Language/Tswana/Vocabulary/Geography
Hi Tswana learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn Tswana words related to geography. You will learn the names of continents, countries, and some important landmarks. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe places and use proper Tswana vocabulary to do so. Make sure to practice speaking aloud to improve your pronunciation.🗣️
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Food & Fruits.
Continents[edit | edit source]
Let us start by learning the names of the continents. Knowing these is essential when talking about different parts of the world.
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Afrika | /a.frika/ | Africa |
Here is a dialogue to practice:
- Person 1: Ke nna mo Afrika. (/Ke nna mo a.frika/ - I am in Africa)
- Person 2: Mo Afrika o tla nna kae? (/Mo a.frika o tla nna kae/ - Where are you going in Africa?)
Countries[edit | edit source]
Now that we know the continents, let us learn some countries in Africa. Tswana has its own names for countries, but at times English names are used.
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Aforika Borwa | /a.fɔ.ri.ka bɔ.rwa/ | South Africa |
| Botswana | /bɔ.tswa.na/ | Botswana |
| Zimbabwe | /zi.mba.bwe/ | Zimbabwe |
| Nigeria | /ni.je.ri.a/ | Nigeria |
| Egypt | /e.dʒipt/ | Egypt |
Here is another dialogue:
- Person 1: Ke nna mo Botswana. (/Ke nna mo bɔ.tswa.na/ - I am in Botswana)
- Person 2: Re tla fiwa se? (/Re tla fi.wa se/ - What are we going to see?)
- Person 1: Re tla fiwa Kgale Hill. (/Re tla fi.wa ka.ɬe hiɬ/ - We are going to see Kgale Hill)
You can also use Find native speakers and ask them any questions! This will help you to practice and learn faster.
Landmarks[edit | edit source]
Tswana has unique names for different landmarks. Here are some examples:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Thamaga | /θa.ma.ga/ | Dam |
| Tautona | /ta.u.tɔ.na/ | Goldmine |
| Mosu | /mɔ.su/ | Stream |
| Lepokole | /le.pɔ.kɔ.le/ | Waterfall |
| Kgale Hill | /ka.ɬe hiɬ/ | Kgale Hill |
Here is a dialogue:
- Person 1: Ke tlhoka go ithuta ka Bokone Bophirima (/Ke ɬɔ.ka ɡɔ i.tʰu.ta ka bɔ.kɔ.ne bɔ.phi.ri.ma/ - I want to learn about North West Province)
- Person 2: Mme go tswa kae? (/Mme ɡɔ tswa kae/ - Where do you come from?)
- Person 1: Ke tswa mo Gaborone, ke batla go ithuta ka Kgale Hill. (/Ke tswa mɔ ɡa.bɔ.rɔ.ne, ke ba.tla ɡɔ i.tʰu.ta ka ka.ɬe hiɬ/ - I come from Gaborone, I want to learn about Kgale Hill)
Remember that practicing is key to learning. Visit different places in Botswana and practice speaking about the landmarks with local people.😊
➡ 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. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Tswana Vocabulary - Geography
- Tswana language - Wikipedia
- Tswana | Culture & Traditions | Britannica