Language/Southern-sotho/Grammar/Negation
Hi Southern Sotho learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be discussing the basics of negation in Southern Sotho. We will look at how to form negative sentences and how to use them in conversation.
Negation is an important part of any language, and Southern Sotho is no exception. In Southern Sotho, there are two main ways to form a negative sentence: using the particle "ha" or using the verb "tswa". Let's take a look at each of these in more detail.
Using the Particle "Ha"
The particle "ha" is used to negate a verb or adjective. It is placed directly before the verb or adjective that it is negating. For example:
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Ke ha tšwela | ke-ha tsh-we-la | I don't sleep |
| Ke ha sebetsa | ke-ha se-be-tsa | I'm not happy |
| Ke ha tšoara | ke-ha tsho-a-ra | I don't understand |
It is important to note that the particle "ha" cannot be used to negate nouns. To negate nouns, you must use the verb "tswa".
Using the Verb "Tswa"
The verb "tswa" is used to negate nouns. It is conjugated according to the subject of the sentence. For example:
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Ke tswa mokgwa | ke tsh-wa mok-gwa | I don't have a dog |
| O tswa mokgwa | o tsh-wa mok-gwa | He doesn't have a dog |
| Re tswa mokgwa | re tsh-wa mok-gwa | They don't have a dog |
It is important to note that the verb "tswa" cannot be used to negate verbs or adjectives. To negate verbs or adjectives, you must use the particle "ha".
Practice
To improve your Southern Sotho Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Try forming some negative sentences using the particle "ha" and the verb "tswa". Here are some examples to get you started:
| Southern Sotho | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Ke ha tšoara | ke-ha tsho-a-ra | I don't understand |
| O tswa mokgwa | o tsh-wa mok-gwa | He doesn't have a dog |
| Ke ha sebetsa | ke-ha se-be-tsa | I'm not happy |
| Re tswa mokgwa | re tsh-wa mok-gwa | They don't have a dog |
| Ke ha tšwela | ke-ha tsh-we-la | I don't sleep |
Now it's your turn! Try forming some negative sentences of your own.
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➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎