Feelings

1. Bly

   Glad

   Usage

   For happiness in the moment: "Ek is bly" — I'm glad. Show it when someone has been kind to you

2. Gelukkig

   Happy

   Usage

   A lasting sense of happiness — good for describing how the trip is going. As an adverb it also means "fortunately"

3. Snaaks

   Funny

   Usage

   A reaction to someone's joke. It can also mean "odd", so show it with a smile to avoid confusion

4. Opgewonde

   Excited

   Usage

   For looking forward to something: "Ek is opgewonde oor die safari" — I'm excited about the safari

5. Trots

   Proud

   Usage

   Used as "Ek is trots op jou" — I'm proud of you. Also welcome when praising someone's country or cooking

6. Verlig

   Relieved

   Usage

   For when a worry lifts — a lost item turns up, a delay clears

7. Dankbaar

   Grateful

   Usage

   A step beyond "dankie"; after real help, say "Ek is baie dankbaar" — I'm very grateful

8. Lief

   Fond / loving

   Usage

   "Ek is lief vir jou" means "I love you"; it works for family as well as romance. The noun for love itself is "liefde"

9. Ek mis jou

   I miss you

   Usage

   Natural when parting or promising to return. With someone older or formal, swap "jou" for "u"

10. Hartseer

    Sad

    Usage

    Literally "heart sore" — for feeling down, or as a reaction to bad news

11. Teleurgesteld

    Disappointed

    Usage

    Lets you say a tour or a room fell short without escalating

12. Eensaam

    Lonely

    Usage

    An opener when travelling alone and wanting company. "Alleen" just means "by oneself" and carries no feeling

13. Kwaad

    Angry

    Usage

    A strong signal — "Ek is kwaad" will be read as serious, so keep it for genuine complaints

14. Geïrriteerd

    Irritated

    Usage

    Milder than "kwaad" — the feeling of being kept waiting

15. Bang

    Afraid

    Usage

    "Ek is bang" — I'm afraid. Add the thing with "vir": "Ek is bang vir slange" — I'm afraid of snakes

16. Verbaas

    Surprised

    Usage

    Neutral — works for pleasant and unpleasant surprises alike

17. Bekommerd

    Worried

    Usage

    Add what worries you with "oor": "Ek is bekommerd oor my bagasie" — I'm worried about my luggage

18. Gestres

    Stressed

    Usage

    From English "stress"; a more formal alternative is "onder druk" — under pressure

19. Skaam

    Ashamed / shy

    Usage

    Used reflexively: "Ek skaam my" — I'm ashamed. It fits apologising for a blunder

20. Verleë

    Embarrassed

    Usage

    Lighter than "skaam" — momentary awkwardness, or blushing at a compliment

21. Verveeld

    Bored

    Usage

    For a long wait. Aimed at someone's tour it would be rude, so keep it about your own situation

22. Moeg

    Tired

    Usage

    After a long journey; "Ek is moeg" is a polite way to ask for a break

23. Vaak

    Sleepy

    Usage

    "Ek is vaak" — I'm sleepy. Distinct from "moeg", which is tiredness rather than drowsiness

24. Senuweeagtig

    Nervous

    Usage

    Literally "nervy" — before a first safari or a bungee jump

25. Verward

    Confused

    Usage

    Say it when an explanation did not land and the other person will rephrase

26. Kalm

    Calm

    Usage

    "Bly kalm" means "stay calm" — also useful for steadying someone else in a crisis

27. Nuuskierig

    Curious

    Usage

    A good preface to questions about culture or food — people take time to explain

28. Ek voel goed

    I feel good

    Usage

    An answer to "how are you"; "Dit gaan goed" fits the same slot

29. Siek

    Sick / ill

    Usage

    "Ek is siek" reports illness; if it is only nausea, "Ek voel naar" is more precise

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