Ke a o rata le nna
The phrase "I love you too" in Sesotho is Ke a o rata le nna.
This phrase is used as a response to express that you feel the same love for someone that they have just expressed to you.
What does it mean word for word?
The literal translation is "I you love also me", where le nna functions as "also me" or "as well" to provide the "too" in the English expression.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase more polite, or when addressing more than one person, replace o with u to say Ke a u rata le nna.
Did you know?
- In Sesotho culture, expressing love verbally is often considered less important than showing love through actions and providing for the family.
- While Ke a o rata is direct, Sesotho speakers often use metaphors involving nature or precious items to express deep affection instead of a literal 'I love you'.
- The word rata is a cognate of the Zulu word thanda and the Tsonga word rhandza.
Examples in context
- Ke a o rata le nna, moratuwa.I love you too, my beloved.
- Ke a o rata le nna haholo.I love you very much too.
- O se ke wa tshaba, ke a o rata le nna.Don't worry, I love you too.
Example conversation
A couple saying goodbye before work.
- TshepiKe a o rata, Khotso.I love you, Khotso.
- KhotsoKe a o rata le nna, Tshepi.I love you too, Tshepi.
- TshepiTlaa o nteletse ha o fihla.Call me when you arrive.
- KhotsoKe tla etsa jalo.I will do that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
