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Archive for the 'Afrikaans Language' Category

Afrikaans Rules for Conjunctions—What You Need to Know!

Before learning about Afrikaans rules for conjunctions, do you know what a conjunction is? Conjunctions are the type of words in a language that "glue" two words, phrases, and sentences or clauses together. For instance: 1- Joining Words: "Pepper and salt." Here, and is the conjunction that joins the words "pepper" and "salt." 2- Joining Phrases: "...in the air but not too high." In this sentence, the conjunction but joins the two phrases "in the air" and "not too high." 3- Joining Clauses/Sentences: "The man walks into the room as she gets ready to leave." In this instance, as joins the two clauses "The man walks into the room" and "she gets ready to leave." Afrikaans conjunctions (called voegwoorde in Afrikaans) obviously have the... Show more

Afrikaans Etiquette in South Africa: What You Need to Know

If you're looking to find a formal Afrikaans school of etiquette, South Africa will disappoint you, as there is none. This is mainly because the country is home to over a dozen different ethnicities and cultures, and they all have their own etiquette! Some overlap, but this is often called a South African trait, such as their gregarious nature. Most Afrikaners will treat you as well as—or better than—you treat them! Don't let the lack of distinct etiquette guidelines worry you, though, because at AfrikaansPod101, we teach you culturally-relevant lessons! This will prepare you properly for a visit to the country, speaking Afrikaans. In this lesson, we look at etiquette in Afrikaans-speaking populations in South Africa and how it’s used in... Show more

Dates in Afrikaans: Afrikaans Months of the Year and More!

It's obvious that knowing how to read the calendar in another culture's language is very important, especially if you're planning to work in that country. Showing up on the wrong day for an interview because you didn't know that Dinsdag meant "Tuesday" could cost you a lot! At AfrikaansPod101, we teach you the Afrikaans months of the year, as well as the days of the week and much more, to ensure this never happens! Read on for simple vocabulary, and learn how to say "week," "month," and "date," in Afrikaans. And afterwards, we’ll also be taking a look at important dates pertaining to South African holidays. Table of Contents Background - The Gregorian Calendar The Calendar Months of the Year in Afrikaans The Calendar Days of the... Show more

Names and Terms for Families in Afrikaans

Family is important in every culture, no matter what size or form it takes. Interaction with this group of people gives us our first relationship lessons in life. If these are disrupted, it can have an impact not only on all of our other relationships and the way we bond with others, but also how we see and experience ourselves. At AfrikaansPod101, we’re aware of how important it is to know how to talk about families in Afrikaans. That’s why we’ve crafted this insightful article about Afrikaans words for family and family in Afrikaans culture, just for you! What is the role of family in your culture? And how important is family to you personally? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section! Table of Contents Family in... Show more

Most Common Travel Phrases in Afrikaans

Sometimes, traveling to a foreign country where the natives speak a language completely different from your own can be rather challenging. In South Africa, you have more of a choice! English is one of the country's eleven national languages, and so is Afrikaans. While you'll be able to find your way using English, having useful Afrikaans travel phrases under your belt will definitely make for much easier traveling in this gorgeous country! The native speakers will also appreciate your effort to learn travel words in Afrikaans. Certainly, in Afrikaans language-learning, travel phrases are essential. We teach you the best basic Afrikaans travel phrases at AfrikaansPod101! With easy, online access to excellent learning materials and tools... Show more

The Best Tips About Afrikaans Numbers 1 – 30 and Beyond

Without language, numbers make no sense. Yet it’s also true that numbers are a language all of their own! So, when you learn a new language, familiarizing yourself with its numeral system should be one of your first priorities, as numbers are a way to indicate value and meaning of all kinds. In Afrikaans language-learning, numbers are equally essential. At AfrikaansPod101, we understand that numbers are vitally important in all languages, and that's why we take extra effort to help you master them. Learn Afrikaans numbers 1 to 30 easily and in fun ways, starting right here with our numbers in Afrikaans dictionary/guide! Table of Contents Numbers vs. Numerals Afrikaans Numbers 1 to 20 Numbers in Afrikaans 21 to 30, etc. Tips to... Show more

The Best Ways to Say “I’m Sorry” in Afrikaans

Apologizing by saying "I'm sorry," in Afrikaans, or any other language, is a very important relationship skill to have. It can make or break things between people, meaning that learning how to say sorry when learning Afrikaans is so important. How do you say sorry in Afrikaans? There are many ways of expressing "sorry" in South Africa. Saying "I'm sorry" in Afrikaans has different applications, and its use depends on circumstances, situations, etc. Sometimes it sounds like an apology, but it's actually a sort of interjection used to smoothe over interactions in different social situations. Other times, it's a sincere apology for a transgression. As said, this is a very important relationship skill that no close partnership or friendship... Show more

Popular South African TV Shows to Help You Learn Afrikaans!

Imagine a weekend on the sofa after a tiring work week, bowls filled with freshly popped popcorn, and a popular African TV show to binge-watch... There, you have all the elements of leisure! Also, you get to freshen up on your Afrikaans in an easy and fun way, which is exactly how we like it at AfrikaansPod101! It may be difficult to find many African TV shows on Netflix or African series on YouTube. We recommend that you look at subscribing to Showmax, a Netflix equivalent, to watch Afrikaans TV shows online. You can also look for places to download Afrikaans TV shows or other Afrikaans TV series downloads. How Does Watching South African TV Shows Help When Learning Afrikaans? Firstly, watching TV shows and movies in the... Show more

How to Say I Love You in Afrikaans – Romantic Word List

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Afrikaans could be just what you need to find it. Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Afrikaans partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At AfrikaansPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Afrikaans lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material... Show more

How to Celebrate April Fools’ Day in Afrikaans

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day... Show more