Language/Tswana/Grammar/Plurals
Hi Tswana learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about plurals in Tswana grammar. Plurals are an important part of any language, and Tswana is no exception. We will cover the rules for forming plurals in Tswana, as well as some cultural information and interesting facts. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of how to use plurals in your Tswana language learning journey. Don't forget to read until the end to find out about some great resources for learning Tswana. Let's get started!
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: How to Use "Be", How to Use Have & Adjectives.
Basic Rules[edit | edit source]
In Tswana, there are three basic ways to form a plural:
1. By adding the prefix "di-" to the singular form of the noun. 2. By changing the vowel sound in the singular form of the noun. 3. By changing the entire singular form of the noun.
Let's take a look at each rule in more detail:
Rule 1: Prefix "di-"[edit | edit source]
The most common way to form plurals in Tswana is to add the prefix "di-" to the singular form of the noun. For example:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| motho | /moʊtʰɔ/ | person (singular) |
| di-batho | /di-baʈʰɔ/ | people (plural) |
Another example:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kgomo | /kɡʷɔmo/ | cow (singular) |
| di-kgomo | /di-kɡʷɔmo/ | cows (plural) |
- Exceptions to Rule 1 ###
There are a few exceptions to this rule. Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow this pattern. Here are some examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mosadi | /mosadi/ | woman (singular) |
| ba-na | /ba-na/ | women (plural) |
| lewê | /lewe/ | chicken (singular) |
| diphala | /diʔpʰala/ | chickens (plural) |
Rule 2: Vowel Change[edit | edit source]
Another way to form plurals in Tswana is to change the vowel sound in the singular form of the noun. This rule applies to a limited number of nouns, but it is still important to know. Here are a few examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ntoto | /n̩tǒtʰo/ | bird (singular) |
| ntatâ | /n̩tʰatʰɑ̂/ | birds (plural) |
| phoko | /pʰʷɔków/ | baboon (singular) |
| phakâ | /pʰʷakʰɑ̂/ | baboons (plural) |
- Exceptions to Rule 2 ###
As with Rule 1, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow this pattern. Here are some examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| motsadi | /moʦadi/ | wives (plural) |
| dikgang | /diʔkʰaŋ/ | tribes (plural) |
Rule 3: Complete Change[edit | edit source]
Finally, there are some nouns in Tswana that have a completely different form for their plural. This rule applies to only a very small number of nouns and is not very common, but it is still important to know. Here are a few examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ruri | /ruri/ | calf (singular) |
| matlhalê | /maʈʰɫaɬɛː/ | calves (plural) |
| motshubi | /moʦʰubi/ | sheep (singular) |
| lehurê | /lehuɾeː/ | sheep (plural) |
- Exceptions to Rule 3 ###
As with the previous two rules, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the word for "man" (mogolo) does not follow this pattern and has a regular plural (bagolo).
Examples in Context[edit | edit source]
Here is a dialogue between two people, demonstrating the use of plurals in Tswana:
- Person 1: Ke ithuta dinaledi. (I am learning stars.)
- Person 2: Wa rapela dinaledi tse di ntshe. (You are praying for small stars.)
In this dialogue, we can see the use of the prefix "di-" to form the plural, as well as the use of di ntshe to indicate small (plural) stars.
Cultural Information and Interesting Facts[edit | edit source]
The Tswana people are a Bantu ethnic group native to southern Africa, primarily found in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The Tswana language, also known as Setswana, is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa and is spoken by over 4 million people.
In Tswana culture, it is common for families to have traditional names or "go tswa" (come from) names. These names are given to children by their grandparents and often have special meanings or associations with the child's ancestry. For example, the name "Kgosi" means "king" or "chief," and often reflects the child's lineage or ancestry. The practice of giving traditional names is an important part of Tswana culture and reflects the importance of family and community in Tswana society.
Resources[edit | edit source]
To improve your Tswana Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Here are some other sources you might find helpful:
➡ 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]
Sources[edit | edit source]