Language/Southern-sotho/Vocabulary/Telling-Time

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Southern Sotho → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Time → Telling Time

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of telling time in Southern Sotho. Being able to tell time is an essential skill that allows us to navigate our daily lives and coordinate our activities effectively. Whether you need to catch a bus, attend a meeting, or simply plan your day, understanding how to tell time is crucial. In this lesson, we will cover everything from the basic vocabulary related to time, such as hours and minutes, to specifying AM or PM. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently ask and give the time in Southern Sotho.

Vocabulary

Let's start by learning the vocabulary related to time in Southern Sotho. Here are the words and phrases you need to know:

Southern Sotho	Pronunciation	English
hora	[ˈhɔra]	hour
miniti	[miˈniːti]	minute
lela	[ˈlɛla]	o'clock
ke	[kɛ]	past
ka	[ka]	to
AM	[ˈeɪˈɛm]	AM
PM	[ˈpiˈɛm]	PM

Telling the Time

Now that you have learned the basic vocabulary, let's move on to understanding how to tell the time in Southern Sotho. In Southern Sotho, we use a combination of words and numbers to express the time. Here's an example:

• 3:15 PM - "Hora ya 3 le 15 PM"

Let's break down the sentence to understand each component:

• "Hora ya" means "The hour of."
• "3" represents the hour.
• "Lela" means "o'clock."
• "15" represents the minutes.
• "PM" indicates whether it is in the afternoon or evening.

Here are a few more examples to help you practice:

• 7:30 AM - "Hora ya 7 le 30 AM"
• 1:45 PM - "Hora ya 1 le 45 PM"
• 10:10 AM - "Hora ya 10 le 10 AM"

Remember to use the appropriate vocabulary for the hour, minute, and whether it is AM or PM. Practice saying these sentences out loud to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation and structure.

Asking the Time

Now that you know how to tell the time, let's learn how to ask someone for the time in Southern Sotho. We use the following question to inquire about the time:

• "Ke, ke le teng hora eng?" - "Excuse me, what time is it?"

Here's a breakdown of the question:

• "Ke" is a polite way of getting someone's attention.
• "Ke le teng" means "I am here" and is used to indicate that you are present and would like to know the time.
• "Hora eng" means "What time is it?"

You can also use a more casual form of the question:

• "Hora eng?" - "What time is it?"

Remember to use the appropriate greeting and level of formality based on the context and the person you are speaking to. Practice asking these questions to improve your fluency.

Answering the Time

When someone asks you for the time, you can respond using the following sentence structure:

• "Ke le teng hora ya <hour> le <minute>" - "It is <hour> and <minute>."

Here are a few examples:

• "Ke le teng hora ya 9 le 20." - "It is 9:20."
• "Ke le teng hora ya 2 le 45." - "It is 2:45."
• "Ke le teng hora ya 6 le 10." - "It is 6:10."

Make sure to substitute the appropriate hour and minute values when responding to the question. Practice answering these questions to improve your conversational skills.

Cultural Insight

In Southern Sotho culture, time is often perceived differently than in Western cultures. Punctuality is highly valued, and it is considered respectful to arrive on time for appointments and meetings. However, it is also important to note that Southern Sotho culture tends to have a more relaxed approach to time, with a greater emphasis on personal relationships and flexibility. It is common for events and gatherings to start later than scheduled, as people often prioritize social interactions. This cultural insight is important to keep in mind when interacting with Southern Sotho speakers.

Exercise

Now it's time to practice what you've learned. Here are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of telling time in Southern Sotho:

1. Translate the following times into Southern Sotho:

• 8:45 AM
• 12:30 PM
• 5:55 PM

2. Ask a partner for the time in Southern Sotho and respond accordingly.

3. Create a dialogue with your partner where you ask for the time and plan a meeting based on the given time.

Solutions

1. Translation:

• 8:45 AM - "Hora ya 8 le 45 AM"
• 12:30 PM - "Hora ya 12 le 30 PM"
• 5:55 PM - "Hora ya 5 le 55 PM"

2. Practice asking and answering the time with a partner to reinforce your conversational skills.

3. Dialogue: A: Ke, ke le teng hora eng? B: Ke le teng hora ya 10 le 15. A: Re kgopela go kgonthiša go kgwela go 2. B: Ke tla kgontha go kgwela go 2.

Translation: A: Excuse me, what time is it? B: It is 10:15. A: Can we meet at 2? B: I will meet you at 2.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to tell time in Southern Sotho. This skill will greatly enhance your ability to navigate daily life and communicate effectively with Southern Sotho speakers. Remember to practice regularly to solidify your understanding and fluency in telling time. In the next lesson, we will continue to expand our vocabulary and explore new topics in the Southern Sotho language.

Table of Contents - Southern Sotho Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Southern Sotho

• The Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Oneself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Counting Numbers
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Everyday Activities

• Daily Routines
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing Nouns
• Describing Verbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Habits

  ---

Southern Sotho Traditions

• Traditional Clothing
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Destinations

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Asking Questions
• Negating Sentences

  ---

Shopping and Money

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Money and Currency

  ---

Southern Sotho Family Life

• Family Structure
• Marriage and Ceremonies

Other Lessons

• Eating Habits
• Introducing Oneself
• Animals
• Counting Numbers
• Modes of Transportation
• Clothes
• How to say Good Bye?
• Education
• Common Foods

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