How to Say “Wait” in Sesotho

By Virginia Ellie • Updated October 2, 2026

ema

To wait in Sesotho is to say ema.

Meaning: delay until some event (verb)

Did you know?

In Sesotho, ema can be used to mean 'to stop' when referring to a vehicle or a person in motion.
The word ema can also mean 'to stand', reflecting a cultural link between the physical act of standing still and the act of waiting.
Depending on the context, ema can be used to describe a 'pause' in a conversation or a musical piece.

Examples in context

Ke tla ema ho fihlela a fihla.
I will wait until he arrives.

Example conversation

Masego and Thabo are meeting at a bus stop.

Masego

Thabo, na u se ke ua tsamaea.
Thabo, please do not leave.
Thabo

Ke hobane'ng ha ke sa tsamaee?
Why should I not leave?
Masego

Ema hore ke fetele.
Wait so that I can arrive.
Thabo

Ho lokile, Masego, ke tla ema.
Alright, Masego, I will wait.

Sources

Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ema, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.

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About The Author

Virginia Ellie

Hello there, I'm Virginia! I'm passionate about languages and communication and love nothing more than breaking down language barriers. When I'm not penning down practical guides on pronunciation and language nuances, you'll find me savoring a good book or on a nature trail, keeping an ear open for rare regional vocabularies. I hope my work helps bridge your cultural, professional, and personal communication gaps. One language that keeps pulling me in is Sesotho, so you will also find my guides to saying things in Sesotho here. Bonne Chance!

Virginia EllieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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