After the alphabet, mastering Afrikaans beginner words is the best place to start your Afrikaans learning journey. (Don't have the Afrikaans alphabet under the belt yet? No problem! You should find this article and the free downloadable Guide for Beginners very useful.) Learning beginner words is essential in building vocabulary for basic communication. If you're busy trying to get your foot in the door and learn the basics of Afrikaans, then this is your one-stop vocabulary list for the most important Afrikaans words for beginners! For your convenience, we’ve grouped them into the main word types and included a few sample sentences to illustrate their use. → Also consider these 10 Great Reasons Why You Should Learn Afrikaans. ... Show more

Very few people can talk without using filler words or phrases, which would sound a little unnatural, like a speech that's been rehearsed from a script. Lexically, pause fillers are words, phrases, or sounds without meaning, despite being so commonplace in the vernacular of probably every language. Let’s have a brief look at their function in speech before proceeding to discuss some of the most common Afrikaans filler words. Filler words are commonplace in the vernacular of probably every language. Table of Contents The Purpose of Filler Words in Afrikaans 11 Types of Useful Afrikaans Filler Words and How to Use Them Correctly Learn Afrikaans Filler Words with Ease on AfrikaansPod101.com! 1. The Purpose of Filler... Show more

Negation is, very simply put, the so-called "negative form" in a language. We use it when we want to express the opposite of a positive or affirmative statement. What is the negative form in Afrikaans? Let's dig in! One of the most fascinating features of the Afrikaans language is its use of the double negative, which means that two negatives resolve into one negative. For instance, in English one would say, "He cannot speak Afrikaans," and only use the word ‘not’ once. However, to express the negative in Afrikaans, we usually have to use the negating word twice:    Sy kan nie Afrikaans praat nie. Literally: "She cannot Afrikaans speak not." The negating word in the example above is nie and, as you will have gathered, nie... Show more

Tenses in Afrikaans are not as hard to master as those of many older languages. In fact, there's no need to feel tense about tenses! Dis nie nodig om gespanne te voel oor Afrikaanse tye nie! / "There's no need to feel tense about Afrikaans tenses!" How Do We Indicate Afrikaans Tenses? In Afrikaans, the verbs usually inflect for time, just as in English. This is called "conjugation" (werkwoord verbuiging) and it’s characterized by a change to the form of the verb—in this case, to indicate the tense. (Think "walk" vs. "walked." Here, the verb has a suffix to indicate that the action took place in the past.) → Sound complex? It isn't, really, once you get the hang of it. Read more about Afrikaans conjugations in our blogpost... Show more

Hoe lank neem dit om Afrikaans te leer? (How long does it take to learn Afrikaans?)  Well, it's not possible to tell this with 100% accuracy, because the speed of one’s learning progress depends on a few variables. Any answer to this question should probably start with the sober truth, though, which is that learning any new language (at least to a level of reasonable proficiency) normally takes many hours of study and practice. That's simply the nature of language studies. Of course, one can speed up the process with good learning tools and study habits. But mastering it overnight or in only a couple of weeks from scratch? That only happens in the movies. But don't be discouraged! It is possible to be a winner at learning... Show more

The word "proverb" (spreekwoord in Afrikaans) is derived from the Latin proverbium. Collins Dictionary defines it as a short sentence that people often quote to give advice, or one that says something about life. Proverbs also tend to employ the same vivid imagery and metaphoric language common in children's stories. So, perhaps they’re an adult throwback to children’s fiction—who knows? Proverbs touch us on a very deep level, as they go beyond nationality, gender, race, religion, and time. In this way, they connect us to one another with their universal truths and wisdom. The Afrikaans proverbs I'm going to cover in this article are sure to ignite your imagination and make you feel more connected to Afrikaner culture. Ma en... Show more

I love Cape Town (Kaapstad). Truly, this entire article can be summed up with the following quote, attributed to world-explorer Sir Francis Drake when he visited the Cape (circa 1580): "This Cape is the most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth." This is no exaggeration. I've visited some of the most beautiful cities on earth, but Cape Town and the Cape remain incomparable. Join me to learn why there's something for every traveler to love and enjoy here, and discover even more great reasons to visit Cape Town yourself.   Note: We natives refer to Cape Town and the surrounding area (sometimes the Western Cape Province, too) as "the Cape." We also call the city die Moederstad ("the... Show more

Imagine getting this message from your South African friend: "Hey! Come jol with us on Saturday afternoon; we are going to gooi something lekker on the braai. The party will be under the lapa." Do you have any idea what this message means? Let us know in the comments! At AfrikaansPod101.com, we love hearing your thoughts and opinions, so feel free to weigh in.  But if you’re not really sure what your friend just invited you to, no worries. That's ‘Afrikaan-lish,’ or rather, a blend of Afrikaans, English, and even one word appropriated from one of South Africa’s other languages! The example used above illustrates how languages cross-pollinate and influence one another. This is important, because nowhere in South Africa is... Show more

Do you know what one of the best things about the Afrikaans language is? Its array of colorful sayings and quotes!  In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best Afrikaans quotes on every aspect of life. You’ll recognize some of these Afrikaans quotes, as they have equivalents in English; others will be unfamiliar to you because they’re unique to Afrikaans. Let us know in the comments which of them have equivalents in your language! At AfrikaansPod101, we aim to enhance your language learning experience at all times. Sayings and quotes are so particular to a language—knowing and using them will introduce you to Afrikaans and the Afrikaner culture in a unique, almost intimate way! Are you ready to up your Afrikaans game? Let’s... Show more

So, you're dealing with an Afrikaans client and really want to impress them. Excellent! You can do this instantly by speaking good business language in Afrikaans!  As you know, speaking someone's native language is a speedy and easy way to gain their favor. To Afrikaans business owners, this could demonstrate that you're serious about...well, business! It will also show that you've invested personal effort into the business relationship. Why not start straight away with our excellent video, "Learn Afrikaans Business Language in 15 Minutes," featured at the beginning of this article? Or read our blog post about How to Find a Job in South Africa! AfrikaansPod101 employs numerous means to support you while you learn business... Show more