Language/Tswana/Vocabulary/Days-of-the-Week
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Hi Tswana learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the days of the week in Tswana language. Days of the week are very important to know especially when communicating with locals in Tswana-speaking countries. Knowing the days of the week will allow you to plan appointments and schedule events easily.
Introduction
In Tswana, we have seven days of the week. The days all have interesting names and even have some cultural significance, as you will see in this lesson.
Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons:Useful phrases, Geography, Express Surprise & How to say Good Bye?.
Tswana Days of the Week
Below is a table of the Tswana days of the week, their pronunciation, and their English translation:
| Tswana | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nng | nnk | Sunday |
| Tla | tlha | Monday |
| Mos | mos | Tuesday |
| Wen | wen | Wednesday |
| Den | den | Thursday |
| Fon | fɔn | Friday |
| Lwe | lwe | Saturday |
As you can see, some of the Tswana days of the week have similar-sounding names to the days in the English language.
However, each day of the week has a story behind its name and cultural significance.
- Nng (Sunday) is named after the sun, as it is the first day of the week when the sun rises after the night of the new moon.
- Tla (Monday) means "yesterday," and according to Tswana tradition, it is the day when the spirits of the ancestors return to visit their living relatives.
- Mos (Tuesday) means "the first one," and in Tswana culture, it is believed to be a day to start new projects or initiatives.
- Wen (Wednesday) means "middle," as it is in the middle of the work week.
- Den (Thursday) means "child's day," and it is traditionally a day for blessing and naming newborn children.
- Fon (Friday) means "to throw away," and it is believed to be the day for casting aside negative thoughts, actions, and influences.
- Lwe (Saturday) means "the last one," and it is a day for relaxation and reflection before the start of a new week.
With this cultural knowledge, it is easier to remember the Tswana days of the week and their meanings.
Dialogue
Let's see a short dialogue between two people, so you can practice the Tswana days of the week in context:
- Person 1: Ke tla nna bafana ba ba le teng Tla e kae? (Where will I meet the boys on Monday?)
- Person 2: O tla ba eletsa e ya Nando's mme ke ba tlhoka fêla ka bonono. (You will invite them to Nando's but they only need transport)
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning the Tswana days of the week is essential for planning events and appointments when in Tswana-speaking countries. Understanding the cultural significance of each day also provides insight into the Tswana way of life.
Don't forget to practice these words with native speakers on the Polyglot Club website. You can also check out more Tswana vocabulary on the [Language/Tswana/Vocabulary|Vocabulary] page.
Ke itumetse! (Thank you!)
➡ 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. 😎
Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics:Animals, Food, How to Say Hello and Greetings & Family.
Other Lessons
Sources
- Peace Corps/ Botswana - An Introduction to the Setswana Language
- Setswana Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
| ◀️ Ordinal Numbers — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Months of the Year ▶️ |