Kea u hloloheloa le 'na
The English phrase "I miss you too" is translated into Sesotho as Kea u hloloheloa le 'na.
This phrase is used as a response to tell someone that you also feel sadness because of their absence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into Kea (I), u (you), hloloheloa (to be missed/to be missed by) and le 'na (with me/also me).
Did you know?
- While hloloheloa specifically refers to the sadness of absence, Sesotho uses different words to describe 'missing' something in the sense of a failed attempt to hit a target or a lost opportunity.
- The verb hloloheloa is a passive form, meaning the person speaking is actually the one being acted upon by the feeling of loss. It describes a state of being affected by someone else's absence rather than an active feeling of missing.
- In Sesotho, the verb hloloheloa implies that the person being missed is 'causing a feeling of lack' or 'creating a void' within the speaker, rather than just being absent.
Examples in context
- Kea u hloloheloa le 'na.I miss you too.
- Kea u hloloheloa le 'na, mme ke lakatsa ho u bona.I miss you too, and I want to see you.
Example conversation
Masego and Lebo are talking on the phone after a long time.
- MasegoKe a u hloloheloa, Lebo.I miss you, Lebo.
- LeboKea u hloloheloa le 'na, Masego.I miss you too, Masego.
- MasegoNa re tla kopana haufi?Will we meet soon?
- LeboEe, re tla kopana bekeng e tlang.Yes, we will meet next week.
