Looking for practical NKo to Tswana phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Tswana translation (Tswana) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Tswana.
Tip: when a Tswana phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the NKo wording — noticing word order differences helps you understand grammar naturally.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Tswana translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Dumela(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Ke a leboga(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Dumelang(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Dumela mo afternoon(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Dumela mo evening(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Borai(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Tsamaya sentle(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Tsamaya sentle(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
O na le leina mang?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Leina la me ke John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
O kae?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Ke itumetse go kopana le wena(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
A o bua Seisemane?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ke sitwa go bua Hindi sentle(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Ke sitwa go tlhaloganya(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tsweetswee bua ka bonako(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
A o ka bo o bua seo gape?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Borai bo kae?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ke tshela jang go ya borai jwa motse?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fetola go ya ka letlhako le letona(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fetola go ya ka letlhako le lebaganeng(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tswelela ka fao(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Gaeletsi e bokae?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tikit e le nngwe, tsweetswee(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
A ke kgole go tswa fano?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Ke a latlhela(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Borai ke ka fao ke ka rekang SIM card?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ee
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Nnyaa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Mafoko
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Ke a dumela
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ke sitwa go dumela
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Seo se utlwisa molemo
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
O akanya eng?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
O ka nthusa?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ke tlhoka thuso
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Emisa motsotso
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ke maswabi
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ga go na bothata
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
A re amogele
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Tlhogomelo e e monate
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
O seka wa tsamaea ka bolokegong
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Ke kae borai jwa terene?(ke kae borai jwa terene)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ke kae borai jwa boso?(ke kae borai jwa boso)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ke phetogo efe?(ke phetogo efe)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Nako efe e tlogang?(nako efe e tlogang)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
A ke tsela e e siameng?(a ke tsela e e siameng)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
E kgaogang fa(e kgaogang fa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
E le kgakala le fa(e le kgakala le fa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
O ka nthusa go bontsha mo mape?(o ka nthusa go bontsha mo mape)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Emisa fa, tsweetswee(emisa fa, tsweetswee)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
E tsaya nako e kae?(e tsaya nako e kae)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Ke bokae?(ke bo kae?)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Seo ke se expensive(se ke se expensive)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
A o na le sengwe se se cheap?(a o na le sengwe se se cheap?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Na nka lefa ka khadi?(na nka lefa ka khadi?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ke kopa tafole ya babedi(ke kopa tafole ya babedi)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Bille, tsweetswee(bille, tsweetswee)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Na tshebeletso e akaretswe?(na tshebeletso e akaretswe?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ke movegetarian(ke mo vegetarian)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
A re na le dijo tse di spicy, tsweetswee(a re na le dijo tse di spicy, tsweetswee)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Se ke se monate(se ke se monate)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Na nka nna le menu?(na nka nna le menu?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Glasi ya metsi, tsweetswee(glasi ya metsi, tsweetswee)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Bua le mapolesa(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Bua le ambulance(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Ke tlhoka ngaka(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Ke ikutlwa ke sitwa(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
Ke na le allergy go peanuts(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Hospitale e kgethegileng e kae?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Go botlhoko fa(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Ke sitwa passport ya me(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
O ka bua le hotele ya me?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Thusa!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Ke itumetse go kopana le wena(mey wey deli ende wey)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
A re beye ngwaga ya kopano(nda werk wen wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nako efe e go thusang?(nda wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Ke tla romela reporteng gompieno(eñe wey werk wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
A re ka bua ka borai?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Tsweetswee, etse fa faele e amanang(nda wey wey wey)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ke a leboga ka nako ya gago(mey wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ke itumelela go dira le wena(eñe wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
A o ka tlhalosa ntlha eo?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
A ke boele go wena(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nako ya go fela ke Labohlano(nda wey wey wey)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.