Language/Afrikaans/Vocabulary/Saying-Hello-and-Goodbye
As a beginner to the Afrikaans language, it's important to learn the basics of greetings and introductions. In this lesson, you'll discover some of the essential Afrikaans phrases for saying hello and goodbye.
Afrikaans Greetings
One of the first things you'll want to know when learning Afrikaans is how to greet someone. Here are some of the most common Afrikaans greetings:
| Afrikaans | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Hallo | /hallo/ | Hello |
| Goeie dag | /ɣu.iə dɑχ/ | Good day |
| Goeie môre | /ɣu.iə ˈmɔrə/ | Good morning |
| Goeie middag | /ɣu.iə ˈmɪdaq/ | Good afternoon |
| Goeie nag | /ɣu.iə ˈnaχ/ | Good night |
Note that the Afrikaans language has different greetings depending on the time of day. Goeie dag (good day) can be used as a general greeting throughout the day, while goeie môre (good morning), goeie middag (good afternoon), and goeie aand (good evening) are more specific.
It's also important to know that in Afrikaans, we use the word "jy" when addressing one person informally, and "u" when addressing someone formally or with respect. For example:
- Hallo, jy || /hallo, jə/ || Hello, you (informal) - Hallo, u || /hallo, y/ || Hello, you (formal)
Afrikaans Farewells
Greetings are important, but it's also essential to learn how to say goodbye in Afrikaans. Here are some of the most common ways to say goodbye:
| Afrikaans | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Totsiens | /ˈtɔt.siəns/ | Goodbye |
| Sien jou later | /sin jəu ˈlaatər/ | See you later |
| Lekker dag verder | /lɛkər dɑχ ˈfɛrdər/ | Have a good day further |
| Lekker naweek | /lɛkər nɑˈwik/ | Have a good weekend |
| Baie dankie | /bɑiə ˈdɑŋkə/ | Thank you very much |
Note that the phrase "lekker dag verder" is a common way to say goodbye in Afrikaans. It translates to "have a good day further" and can be used any time of day.
Another important aspect of farewells in Afrikaans is that we use the same formal "u" and informal "jy" when saying goodbye. For example:
- Totsiens, jy || /ˈtɔt.siəns, jə/ || Goodbye, you (informal) - Totsiens, u || /ˈtɔt.siəns, y/ || Goodbye, you (formal)
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning how to greet and say goodbye in Afrikaans is one of the most important things you can do as a beginner. By mastering these essential phrases, you'll be able to make a great first impression and show that you're serious about learning the language.
Remember to practice using these phrases whenever you can, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. With time and effort, you'll be able to say hello and goodbye in Afrikaans like a native speaker!
Related Lessons
- Daily Routine and Activities
- Problems
- Basic phrases
- Feelings and Emotions
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Languages
- Food
- Days of the Week
- Time