Greetings:
* Dumela! (Good day/Hello!) - This is the most common greeting.
* Dumelang! (Good day/Hello! [plural]) - Used when greeting multiple people.
* O a bo mang? (How are you?) - This is a general greeting that can be used in many situations.
* Ke a tswa gabotse, ke a leboga. Ke wena? (I am well, thank you. And you?) - A polite response to "O a bo mang?".
* Gosiame! (Good morning!)
* Gosiame! (Good afternoon!) - This can also be used in the evening.
* Botshego! (Good evening!) - This is a more formal greeting for the evening.
* Tsholofelo! (Good night!)
Basic Phrases:
* Ke [name]. (My name is [name].)
* Ke tshwanetse go ya. (I have to go.)
* Ke a leboga. (Thank you.)
* Ke a kopa tshwarelo. (Please forgive me/Excuse me.)
* Ke a se tshwere. (I don't understand.)
* Nka go thusa. (I can help you.)
* Rra/Mme. (Mr./Mrs./Ms.) - Used as a polite address for someone older than you.
Numbers:
* 1: Le leng
* 2: Pebedi
* 3: Tharo
* 4: Nne
* 5: Tlhano
* 6: Tshela
* 7: Supa
* 8: Robedi
* 9: Robongwe
* 10: Lesome
Tips:
* Tone matters! Tswana is a tonal language, meaning the tone of a word can change its meaning. Be sure to pay attention to the tone when you are speaking.
* Start with a simple greeting. A polite greeting is a good way to start any conversation.
* Don't be afraid to ask for help. People are usually happy to help if you are struggling with the language.
This is just a starting point for learning Tswana. There are many other phrases and words that you can learn. With practice and patience, you can start to speak and understand this beautiful language.