tswee-tswee
The English phrase 'please' is expressed in Tswana as tswee-tswee.
tswee-tswee is used as an interjection to make a polite request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Did you know?
- While tswee-tswee is used for requests, Tswana speakers often use the kinship term mme for 'mother' or rre for 'father' to show respect to strangers, even without using a word for 'please'.
- In Tswana culture, using tswee-tswee is often accompanied by a slight bow or a lowering of the gaze to show respect to elders.
- In Tswana, politeness is often built into the verb itself through suffixes rather than just adding a word like tswee-tswee to the sentence.
Examples in context
- Nthuse tswee-tswee.Help me, please.
- Ntsweretsetse tswee-tswee.Wait for me, please.
Example conversation
Tshepi asks Phenyo to pass her a book.
- TshepiPhenyo, tswee-tswee mpha buka eo.Phenyo, please give me that book.
- PhenyoKe e neela jaanong.I am giving it to you now.
- TshepiKe a leboga, Phenyo.Thank you, Phenyo.
- PhenyoGa go na molato.You are welcome.
