Language/Tswana/Grammar/Prepositions-of-Time
Introduction
In this lesson, we will focus on prepositions of time in Tswana. Prepositions are words that are used to show the relationship between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence. Prepositions of time are used to describe the timing of an event in relation to another event, a specific time, or a period of time.
By the end of this lesson, you will learn how to use prepositions of time in Tswana sentences, such as "before," "after," and "during." We will also discuss some cultural information and interesting facts related to the use of prepositions in Tswana.
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are used to indicate when events occur. These prepositions describe the temporal relationship between two events or between an event and a specific point in time. In Tswana, prepositions of time include the following:
- Fela
- Kua
- Kua ntlha
- Mmualebe
- Go feta
Fela
Fela is a preposition in Tswana that indicates "just" or "only." This preposition can be used to imply that something is happening right now or has just happened.
Examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ke fela jaana. | keh FEH-lah jah-NAH | I'm just eating. |
| Ba fela ba re tshwere ba itlhakga. | bah FEH-lah bah reh tshweh-reh bah itlhah-kah | They only said hello to us. |
Kua
Kua is a preposition in Tswana that indicates "at" or "on." This preposition is used to refer to a specific point in time or a day of the week.
Examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| O kua nkgong ya gae pele. | oh koo-ah n'kohng yah gah-eh PEH-leh | He will be at home tomorrow. |
| Kea sale kua Zibonele. | keh-ah SAH-leh koo-ah zee-boh-neh-leh | I arrived on Monday at Zibonele. |
Kua ntlha
Kua ntlha means "during" or "while" in Tswana. This preposition is used to indicate the duration of an event or activity.
Examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ke kopa o a koteng kua ntlha ya Naledi. | keh koh-pah oh ah koh-tehng koo-ah n'tlah yah nah-LEH-dee | I'm asking if you're available during the Naledi concert. |
| Re tla bowa kua ntlha ya Maitlhomo. | reh tlhah boh-wah koo-ah n'tlah yah mah-ee-TLOH-moh | We'll be dancing during the Maitlhomo ceremony. |
Mmualebe
Mmualebe is a preposition in Tswana that indicates "before" or "prior to." This preposition is used to describe an event that has occurred before another event.
Examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ke mmualebe ke boneng Mookodi. | keh mmwah-LEH-beh keh boh-nehng moh-koh-dee | I saw Mookodi before. |
| Rea itlhakela mmualebe re tle rea fola. | reh-ah ee-tlhah-keh-lah mMmwah-LEH-beh reh tl'eh reh-ah foh-lah | We're getting dressed before we go out. |
Go feta
Go feta means "after" in Tswana. This preposition is used to describe an event that has occurred after another event.
Examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ke tsene ka gonne ke go feta. | keh tseh-neh kah goh-neh keh goh FEH-tah | I entered after her. |
| Ke tla bona go feta matsatsi a rona. | keh tl'ah boh-nah goh FEH-tah mah-TSAH-tsee ah roh-nah | I will see you after our exams. |
Cultural Information
Tswana prepositions of time are commonly used to describe events and activities that are significant in Tswana culture. For example, the preposition "kua" (at/on) is frequently used to describe significant events such as weddings, funerals, and other cultural celebrations that occur on a specific day or at a specific time.
Tswana culture is steeped in tradition and is deeply rooted in the importance of family, community, and respect for elders. As a result, the prepositions of time in Tswana often emphasize the relationships between individuals and their activities during specific periods of time.
Conclusion
Prepositions of time are an essential aspect of the Tswana language. In this lesson, we focused on learning prepositions such as "before," "after," and "during" and how to use them in Tswana sentences. We also discussed some cultural information related to Tswana prepositions of time.
By mastering prepositions of time in Tswana, you'll be able to express yourself effectively in daily conversations and more complex situations, such as describing historical events, telling stories, and describing cultural activities.
Remember to practice using these prepositions in Tswana sentences often, so you can become more comfortable and confident in your usage of them. With practice and dedication, you will soon become proficient in using Tswana prepositions of time accurately and fluently.
Other Lessons
- Plurals
- Negation
- Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives
- Descriptive Adjectives
- Subject Pronouns
- Gender
- How to Use Be
- Questions
- Conditional Mood
- Prepositions of Place