Language/Southern-sotho/Vocabulary/Animals
Hi Southern Sotho learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about animals in Southern Sotho. Animals are an important part of Southern Sotho culture and they have inspired many stories and traditions. By the end of this lesson, you will have learned how to name all the animals in Southern Sotho so you can have a better understanding of Southern Sotho culture. Don't forget to check our Vocabulary page for more useful words and phrases.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Food, Feelings and Emotions & Geography.
Basic animal vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Let's start with some basic animal vocabulary:
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kgomo | /xɔmɔ/ | cow |
| ngwe | /ŋwɛ/ | monkey |
| nkwe | /ŋkʷɛ/ | lion |
| nkhare | /ŋxarɛ/ | antelope |
| tsebe | /tsɛbɛ/ | kudu |
| phiri | /pʰiri/ | sheep |
| lekgoa | /lɛkɔa/ | giraffe |
| teme | /tɛmɛ/ | elephant |
| kholo | /xɔlɔ/ | hippopotamus |
| kogang | /xɔŋaŋ/ | crocodile |
Now let's see these words in context:
- Person 1: Ngwe e tla feta ka kgomo. (/ŋwɛ e tla fɛta ka xɔmɔ/ - The monkey will jump over the cow.)
- Person 2: Ha ho letho! (/ha hɔ lɛtʰɔ/ - Nothing is impossible!)
Common pets[edit | edit source]
Pets are beloved in Southern Sotho homes, and can be great companions. Let's take a look at some common pets and how to name them in Southern Sotho:
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| khampani | /kʰampani/ | dog |
| kati | /katʰi/ | cat |
| nkadi | /ŋkadi/ | bird |
| morojwa | /mɔrɔdʒwa/ | fish |
| lerepollo | /lɛrɛpʰɔlːɔ/ | guinea fowl |
Here is an example of a dialogue with pets:
- Person 1: Ke batla morojwa ho ea ntho tse ntle tse tharo. (/kɛ batla mɔrɔdʒwa hɔ ɛa ntʰɔ tsɛ nt͡ɬɛ tsɛ tʰarɔ/ - I want three beautiful fish.)
- Person 2: Ke tla reka lerepollo. (/kɛ tla rɛka lɛrɛpʰɔlːɔ/ - I will buy a guinea fowl.)
Wild animals[edit | edit source]
Southern Sotho has many wild animals that can be found in its nature reserves and game parks. Here are some of the most commonly found ones:
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kolobe | /xɔlɔbɛ/ | impala |
| kudu | /kudʊ/ | kudu |
| nkelenge | /ŋkɛlɛŋgɛ/ | cheetah |
| tekanyetso | /tɛkanjɛtso/ | porcupine |
| tlapa | /tʰlapa/ | rhinoceros |
| tshukudu | /tʃukʊdʊ/ | buffalo |
Here is an example of a dialogue with wild animals:
- Person 1: Ke sitoa ka kolobe ka moka ho ratoa. (/kɛ sitʰua kʰa xɔlɔbɛ ka mɔka hɔ ratóa/ - I am hunting for an impala this morning.)
- Person 2: Ha ho letho ho le mohlolo! (/ha hɔ lɛtʰɔ hɔ lɛ mɔɬɔlɔ/ - Success is just around the corner!)
Interesting facts about Southern Sotho animals[edit | edit source]
Southern Sotho has a rich culture, and its animals play an important part of it. Here are some interesting facts about Southern Sotho animals:
- The Blesbok, also known as the Basotho cultural monument, is a species of antelope that is native to Southern Sotho.
- The baboon, or nua in Southern Sotho, is known as the wisest of all the animals.
To improve your Southern Sotho Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ 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. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Drinks
- Geography
- Education
- Fruits
- How to say Good Bye?
- Count to 10
- Clothes
- Colors
- Health
- Feelings and Emotions