How to Greet People in Afrikaans: 9 Steps

Table of contents:

How to Greet People in Afrikaans: 9 Steps
How to Greet People in Afrikaans: 9 Steps
Anonim

Afrikaans is a West Germanic language that derives from Dutch and is mainly spoken in South Africa and Namibia. It is currently used by more than six million people in Africa and is known for its unique idioms and jargon. People who speak Afrikaans typically greet each other by shaking hands, while women kiss on the lips. There are many expressions to say "Hello", "How are you?", As well as different ways of greeting typical of the language.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Saying "Hello" and "How are you?"

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 1
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 1

Step 1. Greet a stranger in a formal way using the expression "Goeie dag"

When you first meet someone, you should welcome them formally as a sign of respect, using the equivalent of "Hello" in Afrikaans.

You can reach out and shake your hand to your interlocutor to greet him in a conventional way. Many Afrikaans-speaking individuals shake hands to greet each other in a friendly manner, while the women kiss on the lips

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 2
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 2

Step 2. If you are greeting a friend or acquaintance you can say "Haai" or "Hallo"

You can use these informal expressions, which correspond to "Hello", when you know the person or are in a friendly relationship. When two friends or acquaintances meet on the street or in their respective homes, they say the words "Haai" or "Hallo".

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 3
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 3

Step 3. Use the phrase "Hoe gaan dit met u?

"to welcome a stranger. The formal way to ask" How are you? "corresponds to this Afrikaans expression, which is considered a polite and conventional phrase for addressing a newly met.

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 4
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 4

Step 4. Choose the words "Hoe gaan dit met jou?

", if you want to say hello to a friend or acquaintance. This phrase corresponds to the informal" How are you? "and is only used to talk to people you are familiar with.

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 5
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 5

Step 5. You can respond to these greetings formally or informally

To allow the conversation to develop, you can respond to the conventional phrase "Hoe gaan dit met u?" with the words "Baie goed dankie, en u?".

  • If you want to respond to a friend who greeted you with the words "Hoe gaan dit met jou?", You can say "Goed, dankie! En jou?".
  • Here is an example of a dialogue between two individuals who have just met:

    • "Goeie dag!"

    "Goeie dag!"

    "Hoe gaan dit met u?"

    "Baie goed dankie, en u?"

    "Goed, dankie!"

  • Here is an example of an informal conversation between two friends or two people who know each other well:

    • "Haai!"

    "Hallo!"

    "Hoe gaan dit met jou?"

    "Goed, dankie! En jou?"

    "Goed, dankie!"

  • The link proposed here is a guide for correct pronunciation; although in English, it is easy to understand:

Part 2 of 2: Using other greeting formulas

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 6
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 6

Step 1. Say the word "Goeiemôre

"to welcome someone in the morning. This is the formal equivalent of "Good morning" in Afrikaans.

Many people who use this language shorten the word with a simple "Môre!" which can be likened to an informal "Day!"

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 7
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 7

Step 2. Use the "Goeie middag" formula to greet someone in the afternoon

This is equivalent to saying "Good afternoon".

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 8
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 8

Step 3. Pay attention to the difference between Afrikaans expressions for saying "Good evening" and "Good night"

To wish "Good evening" you have to use the word "Goeienaand", while you have to say "Goeienag" for "Goodnight".

Again, many natives abbreviate "Goeienag" to "Nag", as an informal way of saying "Goodnight"

Greet People in Afrikaans Step 9
Greet People in Afrikaans Step 9

Step 4. Use the formal or informal leave formula

To say "Goodbye" to a person you have just met, you should say the word "Totsiens". The same term can also be used to greet each other in an informal way, equivalent to a "Goodbye" among friends.

  • Many people who use Afrikaans on a daily basis pronounce the expression "Mooi loop" to say goodbye to a friend or relative and it can be translated as "Take care".
  • In addition to the greeting, you can say the words "Lekker dag!" which mean "Have a nice day!".
  • Here is an example of a dialogue between two people who have just met:

    • "Goeiemôre!"

    "Goeiemôre!"

    "Hoe gaan dit met u?"

    "Baie goed dankie, en u?"

    "Goed, dankie!"

    "Totsiens! Lekker dag!"

  • This instead is a typical conversation between two friends or individuals who know each other well:

    • "Blackberries!"

    "Blackberries!"

    "Hoe gaan dit met jou?"

    "Goed, dankie! En jou?"

    "Goed, dankie!"

    "Totsiens, mooi loop!"

  • You can find a complete pronunciation guide by following this link, it is in English but easily understandable.

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