tsamaya sentle
In Tswana, 'bye' is expressed as tsamaya sentle.
The phrase is used as a short way to say goodbye. It is specifically used when the person being addressed is the one departing, while the speaker remains behind.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tsamaya (go/walk) and the adverb sentle (well/nicely), literally meaning 'go well'.
Which one should you use?
Use tsamaya sentle when the listener is leaving and the speaker is staying. If the situation is reversed, meaning the speaker is leaving and the listener is staying, you should instead say sala sentle (stay well).
Did you know?
- In many Tswana-speaking contexts, the choice between tsamaya and sala acts as a verbal indicator of who is the guest and who is the host.
- While sentle in tsamaya sentle wishes for a pleasant journey, the same word is also used in Tswana to describe physical beauty or neatness.
- Tswana belongs to the Bantu language family, meaning the root of tsamaya has linguistic cousins stretching from South Africa all the way to Central Africa.
Examples in context
- Tsamaya sentle, mma.Go well, ma'am.
- Tsamaya sentle, rra.Go well, sir.
Example conversation
Phenyo and Kabo are finishing a chat on the street.
- PhenyoKe tshwanelo go tsamaya jaanong.I have to go now.
- KaboGo siame, Phenyo. Tsamaya sentle!That is fine, Phenyo. Bye!
- PhenyoKe a leboga, Kabo.Thank you, Kabo.
- KaboO tsamaya sentle.Go safely.
