Common Sepedi to NKo phrases

100 practical Sepedi to NKo phrases for travel, study, work, and daily conversation.

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Looking for practical Sepedi to NKo phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Sepedi phrase first, then the NKo translation (NKo) — 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 NKo.

Tip: read the NKo line out loud three times, then cover the Sepedi side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.

Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Sepedi to NKo 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.

  1. Dumela

    ᎣᏍᏆ (Oscha)

  2. Ke a leboga

    ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ (Ascadodi)

  3. Dumelang

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ (Oscha Edodhi)

  4. Mokhutsong o motle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ (Oscha Atsachadi)

  5. Mokhutsong o motle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ (Oscha Dagadudi)

  6. Borai bo botle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ (Oscha Datsicha)

  7. Tsamaya sentle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ (Oscha Dagadodi)

  8. Siyabonga

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ (Oscha Danodi)

  9. O na le leina lefe?

    ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ? (Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)

  10. Leina la ka ke John

    ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ (Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)

  11. O kae?

    ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ? (Hisch Hisch?)

  12. Ke thabela go kopana le wena

    ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ (Ascadodi Tischa)

Useful phrases for travellers

Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.

  1. Na o bua Seisemane?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  2. Ke sitwa go bua Hindi sentle

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  3. Ke sitwa go kwele

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  4. Tsweetswee bua ka borai

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  5. Na o ka bo o mpotsa gape?

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  6. Borai bo kae?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  7. Ke etse eng go ya borai?

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  8. Fetola go le letšatši

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  9. Fetola go le letona

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  10. Ya ka pela

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  11. Phetho ke bokae?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  12. Tiketeng e le nngwe, tsweetswee

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  13. Na ke kgole go tswa fano?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  14. Ke sitwa go etse

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  15. Borai bo kae ke ka reka SIM card?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

Everyday conversation

Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.

  1. Ee

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

  2. Aowa

    𞤈𞤢𞤣

  3. Mohlomong

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

  4. Ke a dumela

    𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢

  5. Ke sitwa go dumela

    𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  6. Seo se utlwa sentle

    𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  7. O nagana eng?

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  8. O ka nthusa?

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢

  9. Ke hloka thuso

    𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  10. Emela nako

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  11. Ke maswabi

    𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  12. Ga go na bothata

    𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  13. Dumelang

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  14. Tlhogong e monate

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  15. Dira leeto le le bolokehileng

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

Directions and getting around

Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.

  1. Ke kae boraiwa ba terene?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  2. Ke kae boraiwa ba bosi?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  3. Ke sehlopha sefe?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  4. Nako efe e tlo fofa?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  5. A ke tsela e nepahetseng?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  6. E haufi le fa

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  7. E hole le fa

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  8. O ka mpontsha ka mape?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  9. Emisa fa, tsweetswee

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  10. E nka nako e kae?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

Shopping and dining

Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.

  1. Ke bokae?

    ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ? (aɡa fɔtɔ?)

  2. Seo ke sebopego se se kotsi

    ߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)

  3. O na le sengwe se se theko e tlase?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  4. Nka lefa ka khadi?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  5. Ke rata tafole ya batho ba babedi

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  6. Bille, tswarela

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  7. Na tshebeletso e akaretswe?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  8. Ke movegetarian

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  9. Aowa, dijo tse di phadileng, tswarela

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  10. Se ke se monate

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  11. Nka fumana lenaneo?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  12. Khalase ya metsi, tswarela

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

Emergencies and health

Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.

  1. B calla mapolesa

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬ (Kâkâ lîsî)

  2. B calla ambulance

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Kâkâ ambûlâns)

  3. Ke hloka ngaka

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ (Dî nîdâ dâktôr)

  4. Ke ikutlwa ke bolaya

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Dî fîl sîk)

  5. Ke na le allergy go peanuts

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ (Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)

  6. Hospital e hwetšwa kae?

    ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬? (Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)

  7. Go a bohloko fa

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Dî hûrts hîr)

  8. Ke lahlehetšwe ke passport ya ka

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬ (Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)

  9. O ka bitsa hotel ya ka?

    ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬? (Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)

  10. Thusa!

    ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬! (Kâ hâlp!)

Work and business

Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.

  1. Ke thabile go kopana le wena

    መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ (mey wey deli ende wey)

  2. A re beye ngwaga ya kopano

    ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ (nda werk wen wey)

  3. Nako efe e go kgonang?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  4. Ke tla romela reportone gompieno

    እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ (eñe wey werk wey wey)

  5. A re ka bua ka moso?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  6. Tsweetswee bona faele e amanang

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  7. Ke a leboga ka nako ya gago

    መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ (mey wey wey wey)

  8. Ke lebeletse go dira le wena

    እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ (eñe wey wey wey)

  9. A o ka hlalosa ntlha eo?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  10. A ke tle ke boe go wena

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  11. Nako ya borai ke Labohlano

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

Time, days and numbers

Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.

  1. Ke nako efe?

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬? (Kâkâ tî?)

  2. Ke borai

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî sâbâ?)

  3. Gompieno

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî)

  4. Borai

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî fâ)

  5. Maabane

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî dâ)

  6. Mantšhi

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî lô)

  7. Laboraro

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî tî)

  8. Laboraro

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî wâ)

  9. Nngwe

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ)

  10. Pedi

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ nâ)

  11. Tharo

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ sâ)

  12. Lesome

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ fâ)

  13. Ngwaga

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ sâbâ)

  14. Hlaf

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ fâ)

  15. Bokae

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî)