mosadi, noun

/mɔˈsɑːdi/
Forms:
Also masadi.
Plurals:
mosadis, or basadi.
Origin:
Sotho.
Among Sotho-speakers: a term of address or reference to a woman.
1930 S.T. Plaatje Mhudi (1975) 141The conversation was interrupted by a sensational movement in the camp. ‘Basadi, basadi! (women, women!)’ shouted the crowd.
1930 S.T. Plaatje Mhudi (1975) 160She said if she lived to have little ones of her own, surely they would be proud to have for an ayah such a noble mosadi as Mhudi.
1959 Knobel in Hansard 16 Apr. 4066On our farm we do not talk of ‘kaffirs’ but about Natives and the Native women are called ‘masadis’.
1978 M. Tlali in Staffrider Vol.1 No.2, 32He said, ‘John..we are very thankful that you and your kind “mosadi” allowed us to come and see your beautiful house.’
1986 S. Sepamla Third Generation 38They led her out of the house and as she lingered she was able to overhear Brink say to Mmabatho: ‘You will never see her again, mosadi.’
1987 M. Melamu Children of Twilight 104Come on, mosadi, pay up or out you go. Too many people wanting house.
a term of address or reference to a woman.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

19301987

Browse Related Words

By Category

Titles and Modes of Address

By Origin

Sesotho and Sesotho sa Leboa
mos, adverbadv.mosbolletjie, nounn.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English