Language/Southern-sotho/Vocabulary/Eating-Habits

Southern Sotho → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Food and Dining → Eating Habits

Introduction

In this lesson, we will be covering vocabulary related to eating habits and preferences in Southern Sotho. This includes discussing likes and dislikes, allergies, and dietary restrictions. You will learn how to order food at a restaurant and how to ask for specific dishes. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently talk about food and eat comfortably in a Southern Sotho-speaking environment.

Vocabulary

Here is a list of vocabulary that will be covered in this lesson. Practice pronouncing these words along with their English translations.

Southern Sotho	Pronunciation	English Translation
sente	sɛte	plate
lefi	lɛfi	bowl
matlho	matɬʰɔ	cutlery
leqhamotho	lɛ̂ʔa.mʊtʰɔ	soup
nyemba	ɲɛmba	beans
khomonontsana	kʰɔmɔ.nɔ́ntsana	corn
leswaa	lɛswa	pap (maize porridge)
mogudu	mɔgʊdʊ	tripe
chotlho	tʃɔtlʰɔ	salad
tšwafo	tʃwa.fɔ	sandwich
sešwaa	sɛʃwa	vegetables
thupana	tʰupana	dessert
phako	pʰakʰɔ	fruit
borotho	bɔ́rɔtʰɔ	bread
diphaphata	di.pʰa.pʰa.ta	pasta
chidudu	tʃidudu	stew
pholoso	pʰɔ.lɔ.sɔ	rice
nama ya kgomo	ná.máʔa.kʼɔ.mɔ	beef
nama ya ntloana	ná.máʔa.ntʰlɔ.ana	chicken
nama ya lepuu	ná.máʔa.lɛpʊː	lamb
noka	nɔkʰa	fish
bojalwa jo bo fetang khuma	bɔ́.ja.lwa.dʒɔ.bɔ.fɛtʰaŋ.kʰʊma	vegetarian
bokhaudithari	bɔ.kʰau.di.tʰari	gluten-free
boditaboele	bɔ.di.tʰabɔ.ɛlɛ	dairy-free

Expressions

Here are some useful expressions to use when dining in a restaurant or discussing food.

• O nale boikhoo? - "Do you have meat?"
• Ke hlile ke etse sente sa matswalo. - "I broke the glass plate."
• O nale tsena tsa kgomo? - "Do you have beef steak?"
• Ke šwa ko lebohang le saladi. - "I'll have a sandwich and salad."
• Ke tlameha nama ea noka. - "I want a fish fillet."
• Ha ke batle nama ea matlho. - "I don't want any cutlery."
• Ke batla tsena ea tjhelete ea masweng. - "I want a menu with prices."
• Ke rata chidudu le leswaa. - "I like stew with vegetables."
• Ke tla fumana nama ya lepuu. - "I'll have lamb chops."

Grammar

When describing food preferences, you will use the verb "rata" which means "to like".

Southern Sotho	Pronunciation	English Translation
Ke rata nama ya ntloana.	Ke rata ná.máʔa.ntʰlɔ.ana.	I like chicken.
Ha ke rata nama ya kgomo.	Ha ke rata ná.máʔa.kʼɔ.mɔ.	I don't like beef.
Ke tla ruta sešwaa lephorojene.	Ke tla rutʰa sɛʃwa lɛ.pʰɔ.rɔ.dzɛ.nɛ.	I will prepare vegetables and potatoes.
Ha ke rata chotlho ea setlhabelo.	Ha ke rata tʃɔtlʰɔ ɛa.sɛ.t͡ɬa.bɛlɔ.	I don't like mayonnaise dressing.

When discussing specific food allergies or dietary restrictions, you can use the following phrases:

• Ke tsamaile ka bokhaudithari. - "I am allergic to gluten."
• Ha ke ile ke nna bokhaudithari. - "I have become gluten-free."
• Ke tsamaile ka boditaboele. - "I am lactose intolerant."
• Ha ke etse metsi a pholoso. - "I didn't cook rice."
• Ke se ke sa batle nama ea leloko. - "I am not interested in processed meat."

Exercises

Practice your Southern Sotho skills by completing the following exercises:

1. Translate the following sentences into Southern Sotho:
   
   1. Do you have fish curry?
   2. I would like a vegetarian pizza.
   3. We don't eat pork.
2. Use the vocabulary and expressions to order a meal at a restaurant.
3. Role-play a conversation where one person has dietary restrictions and must specify what they can and cannot eat.

Table of Contents - Southern Sotho Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Southern Sotho

• The Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Oneself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Counting Numbers
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Everyday Activities

• Daily Routines
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing Nouns
• Describing Verbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Habits

  ---

Southern Sotho Traditions

• Traditional Clothing
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Destinations

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Asking Questions
• Negating Sentences

  ---

Shopping and Money

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Money and Currency

  ---

Southern Sotho Family Life

• Family Structure
• Marriage and Ceremonies

Other Lessons

• Food
• Shopping Vocabulary
• Modes of Transportation
• Telling Time
• Health
• Common Greetings
• Counting Numbers
• Feelings and Emotions
• Money and Currency
• Daily Routines