Idioms are a colorful and essential part of every language, encapsulating cultural wisdom and providing a unique view of the world through the lens of language. Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa and Namibia, is no exception. With its roots in Dutch, Afrikaans has developed its own set of expressive idioms. Here are some delightful Afrikaans idioms and their meanings for those interested in broadening their linguistic horizons.

Jou luistervink translates to “your listening ferret,” and it’s used to describe someone who is eavesdropping or listening in on conversations they’re not a part of.

Moenie ‘n luistervink wees nie; dis ongemanierd om in ander mense se gesprekke in te meng.

‘n Hond uit ‘n bos gesels means “to talk a dog out of the bush,” suggesting that someone has excellent persuasive skills or the ability to chat someone into doing something.

Hy het die vermoë om ‘n hond uit ‘n bos te gesels as dit by verkope kom.

So maer soos ‘n riet is an idiom that directly translates to “as thin as a reed,” and is used to describe someone who is very thin or skinny.

Na sy lang siekte is hy nou so maer soos ‘n riet.

Soos mielies onder hoenders means “like corn among chickens,” providing imagery of something being wildly popular or in high demand.

Toe die nuwe foon vrygestel is, was dit soos mielies onder hoenders.

‘n Oog soos ‘n smoorhond translates to “an eye like a smoke-dog,” and is used when someone gives a longing, puppy-dog like starchy.

Elke keer as hy die roomys sien, gee hy ‘n oog soos ‘n smoorhond.

Sy hart op sy mou dra is reminiscent of the English idiom “to wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve,” meaning to openly display emotions or feelings.

Hy’s lief vir haar; hy dra sy hart op sy mou.

Die aap uit die mou laat literally means “to let the monkey out of the sleeve.” It’s used when revealing a secret or when the truth comes out.

Uiteindelik het sy die aap uit die mou gelaat en ons vertel van haar verloofde.

Soos water vir sjokolade wees means “to be like water for chocolate,” which is used to describe someone who is very angry or in a state of passionate agitation.

Toe sy uitvind haar fiets is gesteel, was sy soos water vir sjokolade.

Goedkoop is duurkoop means “cheap is expensive.” This idiom implies that buying something cheap may often end up costing more in the long run due to poor quality.

Ek het ‘n goedkoop wasmasjien gekoop wat binne maande breek. Nou verstaan ek dat goedkoop regtig duurkoop is.

Understanding and using idioms can make learning a new language more enjoyable and also more nuanced. Afrikaans idioms offer a captivating way to gain insight into the culture and creative expression of its speakers. Whether you’re just starting to learn Afrikaans or are looking to add some flavor to your conversational skills, incorporating these idioms will surely bring a smile to both your face and that of your listeners.