ee
In Tswana, the word for "yes" is ee.
The particle ee is used to express agreement, affirmation or to signal that one has understood a statement.
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Which one should you use?
While ee is a common way to say "yes", eeng is a common way to say "yes" casually in Tswana.
Did you know?
- While ee is the standard 'yes', Tswana often uses a 'verb-echo' system where the speaker repeats the verb of the question to confirm agreement instead of using a particle.
- The casual form eeng can function as a questioning 'yes?', similar to 'pardon?' or 'what did you say?' when used with rising intonation.
- When using eeng in a question, it can transform the sentence into a request for confirmation, much like adding 'right?' to the end of an English sentence.
Examples in context
- Ee, ke a leboga.Yes, thank you.
- Ee, ke a itse.Yes, I know.
- Ee, go siame.Yes, it is fine.
Example conversation
Masego asks Phenyo if he is ready to leave.
- MasegoPhenyo, a o ownetse?Phenyo, are you ready?
- PhenyoEe, ke ownetse.Yes, I am ready.
- MasegoA re tsamaye jaanong.Let us go now.
- PhenyoEe, a re tsamaye.Yes, let us go.
