Language/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.
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!
➡ 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. 😎