It is derived from the verb stem -lema (in the infinitive, ho lema "to cultivate"), which is a reflex of the Proto-Bantu root *-dɪ̀m- "to cultivate (esp. with hoe)".[3] The orthographic ⟨l⟩ in li- (Class 10 noun class prefix for Sesotho nouns) is pronounced [d] in Sesotho since [d] is an allophone of /l/ occurring before the close vowels, /i/ and /u/. The orthographic ⟨e⟩ can have three possible values in Sesotho: /ɪ/, /ɛ/, and /e/. In ⟨litema⟩ is pronounced /ɪ/, as per the Proto-Bantu root.