Afrikaans is spoken throughout South Africa and Namibia . The language is mainly derived from Dutch. However, most Afrikaans speakers in the workplace have some knowledge of English.
[edit ] Pronunciation guide [edit ] Vowels a as in su n
e as in me t but sometimes as in mee t or ange l
ê as in a pple
ë usually pronounced the same as 'e', but when it is accented due to grammar, such as in words like 'geëet' which means 'to have eaten', it can be pronounced three other ways: mee t, fea r or we t
i as in bi t
o as in fo rt or moo d or boy
ô as in cau ldron
u as in u in hu t with rounded lips
y as in to'ey' in hey
'n in 'a' as in 'a dog' or 'a song'. This is the article; it is never capitalised even if used at the start of a sentence: the word that follows is capitalised.
Note that Afrikaans pronunciation is extremely difficult and can be a challenge, even for Dutch speakers.
[edit ] Consonants b as in b at
c as in k ing (uncommon, usually proper nouns eg 'Coetzee'
d as in d ance but pronounced as English 't' at the end of words
f as in f an
g similarly to the 'ch' in bach , but a lot harder and more glottal - a bit like hawking up phlegm :-).
h as in h at
j as in y ak
k as in k ing
l as in l amp
m as in m an
n as in n ap
p as in p et
r as in r ant, but the sound is rolled
s as in s et
t as in t ale
v same as the English 'f'
w pronounced the same as the English 'v' as in v et
x as in fix but extremely rare, usually found in scientific terms or loanwords.
z as in blitz
In some loan words, 'g', 'v' and 'w' may be pronounced the same as their English equivalents, but this is uncommon.
[edit ] Digraphs and trigraphs aa as in fa ther
ae two sounds, one after another, quite quickly. Starts as 'aa' and is quickly finished off with the Afrikaans 'a' as in du st
ch can be pronounced in three ways: loch or sh ine or k ing
kk as in c ane
nn as in man
sj as in mach ine
ee as in fea r
eë as in fea r but pronounced as two separate sounds. Sounds almost like 'ee-ye'
ië same as eë
ei as is sa le
eu pronounced two ways: as in ea r or as in mew
gh same as English 'gh'. For example: gh ost
ll as in l amp
mm as in m end
ie pronounced either as long 'ee' like in bree d or as 'i' in si ck
kn as in pick 'n pay
ng as in sing
nk as in think
oe pronounced either as the long 'oo' as in loo t or as a short 'oo' as in foo t
oë as in English doe r
oo same as German "ü", make your lips into the position of "o" but say "ee" instead.
ou as in coa t
rs like farse , but the 'r' is rolled
tj as in ch unk
tj combined with ie as in ki d
ui also a unique sound. Sounds like play but with pouted lips. The name sha ne is the closest english equivalent
uu similar to German ü ber but pronounced with more emphasis and much longer. Identical to the final 'yy' sound
aai like the 'y' in shy , but a pronounced a lot longer.
eeu A unique trigraph. The closest English equivalent is the English word ewe. Try blending the sounds 'ew' and 'oo'
oei similar to phooey but pronounced with a rapid 'w' in it
ooi similar to oi l but pronounced with a rapid 'w' in it
uie similar to playe r but pronounced much longer
[edit ] Note on Afrikaans Like English, double consonants in Afrikaans are pronounced as a single sound, and not two separate sounds, unless occurring at a syllabary break: 'wekker': 'vack-er' (alarm clock) but 'melkkoei': 'melk-koo-ee' (milking cow).
Note that although Afrikaans digraphs and trigraphs contain mostly vowels and sound as though they contain many syllables, they in fact are seen as a single syllable.
For example, the word 'Goeie' sounds as if it contains 3 syllables, but in fact contains only two: 'goei' and 'e' are the 2 syllables.
From this, you can see Afrikaans pronunciation, like English for a foreigner, can be rather irregular. Pronunciation can be hard and the accent is extremely difficult to master, but when spoken correctly, Afrikaans is the most melodic Germanic language.
However, one should not be daunted. Afrikaans grammar is really quite simple and is more similar to English than to any other Germanic language. Verbs are even simpler than English: there is no am or are or were but only is and was .
One who is learning Afrikaans will probably catch onto it rather quickly and will have no problem with speaking Dutch or understanding German .
[edit ] Important differences between Dutch and Afrikaans A rukkie in Afrikaans is a short period of time, not a sexual act performed on oneself.
Common use examples are Ek gaan 'n rukkie slaap or Ek sal oor 'n rukkie daar wees
Baie means veel (many); however, the word veel also exists in Afrikaans and has the same meaning.
[edit ] Phrase list [edit ] Basics
Common signs
OPEN Oop
CLOSED Toe
ENTRANCE Ingang
EXIT Uitgang
PUSH Stoot
PULL Trek
TOILET Toilet
MEN Here / Mans
WOMEN Dames / Vrouens
FORBIDDEN Verbode
Hello. (formal ) Goeie dag. ("...")
Hello. (informal ) Hallo. ("...")
How are you? Hoe gaan dit? ("...")
Fine, thank you. Goed, dankie. ("...")
What is your name? Wat is jou naam? ("...")
My name is ______. My naam is ______. ("...")
Nice to meet you. Aangename kennis. ("...")
Please. Asseblief. ("...")
Thank you. Dankie. ("...")
You're welcome. Dis 'n plesier. ("...")
Yes. Ja. ("...")
No. Nee. ("...")
Excuse me. (getting attention ) Verskoon my. ("...")
Excuse me. (begging pardon ) Verskoon my / Jammer. ("...")
I'm sorry. Ek is jammer. ("...")
Goodbye Totsiens. ("...")
Goodbye (informal ) Baai. ("...")
I can't speak Afrikaans [well]. Ek kan nie [ goed ] Afrikaans praat nie. ("...")
Do you speak English? Praat jy Engels? ("...")
Is there someone here who speaks English? Is hier iemand wat Engels praat? ("...")
Help! Help! ("...")
Look out! Oppas! ("...")
Good morning. Goeie môre. ("...")
Good evening. Goeie naand. ("...")
Good night. (to sleep ) Goeie nag. ("...")
I don't understand. Ek verstaan nie. ("...")
Where is the toilet? Waar is die toilet? ("...")
I am wearing jeans. Ek dra 'n denim broek. ("...")
[edit ] Problems Leave me alone. Laat my met rus.
Los my uit.
Don't touch me! Moenie aan my vat nie!
Moenie aan my raak nie
I'll call the police. Ek sal die polisie roep/bel. (... )
Police! Polisie! (POLI-see)
Stop! Thief! Stop! Dief! (... )
I need your help. Ek het u hulp nodig. Ek benodig u/jou hulp. (... )
It's an emergency. Dit is 'n noodgeval. (... )
I'm lost. Ek is verdwaald. (... )
I lost my bag. Ek het my sak verloor. (... )
I lost my wallet. Ek het my beursie verloor. (... )
I'm sick. Ek is siek. (... )
I've been injured. Ek is beseer. (... )
I need a doctor. Ek het 'n doktor nodig. (... )
Can I use your phone? (formal ) Mag ek u telefoon gebruik?
Can I use your phone? (informal ) Mag ek jou telefoon gebruik?
[edit ] Numbers 1 een ("...")
2 twee ("...")
3 drie ("...")
4 vier ("...")
5 vyf ("...")
6 ses ("...")
7 sewe ("...")
8 ag ("...") / agt ("...")
9 nege ("...")
10 tien ("...")
11 elf ("...")
12 twaalf ("...")
13 dertien ("...")
14 veertien ("...")
15 vyftien ("...")
16 sestien ("...")
17 sewentien ("...")
18 agtien ("...")
19 negentien ("...")
20 twintig ("...")
21 een-en-twintig ("...")
22 twee-en-twintig ("...")
23 drie-en-twintig ("...")
...
30 dertig ("...")
40 veertig ("...")
50 vyftig ("...")
60 sestig ("...")
70 sewentig ("...")
80 tagtig ("...")
90 neëntig / negentig ("...")
100 eenhonderd ("...")
200 tweehonderd ("...")
300 driehonderd ("...")
...
900 negehonderd ("...")
1000 eenduisend ("...")
2000 tweeduisend ("...")
1,000,000 een miljoen ("...")
1,000,000,000 een miljard ("...")Note the difference with American English numbers.
1,000,000,000,000 een biljoen ("...")
[edit ] Ordinal Numbers 1 eerste ("...")
2 tweede ("...")
3 derde ("...")
4 vierde ("...")
5 vyfde ("...")
6 sesde ("...")
7 sewende ("...")
8 agste ("...")
9 negende ("...")
10 tiende ("...")
11 elfde ("...")
...
20 twintigste ("...")
...
100 honderdste ("...")
101 honderd-en-eerste ("...")
now nou (know )
later later (... )
before voor (... )
morning oggend (... )
afternoon middag (... )
evening aand (... )
night nag (... )
[edit ] Clock time What time is it? Hoe laat is dit? ("...")
one o'clock (when AM/PM are obvious) een uur (... )
two o'clock (when AM/PM are obvious) twee uur (... )
one o'clock AM een uur in die oggend (... )
two o'clock AM twee uur in die oggend (... )
noon middag (... )
one o'clock PM een uur in die middag (... )
two o'clock PM twee uur in die middag (... )
midnight middernag (... )
[edit ] Duration _____ minute(s) _____ minuut (... ) / minute (... )
_____ hour(s) _____ uur (... ) / ure (... )
_____ day(s) _____ dag (... ) / dae (... )
_____ week(s) _____ week (... ) / weke (... )
_____ month(s) _____ maand (... ) / maande (... )
_____ year(s) _____ jaar (... ) / jare (... )
today vandag (... )
yesterday gister (... )
the day before yesterday eergister (... )
tomorrow môre (... )
the day after tomorrow oormôre (... )
this week die week (... )
last week verlede week (... )
next week volgende week (... )
Monday Maandag ("...")
Tuesday Dinsdag ("...")
Wednesday Woensdag ("...")
Thursday Donderdag ("...")
Friday Vrydag ("...")
Saturday Saterdag ("...")
Sunday Sondag ("...")
Weekend Naweek ("...")
[edit ] Months January Januarie (YAN-ua-ree)
February Februarie (VEE-brua-ree )
March Maart ("...")
April April (AH-pril )
May Mei (May )
June Junie (YOU-knee )
July Julie (YOU-lee )
August Augustus ("...")
September September ("...")
October Oktober ("...")
November November ("...")
December Desember ("...")
[edit ] Writing time and date Day Dag ("...")
Week Week ("...")
Month Maand ("...")
Year Jaar ("...")
Century Eeu ("...")
Leap Year Skrikkel jaar ("...")
1:00 PM 13:00 / 13h00
2:00 PM 14:00 / 14h00
3:00 PM 15:00 / 15h00
...
12:00 PM 24:00 / 24h00 / 00:00 / 00h00
[edit ] Colors Red Rooi ("...") (Intensive form: bloed rooi, blood red)
Yellow Geel ("...") (Intensive form: goud geel ("..."))
Green Groen ("...") (Intensive form: gras groen ("..."), grass green)
Blue Blou ("...") (Intensive form: hemel blou ("..."), sky blue)
Black Swart ("...") (Intensive form: pik swart ("..."), pitch black)
White Wit ("...") (Intensive form: spier wit ("..."))
Purple Pers ("...")
Orange Oranje ("...")
Brown Bruin ("...")
Grey Grys ("...")
Pink Pienk ("...") / Rooskleurig ("...")
[edit ] Transportation [edit ] Bus and train How much is a ticket to _____? Hoeveel kos 'n kaartjie na _____? (... )
One ticket to _____, please. Een kaartjie na _____, asseblief. (... )
Where does this train/bus go? Waarheen gaan hierdie trein/bus? (... )
Where is the train/bus to _____? Waar is die trein/bus na _____? (... )
Does this train/bus stop in _____? Stop die/hierdie trein/bus in _____? (... )
When does the train/bus for _____ leave? Hoe laat vertrek die trein/bus na _____? (... )
When will this train/bus arrive in _____? Hoe laat sal die trein/bus in _____ arriveer? (... )
[edit ] Directions How do I get to _____ ? Hoe kom ek tot in _____ ? (... )
...the train station? ...die trein stasie? (... )
...the bus station? ...die bus stasie? (... )
...the airport? ...die lughawe? (... )
...downtown? ...middedorp? (... )
...the youth hostel? ...die jeug hostel? (... )
...the _____ hotel? ...die _____ hotel? (... )
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? ...the Amerikaanse/Kanadese/Australiese/Britse konsulaat? (... )
Where are there a lot of... Waar is daar baie... (... )
...hotels? ...hotelle? (... )
...restaurants? ...restaurante? (... )
...bars? ...kroeë ? (... )
...sites to see? ...besienswaardighede? (... )
Can you show me on the map? Kan jy dit vir my op die kaart aandui? (... )
street straat (... )
Turn left. Draai links. (... )
Turn right. Draai regs. (... )
left links (... )
right regs (... )
straight ahead reguit vorentoe (... )
towards the _____ in die rigting van _____ (... )
past the _____ verby die _____ (... )
before the _____ voor die _____ (... )
Watch for the _____. Wees op die uitkyk vir die _____. (... )
intersection kruising (... )
north noord (... )
south suid (... )
east oos (... )
west wes (... )
go uphill gaan op teen die heuwel (... )
go downhill gaan af teen die heuwel (... ) / The road goes downhill : Die pad loop afdraend (... )
It is uphill Dit is opdraende (... )
It is downhill Dit is afdraende (... )
Taxi! Taxi! (... )
Take me to _____, please. Vat my asseblief na _____ toe. (... )
How much does it cost to get to _____? Hoeveel kos dit om na _____ toe te gaan? (... )
Take me there, please. Vat my soontoe, asseblief. (... )
[edit ] Lodging Do you have any rooms available? Het u enige kamers beskikbaar? (... )
How much is a room for one person/two people? Hoeveel kos 'n kamer vir een/twee persone? (... )
Does the room come with bedsheets Is daar lakens in die kamer? (... )
Does the room come with... Het die kamer... (... )
...a bathroom? ...'n badkamer? (... )
...a telephone? ...'n telefoon? (... )
...a TV? ...'n TV? (... )
May I see the room first? Mag ek die kamer eers sien? (... )
Do you have anything quieter Het u enige iets stiller? (... )
Do you have anything... Het u enige ... kamer? (... )
...bigger? ...groter... (... )
...cleaner? ...skoner (... )
...cheaper? ...goedkoper... (... )
OK, I'll take it. Goed, ek sal dit neem/vat. (... )
I will stay for _____ night(s). Ek sal ____ aand(e) bly. (... )
Can you suggest another hotel? Kan u 'n ander hotel aanbeveel? (... )
Do you have a safe? Het u 'n kluis? (... )
...lockers? ...sluitkas(te) (... )
Is breakfast/supper included? Is ontbyt/aandete ingesluit? (... )
What time is breakfast/supper? Hoe laat is ontbyt/aandete? (... )
Please clean my room. Maak asseblief my kamer skoon. (... )
Can you wake me at _____? Kan u my wakker maak teen _____? (... )
I want to check out. Ek wil uitteken. (... )
Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? Aanvaar u Amerikaanse/Australiese/Kanadese dollars? (... )
Do you accept British pounds? Aanvaar u Britse ponde? (... )
Do you accept credit cards? Aanvaar u kredietkaarte? (... )
Can you change money for me? Kan u geld wissel vir my? (... )
Where can I get money changed? Waar kan ek geld verwissel? (... )
Can you change a traveler's cheque for me? Kan u 'n resigerstjek wissel vir my? (... )
Where can I get a traveler's cheque changed? Waar kan ek 'n reisigerstjek verwissel? (... )
What is the exchange rate? Wat is die wisselkoers? (... )
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? Waar is 'n autobank/ATM? (... )
[edit ] Eating A table for one person/two people, please. 'n Tafel vir een/twee person(e) asseblief. (... )
Can I look at the menu, please? Mag ek 'n spyskaart sien, asseblief? (... )
Can I look in the kitchen? Mag ek in die kombuis kyk? (... )
Is there a house specialty? Is daar 'n huis spesialiteit? (... )
Is there a local specialty? Is daar 'n lokale spesialiteit? (... )
I'm a vegetarian. Ek's 'n vegetariër. (... )
I don't eat pork. Ek eet nie varkvleis nie. (... )
I only eat kosher food. Ek eet slegs kosher kos. (... )
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard ) Kan u dit asseblief olie-vry voorberei?(... )
fixed-price meal Vaste prys ete (... )
à la carte à la carte (... )
breakfast ontbyt (... )
lunch middag ete (... )
tea (meal ) (... )
supper aandete (... )
I want _____. Ek wil _____ hê. (... )
I want a dish containing _____. Ek wil 'n gereg met _____ hê. (... )
chicken hoender (... )
beef beesvleis (... )
fish vis (... )
ham ham (... )
sausage wors (... )
cheese kaas (... )
eggs eiers (... )
salad slaai (... )
(fresh) vegetables (vars) groente (... )
(fresh) fruit (vars) vrugte (... )
bread brood (... )
toast roosterbrood (... )
noodles (... )
rice rys (... )
beans bone (... )
May I have a glass of _____? Mag ek a glas _____ kry? (... )
May I have a cup of _____? Mag ek 'n koppie _____ kry? (... )
May I have a bottle of _____? Mag ek 'n bottel _____ kry? (... )
coffee koffie ('...)
tea (drink ) tee (... )
juice sap (... )
sparkling water vonkelwater (... )
water water (... )
beer bier (... )
red/white wine rooi/wit wyn (... )
May I have some _____? Mag ek _____ kry? (... )
salt sout (... )
black pepper swart peper (... )
butter botter (... )
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server ) Verskoon my? (... )
I'm finished. Ek is klaar. (... )
It was delicious. Dit was heerlik. (... )
Please clear the plates. Kan u assebleif die tafel skoonmaak. (... )
The check, please. Die rekening, asseblief. (... )
Do you serve alcohol? Bedien u alkohol? (... )
Is there table service? Is daar tafel diens? (... )
A beer/two beers, please. 'n Bier/twee biere, asseblief. (... )
A glass of red/white wine, please. 'n Glas rooi/wit wyn, asseblief. (... )
A pint, please. 'n Pint, asseblief. (... )
A bottle, please. 'n Bottel, asseblief. (... )
_____ (hard liquor ) and _____ (mixer ), please. _____ ( ) en _____ ( ), asseblief. (... )
whiskey whiskey (... )
vodka vodka (... )
rum rum (... )
water water (... )
club soda soda (... )
tonic water tonic (... )
orange juice lemoensap (... )
Coke (soda ) Coke (koeldrank )
Do you have any bar snacks? Is daar enige versnaperinge / snacks? (... )
One more, please. Nog een, asseblief. (... )
Another round, please. Nog 'n rondte, asseblief. (... )
When is closing time? Hoe laat is toemaaktyd? (... )
[edit ] Shopping Do you have this in my size? Het u dit in my mate/grootte? (... )
How much is this? Hoeveel kos dit? (... )
That's too expensive. Dit is te duur./Dis te duur (... )
Would you take _____? Sal u _____ aanvaar? (... )
expensive duur (... )
cheap goedkoop (... )
I can't afford it. Ek kan dit nie bekostig nie. (... )
I don't want it. Ek wil dit nie hê nie. (... )
You're cheating me. Jy verneuk my. (... )
I'm not interested. Ek stel nie belang nie. (..)
OK, I'll take it. OK, ek sal dit vat./Reg, ek sal dit vat. (... )
Can I have a bag? Kan ek 'n sakkie kry? (... )
Do you ship (overseas)? Verskeep u (oorsee)? (... )
I need... Ek het ... nodig (... )
...toothpaste. ...tandepaste. (... )
...a toothbrush. ...'n tandeborsel. (... )
...tampons. ...tampons. (... )
...soap. ...seep. (... )
...shampoo. ...shampoe. (... )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen ) ...pyntablet (... )
...cold medicine. ...verkoue-medisyne. (... )
...stomach medicine. ...maagmedisyne. (... )
...a razor. ...'n skeermes. (... )
...an umbrella. ...'n sambreel. (... )
...sunblock lotion. ...sonbrand-olie. (... )
...a postcard. ...'n poskaart. (... )
...postage stamps. ...seëls. (... )
...batteries. ...batterye. (... )
...writing paper. ...skryfpapier. (... )
...a pen. ...'n pen. (... )
...English-language books. ...Engelse boeke./Boeke in Engels. (... )
...English-language magazines. ...Engelse tydskrifte. (... )
...an English-language newspaper. ...'n Engelse koerant. (... )
...an Afrikaans-English dictionary. ... 'n Afrikaans-Engelse woordeboek. (... )
[edit ] Driving I want to rent a car. Ek wil 'n motor huur. (... )
Can I get insurance? Kan ek assuransie kry? (... )
stop (on a street sign ) stop (op 'n straat teken )
one way een rigting (... )
yield gee toe (... )
no parking geen parkering (... )
speed limit spoed beperking (... )
gas (petrol ) station petrol stasie/vul stasie (... )
[edit ] Authority I haven't done anything wrong. Ek het niks verkeerd gedoen nie. ("...")
It was a misunderstanding. Dit was 'n misverstand. ("...")
Where are you taking me? Waar heen vat jy my? ("...")
Am I under arrest? Is ek onder arres? ("...")
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. Ek is 'n Amerikaanse/Australiaanse/Britse/Kanadese burger. ("...")
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. Ek wil met die Amerikaanse/Australiaanse/Britse/Kanadese ambassade praat. ("...")
I want to speak to a lawyer. Ek wil met 'n prokureur praat. ("...")
Can I just pay a fine now? Kan ek onmiddelik 'n boete betaal? ("...")
This is a usable plunge forward and help it grow !
