Language/Tswana/Vocabulary/Animals

Tswana Vocabulary - Animals

Hi Tswana learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn some Tswana vocabulary related to animals. Animals play a significant role in Botswana's culture, as they are linked to many mythological stories and traditional practices. Therefore, knowing animal names in Tswana can help you understand Botswana's culture better.

Basic vocabulary

Let's start with some basic animal names in Tswana. The table below shows the Tswana word, its pronunciation, and its English translation:

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
ngwana	ŋʷaːna	child
nkgono	ŋg͡ɡònò	donkey
phiri	pʰírì	bushpig
tshipi	tʃʰípi	bird
mokgoa	mɔ̀kʰɔ̀à	baboon
kwana	kʷaːna	python
mogôtlhô	mɔ̀ɡʷɔ́tlʰɔ́	crocodile
nare	nàrè	elephant
nkoane	ŋkʰòánè	fish
khudu	kʰùdù	kudu
molomo	mɔ̀lɔ̀mɔ̀	hippopotamus

To make it easier to remember the names of the animals, let's create a dialogue:

• Person 1: Ke tla kgona go kopa phiri ya kwa Kgatleng. (I want to hunt a bushpig in Kgatleng.)
• Person 2: Ke kgona go lefa yone ka gare ga kgotla. (You can only eat it outside the community.)
• Person 1: Ga nna ke tla nna le mmala mo khiring. (I won't have blood on my hands.)
• Person 2: Keitumetse, ke nna ka tlhopho yame. (I understand, I will handle my meat.)

In Botswana, hunting and eating game meat are generally considered a tradition. However, in some communities, hunting is regulated, and there are specific rules that hunters must follow.

Domestic animals

Now, let's move on to domestic animals. Animals that have been domesticated by humans are an essential part of agriculture and farming in Botswana. The table below shows the Tswana word, its pronunciation, and its English translation:

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
kgomo	k͡xɔ̀mɔ̀	cow
mnana	mnàna	goat
dipitse	dìpít͡sè	chicken
kgabo	k͡xabò	horse
kgarri	k͡xárrì	donkey
kgorôgô	k͡xɔ̀rɔ̀kʰɔ̀	sheep
ngwana wa leleme	ŋʷána wà lɛ̀lɛ̀mɛ̀	piglet

Let's create another dialogue:

• Person 1: Ke tsenya dinaka tsa kgomu ya me. (I am selling my cow's milk.)
• Person 2: Ke tla itshwara ngwana wa leleme. (I want to raise a piglet.)
• Person 1: O tla tsenya jang? (How will you sell it?)
• Person 2: Ke tla tsena ka leleme. (I will sell it as pork.)

In some parts of Botswana, cows are highly valued, as they represent wealth and prestige. Botswana has two breeds of cattle, the Tswana and the Afrikaner breed, which are known for their hardiness and adaptability.

Wild animals

Finally, let's learn some names of wild animals in Tswana. Botswana's wildlife is diverse and includes predators, herbivores, and birds. The table below shows the Tswana word, its pronunciation, and its English translation:

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
ngwana wa tshwene	ŋʷána wà tʃʰwènè	chick
tau	tʰáw	lion
kgama	k͡xàma	zebra
seboko	sɛ́bɔ́kʰɔ́	giraffe
khaolo	kʰàòlò	hyena
mosetlha wa seputswa	mòsètɬʰà wà sèpùtswá	ostrich
phinde	pʰìndè	buffalo
nkwe	ŋkʰwè	leopard
lentswe	lènt͡swè	antelope
ntshwe	ntʃʰwè	warthog

Let's create one more dialogue:

• Person 1: Ke fedile ke tsenya dinako tsa tau. (I am done selling lion's meat.)
• Person 2: O itumetse gore ga ke utlwe lwana la tau mo go yone. (You know that I haven't heard the sound of a lion cub in my area.)
• Person 1: Ke ntse ke nna le tau kgotsa lekoko? (Do I have a lion or a rooster?)
• Person 2: Ga nna ke utlwe, fela ke gona ke nna jaanong. (I don't know, I am just here right now.)

Botswana has a significant number of wildlife species, and many of them are protected in national parks and reserves. The country's wildlife management policy seeks to balance conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Conclusion

We have learned some Tswana vocabulary related to animals, from domestic animals to wild animals. Remember to practice these words with a Tswana-speaking friend or language partner on Polyglot Club. You can also use the website to find native speakers and ask them any questions about Tswana culture and language. In addition, you can check Vocabulary to learn more words in Tswana.

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