31.
examples: (who) (when) (what)
I am reading.
She will teach.
He teaches.
They ran..
Sometimes this action takes an OBJECT: He is teaching STUDENTS.
They like FOOD.
It is similar in Setswana. For example:
Ba tlaa kwala = They/will/write.
(who) + (when) + (what)
Kea bua = I am speaking.
(who) + (when & what)
OR
Ke bala buka I/am reading/a book.
(who) + (when & + OBJECT
what)
Each of the following paragraphs provides you with building blocks for creating simple sentences.
(a) Pronouns used with verbs (Concords)
In Setswana, concords have both long and short forms.
The short form must take an OBJECT (eg. Ke bala buka.
- I am reading a BOOK.). The long form does not have
an OBJECT. (eg. Kea bala. I am reading.). These forms, so essential to forming sentences, are given
below.
(short forms) singular plural
ke I re we
0 you o10 you
6 he/she ba they
Note: The symbol means the voice goes down, and
the symbol means the voice goes up.
examples: Ke rata hamburgers. I like hamburgers.
-Q ja eng? What are you eating? (lit. You are eating what?) d nwa metse. He is drinking water. Ba ya Tampa. They are going to Tampa. Re tswa Ocala. We come from Ocala.