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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Southern-sotho|Southern Sotho]]  → [[Language/Southern-sotho/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Southern-sotho/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Questions and Negation → Negating Sentences</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Southern-sotho|Southern Sotho]]  → [[Language/Southern-sotho/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Southern-sotho/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Negating Sentences</div>


__TOC__
In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating world of negation in Southern Sotho. Understanding how to negate sentences is essential for effective communication in any language, and Southern Sotho is no exception. Negation allows you to express disagreement, deny statements, and convey a variety of meanings, making it a crucial element of grammar that every beginner must grasp.
 
This lesson will cover:
 
* The concept of negation in Southern Sotho
 
* How to negate verbs, nouns, and adjectives
 
* The formation of negative questions


== Introduction ==
* Numerous examples to illustrate these concepts


Welcome to the lesson on negating sentences in Southern Sotho! In this lesson, we will learn how to negate verbs, nouns, and adjectives, as well as how to form negative questions. Negation is an important aspect of language as it allows us to express negation or denial. Understanding how to negate sentences will greatly expand your communication skills in Southern Sotho.
* Exercises for you to practice your newfound skills


In this lesson, we will start by exploring how to negate verbs, which are the action words in a sentence. We will then move on to negating nouns and adjectives, which are used to describe people, places, things, or ideas. Finally, we will learn how to form negative questions, which are questions that expect a negative response. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently negate sentences in Southern Sotho.
By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to negate sentences in Southern Sotho, which will enhance your ability to communicate more clearly and accurately.  


Let's get started!
__TOC__


== Negating Verbs ==
=== Understanding Negation ===


Verbs are the backbone of a sentence as they convey the action or state of being. To negate a verb in Southern Sotho, we use the negative particle "ha" before the verb. Let's look at some examples:
Negation in Southern Sotho involves using specific particles to change affirmative statements into negative ones. The primary negation particle in Southern Sotho is '''"ha"'''. It is important to note that negation affects verbs, nouns, adjectives, and even questions differently.
 
=== Negating Verbs ===
 
To negate a verb in Southern Sotho, we typically place the negation particle '''"ha"''' before the verb. Here are some examples to illustrate this:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Ke ja !! /ke ja/ !! I eat
|-
|-
| Ke na le melao. || Ke na le melao. || I have clothes.
 
| Ha ke ja !! /ha ke ja/ !! I do not eat
 
|-
|-
| Ha ke na le melao. || Ha ke na le melao. || I don't have clothes.
 
| O a bona !! /o a bona/ !! You see
 
|-
|-
| O robetse. || O robetse. || You are sitting.
 
| Ha o a bona !! /ha o a bona/ !! You do not see
 
|-
|-
| Ha o robetse. || Ha o robetse. || You are not sitting.
 
| Re a dula !! /re a dula/ !! We are staying
 
|-
 
| Ha re a dula !! /ha re a dula/ !! We are not staying
 
|-
|-
| Re tla bona. || Re tla bona. || We will see.
 
| Ba a sebetsa !! /ba a sebetsa/ !! They are working
 
|-
|-
| Ha re tla bona. || Ha re tla bona. || We will not see.
 
| Ha ba a sebetsa !! /ha ba a sebetsa/ !! They are not working
 
|}
|}


As you can see from the examples, adding "ha" before the verb changes the meaning of the sentence to the negative form. Practice negating verbs by creating your own sentences using different verbs.
As you can see from the examples above, the placement of '''"ha"''' before the verb effectively negates the action.


== Negating Nouns ==
=== Negating Nouns ===


Nouns are words that represent people, places, things, or ideas. To negate a noun in Southern Sotho, we use the negative particle "ha" before the noun. Let's look at some examples:
When negating nouns, we typically use the negation particle '''"ha"''' along with the appropriate form of the noun. Here are some examples:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| Ke Mosotho. || Ke Mosotho. || I am Mosotho.
 
| Ke ngwana !! /ke ŋwana/ !! I am a child
 
|-
|-
| Ha ke Mosotho. || Ha ke Mosotho. || I am not Mosotho.
 
| Ha ke ngwana !! /ha ke ŋwana/ !! I am not a child
 
|-
 
| O mosali !! /o mosali/ !! You are a woman
 
|-
 
| Ha o mosali !! /ha o mosali/ !! You are not a woman
 
|-
|-
| O neng a sebetsa. || O neng a sebetsa. || He was working.
 
| Re monna !! /re monna/ !! We are men
 
|-
|-
| Ha o neng a sebetsa. || Ha o neng a sebetsa. || He was not working.
 
| Ha re monna !! /ha re monna/ !! We are not men
 
|-
|-
| Bana ba ka ba rata tšohle. || Bana ba ka ba rata tšohle. || My children love everything.
 
| Ba basali !! /ba basali/ !! They are women
 
|-
|-
| Ha bana ba ka ba rata tšohle. || Ha bana ba ka ba rata tšohle. || My children don't love everything.
 
| Ha ba basali !! /ha ba basali/ !! They are not women
 
|}
|}


In the examples above, adding "ha" before the noun changes the meaning of the sentence to the negative form. Practice negating nouns by creating your own sentences using different nouns.
Here, '''"ha"''' is used to negate the identity expressed by the noun.


== Negating Adjectives ==
=== Negating Adjectives ===


Adjectives are words used to describe or modify nouns. To negate an adjective in Southern Sotho, we use the negative particle "se" before the adjective. Let's look at some examples:
Negating adjectives in Southern Sotho follows a similar pattern. You will still use '''"ha"''' before the adjective. Here are some examples:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Motho o motle !! /motʰo o motle/ !! The person is beautiful
|-
|-
| Monna o kgotsofale. || Monna o kgotsofale. || The man is tall.
 
| Ha motho o motle !! /ha motʰo o motle/ !! The person is not beautiful
 
|-
|-
| Monna se kgotsofale. || Monna se kgotsofale. || The man is not tall.
 
| Phala e khōlō !! /pʰala e kʰolo/ !! The fruit is big
 
|-
|-
| Haele o monate. || Haele o monate. || It is delicious.
 
| Ha phala e khōlō !! /ha pʰala e kʰolo/ !! The fruit is not big
 
|-
|-
| Haele se monate. || Haele se monate. || It is not delicious.
 
| Ntlo e tšoeu !! /ntlo e tʃoeu/ !! The house is white
 
|-
 
| Ha ntlo e tšoeu !! /ha ntlo e tʃoeu/ !! The house is not white
 
|-
|-
| Mme o boitshepo. || Mme o boitshepo. || The water is cold.
 
| Mofuthu o monate !! /mofuthu o monate/ !! The food is tasty
 
|-
|-
| Mme se boitshepo. || Mme se boitshepo. || The water is not cold.
 
| Ha mofuthu o monate !! /ha mofuthu o monate/ !! The food is not tasty
 
|}
|}


In the examples above, adding "se" before the adjective changes the meaning of the sentence to the negative form. Practice negating adjectives by creating your own sentences using different adjectives.
As we can see, negation can effectively change the qualities of nouns into their opposite meanings.


== Forming Negative Questions ==
=== Forming Negative Questions ===


Negative questions are questions that expect a negative response. In Southern Sotho, we can form negative questions by adding the negative particle "ha" before the question word. Let's look at some examples:
When forming negative questions in Southern Sotho, we still use the negation particle '''"ha"'''. The structure of the question remains intact, but we add '''"ha"''' to indicate negation. Here are some examples:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
! Southern Sotho !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Na o ja? !! /na o ja?/ !! Do you eat?
|-
| Na ha o ja? !! /na ha o ja?/ !! Do you not eat?
|-
| Na ke ngwana? !! /na ke ŋwana?/ !! Am I a child?
|-
|-
| U se ke utlwile? || U se ke utlwile? || You didn't hear me?
 
| Na ha ke ngwana? !! /na ha ke ŋwana?/ !! Am I not a child?
 
|-
|-
| U se ke utlwile? || U se ke utlwile? || Didn't you hear me?
 
| Na re a dula? !! /na re a dula?/ !! Are we staying?
 
|-
|-
| Ke kopa ho tšehla? || Ke kopa ho tšehla? || Can't I go in?
 
| Na ha re a dula? !! /na ha re a dula?/ !! Are we not staying?
 
|-
|-
| Ha ke kopa ho tšehla? || Ha ke kopa ho tšehla? || Can I go in?
 
| Na ba a sebetsa? !! /na ba a sebetsa?/ !! Are they working?
 
|-
 
| Na ha ba a sebetsa? !! /na ha ba a sebetsa?/ !! Are they not working?
 
|}
|}


In the examples above, adding "ha" before the question word changes the meaning of the question to the negative form. Practice forming negative questions by creating your own sentences using different question words.
This structure allows you to inquire about the negation of an action or state effectively.
 
== Practice Exercises ==
 
Now that we have explored the various aspects of negation in Southern Sotho, it's time to put your knowledge to the test with some exercises. These exercises will help reinforce what you've learned and give you the confidence to use negation in everyday conversations.
 
=== Exercise 1: Negate the Following Sentences ===
 
Transform the following affirmative sentences into negative sentences.
 
1. Ke a ja. (I am eating.)
 
2. O a bona. (You see.)
 
3. Re a dula. (We are staying.)
 
4. Ba a sebetsa. (They are working.)
 
5. O mosali. (You are a woman.)
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. Ha ke a ja. (I am not eating.)
 
2. Ha o a bona. (You do not see.)
 
3. Ha re a dula. (We are not staying.)
 
4. Ha ba a sebetsa. (They are not working.)
 
5. Ha o mosali. (You are not a woman.)
 
=== Exercise 2: Identify the Negated Verb ===
 
Identify the negated verb in the following sentences.
 
1. Ha ke a ja.
 
2. Ha o a bona.
 
3. Ha re a dula.
 
4. Ha ba a sebetsa.
 
5. Ha o mosali.
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. ja (to eat)
 
2. bona (to see)
 
3. dula (to stay)
 
4. sebetsa (to work)
 
5. mosali (woman)
 
=== Exercise 3: Change to Negative Questions ===
 
Convert the following affirmative questions into negative questions.
 
1. Na o ja?
 
2. Na ke ngwana?
 
3. Na re a dula?
 
4. Na ba a sebetsa?
 
5. Na o mosali?
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. Na ha o ja?
 
2. Na ha ke ngwana?
 
3. Na ha re a dula?
 
4. Na ha ba a sebetsa?
 
5. Na ha o mosali?
 
=== Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks ===
 
Fill in the blanks with the correct negation form.
 
1. _____ ke a ja. (I am not eating.)
 
2. _____ o a bona. (You do not see.)
 
3. _____ re a dula. (We are not staying.)
 
4. _____ ba a sebetsa. (They are not working.)
 
5. _____ o mosali. (You are not a woman.)
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. Ha
 
2. Ha
 
3. Ha
 
4. Ha
 
5. Ha
 
=== Exercise 5: Translate to Southern Sotho ===
 
Translate the following English sentences into Southern Sotho using negation.
 
1. I do not eat.
 
2. You are not a woman.
 
3. We are not staying.
 
4. They are not working.
 
5. He is not happy.
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. Ha ke ja.
 
2. Ha o mosali.
 
3. Ha re a dula.
 
4. Ha ba a sebetsa.
 
5. Ha o thabile.
 
=== Exercise 6: Create Negative Sentences ===
 
Create negative sentences using the following prompts.
 
1. (I, eat)
 
2. (You, see)
 
3. (We, stay)
 
4. (They, work)
 
5. (She, happy)
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. Ha ke ja.
 
2. Ha o a bona.
 
3. Ha re a dula.
 
4. Ha ba a sebetsa.
 
5. Ha o thabile.
 
=== Exercise 7: Negate the Following Questions ===
 
Negate the following questions.
 
1. Na o ja?
 
2. Na ke ngwana?
 
3. Na re a dula?
 
4. Na ba a sebetsa?
 
5. Na o mosali?
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. Na ha o ja?
 
2. Na ha ke ngwana?
 
3. Na ha re a dula?
 
4. Na ha ba a sebetsa?
 
5. Na ha o mosali?
 
=== Exercise 8: Identify Negation in Context ===
 
Read the following sentences and identify the negation.
 
1. Ha ke a ja, empa ke batla ho ja.
 
2. Ha re a dula, re fumana sebaka.
 
3. Ba a sebetsa, empa ha ba a fumana.
 
4. Ha o mosali, o na le boikarabelo.
 
5. O motle, empa ha o na le mahlohonolo.
 
'''Solutions:'''
 
1. Ha ke a ja
 
2. Ha re a dula
 
3. ha ba a fumana
 
4. Ha o mosali
 
5. ha o na le mahlohonolo
 
=== Exercise 9: Rewrite the Sentences ===
 
Rewrite the following sentences to make them negative.


== Cultural Insight ==
1. Ke thabile. (I am happy.)


In Southern Sotho culture, negation is used to express politeness and respect. It is common to use negation when making requests or asking for permission. For example, instead of saying "Ke kopa ho nyoba" (I want to eat), it is more polite to say "Ha ke kopa ho nyoba" (I don't want to eat). This shows respect for the person you are speaking to and allows them to respond accordingly.
2. O a tseba. (You know.)


Another interesting cultural aspect related to negation is the concept of "lebitso la mosadi" (the name of a woman). In Southern Sotho culture, it is considered disrespectful to mention the name of someone's wife or girlfriend directly. Instead, people often use negation to refer to someone's wife or girlfriend. For example, instead of saying "Mosadi wa hae" (his wife), it is more common to say "Ha o na mosadi" (you don't have a wife). This cultural practice emphasizes the importance of respect and privacy in Southern Sotho society.
3. Re a phela. (We live.)


== Exercises ==
4. Ba a tsamaya. (They walk.)


Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of negating sentences in Southern Sotho. Remember to use the appropriate negation particles and follow the correct sentence structure.
5. O a tseba. (She knows.)


Exercise 1: Negating Verbs
'''Solutions:'''
Negate the following sentences by adding the appropriate negation particle before the verb.


* Ke a bula. (I am reading.)
1. Ha ke thabile. (I am not happy.)
* U robetse. (You are working.)
* O tla bona. (He will see.)
* Re tla sebetsa. (We will work.)
* Ba tla leka. (They will laugh.)


Exercise 2: Negating Nouns
2. Ha o a tseba. (You do not know.)
Negate the following sentences by adding the appropriate negation particle before the noun.


* Ke Mosotho. (I am Mosotho.)
3. Ha re a phela. (We do not live.)
* O neng a utloisisa. (He was explaining.)
* Boitsebiso bo bo lefatshe. (The gifts are beautiful.)
* Bana ba dihlare. (The children are happy.)
* Ba ka ba chesa. (They love you.)


Exercise 3: Negating Adjectives
4. Ha ba a tsamaya. (They do not walk.)
Negate the following sentences by adding the appropriate negation particle before the adjective.


* U kgotsofale. (You are tall.)
5. Ha o a tseba. (She does not know.)
* Ho monate hore ho tsamae. (It is delicious to eat.)
* Tša boitshepo. (They are cold.)
* Ho tšoareletsa hore ho nyane. (It is easy to understand.)
* Ke hlakile. (I am ready.)


Exercise 4: Forming Negative Questions
=== Exercise 10: Create Your Own Negative Sentences ===
Rewrite the following questions in the negative form by adding the appropriate negation particle before the question word.


* U ka se utloe? (Can you hear me?)
Use the following subjects and verbs to create your own negative sentences.
* Ke kopa ho ruta? (May I leave?)
* Na ha o na le melao? (Do you have clothes?)
* O ka se ba rata? (Do they love you?)
* Ho na le tšebo? (Is there knowledge?)


== Solutions ==
1. I (to eat)


Exercise 1: Negating Verbs
2. You (to see)
* Ha ke a bula. (I am not reading.)
* Ha u robetse. (You are not working.)
* Ha o tla bona. (He will not see.)
* Ha re tla sebetsa. (We will not work.)
* Ha ba tla leka. (They will not laugh.)


Exercise 2: Negating Nouns
3. We (to stay)
* Ha ke Mosotho. (I am not Mosotho.)
* Ha o neng a utloisisa. (He was not explaining.)
* Se boitsebiso bo bo lefatshe. (The gifts are not beautiful.)
* Ha bana ba dihlare. (The children are not happy.)
* Ha ba ka ba chesa. (They don't love you.)


Exercise 3: Negating Adjectives
4. They (to work)
* U se kgotsofale. (You are not tall.)
* Ha monate hore ho tsamae. (It is not delicious to eat.)
* Se tša boitshepo. (They are not cold.)
* Ha tšoareletsa hore ho nyane. (It is not easy to understand.)
* Se hlakile. (I am not ready.)


Exercise 4: Forming Negative Questions
5. She (to be beautiful)
* Ha u ka se utloe? (Can't you hear me?)
* Ha ke kopa ho ruta? (May I not leave?)
* Na ha o na le melao? (Don't you have clothes?)
* Ha o ka se ba rata? (Don't they love you?)
* Ha na le tšebo? (Is there no knowledge?)


== Conclusion ==
'''Solutions:'''


Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to negate sentences in Southern Sotho. This skill will greatly enhance your ability to express negation or denial in conversations. Remember to use the appropriate negation particles "ha" and "se" before verbs, nouns, and adjectives to form negative sentences. You have also learned how to form negative questions by adding "ha" before the question word. Continue practicing and incorporating negation into your conversations to further improve your Southern Sotho language skills.
1. Ha ke ja.


In the next lesson, we will explore another important aspect of Southern Sotho grammar: shopping and money. You will learn vocabulary related to shopping and how to talk about money and currency in Southern Sotho. Get ready for an exciting lesson!
2. Ha o a bona.
 
3. Ha re a dula.
 
4. Ha ba a sebetsa.
 
5. Ha o motle.
 
Congratulations! You have now completed the lesson on negating sentences in Southern Sotho. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these structures in your conversations. The more you engage with the language, the more confident you will become.


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|keywords=Southern Sotho, negating sentences, negating verbs, negating nouns, negating adjectives, negative questions, Southern Sotho culture
|title=Southern Sotho Grammar: Negating Sentences
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to negate sentences in Southern Sotho, including negating verbs, nouns, and adjectives, as well as forming negative questions. Explore the cultural insights related to negation and practice with exercises.
 
|keywords=Southern Sotho, grammar, negation, sentences, beginners
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to negate sentences in Southern Sotho, including negating verbs, nouns, and adjectives, as well as forming negative questions.
 
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Latest revision as of 14:36, 2 August 2024

◀️ Asking Questions — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Shopping Vocabulary ▶️

Lesotho-Timeline-PolyglotClub.png
Southern Sotho → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Negating Sentences

In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating world of negation in Southern Sotho. Understanding how to negate sentences is essential for effective communication in any language, and Southern Sotho is no exception. Negation allows you to express disagreement, deny statements, and convey a variety of meanings, making it a crucial element of grammar that every beginner must grasp.

This lesson will cover:

  • The concept of negation in Southern Sotho
  • How to negate verbs, nouns, and adjectives
  • The formation of negative questions
  • Numerous examples to illustrate these concepts
  • Exercises for you to practice your newfound skills

By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to negate sentences in Southern Sotho, which will enhance your ability to communicate more clearly and accurately.

Understanding Negation[edit | edit source]

Negation in Southern Sotho involves using specific particles to change affirmative statements into negative ones. The primary negation particle in Southern Sotho is "ha". It is important to note that negation affects verbs, nouns, adjectives, and even questions differently.

Negating Verbs[edit | edit source]

To negate a verb in Southern Sotho, we typically place the negation particle "ha" before the verb. Here are some examples to illustrate this:

Southern Sotho Pronunciation English
Ke ja !! /ke ja/ !! I eat
Ha ke ja !! /ha ke ja/ !! I do not eat
O a bona !! /o a bona/ !! You see
Ha o a bona !! /ha o a bona/ !! You do not see
Re a dula !! /re a dula/ !! We are staying
Ha re a dula !! /ha re a dula/ !! We are not staying
Ba a sebetsa !! /ba a sebetsa/ !! They are working
Ha ba a sebetsa !! /ha ba a sebetsa/ !! They are not working

As you can see from the examples above, the placement of "ha" before the verb effectively negates the action.

Negating Nouns[edit | edit source]

When negating nouns, we typically use the negation particle "ha" along with the appropriate form of the noun. Here are some examples:

Southern Sotho Pronunciation English
Ke ngwana !! /ke ŋwana/ !! I am a child
Ha ke ngwana !! /ha ke ŋwana/ !! I am not a child
O mosali !! /o mosali/ !! You are a woman
Ha o mosali !! /ha o mosali/ !! You are not a woman
Re monna !! /re monna/ !! We are men
Ha re monna !! /ha re monna/ !! We are not men
Ba basali !! /ba basali/ !! They are women
Ha ba basali !! /ha ba basali/ !! They are not women

Here, "ha" is used to negate the identity expressed by the noun.

Negating Adjectives[edit | edit source]

Negating adjectives in Southern Sotho follows a similar pattern. You will still use "ha" before the adjective. Here are some examples:

Southern Sotho Pronunciation English
Motho o motle !! /motʰo o motle/ !! The person is beautiful
Ha motho o motle !! /ha motʰo o motle/ !! The person is not beautiful
Phala e khōlō !! /pʰala e kʰolo/ !! The fruit is big
Ha phala e khōlō !! /ha pʰala e kʰolo/ !! The fruit is not big
Ntlo e tšoeu !! /ntlo e tʃoeu/ !! The house is white
Ha ntlo e tšoeu !! /ha ntlo e tʃoeu/ !! The house is not white
Mofuthu o monate !! /mofuthu o monate/ !! The food is tasty
Ha mofuthu o monate !! /ha mofuthu o monate/ !! The food is not tasty

As we can see, negation can effectively change the qualities of nouns into their opposite meanings.

Forming Negative Questions[edit | edit source]

When forming negative questions in Southern Sotho, we still use the negation particle "ha". The structure of the question remains intact, but we add "ha" to indicate negation. Here are some examples:

Southern Sotho Pronunciation English
Na o ja? !! /na o ja?/ !! Do you eat?
Na ha o ja? !! /na ha o ja?/ !! Do you not eat?
Na ke ngwana? !! /na ke ŋwana?/ !! Am I a child?
Na ha ke ngwana? !! /na ha ke ŋwana?/ !! Am I not a child?
Na re a dula? !! /na re a dula?/ !! Are we staying?
Na ha re a dula? !! /na ha re a dula?/ !! Are we not staying?
Na ba a sebetsa? !! /na ba a sebetsa?/ !! Are they working?
Na ha ba a sebetsa? !! /na ha ba a sebetsa?/ !! Are they not working?

This structure allows you to inquire about the negation of an action or state effectively.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we have explored the various aspects of negation in Southern Sotho, it's time to put your knowledge to the test with some exercises. These exercises will help reinforce what you've learned and give you the confidence to use negation in everyday conversations.

Exercise 1: Negate the Following Sentences[edit | edit source]

Transform the following affirmative sentences into negative sentences.

1. Ke a ja. (I am eating.)

2. O a bona. (You see.)

3. Re a dula. (We are staying.)

4. Ba a sebetsa. (They are working.)

5. O mosali. (You are a woman.)

Solutions:

1. Ha ke a ja. (I am not eating.)

2. Ha o a bona. (You do not see.)

3. Ha re a dula. (We are not staying.)

4. Ha ba a sebetsa. (They are not working.)

5. Ha o mosali. (You are not a woman.)

Exercise 2: Identify the Negated Verb[edit | edit source]

Identify the negated verb in the following sentences.

1. Ha ke a ja.

2. Ha o a bona.

3. Ha re a dula.

4. Ha ba a sebetsa.

5. Ha o mosali.

Solutions:

1. ja (to eat)

2. bona (to see)

3. dula (to stay)

4. sebetsa (to work)

5. mosali (woman)

Exercise 3: Change to Negative Questions[edit | edit source]

Convert the following affirmative questions into negative questions.

1. Na o ja?

2. Na ke ngwana?

3. Na re a dula?

4. Na ba a sebetsa?

5. Na o mosali?

Solutions:

1. Na ha o ja?

2. Na ha ke ngwana?

3. Na ha re a dula?

4. Na ha ba a sebetsa?

5. Na ha o mosali?

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Fill in the blanks with the correct negation form.

1. _____ ke a ja. (I am not eating.)

2. _____ o a bona. (You do not see.)

3. _____ re a dula. (We are not staying.)

4. _____ ba a sebetsa. (They are not working.)

5. _____ o mosali. (You are not a woman.)

Solutions:

1. Ha

2. Ha

3. Ha

4. Ha

5. Ha

Exercise 5: Translate to Southern Sotho[edit | edit source]

Translate the following English sentences into Southern Sotho using negation.

1. I do not eat.

2. You are not a woman.

3. We are not staying.

4. They are not working.

5. He is not happy.

Solutions:

1. Ha ke ja.

2. Ha o mosali.

3. Ha re a dula.

4. Ha ba a sebetsa.

5. Ha o thabile.

Exercise 6: Create Negative Sentences[edit | edit source]

Create negative sentences using the following prompts.

1. (I, eat)

2. (You, see)

3. (We, stay)

4. (They, work)

5. (She, happy)

Solutions:

1. Ha ke ja.

2. Ha o a bona.

3. Ha re a dula.

4. Ha ba a sebetsa.

5. Ha o thabile.

Exercise 7: Negate the Following Questions[edit | edit source]

Negate the following questions.

1. Na o ja?

2. Na ke ngwana?

3. Na re a dula?

4. Na ba a sebetsa?

5. Na o mosali?

Solutions:

1. Na ha o ja?

2. Na ha ke ngwana?

3. Na ha re a dula?

4. Na ha ba a sebetsa?

5. Na ha o mosali?

Exercise 8: Identify Negation in Context[edit | edit source]

Read the following sentences and identify the negation.

1. Ha ke a ja, empa ke batla ho ja.

2. Ha re a dula, re fumana sebaka.

3. Ba a sebetsa, empa ha ba a fumana.

4. Ha o mosali, o na le boikarabelo.

5. O motle, empa ha o na le mahlohonolo.

Solutions:

1. Ha ke a ja

2. Ha re a dula

3. ha ba a fumana

4. Ha o mosali

5. ha o na le mahlohonolo

Exercise 9: Rewrite the Sentences[edit | edit source]

Rewrite the following sentences to make them negative.

1. Ke thabile. (I am happy.)

2. O a tseba. (You know.)

3. Re a phela. (We live.)

4. Ba a tsamaya. (They walk.)

5. O a tseba. (She knows.)

Solutions:

1. Ha ke thabile. (I am not happy.)

2. Ha o a tseba. (You do not know.)

3. Ha re a phela. (We do not live.)

4. Ha ba a tsamaya. (They do not walk.)

5. Ha o a tseba. (She does not know.)

Exercise 10: Create Your Own Negative Sentences[edit | edit source]

Use the following subjects and verbs to create your own negative sentences.

1. I (to eat)

2. You (to see)

3. We (to stay)

4. They (to work)

5. She (to be beautiful)

Solutions:

1. Ha ke ja.

2. Ha o a bona.

3. Ha re a dula.

4. Ha ba a sebetsa.

5. Ha o motle.

Congratulations! You have now completed the lesson on negating sentences in Southern Sotho. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these structures in your conversations. The more you engage with the language, the more confident you will become.

Table of Contents - Southern Sotho Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Southern Sotho


Greetings and Introductions


Nouns and Pronouns


Numbers and Time


Verbs and Tenses


Everyday Activities


Adjectives and Adverbs


Food and Dining


Southern Sotho Traditions


Travel and Transportation


Questions and Negation


Shopping and Money


Southern Sotho Family Life


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Asking Questions — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Shopping Vocabulary ▶️

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