Afrikaans is a Germanic language born in South Africa, spoken by about seven million native speakers in South Africa and Namibia. It evolved from colonial Dutch and absorbed Malay, Khoisan and Bantu influences. With this kit, you have the essentials to greet, find your way and get by in Cape Town, Pretoria or out in the veld.
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language spoken mainly in South Africa and Namibia. With about seven million native speakers and around ten million people who understand it, it is one of South Africa's eleven official languages. Stemming from the Dutch brought by colonial settlers in the Cape from 1652 onwards, it gradually drifted away from its parent language to become distinct, officially recognized in 1925. Its evolution was shaped by borrowings from Malay, Portuguese creole, Khoisan and Bantu languages, giving it a unique flavour. Grammar is significantly simpler than Dutch: no personal verb conjugation, simplified gender, transparent sentence structure. This makes Afrikaans one of the most accessible Germanic languages for learners. Pronunciation has a few surprises (the guttural g, double vowels, diphthongs) but remains readable for anyone with prior exposure to Dutch or German. Culturally, Afrikaans carries an active music scene, a rich literature (Andre Brink, Antjie Krog, Marlene van Niekerk) and a renewed film industry. The language is also tied to a sensitive political history linked to apartheid, which must be understood to grasp contemporary sensitivities. This kit brings together the bare essentials to greet, find your way around a house or city, order food and drink, face an emergency and take leave politely, alongside a glossary of everyday words and verbs.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You arrive early in the morning in Stellenbosch at your host's place. You greet the lady of the house with Goeiemore, meet a neighbour with Goeiedag, then switch to Goeiemiddag at noon and Goeienaand as evening sets in.
The driver drops you off at the house (huis) you booked. You show him the room (kamer) you are renting, ask where the kitchen (kombuis) is and locate the door (deur) to lock for the night.
You sit down at a Cape Town cafe after a morning of sightseeing. You ask for a glass of water (water), some milk (melk) with your coffee, then bread (brood) and a portion of meat (vleis) for lunch.
You feel unwell and explain your discomfort to the pharmacist. You point to your head (kop), an eye (oog) or an ear (oor) that hurts, and also mention a dry mouth (mond) so he can advise you.
It is your last evening before flying out. You wish your hosts Goeienag at bedtime, give a final Hallo to neighbours who came to say goodbye in the morning, thank them with a warm Dankie and confirm with a sincere Ja when invited to come back.
What you need to know before travelling to a afrikaans-speaking country.
Afrikaans is very close to Dutch. If you speak German or Dutch, you will recognize many words in writing, but pronunciation is softer and grammar much simpler (no personal verb conjugation).
Afrikaans is also spoken by a large mixed-heritage community in the Cape (Cape Coloureds), not only by white Afrikaners. This diversity is reflected in accents and expressions.
Goeiedag works all day as a safe greeting. Goeiemore in the morning, Goeiemiddag in the afternoon, Goeienaand in the evening: use the form that matches the time, locals notice.
The braai (barbecue) is a social institution in South Africa, especially on Saturdays. Being invited to a braai is a sign of friendship; bring a drink or dessert to share the collective effort.
English is widespread in cities, but slipping a Dankie or Asseblief into the conversation immediately earns goodwill, especially with elders and in rural areas.
Afrikaans carries a sensitive political legacy tied to apartheid. Be cautious in historical debates, listen before judging, and don't conflate the language with a political stance.
Distances in South Africa are huge. When someone says a place is just around the corner, it can mean several kilometres. Always check a map before setting off on foot.
Bargaining isn't the norm in regular shops but is expected at curio markets. Negotiate with a smile, without aggression: it's a social game.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Nee
no
Asseblief
please
Verskoon my
excuse me
Totsiens
goodbye
Goed, dankie
fine, thank you
wees
to be
hê
to have
gaan
to go
kom
to come
eet
to eat
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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