Learning a new language is a fantastic way to expand your horizons and connect with new cultures. Afrikaans, a language derived from Dutch and spoken in South Africa and Namibia, has a rich vocabulary, especially when it comes to discussing health and wellness. In this article, we’ll delve into the terms related to health, focusing on the contrast between being sick (siek) and being healthy (gesond). We will explore various related terms to help you build your vocabulary in this essential area.

General Health Terms

Gesondheid – Health

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. In Afrikaans, gesondheid is the term used to refer to health.
Sy gesondheid het verbeter nadat hy begin oefen het.

Siekte – Illness/Disease

Illness or disease refers to a condition in which the body or mind is not functioning normally. Siekte is the Afrikaans word for illness.
Die dokter het die siekte vinnig gediagnoseer.

Common Health Conditions

Verkoue – Cold

A common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat. The Afrikaans word for cold is verkoue.
Ek het ‘n verkoue en bly vandag tuis.

Griep – Flu

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Griep is the Afrikaans term for flu.
Hy het die griep en moet rus.

Koors – Fever

A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature, often due to an illness. In Afrikaans, it’s called koors.
Sy het ‘n hoë koors en voel baie swak.

Infeksie – Infection

An infection occurs when harmful organisms enter the body. The Afrikaans word for infection is infeksie.
Die wond het ‘n infeksie opgedoen.

Allergie – Allergy

An allergy is a condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. In Afrikaans, it’s called allergie.
Hy het ‘n allergie vir katte.

Symptoms and Feelings

Pyn – Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. In Afrikaans, pain is called pyn.
Sy het pyn in haar rug.

Naar – Nauseous

Feeling nauseous means you have an unpleasant sensation in your stomach that often leads to vomiting. In Afrikaans, this feeling is described as naar.
Ek voel naar na daardie ete.

Moeg – Tired

Feeling tired means you are in need of rest or sleep. The Afrikaans word for tired is moeg.
Hy is moeg na ‘n lang dag se werk.

Duizelig – Dizzy

Feeling dizzy is a sensation of spinning and loss of balance. In Afrikaans, you would say duizelig.
Ek voel duizelig as ek vinnig opstaan.

Hoofpyn – Headache

A headache is a pain in your head or face that’s often described as a throbbing, constant, sharp, or dull pressure. The Afrikaans term is hoofpyn.
Sy het ‘n erge hoofpyn gehad vandag.

Medical Professionals and Places

Dokter – Doctor

A doctor is a qualified practitioner of medicine. In Afrikaans, a doctor is called dokter.
Die dokter het my medikasie voorgeskryf.

Verpleegster – Nurse

A nurse is a person trained to care for the sick or infirm. In Afrikaans, this professional is known as a verpleegster.
Die verpleegster het my gehelp om beter te voel.

Hospitaal – Hospital

A hospital is an institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people. The Afrikaans word for hospital is hospitaal.
Hy is na die hospitaal geneem ná die ongeluk.

Apteek – Pharmacy

A pharmacy is a store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold. In Afrikaans, it’s referred to as an apteek.
Ek het my medikasie by die apteek gekry.

Ambulans – Ambulance

An ambulance is a vehicle equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from the hospital. The Afrikaans term for ambulance is ambulans.
Die ambulans het vinnig opgedaag.

Actions and Treatments

Behandel – Treat

To treat means to give medical care or attention to a person, disease, or injury. The Afrikaans word for treat is behandel.
Die dokter sal jou vir die siekte behandel.

Voorskryf – Prescribe

To prescribe is to advise and authorize the use of a medicine or treatment. In Afrikaans, it’s known as voorskryf.
Die dokter het antibiotika voorgeskryf.

Ondersoek – Examine

To examine means to inspect someone or something thoroughly in order to determine their nature or condition. The Afrikaans term for examine is ondersoek.
Die dokter het my ondersoek om die probleem te vind.

Inspuiting – Injection

An injection is a shot of medicine given through the skin. In Afrikaans, it’s called an inspuiting.
Ek het ‘n inspuiting gekry vir die siekte.

Operasie – Surgery

Surgery is a medical procedure involving an incision with instruments. The Afrikaans word for surgery is operasie.
Sy het ‘n suksesvolle operasie ondergaan.

Genesing – Healing

Healing is the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again. In Afrikaans, this process is called genesing.
Die genesing van die wond het lank geneem.

Preventive Measures

Immunisering – Immunization

Immunization is the process by which an individual’s immune system becomes fortified against an agent. The Afrikaans term for immunization is immunisering.
Kinders moet immunisering teen siektes kry.

Vitamiene – Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential in small quantities for body functions. In Afrikaans, vitamins are referred to as vitamiene.
Ek neem vitamiene elke dag om gesond te bly.

Entstof – Vaccine

A vaccine is a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against diseases. The Afrikaans word for vaccine is entstof.
Die entstof help om die siekte te voorkom.

Gesonde dieet – Healthy Diet

A healthy diet involves eating a variety of foods that give you the nutrients you need to maintain your health. In Afrikaans, this is called a gesonde dieet.
Sy volg ‘n gesonde dieet om fiks te bly.

Oefening – Exercise

Exercise is physical activity that improves or maintains physical fitness and overall health. In Afrikaans, it’s known as oefening.
Gereelde oefening is belangrik vir gesondheid.

Emergency Situations

Noodgeval – Emergency

An emergency is a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action. The Afrikaans word for emergency is noodgeval.
In ‘n noodgeval, bel 911 vir hulp.

Besering – Injury

An injury is harm or damage that is done or sustained. The Afrikaans word for injury is besering.
Hy het ‘n besering opgedoen tydens die sportwedstryd.

Ongeval – Accident

An accident is an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally. In Afrikaans, it is called an ongeval.
Die ongeval het op die snelweg gebeur.

Brandwond – Burn

A burn is an injury to the skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by heat. The Afrikaans term for burn is brandwond.
Sy het ‘n brandwond van die warm stoof gekry.

Vergiftiging – Poisoning

Poisoning is the administration of a substance that causes harm to the body. The Afrikaans word for poisoning is vergiftiging.
Hulle het vergiftiging opgedoen van die besmette kos.

Learning these health-related terms in Afrikaans will not only help you communicate better in medical situations but also enrich your overall vocabulary. Whether discussing symptoms, treatments, or preventive measures, these words are essential for anyone interested in mastering the language. Remember, practice and repetition are key to retaining new vocabulary, so try to use these words in sentences as often as possible. Happy learning!