English→Sesotho (Lesotho)

Translate English to Sesotho (Lesotho) like a local.

Sesotho sa Lesotho sounds like itself through its “dumela” greetings, respectful plural forms for elders, and Lesotho spelling such as “’M’e.”

Going the other way? Sesotho (Lesotho) to English

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between Sesotho varieties

What locals actually say

Hello, grandmother—are you well?

Dumela nkhono, le phetse?

“Dumela” is the familiar Lesotho greeting to one person, while “le phetse” uses the respectful plural “le” for an elder instead of the ordinary “u phetse.”

Please take me to the 4+1 taxi rank.

Ke kopa u nkise boemelong ba 4+1.

“4+1” is the everyday Lesotho name for a minibus taxi, and “boemelong” identifies its rank rather than using a generic word for a station.

Tell Mom I’ll be home late.

Bolella ’M’e hore ke tla fihla hae morao.

“’M’e” is the Lesotho orthographic form for “Mom,” and “fihla hae” is the natural family phrasing for getting home.

How much does this cost?

Ntho ee e bitsa bokae?

The word "bokae" asks for an amount or price, a common Sesotho quantity question.

I am full, thank you.

Ke khotše, kea leboha.

"Khotše" means satisfied or full after eating, with the tš spelling used in Sesotho orthography.

I have to go to work early tomorrow.

Ke tlameha ho ea mosebetsing hosane hoseng.

"Ke tlameha ho" is the Sesotho construction for obligation, meaning "I must" or "I have to."

It is very cold today.

Ho bata haholo kajeno.

Sesotho uses the impersonal weather construction "ho bata" for "it is cold," rather than a personal subject.

I am worried about the exam.

Ke tšoenyehile ka tlhatlhobo.

"Ke tšoenyehile" expresses a current worried state, and "tlhatlhobo" is the Sesotho word for an examination.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How Sesotho (Lesotho) differs

Sesotho (Lesotho orthography — differs from South African spelling); dumela greetings.

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Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way