Language/Southern-sotho/Vocabulary/Count-to-10
Hi Southern Sotho learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to count from 1 to 10 in Southern Sotho. Knowing numbers is essential in every language, and it can help you in various situations, such as shopping, travelling, and telling time. We will also provide you with cultural and interesting facts to make the lesson engaging and entertaining. Get ready to learn!
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Food, Colors & Days of the Week.
Numbers 1-5[edit | edit source]
Let's start with numbers 1-5. The basic numbers are easy to learn, and you will notice that some are similar to other Bantu languages, such as Zulu and Xhosa.
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 'ngoe' | ŋʷɔ:ɛ | One |
| 'bo' | bɔ | Two |
| 'tharo' | tʼʱɑrɔh | Three |
| 'nne' | n̪ːɛ | Four |
| 'hlano' | ɬano | Five |
Here are some interesting facts about numbers in Southern Sotho:
- The number "one" in Southern Sotho, 'ngoe,' is said to come from the sound of an ox or a cow bellowing. In traditional Sotho culture, cows hold significant cultural and economic value, and therefore, the sound of a cow is used to signify one. - The number "two" in Sotho, 'bo,' is sometimes used to describe twins, which are highly valued in Sotho culture. - The word "hlano" is also used to describe a "hand" in Southern Sotho. Therefore, when counting with your fingers, you can use "hlano" to represent "five."
Numbers 6-10[edit | edit source]
Now, let's move on to numbers 6-10. As you will see, these numbers follow a straightforward pattern, making them easy to learn.
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 'thuse' | tʼʱu:sɛ | Six |
| 'supa' | sʊpa | Seven |
| 'robedi' | rɔbɛdi | Eight |
| 'šupa' | ʃupa | Nine |
| 'lesome' | lɛsomɛ | Ten |
Here are some cultural facts related to numbers 6-10 in Southern Sotho:
- The number "six" in Southern Sotho, 'thuse,' is sometimes used to refer to a group of people, as six is considered the minimum number of people required for a traditional Sotho dance. - The word "supa" is sometimes used as a slang term for "bad luck" or "unlucky" in Sotho culture. - The number "nine," 'šupa,' has the same pronunciation as the number "seven," 'supa,' but with a different prefix. In spoken conversation, context is essential to avoid confusion.
Let's practice counting from 1-10 with a dialogue:
- Person 1: 'ngoe' (One)
- Person 2: 'bo' (Two)
- Person 1: 'tharo' (Three)
- Person 2: 'nne' (Four)
- Person 1: 'hlano' (Five)
- Person 2: 'thuse' (Six)
- Person 1: 'supa' (Seven)
- Person 2: 'robedi' (Eight)
- Person 1: 'šupa' (Nine)
- Person 2: 'lesome' (Ten)
Remember to practice as often as you can. Learning numbers takes time, but with practice, you will soon be able to master them. To improve your Southern Sotho Vocabulary, you can visit the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
You can also check out more vocabulary in our Vocabulary page.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Clothes
- Health
- Express Surprise
- Fruits
- Food
- Geography
- How to say Good Bye?
- Feelings and Emotions
- Days of the Week
- How to Say Hello and Greetings