o phela joang?
The English phrase "how are you?" is translated into Sesotho as o phela joang?
This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The literal meaning of o phela joang? is "you live how?" In this phrase, o means "you", phela means "live" or "survive" and joang means "how".
Which one should you use?
o phela joang? is the singular form used when speaking to one person of equal or lower status. In contrast, le phela joang? is used when you want to show respect to an elder or when you are addressing a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
When responding to the question o phela joang?, a common answer is re phela hantle, which means "we are living well".
When do people say it?
When addressing men, the word Ntate is used.
Did you know?
- Sesotho is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used when saying o phela joang? can subtly change the emotion or intent behind the greeting.
- In Sesotho culture, the greeting is often a way of acknowledging a person's vital force rather than just checking their mood. To ask how someone 'lives' is to ask how their very essence is faring.
- The term Ntate, often paired with greetings for men, literally translates to 'father'. It is used much more broadly than a biological term to denote respect for any adult male.
Examples in context
- Mme, le phela joang?Madam, how are you living?
- Molo, o teng?Hi, how are you?
- O phela joang, ntate?How are you, father/sir?
- O phela joang?How are you?
- Lumela, o phela joang?Hello, how are you?
Example conversation
Masego and Thabo meet on the street.
- MasegoDumela Thabo, o phela joang?Hello Thabo, how are you?
- ThaboKe phela hantle, Masego. Wena o phela joang?I am doing well, Masego. How are you?
- MasegoKe phela hantle le nna.I am doing well too.
- ThaboKe thabetse ho u bona.I am glad to see you.
