What Language Do They Speak in Lesotho?

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Lesotho

Lesotho is a small, landlocked country located in Southern Africa, bordered entirely by South Africa. Known for its mountainous terrain, it is often referred to as the 'Kingdom in the Sky' due to its high-altitude topography. The country boasts unique cultural heritage and traditions, as well as stunning natural landscapes ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and horse-riding.

Languages Spoken

Lesotho is a country where the majority of the population speaks Sesotho, which is the primary and official language spoken by 92% of the people. Sesotho is a Southern Bantu language and plays a crucial role in the cultural and social life of the Basotho people. Aside from Sesotho, small percentages of the population also speak Zulu and Xhosa, each accounting for about 1% of the language distribution. These languages reflect the influence of neighboring South African cultures, given Lesotho's geographical and historical ties to the region.

Different Languages Spoken in Lesotho

Language data last updated 2024 est. from Wikipedia - Lesotho

LanguageUsage
Sesotho92%
Zulu1%
Xhosa1%
Note: The total may add up to more than 100% as people may speak multiple languages

Useful Sesotho Phrases

Learn these phrases if you're planning on traveling to Lesotho

Lumela!

Hello!

Used as a greeting.

U phela joang?

How are you?

A common way to ask about someone's well-being.

Ke kopa thuso.

I need help.

Useful for requesting assistance.

Ke eng hona moo?

How much is this?

Used to inquire about prices.

Kea leboha.

Thank you.

A polite way to express gratitude.

Learn to speak Sesotho

Interested in speaking Sesotho in Lesotho? Using Lingocat you can learn the basics of the language and start speaking in no time with the help of our AI Language Tutors.

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