Ntshwarele
In Sesotho, the way to say sorry is Ntshwarele.
Ntshwarele is used to express regret for a mistake or an offense, rather than just a casual 'excuse me'.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Ntshwarele literally means 'forgive me'.
Which one should you use?
While Ntshwarele is used when addressing a single person, Ntshwarelang is used when addressing a group of people or when you want to show higher respect to one person.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ntshwarele is the imperative used when addressing one person. Ntshwarelang is the form used for plural addressing or formal address.
Did you know?
- The root word in Ntshwarele is shwara, which means 'to hold' or 'to grasp'. To ask for forgiveness in Sesotho is conceptually asking someone to 'hold' or 'contain' your mistake.
- Sesotho has a distinct way of expressing 'sorry' for sympathy, such as when someone has died, using phrases like Ke utlwa bohloko which means 'I feel pain'.
- In many Sesotho-speaking communities, an apology is considered incomplete without a verbal or symbolic offer of restitution to mend the broken harmony.
Examples in context
- Ntshwarele, ha ke ne ke sa u utloe.I am sorry, I did not hear you.
Example conversation
Khotso accidentally bumps into Lerato in a hallway.
- KhotsoNtshwarele, Lerato!Sorry, Lerato!
- LeratoHo lokile, Khotso.It is okay, Khotso.
- KhotsoKe ne ke sa u bone.I didn't see you.
- LeratoHa ho taba.It is no problem.
