Below, we have translated the main Setswana language words used to assess students when dealing with grammar, essays, and literature for their exams, tests, and assignments.
Akeronimi (Acronym)
Setswana: Lefoko le le agiwang ka go kopanya ditlhaka tse di simololang mafoko a a telele.
Sekao: PIR (Puo ya ho Ithuta le ho Ruta), Boleswa (Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland).
English: Acronym – A word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name or phrase.
Baakanya Diphoso (Error Correction)
Setswana: Go ntsha diphoso mo lokwalong kgotsa mo puong e ngotsweng le go e ntlafatsa.
English: Error Correction – The process of identifying and fixing mistakes in writing or speech.
Baamogedi (Audience)
Setswana: Batho ba ba reetsang, ba bogang, kgotsa ba amogelang molaetsa mo tirong e e rileng.
English: Audience – The intended group of readers, listeners, or viewers of a particular communication.
Baanelwa (Characters)
Setswana: Batho ba mokwadi a kwang ka ga bone mo paleng, go akaretsa maina le ditshwantsho tsa bone.
English: Characters – The individuals featured in a narrative, including their names and traits.
Boakaretsi (Inclusivity)
Setswana: Molawana o o akaretsang barutwana botlhe go tsenya le ba ba nang le bogole kgotsa mefokolo.
English: Inclusivity – Ensuring that all learners, including those with disabilities, are accommodated in learning.
Boiphediso (Career Goal)
Setswana: Maikaelelo a tiro kgotsa se motho a batlang go nna sona morago ga dithuto.
English: Career Goal – A student’s aspiration regarding what they aim to pursue after their studies.
Dipuisano (Discussion)
Setswana: Kgolagano ya dikakanyo tse di kganetsanang kgotsa tse di dumalanang ka sepheo sa go nna le tumalano.
English: Discussion – A structured exchange of ideas, either agreeing or opposing, with the aim of reaching consensus.
Dipotso Tse di Sa Batleng Dikarabo (Rhetorical Questions)
Setswana: Dipotso tse di sa ikaelelang gore di arabiwe, tse di dirang gore batho ba akanye.
Sekao: “A lo batla go boela mo pusong ele ya tlhaolele?”
English: Rhetorical Questions – Questions posed for effect, not requiring an answer.
Ditlhhangwa Tsa Ntlha (Drafts)
Setswana: Dikwalo tse di kwalwang pele e le diphetolelo tse di sa rileng tsa mokwalo o o feletseng.
English: Drafts – Preliminary versions of a written work, used to refine and improve the final product.
Ditshwanelo Tsa Botho (Human Rights)
Setswana: Mafelo a motho mongwe le mongwe a nang le one go ya ka molaotheo.
English: Human Rights – The basic rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals by law.
Emelela Ntlha (Supporting a Point)
Setswana: Go tshegetsa sengwe ka dintlha tse di tlhomameng.
English: Supporting a Point – Providing justification or evidence to validate an argument.
Go Phopholetsa (Exploring)
Setswana: Go leka go tlhaloganya kgotsa go ithuta ka sengwe ka kelotlhoko.
English: Exploring – Examining or investigating something in detail.
Godisa (Enhance)
Setswana: Go oketsa kgotsa go tokafatsa bokgoni, kitso, kgotsa boleng jwa sengwe.
English: Enhance – To improve or add value to something.
Kgobokanyo ya Dintlha (Data Collection)
Setswana: Go kgobokanya tshedimosetso tse di tsamaisanang le nngwe le nngwe.
English: Data Collection – The act of gathering and organizing relevant information.
Lebolelateng (AIDS)
Setswana: Mogare o o koafatsang mmele wa motho ka go gobatsa masole a mmele.
English: AIDS – A disease caused by the HIV virus, weakening the immune system.
Lekgotlhana (Forum)
Setswana: Ditlhopha tse di nnang le dipuisano tse di tseneletseng ka ntlha e e rileng.
English: Forum – A group or gathering for discussion or debate on a specific topic.
Makwalwatshwana (Homonyms)
Setswana: Mafoko a a kwalwang fela go tshwana mme a farologane ka bokao.
Sekao: “Tshela” (botshelo) le “tshela” (go tshela metsi).
English: Homonyms – Words that are spelled or pronounced the same but have different meanings.
Marara (Complex Events)
Setswana: Ditiragalo tse di thata go tlhaloganyega ka bonako.
English: Complex Events – Situations or occurrences that are difficult to comprehend or analyze.
Matseno (Introduction)
Setswana: Tlhaloso e e gorosang ka ntlha tse di kgethegileng mo setlhogong.
English: Introduction – A comprehensive explanation providing an overview of the subject matter.
Madumatshwana (Homonyms)
Setswana: Mafoko a a kwalwang ka go tshwana gape a dumang ka go tshwana, ntswa a farologana ka bokao.
Sekao:
- Kgala (go kgala ga seedi) le kgala (ya ditlhong).
- Tshela (wa botshelo) le tshela (wa go tlola, jaaka tsela kgotsa noka).
English: Homonyms – Words that are spelled and pronounced the same but have different meanings.
Mefutakwalo (Genres)
Setswana: Mefuta ya dikwalo tse di akaretsang porosa, maboko, dipadi, dinaane le diterama.
English: Genres – Categories of literature such as prose, poetry, novels, folktales, and plays.
Mefuta ya Dipolelo (Types of Sentences)
Setswana: Mefuta e e farologaneng ya dipolelo, tse di akaretsang dipotso, ditaelo, dipegelo, le tse dingwe.
English: Types of Sentences – Includes questions, commands, statements, and other sentence forms.
Melawana (Conventions)
Setswana: Ditlwaelo tse di amogelegileng mo puong ka kakaretso, jaaka tsela ya boitshwaro, go bua, kgotsa go kwala mafoko ka tatelano e e siameng.
English: Conventions – Accepted norms or rules in language usage, such as sentence structure or polite communication.
Mogopolo (Idea)
Setswana: Se motho a se akanyang; monagano kgotsa kakanyo.
English: Idea – A thought, plan, or suggestion formed in the mind.
Mokgwa (Method)
Setswana: Tsela kgotsa mokgwa o tiro e dirwang ka teng.
English: Method – The way or manner in which a task is carried out.
Ntlhakemo (Key Point)
Setswana: Ntlha ya botlhokwa e e tsweletswang mo puisanong kgotsa mo sekotwaneng.
English: Key Point – A crucial or significant idea presented in a discussion or text.
Nonofo (Strength)
Setswana: Go tlhagisa tiro ka boleng le katlego e e tlhokegang.
English: Strength – Demonstrating capability and effectiveness in performing a task.
Polelonolo (Simple Sentence)
Setswana: Ke polelo e e nang le polelwanakutu e le nngwe fela.
Sekao: Mosimane o ja bogobe.
English: Simple Sentence – A sentence with only one independent clause.
Polelotswako (Compound Sentence)
Setswana: Polelo e e nang le dipolelwanakutu tse pedi kgotsa go feta tse di kopantsweng ka lekopanyi.
Sekao: Mosimane o ja bogobe gonne o tshwerwe ke tlala.
English: Compound Sentence – A sentence with two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
Polelopate (Complex Sentence)
Setswana: Polelo e e nang le polelwanakutu e le nngwe le polelwanakalatlhalosi e le nngwe kgotsa go feta.
Sekao: Barutwana ga ba a tla sekolong gonne pula e na.
English: Complex Sentence – A sentence with one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.
Poloto (Plot)
Setswana: Tatelano ya ditiragalo tsa setlhopha, tse di nang le mabaka a a di tlholang.
English: Plot – The sequence of events in a story, driven by causes and effects.
Polotwana (Subplot)
Setswana: Ditiragalopotlana tse di kentsweng mo polotong e kgolo go oketsa tiragatso.
English: Subplot – A secondary storyline that complements the main plot.
Puo ya Botshwantshi (Figurative Language)
Setswana: Puo e e tsenyeletsang dikapuo, maele, diane, le manatetshapuo a mangwe.
English: Figurative Language – Language that includes metaphors, idioms, proverbs, and other non-literal expressions.
Puo e e Digelang (Persuasive Language)
Setswana: Puo e e tsietsang motho gore a dumalane le kakanyo ka tsela ya borai.
English: Persuasive Language – Speech or writing that convinces someone to agree with a certain perspective.
Rejisetara (Register)
Setswana: Mokgwa wa mafoko le thutapuo e e dirisiwang go ikaegile ka maemo kgotsa mabaka a a rileng.
English: Register – The level of formality or style of language used depending on the context.
Segalo (Tone)
Setswana: Maikutlo a mokwadi, mmui, kgotsa sebui a a tsamaisang maikutlo a babui kgotsa babadi.
English: Tone – The writer or speaker’s attitude conveyed to the audience through their choice of words and expressions.
Setlhangwa (Mode of Communication)
Setswana: Tsela e motlhaeletsi a e dirisang go tlhagisa kgotsa go fetisa tshedimosetso, jaaka go kwala, bua, leba, kgotsa supetsa.
English: Mode of Communication – The method used to convey information, such as writing, speaking, visualizing, or demonstrating.
Setlhangwa sa Bofelo (Final Product)
Setswana: Setlhangwa se se kwalwang kgotsa se se dirwang mo bofelong ka morero wa go newa mogokaganyi kgotsa morutabana gore se tlhathlolwe.
English: Final Product – The completed work presented for assessment or feedback.
Thadiso (Summary)
Setswana: Go neela ka tlhaloso ya sengwe, buka, tlhami kgotsa tiragalo ka bokhutshwane ka go kwala kgotsa go bua.
English: Summary – A brief explanation or description of something, such as a book or event.
Thelelo (Fluency)
Setswana: Go buisa ka maikutlo a a maleba le diteng ka tsela e e lebegang sentle, e e nang le melao ya puiso e e nepagetseng.
English: Fluency – The ability to express oneself clearly and smoothly, with proper tone, content, and structure.
Thesorase (Thesaurus)
Setswana: Thanodi e e bontshang makaelagongwe le malatodi a mafoko.
English: Thesaurus – A reference book that lists synonyms and antonyms.
Tomagano (Integration)
Setswana: Dikakanyo tse di tlhalosegang ka dikarolwana tsa tsona tsa go tlhalosa kgotsa go dira sengwe.
English: Integration – Combining different ideas or parts into a coherent whole.
Tlhagisa (Presentation)
Setswana:
- Go neela tshedimosetso ka ga sengwe kgotsa kgang.
- Go supa tiro e e dirilweng.
English: Presentation – The act of sharing information or showcasing a task or concept.
Tlhamo (Creation)
Setswana: Go tlhama kgotsa go simolola sengwe se se itlhophileng ka morero wa go neela tshedimosetso kgotsa go dirisiwa.
English: Creation – The act of producing something new, either for communication or application.
Tlhatlhobo (Analysis)
Setswana: Tlhatlhobo ka mokgwa o o rileng go bona sebopego kgotsa gore sengwe se tlhamilwe jang.
English: Analysis – A systematic examination to understand structure or composition.
Tlhotlhomisa (Investigation)
Setswana: Go batlisisa sengwe se se sa tlhaloganyegeng sentle ka go buisa, botsa dipotso, kgotsa go lebelela.
English: Investigation – A detailed inquiry to discover facts or clarify information.
Tlopelo (Unnecessary Words)
Setswana: Tiriso ya mafoko a rileng a a sa tlhokegeng mo setlhangweng.
English: Redundancy – The use of unnecessary or repetitive words in a piece of writing.
Totobetseng (Explicit Meaning)
Setswana: Bokao jo bo kwadilweng sentle le jo bo tlhaloganyegang ntle le tlhakano.
English: Explicit Meaning – A clear and direct interpretation of a word or concept.
Tseregano (Editing)
Setswana: Ke go ntsha diphoso mo sekwalong, go phophotha sekwalo mme go dirwe diphetogo tse di maleba.
English: Editing – The process of reviewing and correcting errors in a piece of writing.
Tlhhotlhomiso (Scanning)
Setswana: Go lebelela sengwe ka bonako ka maitlhomo a go bona dintlha tse di botlhokwa fela.
English: Scanning – Quickly looking over a text to identify key points or details.
Tlamanyi (Conjunction)
Setswana: Letshwao la puiso le le dirisiwang go kopanya mafoko kgotsa dipolelwana.
Sekao: Molatlhwa-le-bowa.
English: Conjunction – A word or phrase used to link words, clauses, or sentences.
Tlhaleletsano (Communication)
Setswana: Puisano ka mogala, lekwalo, seyalemowa, thelebishene, kgotsa mekgwa e mengwe.
English: Communication – The exchange of information through various channels, such as phone, letters, radio, or TV.
Tlhama Kakanyo (Concept Creation)
Setswana: Tlhamo ya se se akantsweng kgotsa se se dirilweng ka maitlhomo fela.
English: Concept Creation – The process of formulating or generating ideas or concepts.
Setswana Language Rules and Sentence Structures
Dipopego tsa Polelo (Sentence Structures)
- Polelonolo (Simple Sentence):
- Tlhaloso: Polelo e e nang le karolo e le nngwe fela ya polelwanakutu.
- Sekao: Mpho o ja. (Mpho is eating.)
- Polelotswako (Compound Sentence):
- Tlhaloso: Dipolelwana tse pedi kgotsa go feta tse di kopantsweng ka lekopanyi.
- Sekao: Mpho o ja, mme Thato o opela. (Mpho is eating, and Thato is singing.)
- Polelopate (Complex Sentence):
- Tlhaloso: Polelo e e nang le polelwanakutu e le nngwe le polelwanakala e le nngwe kgotsa go feta.
- Sekao: Mpho o ja ka gonne o tshwerwe ke tlala. (Mpho is eating because she is hungry.)
- Polelotswakopate (Compound-Complex Sentence):
- Tlhaloso: Polelo e e nang le dipolelwana tse pedi tse di kopantsweng le polelwanakala e le nngwe kgotsa go feta.
- Sekao: Mpho o ja, mme Thato o opela fa Pule a ntse a bala. (Mpho is eating, and Thato is singing while Pule is reading.)
Dipopi Tsa Mafoko (Word Parts)
- Maina (Nouns):
- Dikgwebo (Types):
- Mainakgopolo: Bokgoni, lorato.
- Mainakgongwa: Lesego, madi.
- Mainatswako: Leina le le tlhophilweng mo go tse dingwe (sekao: masimo a tshimo).
- Mainagoboka: Leina la diphaka tse di bokane (sekao: morafe).
- Mainatota: Mafoko a leina a botlhokwa fela.
- Diphetogo:
- Bong (Gender): Mosimane, mosetsana.
- Bontsi (Plural): Pudi – dipudi.
- Dikgwebo (Types):
- Madiri (Verbs):
- Dikgwebo:
- Madiritota: Dirisa (to use).
- Madirimatswa: Tswelela (to proceed).
- Madirimathusi: Kaela (to guide).
- Dikgatoloso tsa Pakajana:
- Pakajaanong: Ke dira. (I am doing.)
- Pakatlang: Ke tla dira. (I will do.)
- Pakapheti: Ke dira ka metlha. (I do regularly.)
- Pakafetileng Tsweledi: Ke dirile. (I did.)
- Pakafetilengpheti: Ke ne ka dira. (I had done.)
- Dikgwebo:
- Matlhaodi (Adjectives):
- Dikgwebo:
- A Palo: Baithuti ba le bararo. (Three students.)
- A Popego: Setswana se monate. (Setswana is sweet.)
- A Mmala: Hempe e kgubedu. (The red shirt.)
- Dikgwebo:
Makopanyi le Dikgolaganyo Tsa Dipolelo (Sentence Connectors)
- Tatelano (Sequence):
- Sekao: Sa ntlha, sa bobedi, la bofelo.
- English: First, second, finally.
- Tlhaloso (Cause and Effect):
- Sekao: Ka jalo, ka lebaka la gore.
- English: Therefore, because.
- Papiso (Comparison):
- Sekao: Tshwana le, farologana le.
- English: Similar to, different from.
- Tatelano ya Mafelo (Spatial Order):
- Sekao: Kwa godimo, mo mojeng.
- English: Above, to the right.
Matshwao a Puiso (Punctuation)
- Khutlo: (.) – Go supa bokhutlo jwa polelo.
- Phegelo: (,) – Go kgaoganya mafoko kgotsa dikarolo tsa polelo.
- Ditlhakakgolo: – Go simolola leina kgotsa mafoko a bohlokwa.
- Tlamanyi: (-) – Go kopanya mafoko.
Temogo e e Tseneletseng ya Tiriso ya Puo (Deep Language Analysis)
- Ntsha Diphoso (Error Identification):
- Go sekaseka mokwalo go bona diphoso mo puong, mepeleto le matshwao a puiso.
- Kakanyo (Critical Thinking):
- Go tlhaloganya maikutlo a mokwadi, mabaka a gagwe le maitlhomo.
- Puo e e Tlhotlheletsang (Persuasive Language):
- Tiriso ya puo go rotloetsa bareetsi go dumela kgotsa go itshwara ka tsela e e rileng.