-ee-koh-koh-BEH-tsoh
- I wish to raise a pointKe batla ho hlahisa ntlhaC1keh BAH-tlah hoh hlah-HEE-sah n-TLHAH
- We appreciate the cooperationRe leboha tšebelisanoC1reh leh-BOH-hah tsheh-beh-dee-SAH-noh
- The agenda / matter of the dayTabataba ea letsatsiC1tah-bah-TAH-bah yah leh-TSAH-tsee
- Analysis / examination of a matterTlhahloboC1tlhah-HLOH-boh
- An idea / concept / opinionMohopoloC1moh-hoh-POH-loh
- A theoryKhopoloC1khoh-POH-loh
- Knowledge / awarenessBoitseboC1boh-ee-TSEH-boh
- Research / investigationPatlisisoC1pah-tlee-SEE-soh
- An aim / objectiveSepheoC1seh-PHEH-oh
- An outcome / effectPhelloC1PHEH-lloh
- A reason / groundsLebakaC1leh-BAH-kah
- The environment / surroundingsTikolohoC1tee-koh-LOH-hoh
- The economyMoruoC1moh-ROO-oh
- Higher educationThuto e phahamengC1THOO-toh eh phah-hah-MEHNG
- Value / worth / qualityBolengC1boh-LEHNG
- InformationTlhahisoleselingC1tlhah-hee-soh-leh-SEH-deeng
- The newsLitabaC1dee-TAH-bah
- A journalistMongoli oa litabaC1moh-NGOH-dee wah dee-TAH-bah
- The radioSeea-le-moeaC1seh-yah-leh-MOH-yah
- TelevisionThelevisheneC1theh-leh-vee-SHEH-neh
- Public opinionMaikutlo a sechabaC1mah-ee-KOO-tloh ah seh-CHAH-bah
- A persuasive / appealing speechPuo e hohelangC1POO-oh eh hoh-HEH-lahng
- To broadcast / publishHo phatlalatsaC1hoh phah-tlah-LAH-tsah
- An argument / a topic / disputeKhangC1KHAHNG
- Neutrality / independenceBoikemeloC1boh-ee-keh-MEH-loh
- A lie / falsehoodLeshanoC1leh-SHAH-noh
- The truth'NeteC1n-NEH-teh
- To chat / discuss / converseHo qoqaC1hoh KHOH-khah
- A public statementPolelo ea phatlalatsaC1poh-LEH-loh yah phah-tlah-LAH-tsah
- Tradition / custom / cultureSetsoC1SEH-tsoh
- A custom / heritage practiceMoetloC1moh-EH-tloh
- A folk taleTšomoC1TSHOH-moh
- The ancestors / those long pastBaholoholoC1bah-hoh-loh-HOH-loh
- Clan / lineageLelokoC1leh-LOH-koh
- Totem / clan nameSebokoC1seh-BOH-koh
- Praise poemThoko / LibokoC1THOH-koh / dee-BOH-koh
- A traditional leaderMoetapele oa setsoC1moh-eh-tah-PEH-leh wah SEH-tsoh
- To preserve the heritageHo boloka setsoC1hoh boh-LOH-kah SEH-tsoh
- A chief / kingMorenaC1moh-REH-nah
- A public gathering / community assemblyPitsoC1PEE-tsoh
- A feast / celebrationMoketeC1moh-KEH-teh
- To pass on a message / teachingHo fetisa molaetsaC1hoh feh-TEE-sah moh-lah-EH-tsah
- You're funny / that's a joke!Ua qabola!C1oh ah khah-BOH-lah
- You make me laugh with jokesU ntšehisa ka metlaeC1oh n-tsheh-HEE-sah kah meh-TLAH-eh
- You're teasing / pulling my legU nketsa lesakaC1oh n-KEH-tsah leh-SAH-kah
- Don't pester me! / leave me be!Se ntšoenye!C1seh n-TSHWEH-nyeh
- In jest / as a jokeKa setšehoC1kah seh-TSHEH-hoh
- You're a joker / a funny oneU motlaeC1oh moh-TLAH-eh
- I'm not playing / I mean itHa ke bapaleC1hah keh bah-PAH-leh
- We laughed till we criedRe tšehile ho fihlela re llaC1reh tsheh-HEE-leh hoh fee-HLEH-lah reh LLAH
- You're mocking / making funUa phoqaC1oh ah PHOH-khah
- Stop embarrassing meTlohela ho ntlhabisa lihlongC1tloh-HEH-lah hoh n-tlhah-BEE-sah dee-HLOHNG
- We are just chattingRea qoqa feelaC1reh ah KHOH-khah FEH-lah
- I remember / I missKe hopolaC1keh hoh-POH-lah
- Fond memoriesMehopolo e monateC1meh-hoh-POH-loh eh moh-NAH-teh
- A loss / bereavementTahleheloC1tah-leh-HEH-loh
- DeathLefuC1LEH-foo
- Condolences / comfortMatšelisoC1mah-cheh-LEE-soh
- I sympathise / I feel for youKe utloela bohlokoC1keh oo-TLWEH-lah boh-HLOH-koh
- Rest in peaceRobala ka khotsoC1roh-BAH-lah kah KHOH-tsoh
- May God comfort youMolimo a le tšeliseC1moh-DEE-moh ah leh tsheh-DEE-seh
- We stand with youRe ema le lonaC1reh EH-mah leh LOH-nah
- To live on through sorrowHo tšela ka mahlomolaC1hoh TSHEH-lah kah mah-hloh-MOH-lah
- Hope does not endTšepo ha e feleC1TSHEH-poh hah eh FEH-leh
- We will remember them alwaysRe tla mo hopola kamehlaC1reh tlah moh hoh-POH-lah kah-MEH-hlah
- To eat one's fill / be satisfiedHo khoraC2hoh KHOH-rah
- ManMonnaC2MOH-nnah
- Old / respected manMonnamoholoC2moh-nnah-moh-HOH-loh
- To pass awayHo hlokahalaC2hoh hloh-kah-HAH-lah
- To dieHo shoaC2hoh shwah
- To fall asleep foreverHo robala ka ho sa felengC2hoh roh-BAH-lah kah hoh sah FEH-leng
- Father / sirNtateC2n-TAH-teh
- Brother / young manAbutiC2ah-BOO-tee
- Please / I begHleC2hleh
- Wealth / treasureMatlotloC2mah-TLOH-tloh
- To be evasive / mince wordsHo ikhakanyaC2hoh ee-khah-KAH-nyah
- Dignity / aura / a person's standingSeritiC2seh-REE-tee
- Court of justiceLekhotla la linyeoeC2leh-KHOH-tlah lah dee-NYEH-weh
- Judge / adjudicatorMoahloliC2moh-ah-HLOH-dee
- WitnessPakiC2PAH-kee
- DocumentTokomaneC2toh-koh-MAH-neh
- Doctor / traditional healerNgakaC2NGAH-kah
- Infection / contagionTšoaetsoC2TSHWAH-eh-tsoh
- Treatment / cureKalafoC2kah-LAH-foh
- EconomyMoruoC2moh-ROO-oh
- Tax / levyLekhethoC2leh-KHEH-thoh
- Transaction / saleThekisoC2theh-KEE-soh
- Human rightTokelo ea bothoC2toh-KEH-loh yah BOH-thoh
- Jokes / humourMetlaeC2meh-TLAH-eh
- To crack a joke / amuseHo qabolaC2hoh kah-BOH-lah
- A poemThothokisoC2thoh-thoh-KEE-soh
- A riddleSethoithoiC2seh-thoh-EE-thoh-ee
- Praises / heroic versesLiithokoC2dee-EE-thoh-koh
- To dissolve in laughterHo qhibiliha ka litšehoC2hoh khee-bee-LEE-hah kah dee-TSHEH-hoh