Learning Afrikaans can be a rewarding experience, especially when you start to understand the basic building blocks of the language. Two fundamental elements of any language are words and sentences. In Afrikaans, these are referred to as “woord” and “sin” respectively. Understanding these basics will set you on the right path to mastering the language. This article will provide definitions, explanations, and example sentences for some essential Afrikaans vocabulary.
Basic Vocabulary
Woord – Word
Afrikaans: Die woord “liefde” beteken “love” in Engels.
Explanation: A basic unit of language that represents a concept, object, or action.
Sin – Sentence
Afrikaans: Hierdie sin is in Afrikaans geskryf.
Explanation: A set of words that convey a complete thought or idea.
Naam – Name
Afrikaans: My naam is Johan.
Explanation: A word or set of words by which a person or thing is known.
Plek – Place
Afrikaans: Die plek waar ons bly is pragtig.
Explanation: A particular position or point in space.
Tyd – Time
Afrikaans: Die tyd vlieg wanneer jy pret het.
Explanation: The indefinite continued progress of existence and events.
Dag – Day
Afrikaans: Elke dag leer ek iets nuuts.
Explanation: A period of 24 hours, beginning at midnight.
Vriend – Friend
Afrikaans: Hy is my beste vriend.
Explanation: A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.
Huis – House
Afrikaans: Ons huis is baie groot.
Explanation: A building for human habitation.
Kat – Cat
Afrikaans: Die kat slaap op die bed.
Explanation: A small domesticated carnivorous mammal.
Hond – Dog
Afrikaans: My hond is baie speels.
Explanation: A domesticated carnivorous mammal.
Building Sentences
Once you have a grasp of basic words, the next step is to start forming sentences. Here’s a guide to help you understand how to structure sentences in Afrikaans.
Subject-Verb-Object
The basic sentence structure in Afrikaans is similar to English: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO).
Ek – I
Afrikaans: Ek lees ‘n boek.
Explanation: The person speaking or writing.
Lees – Read
Afrikaans: Sy lees elke dag.
Explanation: To look at and understand the meaning of written or printed matter.
Boek – Book
Afrikaans: Ek hou van hierdie boek.
Explanation: A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened together along one side and encased between protective covers.
Questions
Formulating questions in Afrikaans usually involves a slight change in word order or the addition of a question word.
Hoe – How
Afrikaans: Hoe gaan dit met jou?
Explanation: In what way or manner; by what means.
Wat – What
Afrikaans: Wat is jou naam?
Explanation: Asking for information specifying something.
Waar – Where
Afrikaans: Waar woon jy?
Explanation: In or to what place or position.
Wanneer – When
Afrikaans: Wanneer kom jy huis toe?
Explanation: At what time.
Waarom – Why
Afrikaans: Waarom is jy laat?
Explanation: For what reason or purpose.
Common Phrases
Here are some common phrases that are useful for everyday conversation in Afrikaans.
Goeie môre – Good morning
Afrikaans: Goeie môre, hoe gaan dit?
Explanation: A greeting used in the morning.
Goeie naand – Good evening
Afrikaans: Goeie naand, slaap lekker.
Explanation: A greeting used in the evening.
Dankie – Thank you
Afrikaans: Dankie vir jou hulp.
Explanation: An expression of gratitude.
Asseblief – Please
Afrikaans: Kan ek water kry, asseblief?
Explanation: Used in polite requests.
Verskoon my – Excuse me
Afrikaans: Verskoon my, ek moet gaan.
Explanation: Used to politely get someone’s attention or apologize.
Tot siens – Goodbye
Afrikaans: Tot siens, sien jou later.
Explanation: Used to express good wishes when parting.
Pronouns
Pronouns are essential in constructing sentences as they replace nouns. Here are some common pronouns in Afrikaans.
Ek – I
Afrikaans: Ek is moeg.
Explanation: The person speaking or writing.
Jy – You
Afrikaans: Jy is my vriend.
Explanation: The person or people that one is addressing.
Hy – He
Afrikaans: Hy speel sokker.
Explanation: Used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned.
Sy – She
Afrikaans: Sy sing pragtig.
Explanation: Used to refer to a female person or animal previously mentioned.
Ons – We
Afrikaans: Ons gaan na die park.
Explanation: Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together.
Hulle – They
Afrikaans: Hulle kom oor ‘n uur.
Explanation: Used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned.
Adjectives
Adjectives describe or modify nouns and pronouns. Here are some common adjectives in Afrikaans.
Groot – Big
Afrikaans: Die huis is groot.
Explanation: Of considerable size, extent, or intensity.
Klein – Small
Afrikaans: Die hond is klein.
Explanation: Of a size that is less than normal or usual.
Mooi – Beautiful
Afrikaans: Sy is baie mooi.
Explanation: Pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.
Lelik – Ugly
Afrikaans: Die monster is lelik.
Explanation: Unpleasant or repulsive, especially in appearance.
Oud – Old
Afrikaans: Die man is oud.
Explanation: Having lived for a long time; no longer young.
Jonk – Young
Afrikaans: Die kind is jonk.
Explanation: Having lived or existed for only a short time.
Verbs
Verbs are action words that are crucial for sentence construction. Here are some common verbs in Afrikaans.
Eet – Eat
Afrikaans: Ek eet ‘n appel.
Explanation: Put (food) into the mouth and chew and swallow it.
Drink – Drink
Afrikaans: Sy drink water.
Explanation: Take (a liquid) into the mouth and swallow.
Loop – Walk
Afrikaans: Ons loop na die park.
Explanation: Move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
Ry – Drive
Afrikaans: Hy ry na sy werk.
Explanation: Operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle.
Skryf – Write
Afrikaans: Ek skryf ‘n brief.
Explanation: Mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement.
Lees – Read
Afrikaans: Sy lees ‘n boek.
Explanation: Look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by mentally interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed.
Connecting Words
Connecting words are essential for creating complex sentences. Here are some common connecting words in Afrikaans.
En – And
Afrikaans: Ek en my vriend gaan winkel toe.
Explanation: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly.
Maar – But
Afrikaans: Ek wil gaan, maar ek is moeg.
Explanation: Used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned.
Of – Or
Afrikaans: Wil jy koffie of tee?
Explanation: Used to link alternatives.
Omdat – Because
Afrikaans: Ek bly tuis omdat ek siek is.
Explanation: For the reason that; since.
So – So
Afrikaans: Ek is moeg, so ek gaan slaap.
Explanation: To such a great extent.
As – If
Afrikaans: Ek sal kom as ek tyd het.
Explanation: Introducing a conditional clause.
Practice Makes Perfect
To become proficient in Afrikaans, practice is essential. Try to incorporate these words and sentences into your daily routine. Speak with native speakers if possible, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Every error is a learning opportunity.
Remember, language learning is a journey. Take it one step at a time, and soon you’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable and confident in your Afrikaans skills. Happy learning!
