Afrikaans is a language that evolved from 17th-century Dutch brought to South Africa by settlers from Holland. It gradually diverged from its parent language during the 18th century until it became a separate language. It is estimated that over 90% of Afrikaans vocabulary words are of Dutch origin.
We produced this list of the 1000 most common Afrikaans words by performing a statistical analysis of a large collection of texts written in Afrikaans, such as news articles and other web-based content.
Words appearing in the texts were converted to their dictionary form by removing inflections, then they were counted and sorted by frequency of occurrence.
The purpose of this list is to provide a resource for language learners which enables them to focus on acquiring the most frequently-used vocabulary words.
-
die
[article]
(the)
In Afrikaans, nouns do not have grammatical genders (unlike in Dutch). As a result, the Afrikaans language has only one definite article, whereas Dutch has two.
-
en
[conjunction]
(and)
-
wees
[verb]
(to be)
This is one of the two Afrikaans verbs for which there is a distinction between the infinitive and present forms. For this verb, “wees” is the infinitive form, and “is” is the present form.
-
van
[preposition]
(of)
-
hê
[verb]
(to have)
“hê” is the infinitive form of this verb, its present form is “het”. In Afrikaans, verbs do not conjugate differently for different subjects.
-
in
[preposition]
(in)
-
nie
[adverb]
(not)
-
te
[adverb]
(too)
-
wat
[pronoun]
(what)
-
dit
[pronoun]
(it)
-
vir
[preposition]
(for)
-
op
[preposition]
(on)
-
word
[verb]
(to become)
-
met
[preposition]
(with)
-
dat
[conjunction]
(that)
-
se
[particle]
-
ons
[pronoun]
(we)
-
as
[conjunction]
(if)
-
sy
[pronoun]
(she)
-
kan
[verb]
(can)
-
ek
[pronoun]
(I)
-
hy
[pronoun]
(he)
-
hulle
[pronoun]
(they)
-
aan
[preposition]
(on)
-
sal
[verb]
(shall)
-
baie
[determiner]
(many)
-
ook
[adverb]
(also)
-
by
[preposition]
(at)
-
maar
[conjunction]
(but)
-
moet
[verb]
(must)
-
daar
[adverb]
(there)
-
deur
[preposition]
(by)
-
of
[conjunction]
(or)
-
oor
[preposition]
(over)
-
my
[pronoun]
(me)
-
jy
[pronoun]
(you)
-
sê
[verb]
(to say)
-
tot
[preposition]
(until)
-
al
[adverb]
(already)
-
gaan
[verb]
(to go)
-
mens
[noun]
(person)
-
hierdie
[determiner]
(this)
-
jou
[pronoun]
(you, your)
The word “jou” in Afrikaans can be used to mean “your” or “you”.
-
maak
[verb]
(to make)
-
so
[adverb]
(so)
-
net
[adverb]
(only)
-
goed
[adjective]
(good)
-
uit
[preposition]
(out of)
-
jaar
[noun]
(a year)
-
hul
[determiner]
(their)
-
soos
[conjunction]
(such as)
-
een
[numeral]
(one)
-
toe
[adverb]
(then)
-
groot
[adjective]
(big)
-
wil
[verb]
(to want)
-
kom
[verb]
(come)
-
haar
[pronoun]
(her)
-
nog
[adverb]
(yet)
-
doen
[verb]
(to do)
-
nou
[adverb]
(now)
-
hom
[pronoun]
(him)
-
laat
[verb]
(to let)
-
dié
[determiner]
(those)
-
waar
[adverb]
(where)
-
dan
[adverb]
(then)
-
teen
[preposition]
(against)
-
hoe
[adverb]
(how)
-
boer
[noun]
(a farmer)
This term ranks highly among the most frequent Afrikaans words because it has several meanings. In addition to meaning “farmer”, it also refers to the descendants of the Dutch farmers who arrived in South Africa from the 17th to the 19th century.
-
twee
[numeral]
(two)
-
kry
[verb]
(to get)
-
nuut
[adjective]
(new)
-
gee
[verb]
(to give)
-
werk
[noun]
(work)
-
dag
[noun]
(a day)
-
gebruik
[verb]
(to use)
-
onder
[preposition]
(under)
-
land
[noun]
(country)
-
eerste
[adjective]
(first)
-
elk
[pronoun]
(everyone)
-
hou
[verb]
(to keep)
-
voor
[preposition]
(before)
-
julle
[pronoun]
(you)
This word is the plural “you” pronoun in Afrikaans. It originates from the Dutch pronoun “jullie”
-
kind
[noun]
(child)
-
lewe
[noun]
(life)
-
geen
[determiner]
(no)
-
volg
[verb]
(to follow)
-
weet
[verb]
(to know)
-
egter
[adverb]
(however)
-
saam
[adverb]
(together)
-
hier
[adverb]
(here)
-
plaas
[noun]
(farm)
-
sien
[verb]
(to see)
-
want
[conjunction]
(because)
-
tyd
[noun]
(time)
-
omdat
[conjunction]
(because)
-
tussen
[preposition]
(between)
-
man
[noun]
(man)
-
oud
[adjective]
(old)
-
wanneer
[adverb]
(when)
-
staan
[verb]
(to stand)
-
dink
[verb]
(to think)
-
drie
[numeral]
(three)
-
reg
[noun]
(right)
-
lank
[adjective]
(tall)
-
bly
[verb]
(to stay)
-
eie
[adjective]
(own)
-
kyk
[verb]
(to look)
-
u
[pronoun]
(you)
Afrikaans is a language that has both a formal and an informal “you” pronoun. The pronoun “u” is the formal one.
-
almal
[pronoun]
(everyone)
-
week
[noun]
(week)
-
plek
[noun]
(a place)
-
vrou
[noun]
(woman)
-
help
[verb]
(to help)
-
grond
[noun]
(ground)
-
hoog
[adjective]
(high)
-
dis
[contraction]
(it's)
-
iets
[pronoun]
(something)
-
dier
[noun]
(animal)
-
woord
[noun]
(word)
-
seker
[adjective]
(sure)
-
huis
[noun]
(a house)
-
glo
[verb]
(to believe)
-
mag
[verb]
(may)
-
sit
[verb]
(to sit)
-
sonder
[preposition]
(without)
-
vra
[verb]
(ask)
-
veral
[adverb]
(especially)
-
belangrik
[adjective]
(important)
-
verlede
[adjective]
(past)
-
verskil
[noun]
(difference)
-
moontlik
[adjective]
(possible)
-
maand
[noun]
(a month)
-
geld
[noun]
(money)
-
skryf
[verb]
(to write)
-
probleem
[noun]
(problem)
-
heer
[noun]
(lord)
-
eers
[adverb]
(first)
-
daardie
[determiner]
(that)
-
besluit
[verb]
(to decide)
-
lees
[verb]
(to read)
-
vind
[verb]
(to find)
-
paar
[noun]
(pair)
-
bestaan
[verb]
(to exist)
-
bekend
[adjective]
(known)
-
tydens
[preposition]
(while, during)
-
regering
[noun]
(government)
-
water
[noun]
(water)
-
altyd
[adverb]
(always)
-
wêreld
[noun]
(world)
-
ver
[adjective]
(far)
-
praat
[verb]
(to talk)
-
bring
[verb]
(to bring)
-
ding
[noun]
(thing)
-
miljoen
[noun]
(million)
-
sodat
[conjunction]
(so that)
-
skool
[noun]
(school)
-
kerk
[noun]
(church)
-
speel
[verb]
(to play)
-
ontvang
[verb]
(to receive)
-
Namibië
[proper noun]
(Namibia)
Namibia is a country located in southern Africa, with Afrikaans as one of its official languages.
-
hand
[noun]
(a hand)
-
dalk
[adverb]
(maybe)
-
nasionaal
[adjective]
(national)
-
probeer
[verb]
(to try)
-
binne
[preposition]
(inside, within)
-
leer
[verb]
(to learn)
-
vier
[numeral]
(four)
-
nooit
[adverb]
(never)
-
Afrikaans
[adjective]
-
tweede
[adjective]
(second)
-
iemand
[pronoun]
(somebody)
-
naam
[noun]
(name)
-
boek
[noun]
(book)
-
klein
[adjective]
(small)
-
lê
[verb]
(to lie)
-
vandag
[adverb]
(today)
-
vraag
[noun]
(question)
-
pad
[noun]
(way)
-
koop
[verb]
(to buy)
-
groep
[noun]
(group)
-
lyk
[verb]
(to appear, to seem)
-
slegs
[adverb]
(only)
-
lig
[noun]
(light)
-
lid
[noun]
(member)
-
dood
[noun]
(death)
-
diens
[noun]
(service)
-
bied
[verb]
(to offer)
-
niks
[pronoun]
(nothing)
-
sluit
[verb]
(to close)
-
kos
[noun]
(food)
-
persoon
[noun]
(person)
-
jonk
[adjective]
(young)
-
vol
[adjective]
(full)
-
manier
[noun]
(manner)
-
wys
[verb]
(to show)
-
veel
[determiner]
(much)
-
besig
[adjective]
(busy)
-
loop
[verb]
(to walk)
-
vroeg
[adjective]
(early)
-
staat
[noun]
(state)
-
vertel
[verb]
(to tell)
-
groei
[verb]
(to grow)
-
seun
[noun]
(son)
-
soek
[verb]
(to search)
-
vorm
[noun]
(a form)
-
behoort
[verb]
(to belong)
-
tans
[adverb]
(currently)
-
lewer
[noun]
(liver)
-
genoeg
[adverb]
(enough)
-
maklik
[adjective]
(easy)
-
liefde
[noun]
(love)
-
voel
[verb]
(to feel)
-
laaste
[adjective]
(last)
-
natuurlik
[adverb]
-
uitvoer
[verb]
-
gemeenskap
[noun]
(a community)
Many words in Afrikaans are derived from Dutch, including "gemeenskap." In Dutch, "gemeenschap" means "community," and this meaning has carried over into Afrikaans.
-
graag
[adverb]
(gladly, willingly)
-
wet
[noun]
(law)
-
betaal
[verb]
(pay)
-
einde
[noun]
(end)
-
noem
[verb]
(to mention)
-
naby
[adjective]
(near)
-
dorp
[noun]
(town)
-
polisie
[noun]
(police)
-
weg
[adverb]
(away)
-
daarna
[adverb]
(thereafter)
-
agter
[preposition]
(behind)
-
bou
[verb]
(to build)
-
oog
[noun]
(eye)
-
lekker
[adjective]
(delicious)
-
waarin
[adverb]
(wherein)
-
vinnig
[adjective]
(quick)
-
mooi
[adjective]
(pretty)
-
wen
[verb]
(to win)
-
produk
[noun]
(product)
-
besoek
[verb]
(to visit)
-
gees
[noun]
(spirit)
-
vyf
[numeral]
(five)
-
trek
[verb]
(to pull)
-
verstaan
[verb]
(to understand)
-
Afrika
[proper noun]
(Africa)
-
hoop
[verb]
(to hope)
-
dra
[verb]
(to wear)
-
pas
[noun]
-
buite
[preposition]
(outside)
-
bietjie
[determiner]
(a bit)
-
voorkom
[verb]
(to prevent)
-
kort
[adjective]
(short)
-
druk
[verb]
(to print, to press)
-
laag
[adjective]
(low)
-
ken
[verb]
(to know)
-
projek
[noun]
(project)
-
val
[verb]
(to fall)
-
wag
[verb]
(to wait)
-
ry
[verb]
(to drive)
-
prys
[noun]
(price)
-
party
[noun]
(party)
-
bybel
[noun]
(bible)
-
leef
[verb]
(to live)
-
hoor
[verb]
(to hear)
-
hoof
[noun]
(head)
-
hoekom
[adverb]
(why)
-
antwoord
[noun]
(answer)
-
proses
[noun]
(process)
-
swart
[adjective]
(black)
-
dikwels
[adverb]
(often)
-
universiteit
[noun]
(university)
-
verloor
[verb]
(to lose)
-
mark
[noun]
(market)
-
bedryf
[noun]
(industry)
-
rol
[noun]
(role)
-
onthou
[verb]
(to remember)
-
middel
[noun]
(middle)
-
teenoor
[preposition]
(opposite)
-
besef
[verb]
(to realize)
-
artikel
[noun]
(article)
-
voordat
[conjunction]
(before)
-
watter
[determiner]
(which)
-
aarde
[noun]
(earth)
-
krag
[noun]
(force)
-
wit
[adjective]
(white)
-
hart
[noun]
(heart)
-
vriend
[noun]
(friend)
-
sommer
[adverb]
-
stem
[verb]
(to vote)
-
vlak
[noun]
(level)
-
naweek
[noun]
(weekend)
-
aanvaar
[verb]
(to accept)
-
derde
[adjective]
(third)
-
kies
[noun]
-
soms
[adverb]
(sometimes)
-
gemeente
[noun]
(congregation)
-
niemand
[pronoun]
(nobody)
This Afrikaans word is the same in Dutch and in German. It also appears among the most common Dutch words and the most common German words.
-
inwoner
[noun]
(inhabitant, resident)
-
Maart
[noun]
(March)
-
vat
[verb]
(to take)
-
politiek
[noun]
(politics)
-
duur
[adjective]
(expensive)
-
langs
[preposition]
(along)
-
April
[noun]
(April)
-
dankie
[interjection]
(thanks)
-
bees
[noun]
-
familie
[noun]
(family)
-
skaap
[noun]
(sheep)
"Skaap" is a common word in Afrikaans because sheep farming has played a significant role in the history and economy of South Africa. Sheep farming was introduced to the country by European settlers, and it quickly became a popular and profitable agricultural activity.
-
vas
[adjective]
-
kop
[noun]
(head)
-
oop
[adverb]
(open)
-
verbeter
[verb]
(to improve)
-
ses
[numeral]
(six)
-
organisasie
[noun]
(organization)
-
elkeen
[pronoun]
(everyone)
-
September
[noun]
(September)
-
stuk
[noun]
(a piece)
-
jaarliks
[adjective]
(annual)
-
toekoms
[noun]
(future)
-
rus
[verb]
(to rest)
-
toon
[verb]
-
taal
[noun]
(language)
-
vader
[noun]
(father)
-
hond
[noun]
(dog)
-
ja
[adverb]
(yes)
-
minuut
[noun]
(a minute)
-
kans
[noun]
(chance)
-
gister
[adverb]
(yesterday)
-
sommige
[determiner]
(some)
-
plase
[noun]
-
kompetisie
[noun]
(competition)
-
ma
[noun]
(mother)
-
waarvan
[adverb]
(of which)
-
November
[noun]
(November)
-
tree
[noun]
(step)
-
aand
[noun]
(evening)
-
werker
[noun]
(worker)
-
Pretoria
[proper noun]
Pretoria is one of the largest cities in the country of South Africa.
-
spesiaal
[adjective]
(special)
-
storie
[noun]
(story)
-
Augustus
[noun]
(august)
-
volk
[noun]
(people)
-
veld
[noun]
(a field)
-
verhouding
[noun]
(relation, relationship)
-
situasie
[noun]
(situation)
-
Januarie
[noun]
(January)
-
heilig
[adjective]
(holy)
-
trou
[verb]
(to marry)
-
foto
[noun]
(photo)
-
swak
[adjective]
(weak)
-
Oktober
[noun]
(October)
-
pa
[noun]
(dad)
-
reën
[noun]
(rain)
-
Desember
[noun]
(december)
-
sorg
[verb]
(to care)
-
gedagte
[noun]
(thought)
-
soort
[noun]
(sort, type)
-
Junie
[noun]
(June)
-
byvoorbeeld
[adverb]
(for example)
-
Julie
[noun]
(july)
-
graad
[noun]
(grade)
-
seisoen
[noun]
(season)
-
eet
[verb]
(to eat)
-
waarheid
[noun]
(truth)
-
kontak
[noun]
(contact)
-
bak
[noun]
-
mos
[noun]
(moss)
-
Saterdag
[noun]
(saturday)
-
gelukkig
[adjective]
(happy)
-
draai
[verb]
(to turn)
-
Mei
[noun]
(may)
-
oomblik
[noun]
(moment)
-
waarskynlik
[adverb]
(probably)
-
Vrydag
[noun]
(friday)
-
asof
[conjunction]
-
geskiedenis
[noun]
(history)
-
bo
[preposition]
(above)
-
sonde
[noun]
(sin)
-
warm
[adjective]
(warm)
-
beskou
[verb]
(to regard)
-
persoonlik
[adjective]
(personal)
-
tien
[numeral]
(ten)
-
perd
[noun]
(horse)
-
leser
[noun]
(reader)
-
liggaam
[noun]
(body)
-
Februarie
[noun]
(February)
-
presies
[adverb]
(exactly)
-
luister
[verb]
(to listen)
-
uur
[noun]
(hour)
-
bul
[noun]
(bull)
-
speler
[noun]
(player)
-
gesin
[noun]
(family)
-
motor
[noun]
(motor)
-
beperk
[verb]
(to restrict)
-
leier
[noun]
(leader)
-
enkel
[adjective]
(single)
-
verhaal
[noun]
(story)
-
streek
[noun]
(region)
-
optree
[verb]
(to act)
-
bank
[noun]
(bank)
-
nuus
[noun]
(news)
-
nee
[particle]
(no)
-
vleis
[noun]
(meat)
-
skrywer
[noun]
(writer)
-
mielie
[noun]
(corn)
-
daai
[determiner]
-
reël
[noun]
(rule)
-
verslag
[noun]
(report)
-
vers
[noun]
(a verse)
-
dogter
[noun]
(daughter)
-
bid
[verb]
(to pray)
-
slaan
[verb]
(hit)
-
eenvoudig
[adjective]
(simple)
-
Johan
[proper noun]
-
koning
[noun]
(king)
-
tye
[noun]
-
erken
[verb]
(to acknowledge)
-
Afrikaner
[noun]
-
moenie
[contraction]
(do not)
-
vrug
[noun]
(a fruit)
-
mening
[noun]
(an opinion)
-
musiek
[noun]
(music)
-
melk
[noun]
(milk)
-
ag
[noun]
-
voorbeeld
[noun]
(example)
-
brand
[noun]
In Afrikaans, there is a distinction between the words “vuur” and “brand”. Although both these words translate to the English term “fire”, the latter refers to a destructive fire.
-
omstandigheid
[noun]
(circumstance)
-
nader
[verb]
(to approach)
-
sterf
[verb]
(to die)
-
gooi
[verb]
(to throw)
-
stryd
[noun]
(struggle)
-
hoeveel
[adverb]
(how much)
-
vry
[adjective]
(free)
-
pragtig
[adjective]
(beautiful)
-
beweeg
[verb]
(to move)
-
droog
[adjective]
(dry)
-
amp
[noun]
(an office)
-
kantoor
[noun]
(office)
-
voet
[noun]
(foot)
-
koud
[adjective]
(cold)
-
miskien
[adverb]
(maybe)
-
sewe
[numeral]
(seven)
-
reis
[noun]
(travel, journey)
-
verby
[adverb]
(past)
-
broer
[noun]
(brother)
-
been
[noun]
(leg)
-
diep
[adjective]
(deep)
-
roep
[verb]
(to call)
-
kleur
[noun]
(a color)
-
Zimbabwe
[proper noun]
Zimbabwe is located to the north of the country of South Africa.
-
positief
[adjective]
(positive)
-
vrees
[noun]
(fear)
-
ongelukkig
[adjective]
(unfortunate)
-
berig
[noun]
(report)
-
sleg
[adjective]
(bad)
-
onderwyser
[noun]
(teacher)
This common term is based on another word from this Afrikaans vocabulary list: That word is “onderwys” and it means “education”.
-
oes
[noun]
(harvest)
-
reeks
[noun]
(a series)
-
gas
[noun]
-
hospitaal
[noun]
(hospital)
-
daagliks
[adjective]
(daily)
-
beeld
[noun]
(image)
-
wonderlik
[adjective]
(wonderful)
-
breek
[verb]
(to break)
-
amptelik
[adjective]
(official)
-
Maandag
[noun]
(Monday)
-
provinsie
[noun]
(province)
-
gesprek
[noun]
(talk)
-
bydrae
[noun]
(contribution)
-
rand
[noun]
(edge)
-
klaar
[adjective]
(finished)
-
verkeer
[noun]
(traffic)
-
nag
[noun]
(night)
-
wyn
[noun]
(wine)
South Africa is one of the major wine-producing countries, which explains why this word appears in this list of common Afrikaans vocabulary words.
-
gevoel
[noun]
(feeling)
-
spel
[noun]
(game)
-
teken
[verb]
(to sign)
-
Amerika
[proper noun]
-
tydperk
[noun]
(period)
-
agt
[numeral]
(eight)
-
onderwys
[noun]
(education)
-
skuld
[noun]
(debt)
-
brief
[noun]
(letter)
-
wild
[adjective]
(wild)
-
sin
[noun]
(sentence)
This vocabulary word is what language learners call a “false friend”. Although it resembles a common English word, it has a completely different meaning.
-
ministerie
[noun]
(ministry)
-
veilig
[adjective]
(safe)
-
gesond
[adjective]
(healthy)
-
skiet
[verb]
(shoot)
-
rooi
[adjective]
(red)
-
gesig
[noun]
(face)
-
skielik
[adverb]
(suddenly)
-
grens
[noun]
(border)
-
Kaapstad
[proper noun]
Kaapstad is the name of the city of Cape Town in the Afrikaans language.
-
misdaad
[noun]
(crime)
-
verklaar
[verb]
(to explain)
-
hemel
[noun]
(heaven)
-
vrede
[noun]
(peace)
-
kuier
[verb]
(to visit)
-
wyd
[adjective]
(wide)
-
beampte
[noun]
(official)
-
ekonomie
[noun]
(economy)
-
hoofsaaklik
[adverb]
(mainly)
-
stad
[noun]
(city)
-
personeel
[noun]
(staff)
-
oggend
[noun]
(morning)
-
invloed
[noun]
(influence)
-
tel
[verb]
(to count)
-
môre
[noun]
(morning)
-
slaap
[verb]
(to sleep)
-
Limpopo
[proper noun]
This word is the name of a province in South Africa, and it is also the name of a river that borders that province.
-
darem
[adverb]
-
verminder
[verb]
(to reduce)
-
sing
[verb]
(to sing)
-
steel
[verb]
(to steal)
-
bloed
[noun]
(blood)
-
bydra
[verb]
(to contribute)
-
bok
[noun]
(goat)
In Afrikaans, the word "bok" means “goat” but it is also used to refer to a variety of different species of antelopes that are found in South Africa.
-
swaar
[adjective]
(heavy)
-
drink
[verb]
(drink)
-
ryk
[adjective]
(rich)
-
nasie
[noun]
(nation)
-
materiaal
[noun]
(material)
-
faktor
[noun]
(factor)
-
meisie
[noun]
(girl)
-
moontlikheid
[noun]
(possibility)
-
geleë
[adjective]
(located)
-
vergeet
[verb]
(to forget)
-
Johannes
[proper noun]
-
sag
[adjective]
(soft)
-
deesdae
[adverb]
(these days)
-
kultuur
[noun]
(culture)
-
Amerikaans
[adjective]
(American)
-
mis
[verb]
(to miss)
-
energie
[noun]
(energy)
-
Sondag
[noun]
(Sunday)
-
Dinsdag
[noun]
(Tuesday)
-
klink
[verb]
(to sound)
An example of an Afrikaans phrase containing this verb is “Dit klink goed” which means “That sounds good”.
-
aangaan
[verb]
(to go on)
-
Donderdag
[noun]
(thursday)
-
koper
[noun]
(copper)
This Afrikaans vocabulary word has two possible meanings: “buyer” and “copper”.
-
gang
[noun]
(passage, passageway)
-
koerant
[noun]
(newspaper)
-
vars
[adjective]
(fresh)
-
Woensdag
[noun]
(wednesday)
-
suster
[noun]
(sister)
-
lys
[noun]
(list)
-
berg
[noun]
(mountain)
-
tegnologie
[noun]
(technology)
-
Pieter
[proper noun]
-
ewig
[adjective]
(eternal)
-
hoërskool
[noun]
This Afrikaans word is a combination of the word “hoër” which means “higher” and the word “skool” which means “school”.
-
mond
[noun]
(mouth)
-
kunstenaar
[noun]
(artist)
-
Europa
[proper noun]
-
gewild
[adjective]
(popular)
-
donker
[adjective]
(dark)
-
fees
[noun]
(festival)
-
lug
[noun]
(air)
-
getal
[noun]
(a number)
-
natuur
[noun]
(nature)
-
vis
[noun]
(fish)
-
Botha
[proper noun]
This word is an Afrikaans surname.
-
rigting
[noun]
(direction)
-
hang
[verb]
(to hang)
-
karakter
[noun]
(character)
-
see
[noun]
(sea)
-
beweging
[noun]
(movement)
-
straat
[noun]
(street)
-
welkom
[interjection]
(welcome)
-
gevaar
[noun]
(danger)
-
vreemd
[adjective]
(strange)
-
koninkryk
[noun]
(kingdom)
-
oortuig
[verb]
(to convince)
-
mee
[adverb]
-
vuur
[noun]
(fire)
-
groen
[adjective]
(green)
-
nooi
[verb]
(invite)
-
oorleef
[verb]
(to survive)
-
Zuma
[proper noun]
This word is an Afrikaans surname.
-
Johannesburg
[proper noun]
This word is the name of a very large city in South Africa. Afrikaans is one of the official languages of South Africa.
-
namens
[preposition]
(on behalf of)
-
tafel
[noun]
(table)
-
asseblief
[interjection]
(please)
-
droom
[noun]
(dream)
-
veiling
[noun]
(auction)
-
kamer
[noun]
(a room)
-
korrek
[adjective]
(correct)
-
vlug
[noun]
(flight)
-
Engels
[proper noun]
(the English language)
-
dokter
[noun]
(doctor)
-
vertrek
[verb]
(to leave)
-
siel
[noun]
(soul)
-
klub
[noun]
(club)
-
oorlog
[noun]
(war)
-
lag
[verb]
(to laugh)
-
kamp
[noun]
(camp)
-
kuns
[noun]
(art)
-
area
[noun]
(area)
-
kruis
[noun]
(cross)
-
eenheid
[noun]
(unit)
-
laai
[verb]
(to load)
-
belofte
[noun]
(promise)
-
blou
[adjective]
(blue)
-
minstens
[adverb]
(at least)
-
Kaap
[proper noun]
-
huwelik
[noun]
(marriage)
-
gras
[noun]
(grass)
-
goud
[noun]
(gold)
“Goud” is a common word in Afrikaans because gold has played a significant role in the history and economy of South Africa. South Africa is one of the world’s largest producers of gold, and gold mining has been a significant industry in the country for over a century.
-
vel
[noun]
(skin)
-
winter
[noun]
(winter)
-
dokument
[noun]
(document)
-
lam
[noun]
(lamb)
-
gratis
[adverb]
(free)
-
klomp
[noun]
-
geslag
[noun]
(gender)
-
sout
[noun]
(salt)
-
klere
[noun]
(clothing)
-
brood
[noun]
(bread)
-
gesondheid
[noun]
(health)
-
bang
[adjective]
(afraid)
-
opkom
[verb]
(to come up)
-
veiligheid
[noun]
(safety)
-
rugby
[noun]
(rugby)
-
open
[verb]
(to open)
-
koring
[noun]
(wheat)
-
oral
[adverb]
(everywhere)
-
nege
[numeral]
(nine)
-
verdwyn
[verb]
(to disappear)
-
wind
[noun]
(wind)
-
vryheid
[noun]
(freedom)
-
gebed
[noun]
(prayer)
-
skerp
[adjective]
(sharp)
-
klim
[verb]
(to climb)
-
Jesus
[proper noun]
-
stof
[noun]
(substance)
-
rivier
[noun]
(river)
-
Piet
[proper noun]
-
vlieg
[verb]
(to fly)
-
skoot
[noun]
(lap)
-
vertrou
[verb]
(to trust)
-
vierde
[adjective]
(fourth)
-
vyand
[noun]
(an enemy)
-
jag
[verb]
(to hunt)
-
tuin
[noun]
(a garden)
-
begrip
[noun]
(comprehension)
-
geluk
[noun]
(happiness)
-
arm
[noun]
(arm)
-
vakansie
[noun]
(holiday)
-
impak
[noun]
(impact)
-
Bloemfontein
[proper noun]
This word is the name of a large city in South Africa.
-
hardloop
[verb]
(run)
-
God
[proper noun]
-
aankom
[verb]
(arrive)
-
voël
[noun]
(a bird)
-
goedkeur
[verb]
(to approve)
This verb is related to the noun “goedkeuring” which means “approval”.
-
Australië
[proper noun]
-
muur
[noun]
(wall)
-
jul
[determiner]
-
rond
[adjective]
(round)
-
handhaaf
[verb]
(to maintain)
-
jaag
[verb]
(chase)
-
saad
[noun]
(seed)
-
burger
[noun]
(citizen)
-
eendag
[adverb]
(one day)
-
eiers
[noun]
-
regs
[adverb]
-
Duitsland
[proper noun]
Duitsland is the name of the country Germany in the Afrikaans language.
-
ly
[verb]
(to suffer)
-
oom
[noun]
(uncle)
-
tak
[noun]
(branch)
-
rug
[noun]
(back)
-
pyn
[noun]
(pain)
-
eeu
[noun]
(century)
-
gedig
[noun]
(poem)
-
China
[proper noun]
-
wetenskap
[noun]
(science)
-
inderdaad
[adverb]
(indeed)
-
siek
[adjective]
(sick)
-
kommissie
[noun]
(committee, commission)
-
nommer
[noun]
(number)
-
olie
[noun]
(oil)
-
moeder
[noun]
(mother)
-
betekenis
[noun]
(meaning)
-
metode
[noun]
(method)
-
boom
[noun]
(tree)
-
digter
[noun]
(poet)
-
effek
[noun]
(effect)
-
orde
[noun]
(order)
-
wetenskaplik
[adjective]
(scientific)
-
dik
[adjective]
(thick)
-
letterlik
[adverb]
(literally)
-
hulpbron
[noun]
(resource)
-
tuis
[adverb]
(at home)
-
liedjie
[noun]
(song)
-
skaars
[adjective]
(rare)
-
herinner
[verb]
(to remind)
-
uitstel
[verb]
(to postpone)
-
Gauteng
[proper noun]
This word is the name of a province in the country of South Africa. This province contains Johannesburg, which is the country’s largest city. Afrikaans is one of the several languages spoken in Johannesburg.
-
Joubert
[proper noun]
This word is a surname that is relatively common in South Africa.
-
Kruger
[proper noun]
This word is a surname that originates from German and is fairly common in South Africa.
-
rekord
[noun]
(record)
-
kontrak
[noun]
(contract)
-
bed
[noun]
(bed)
-
seën
[noun]
(a blessing)
-
hoender
[noun]
(chicken)
-
sigbaar
[adjective]
(visible)
-
praktyk
[noun]
(practice)
-
deelname
[noun]
(participation)
-
dame
[noun]
(lady)
-
onmoontlik
[adjective]
(impossible)
-
oorbly
[verb]
(to remain)
-
beskerming
[noun]
(protection)
-
distrik
[noun]
(district)
-
vaar
[verb]
(to sail)
-
kat
[noun]
(cat)
-
vriendelik
[adjective]
(friendly)
-
kwaad
[adjective]
(angry)
-
mik
[verb]
(to aim)
-
toerisme
[noun]
(tourism)
-
strek
[verb]
(to stretch)
-
kalf
[noun]
(a calf)
-
verenig
[verb]
(to unite)
-
vreet
[verb]
(to eat)
The Afrikaans language has two different verbs which translate to the English verb “to eat”. These two verbs are “eet” and “vreet”, and the difference is that the latter one is negative: it implies that one is stuffing one’s self.
-
inhoud
[noun]
(contents)
-
lyf
[noun]
(body)
-
Mpumalanga
[proper noun]
This word is the name of a province in the country of South Africa.
-
parlement
[noun]
(parliament)
-
vermaak
[noun]
(entertainment)
-
gevaarlik
[adjective]
(dangerous)
-
profeet
[noun]
(prophet)
-
perfek
[adjective]
(perfect)
-
solank
[conjunction]
(as long as)
-
dam
[noun]
(dam)
-
waardeer
[verb]
(to appreciate)
-
studeer
[verb]
(to study)
-
Vrystaat
[proper noun]
-
regter
[adjective]
-
spog
[verb]
(to boast)
-
André
[proper noun]
-
braai
[verb]
-
klip
[noun]
(stone)
-
klem
[noun]
-
afstand
[noun]
(distance)
-
respek
[noun]
(respect)
-
oefen
[verb]
-
begroting
[noun]
(a budget)
-
geboorte
[noun]
(birth)
-
Petrus
[proper noun]
-
gedigte
[noun]
-
koei
[noun]
(cow)
-
bal
[noun]
(a ball)
-
risiko
[noun]
(risk)
-
bruin
[adjective]
(brown)
-
opname
[noun]
-
engel
[noun]
(angel)
-
verskoning
[noun]
-
tydelik
[adjective]
(temporary)
-
myn
[noun]
(mine)
“Myn” is a frequently-used word in Afrikaans because it refers to a mine, an important industry in South Africa. In South Africa, there are gold, diamonds, platinum, and coal mines.
-
Marais
[proper noun]
-
regeer
[verb]
(to rule)
-
laerskool
[noun]
(primary school)
-
rekenaar
[noun]
(computer)
-
vinger
[noun]
(finger)
-
terrein
[noun]
(terrain)
-
voedsel
[noun]
(food)
-
dryf
[verb]
(to drive)
-
bydraag
[noun]
-
bottel
[noun]
(bottle)
-
ouens
[noun]
-
belasting
[noun]
-
bundel
[noun]
(bundle)
-
suid
[adverb]
(south)
-
vark
[noun]
(pig)
-
kombuis
[noun]
(kitchen)
-
trap
[noun]
-
kar
[noun]
(car)
-
Coetzee
[proper noun]
-
oplos
[verb]
(to solve)
-
somer
[noun]
(summer)
-
tempel
[noun]
(temple)
-
kandidaat
[noun]
(candidate)
-
opdaag
[verb]
-
suiker
[noun]
(sugar)
-
dreig
[verb]
(to threaten)
-
onbekend
[adjective]
(unknown)
-
weerstand
[noun]
(resistance)
-
Francois
[proper noun]
-
onderhoud
[noun]
-
sleutel
[noun]
(key)
-
geel
[adjective]
(yellow)
-
vragmotor
[noun]
(truck)
-
roer
[noun]
-
vandeesweek
[adverb]
(this week)
-
graf
[noun]
(grave)
-
vore
[noun]
-
baba
[noun]
(baby)
-
aanbod
[noun]
(offer)
-
winkel
[noun]
(a shop)
-
konteks
[noun]
(context)
-
meerderheid
[noun]
(majority)
-
dans
[noun]
(dance)
-
noord
[adverb]
(north)
-
ore
[noun]
-
skouer
[noun]
(shoulder)
-
bestanddeel
[noun]
(ingredient)
-
verwysing
[noun]
(reference)
-
vloei
[verb]
(to flow)
-
wese
[noun]
(being)
-
uitstalling
[noun]
(exhibition)
-
wond
[noun]
(wound)
-
hok
[noun]
-
beseer
[verb]
(to hurt)
-
kaart
[noun]
(map)
-
blaar
[noun]
(leaf)
-
eerlik
[adjective]
(honest)
-
restaurant
[noun]
(restaurant)
-
teel
[verb]
-
groet
[verb]
(greet)
-
bladsy
[noun]
(page)
-
verdagte
[noun]
(suspect)
-
onnodig
[adjective]
(unnecessary)
-
rakend
[preposition]
(concerning)
-
doof
[adjective]
(deaf)
-
aanvaller
[noun]
(attacker)
-
maag
[noun]
(stomach)
-
nek
[noun]
(neck)
-
maan
[noun]
(moon)
-
les
[noun]
(lesson)
-
iewers
[adverb]
(somewhere)
-
kam
[noun]
(comb)
-
baseer
[verb]
(to base)
-
laas
[adverb]
(last)
-
preek
[noun]
(sermon)
-
venster
[noun]
(window)
-
kanker
[noun]
(cancer)
-
konsep
[noun]
(concept)
-
bekostig
[verb]
-
pot
[noun]
(pot)
-
huur
[noun]
-
toestemming
[noun]
(permission)
-
Danie
[proper noun]
-
pret
[noun]
(fun)
-
demokrasie
[noun]
(democracy)
-
skat
[verb]
-
skei
[verb]
(to separate)
-
koffie
[noun]
(coffee)
-
wiel
[noun]
(wheel)
-
reënval
[noun]
(rainfall)
-
middag
[noun]
(noon)
-
draad
[noun]
(wire)
-
salaris
[noun]
(salary)
-
Frans
[adjective]
(French)
-
Frankryk
[proper noun]
-
klank
[noun]
(sound)
-
elektrisiteit
[noun]
(electricity)
-
glimlag
[noun]
(smile)
-
blomme
[noun]
-
aanbeveling
[noun]
(recommendation)
-
hoofstad
[noun]
(capital)
-
wortel
[noun]
(root)
-
stemme
[noun]
-
dade
[noun]
-
vertaling
[noun]
(translation)
-
bewerkstellig
[verb]
-
renoster
[noun]
(rhinoceros)
The most common Afrikaans vocabulary words reflect the local fauna and flora. Not many other languages have the term for “rhinoceros” appear among their 1000 most common words. But the reason might simply be that this is also the name of a river in South Africa.
-
hout
[noun]
(wood)
-
grootword
[verb]
(to grow up)
This verb is formed by combining two Afrikaans vocabulary words: the term “groot” which means “big”, and the verb “word” which means “to become”.
-
breed
[adjective]
(broad)
-
traan
[noun]
(tear)
-
weermag
[noun]
-
afsonderlik
[adjective]
(separate)
-
di
[article]
-
aartappel
[noun]
(potato)
This word comes from the term “aarde” which means “earth” combined with the term “appel” which means “apple”. This common Afrikaans word is constructed the same way as the corresponding French term: “pomme de terre”.
-
vergewe
[verb]
(to forgive)
-
geur
[noun]
(smell)
-
geveg
[noun]
(fight)
-
vriendin
[noun]
(girlfriend)
-
lede
[noun]
-
huil
[verb]
(to cry)
-
verlies
[noun]
(loss)
-
wingerd
[noun]
(vineyard)
“Wingerd” is a common word in Afrikaans because viticulture, or grape-growing, is an important agricultural activity in South Africa. The country has a long history of wine-making, dating back to the arrival of the first European settlers in the 17th century.
-
blanke
[noun]
-
Mandela
[proper noun]
-
goedkeuring
[noun]
(approval)
This noun is related to the verb “goedkeur” which means “to approve”.
-
vanaand
[adverb]
(tonight)
-
fliek
[noun]
(movie)
-
rower
[noun]
(robber)
-
saal
[noun]
(hall)
-
koppie
[noun]
(cup)
-
Egipte
[proper noun]
-
byt
[verb]
(to bite)
-
ongeag
[preposition]
-
grondslag
[noun]
-
atmosfeer
[noun]
(atmosphere)
-
resep
[noun]
(recipe)
-
nes
[adverb]
-
lok
[verb]
-
olifant
[noun]
(elephant)
-
mensdom
[noun]
(mankind)
-
herinnering
[noun]
-
seks
[noun]
(sex)
-
asem
[noun]
(breath)
-
Malan
[proper noun]
-
tand
[noun]
(tooth)
-
duisend
[numeral]
(thousand)
-
honderd
[numeral]
(hundred)
-
gat
[noun]
(hole)
-
volwassene
[noun]
(an adult)
-
kus
[noun]
(coast)
-
trofee
[noun]
(trophy)
-
verf
[verb]
(to paint)
-
rook
[noun]
(smoke)
-
tee
[noun]
(tea)
-
ondergaan
[verb]
(to undergo)
-
teater
[noun]
(theatre)
-
lied
[noun]
(song)
-
moeg
[adjective]
(tired)
-
apartheid
[noun]
(apartheid)
-
waai
[verb]
(to wave)
-
landdros
[noun]
(a magistrate)
-
buur
[noun]
(neighbor)
-
netwerk
[noun]
(network)
-
stoel
[noun]
(chair)
-
bedrog
[noun]
(fraud)
-
toespraak
[noun]
(an address)
-
veg
[verb]
(to fight)
-
pyp
[noun]
(pipe)
-
vertaal
[verb]
(to translate)
-
voeding
[noun]
(nutrition)
-
helder
[adjective]
(bright)
-
rolprent
[noun]
(film)
-
student
[noun]
(student)
-
papier
[noun]
(paper)
-
Andries
[proper noun]
-
trein
[noun]
(train)
-
sekonde
[noun]
(second)
-
patroon
[noun]
-
nêrens
[adverb]
(nowhere)
-
vliegtuig
[noun]
(aircraft)
The root of this word is the verb “vlieg” which means “to fly”.
-
stede
[noun]
-
woestyn
[noun]
(desert)
-
twintig
[numeral]
(twenty)
-
horing
[noun]
(horn)
-
aanbieding
[noun]
(presentation)
-
koeël
[noun]
(bullet)
-
baklei
[verb]
(to fight)
-
egpaar
[noun]
-
verwant
[adjective]
(related)
-
springbok
[noun]
-
vuil
[adjective]
(dirty)
-
spruit
[noun]
-
priester
[noun]
(priest)
-
sent
[noun]
-
woonstel
[noun]
(an apartment)
-
Willem
[proper noun]
-
stasie
[noun]
(station)
-
hawe
[noun]
(port)
-
Botswana
[proper noun]
-
tronk
[noun]
(prison)
-
temperatuur
[noun]
(temperature)
-
lof
[noun]
(praise)
-
reguit
[adverb]
(straight)
-
leeu
[noun]
(lion)
There are several reasons for this term appearing among the most common words. The first reason is that wildlife, such as lions, do live in some of the Afrikaans-speaking regions. The second reason is that this term is also the name of a South African rugby team.
-
blind
[adjective]
(blind)
-
Angola
[proper noun]
-
ontbyt
[noun]
(breakfast)
-
Christen
[noun]
(christian)
-
botter
[noun]
(butter)
-
bors
[noun]
(breast)
-
pla
[verb]
-
maat
[noun]
-
tannie
[noun]
This term comes from the word “tante” which means “aunt”. In South Africa, the word “tannie” is used to refer to an older female authority figure.
-
plesier
[noun]
(pleasure)
-
ooi
[noun]
(ewe)
-
mes
[noun]
(knife)
-
aanbid
[verb]
(to worship)
-
dak
[noun]
(roof)
-
belydenis
[noun]
(confession)
-
vyfde
[adjective]
(fifth)
-
tou
[noun]
(rope)
-
swaard
[noun]
(sword)
-
pers
[noun]
(a press)
-
oond
[noun]
(oven)
-
herken
[verb]
-
oortuiging
[noun]
(conviction)
-
duisternis
[noun]
(darkness)
-
Pienaar
[proper noun]
-
sand
[noun]
(sand)
-
stroop
[noun]
(syrup)
-
uitvind
[verb]
(find out)
-
geboue
[noun]
-
gans
[noun]
(goose)
-
verwoes
[verb]
(to devastate)
-
kaas
[noun]
(cheese)
-
bos
[noun]
(bush)
-
stilte
[noun]
(silence)
-
snaaks
[adjective]
(funny)
-
boon
[noun]
(bean)
-
vak
[noun]
(subject)
-
kampioenskap
[noun]
(championship)
-
ruim
[adjective]
(roomy)
-
soldate
[noun]
-
strand
[noun]
(beach)
-
wapen
[noun]
(weapon)
-
appèl
[noun]
(appeal)
-
vloer
[noun]
(a floor)
-
waarheen
[adverb]
(where to)
-
lip
[noun]
(lip)
-
ryp
[adjective]
(ripe)
-
pan
[noun]
(pan)
-
storm
[noun]
(storm)
-
kosbaar
[adjective]
(valuable)
-
Jannie
[proper noun]
-
film
[noun]
-
kroon
[verb]
(to crown)
-
koek
[noun]
(cake)
-
staking
[noun]
(strike)
-
Durban
[proper noun]
-
geantwoord
[verb]
-
eeue
[noun]
-
twaalf
[numeral]
(twelve)
-
appel
[noun]
-
buurman
[noun]
(neighbor)
-
leë
[adjective]