Language/Tswana/Vocabulary/Clothes

Tswana Vocabulary - Clothes

Hi Tswana learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn some useful words in Tswana related to clothes. Knowing these words can come in handy when you go shopping for clothes or when you need to describe what you or someone else is wearing.

Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Useful phrases, Geography, Colors & Count to 10.

Basic Vocabulary

Let's start with some basic words for different types of clothes:

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
Sepoko	se.po.ko	Hat
Tlhokoswana	tɬʰo.ko.swa.na	Shirt
Tuse	tu.se	Dress
Maikarabelo	mai.ka.ɾa.be.lo	Trousers / Pants
Letlhakala	ɬe.tɬʰa.ka.la	Skirt
Lepoto	le.po.to	Shoes

Let's see these words in context:

• Person 1: O bua ka tlhokoswana? (Do you speak about a shirt?)
• Person 2: Ee, ke bua ka tlhokoswana. (Yes, I'm talking about a shirt.)

Types of clothes

Now let's learn some words for different types of clothes:

For men

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
Masweu	ma.sweu	Suit
Palakantswi	pa.la.ka.n.t͡sʷi	Tie
Letsete	le.tse.te	Cap
Itekanelo	i.te.ka.ne.lo	Belt

Let's see these words in context:

• Person 1: Ke ne ke kwatile palakantswi. (I've just bought a tie.)
• Person 2: O reng se ke kwatile masweu? (What about a suit?)

For women

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
Lesheke	le.ʃe.ke	Blouse
Shumaganye	ʃu.ma.ga.nje	Scarf
Tshweu	t͡ʃʰweu	Bra

Let's see these words in context:

• Person 1: Ke kopa tshweu. (I need a bra.)
• Person 2: Ditlhoke tsa gago di ka nna le tshweu botjha. (Your breasts will have two new homes.)

For everyone

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
Serobe	se.ɾo.be	Jacket
Ditlhaka	di.ɬa.ka	Socks
Litsela	li.t͡se.la	Zipper
Lethako	le.tʰa.ko	Button

Let's see these words in context:

• Person 1: Ke tla bona lephato le le le tla tswelela ke tla senya litsela le le tla phatsima. (I'll see a shirt with buttons and I'll add a zipper that goes all the way down.)

Colors

Now let's learn some colors to describe clothes.

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
Kwaitshepe	kʍaitsʰe.pe	Black
Tlhapi	tɬʰa.pi	White
Ntsho	nt͡ʃʰo	Red
Nwa / Ntle	nwa / nt͡ɬe	Blue
Ntlha	nt͡ɬʰa	Green
Ngwana	ŋʷa.na	Yellow

Let's see these words in context:

• Person 1: Ke ya go kwala metsi. O ka re ba tla nwa ditlhoke tsa gago? (I'm going to swim. Are you going to wear your blue socks?)
• Person 2: Ee, a re nwa ditlhoke. (Yes, I'll wear my blue socks).

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have learned some useful words related to clothes in Tswana. In addition to practicing these words with a language partner, you can also improve your Tswana Vocabulary by browsing fashion magazines or watching fashion shows in Tswana. To find a language partner, you can use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ 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. 😎

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Animals, Food, How to Say Hello and Greetings & Health.

Other Lessons

• Education
• Animals
• Drinks
• Fruits
• Geography
• Food
• Family
• Feelings and Emotions
• Useful phrases
• Days of the Week

Sources

• Peace Corps/ Botswana - An Introduction to the Setswana Language
• An Introduction to Spoken Setswana.