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<div class="pg_page_title">Tswana Grammar - Plurals</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">Tswana Grammar - Plurals</div>
Hi Tswana learners!😊<br>Learning [https://polyglotclub.com/language/tswana Tswana] Grammar can be a challenging task, but it is also an exciting journey. In this lesson, we will focus on the formation of plurals in Tswana. __TOC__


== Nouns ==
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/tswana Tswana] learners! 😊<br>
In this lesson, we will learn about plurals in Tswana grammar. Plurals are an important part of any language, and Tswana is no exception. We will cover the rules for forming plurals in Tswana, as well as some cultural information and interesting facts. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of how to use plurals in your Tswana language learning journey. Don't forget to read until the end to find out about some great resources for learning Tswana. Let's get started!


In Tswana, nouns are divided into two categories: singular and plural. The singular form is used to refer to one person or thing, while the plural form is used to refer to more than one person or thing.
__TOC__


=== Formation of Plurals ===
== Basic Rules ==


The formation of plurals in Tswana is quite simple. Most nouns simply add the suffix -ng to the end of the word to form the plural. For example, the singular form of the word "tshwenya" (dog) is "tshwenyang" (dogs).
In Tswana, there are three basic ways to form a plural:


However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some nouns do not take the suffix -ng, but instead take a different suffix. For example, the singular form of the word "metsi" (river) is "matshwao" (rivers).  
1. By adding the prefix "di-" to the singular form of the noun.
2. By changing the vowel sound in the singular form of the noun.
3. By changing the entire singular form of the noun.


In addition, some nouns take a prefix instead of a suffix. For example, the singular form of the word "tshepo" (star) is "ditshepo" (stars).
Let's take a look at each rule in more detail:


Finally, some nouns do not change at all when forming the plural. For example, the singular form of the word "kgomo" (cow) is still "kgomo" (cows).
=== Rule 1: Prefix "di-" ===


=== Irregular Plurals ===
The most common way to form plurals in Tswana is to add the prefix "di-" to the singular form of the noun. For example:


In addition to the regular plurals, there are also some irregular plurals in Tswana. These are nouns that do not follow the regular rules for forming plurals. For example, the singular form of the word "mogolo" (person) is "ba-mogolo" (people).
{| class="wikitable"
! Tswana !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| motho  || /moʊtʰɔ/ || person (singular)
|-
| di-batho  || /di-baʈʰɔ/ || people (plural)
|}


=== Examples ===
Another example:


Here are some examples of nouns and their corresponding plurals in Tswana:
{| class="wikitable"
! Tswana !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| kgomo  || /kɡʷɔmo/ || cow (singular)
|-
| di-kgomo  || /di-kɡʷɔmo/ || cows (plural)
|}


* tshwenya (dog) → tshwenyang (dogs)
### Exceptions to Rule 1 ###
* metsi (river) → matshwao (rivers)
* tshepo (star) → ditshepo (stars)
* kgomo (cow) → kgomo (cows)
* mogolo (person) → ba-mogolo (people)


== Conclusion ==
There are a few exceptions to this rule. Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow this pattern. Here are some examples:


In conclusion, the formation of plurals in Tswana is quite simple. Most nouns simply add the suffix -ng to the end of the word to form the plural. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as nouns that take a different suffix or a prefix, or nouns that do not change at all when forming the plural. In addition, there are also some irregular plurals in Tswana.  
{| class="wikitable"
! Tswana !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| mosadi  || /mosadi/ || woman (singular)
|-
| ba-na  || /ba-na/ || women (plural)
|-
| lewê  || /lewe/ || chicken (singular)
|-
| diphala  || /diʔpʰala/ || chickens (plural)
|}
 
=== Rule 2: Vowel Change ===
 
Another way to form plurals in Tswana is to change the vowel sound in the singular form of the noun. This rule applies to a limited number of nouns, but it is still important to know. Here are a few examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Tswana !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| ntoto  || /n̩tǒtʰo/ || bird (singular)
|-
| ntatâ  || /n̩tʰatʰɑ̂/ || birds (plural)
|-
| phoko  || /pʰʷɔków/ || baboon (singular)
|-
| phakâ  || /pʰʷakʰɑ̂/ || baboons (plural)
|}
 
### Exceptions to Rule 2 ###
 
As with Rule 1, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow this pattern. Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Tswana !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| motsadi  || /moʦadi/ || wives (plural)
|-
| dikgang  || /diʔkʰaŋ/ || tribes (plural)
|}
 
=== Rule 3: Complete Change ===
 
Finally, there are some nouns in Tswana that have a completely different form for their plural. This rule applies to only a very small number of nouns and is not very common, but it is still important to know. Here are a few examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Tswana !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| ruri  || /ruri/ || calf (singular)
|-
| matlhalê  || /maʈʰɫaɬɛː/ || calves (plural)
|-
| motshubi  || /moʦʰubi/ || sheep (singular)
|-
| lehurê  || /lehuɾeː/ || sheep (plural)
|}
 
### Exceptions to Rule 3 ###
 
As with the previous two rules, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the word for "man" (mogolo) does not follow this pattern and has a regular plural (bagolo).
 
== Examples in Context ==
 
Here is a dialogue between two people, demonstrating the use of plurals in Tswana:
 
* Person 1: Ke ithuta dinaledi. (I am learning stars.)
* Person 2: Wa rapela dinaledi tse di ntshe. (You are praying for small stars.)
 
In this dialogue, we can see the use of the prefix "di-" to form the plural, as well as the use of di ntshe to indicate small (plural) stars.
 
== Cultural Information and Interesting Facts ==
 
The Tswana people are a Bantu ethnic group native to southern Africa, primarily found in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The Tswana language, also known as Setswana, is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa and is spoken by over 4 million people.
 
In Tswana culture, it is common for families to have traditional names or "go tswa" (come from) names. These names are given to children by their grandparents and often have special meanings or associations with the child's ancestry. For example, the name "Kgosi" means "king" or "chief," and often reflects the child's lineage or ancestry. The practice of giving traditional names is an important part of Tswana culture and reflects the importance of family and community in Tswana society.
 
== Resources ==


To improve your [[Language/Tswana|Tswana]] [[Language/Tswana/Grammar|Grammar]], you can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=110 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/tswana/question questions]!
To improve your [[Language/Tswana|Tswana]] [[Language/Tswana/Grammar|Grammar]], you can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=110 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/tswana/question questions]!


<hr>If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.<br>Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Here are some other sources you might find helpful:
 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_language Tswana language Wikipedia page]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people Tswana people Wikipedia page]


<hr>➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.<br>➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎


==Related Lessons==
{{#seo:
* [[Language/Tswana/Grammar/Conditional-Mood|Conditional Mood]]
|title=Tswana Grammar - Plurals
* [[Language/Tswana/Grammar/Gender|Gender]]
|keywords=Tswana, Grammar, Plurals, Bantu, Setswana, Tswana culture, traditional names, language learning
* [[Language/Tswana/Grammar/Adjectives|Adjectives]]
|description=Learn about Tswana plurals, with rules and examples, as well as cultural information and interesting facts about the Tswana people.
* [[Language/Tswana/Grammar/Questions|Questions]]
}}
* [[Language/Tswana/Grammar/Pronouns|Pronouns]]
* [[Language/Tswana/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]


{{Tswana-Page-Bottom}}
{{Tswana-Page-Bottom}}

Revision as of 23:25, 4 March 2023

Botswana-Timeline-PolyglotClub.png
Tswana Grammar - Plurals

Hi Tswana learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about plurals in Tswana grammar. Plurals are an important part of any language, and Tswana is no exception. We will cover the rules for forming plurals in Tswana, as well as some cultural information and interesting facts. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of how to use plurals in your Tswana language learning journey. Don't forget to read until the end to find out about some great resources for learning Tswana. Let's get started!

Basic Rules

In Tswana, there are three basic ways to form a plural:

1. By adding the prefix "di-" to the singular form of the noun. 2. By changing the vowel sound in the singular form of the noun. 3. By changing the entire singular form of the noun.

Let's take a look at each rule in more detail:

Rule 1: Prefix "di-"

The most common way to form plurals in Tswana is to add the prefix "di-" to the singular form of the noun. For example:

Tswana Pronunciation English
motho /moʊtʰɔ/ person (singular)
di-batho /di-baʈʰɔ/ people (plural)

Another example:

Tswana Pronunciation English
kgomo /kɡʷɔmo/ cow (singular)
di-kgomo /di-kɡʷɔmo/ cows (plural)
      1. Exceptions to Rule 1 ###

There are a few exceptions to this rule. Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow this pattern. Here are some examples:

Tswana Pronunciation English
mosadi /mosadi/ woman (singular)
ba-na /ba-na/ women (plural)
lewê /lewe/ chicken (singular)
diphala /diʔpʰala/ chickens (plural)

Rule 2: Vowel Change

Another way to form plurals in Tswana is to change the vowel sound in the singular form of the noun. This rule applies to a limited number of nouns, but it is still important to know. Here are a few examples:

Tswana Pronunciation English
ntoto /n̩tǒtʰo/ bird (singular)
ntatâ /n̩tʰatʰɑ̂/ birds (plural)
phoko /pʰʷɔków/ baboon (singular)
phakâ /pʰʷakʰɑ̂/ baboons (plural)
      1. Exceptions to Rule 2 ###

As with Rule 1, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow this pattern. Here are some examples:

Tswana Pronunciation English
motsadi /moʦadi/ wives (plural)
dikgang /diʔkʰaŋ/ tribes (plural)

Rule 3: Complete Change

Finally, there are some nouns in Tswana that have a completely different form for their plural. This rule applies to only a very small number of nouns and is not very common, but it is still important to know. Here are a few examples:

Tswana Pronunciation English
ruri /ruri/ calf (singular)
matlhalê /maʈʰɫaɬɛː/ calves (plural)
motshubi /moʦʰubi/ sheep (singular)
lehurê /lehuɾeː/ sheep (plural)
      1. Exceptions to Rule 3 ###

As with the previous two rules, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the word for "man" (mogolo) does not follow this pattern and has a regular plural (bagolo).

Examples in Context

Here is a dialogue between two people, demonstrating the use of plurals in Tswana:

  • Person 1: Ke ithuta dinaledi. (I am learning stars.)
  • Person 2: Wa rapela dinaledi tse di ntshe. (You are praying for small stars.)

In this dialogue, we can see the use of the prefix "di-" to form the plural, as well as the use of di ntshe to indicate small (plural) stars.

Cultural Information and Interesting Facts

The Tswana people are a Bantu ethnic group native to southern Africa, primarily found in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The Tswana language, also known as Setswana, is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa and is spoken by over 4 million people.

In Tswana culture, it is common for families to have traditional names or "go tswa" (come from) names. These names are given to children by their grandparents and often have special meanings or associations with the child's ancestry. For example, the name "Kgosi" means "king" or "chief," and often reflects the child's lineage or ancestry. The practice of giving traditional names is an important part of Tswana culture and reflects the importance of family and community in Tswana society.

Resources

To improve your Tswana Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Here are some other sources you might find helpful:

➡ 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. 😎


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