Language/Afrikaans/Vocabulary/Family
Hi Afrikaans learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on Afrikaans vocabulary related to family. Family is an essential aspect of South African culture. Family gatherings, whether for celebration or sadness, are an opportunity to reunite and connect. Let's dive in!
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Idiomatic expressions, Clothes, How to Say Hello and Greetings & Colors.
Nuclear Family[edit | edit source]
The "nuclear family" consists of parents and their children, living together in a household.
| Afrikaans | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ma | /ma:/ | Mother |
| Pa | /pa:/ | Father |
| Dogter | /dɔxtər/ | Daughter |
| Seun | /səœn/ | Son |
| Kind | /kint/ | Child |
| Broer | /brutɛr/ | Brother |
| Suster | /sʏstər/ | Sister |
| Ouer broer / suster | /œer brutɛr, sʏstər/ | Older brother / sister |
| Jonger broer / suster | /jœŋər brutɛr, sʏstər/ | Younger brother / sister |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Hallo ma. (Hello mother.)
- Person 2: Hallo dogter. Kom ons gaan eet. (Hello daughter. Let's go eat.)
Extended Family[edit | edit source]
The "extended family" refers to a network of relatives beyond the nuclear family, including grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and sometimes even close family friends.
| Afrikaans | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ouma / Granny | /œumɑ/ | Grandmother |
| Oupa / Grandpa | /œupɑ/ | Grandfather |
| Tannie | /tɑni/ | Aunt |
| Oom | /um/ | Uncle |
| Niggie | /niχi/ | Cousin (female) |
| Neefie | /nɛfɪ/ | Cousin (male) |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Hey oupa, hoe gaan dit? (Hey grandpa, how are you?)
- Person 2: Goed dankie, my kind. Hoe gaan dit met jou? (I'm good, thank you, my child. How are you?)
Marriage and In-Laws[edit | edit source]
Getting married in Afrikaans culture is an important milestone. It marks a new beginning and the start of building a family with your partner. Below are some words related to marriage and in-laws.
| Afrikaans | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Huwelik | /hyvəlik/ | Marriage |
| Vrou | /frɑu/ | Wife |
| Man | /mɑn/ | Husband |
| Sweer / Skoonsus | /sveər, skɔənsʏs/ | Sister-in-law |
| Swaer / Skoonbroer | /svɑər, skɔənbrutɛr/ | Brother-in-law |
| Skoonouers | /skɔənuərs/ | In-laws (parents of your spouse) |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Het jy al gehoor? My suster is getroud. (Did you hear? My sister got married.)
- Person 2: Ja, Ek het. Baie geluk aan jou swaer en skoonsus. (Yes, I did. Congratulations to your brother-in-law and sister-in-law.)
Family History[edit | edit source]
Oral family histories have been passed down from generation to generation in many African cultures, including in South Africa. Learning about your family's history is essential in keeping their memory and legacy alive.
| Afrikaans | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Familie | /fami:lɪə/ | Family |
| Stamboom | /stɑmbo:m/ | Family tree |
| Voorouers | /fo:rɔərs/ | Ancestors |
| Erfenis | /ɛrfənɪs/ | Heritage or inheritance |
| Nasate | /nɑsɑtə/ | Descendants |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Weet jy wie ons voorouers was? (Do you know who our ancestors were?)
- Person 2: Ja, my oupa het 'n stamboom van ons familie opgestel. (Yes, my grandfather compiled a family tree of our family.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In conclusion, understanding family relations and vocabulary is important to connect with others on a deeper level in Afrikaans culture. Take the time to learn about your family's past, and use these vocabulary words to strengthen your connection with them.
To further improve your Afrikaans vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Afrikaans Family Vocabulary | ielanguages.com
- My Family in Afrikaans: Translate Afrikaans-English (Paperback ...
- Afrikaans - Wikipedia
With this lesson finished, you may want to explore these additional pages: Afrikaans Vocabulary: Describing People and Appearance, Afrikaans Vocabulary for Food and Drink, Food & Time.
Videos[edit | edit source]
How to Talk about Your Family in Afrikaans? - YouTube[edit | edit source]
ESCS EDUFRIENDS - Phase 1 Book 3 - GESIN / FAMILY (Afrikaans ...[edit | edit source]
Afrikaans for beginners - Family members in Afrikaans - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Countries
- Food
- Basic phrases
- Education
- Problems
- Days of the Week
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Geography
- Drinks
- Fruits