Food & Drinks

1. 'n Tafel vir twee, asseblief

   A table for two, please

   Usage

   Basic phrase to request a table at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "'n" is the Afrikaans indefinite article (like English "a"). "Asseblief" = please

2. Die spyskaart, asseblief

   The menu, please

   Usage

   Used when requesting the menu at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Spyskaart" = spys (food) + kaart (card). "Die" is the definite article (gender-neutral)

3. Wat is die plaaslike kos?

   What is the local food?

   Usage

   Used to explore local cuisine; braai (BBQ) and bobotie are South African classics

   Grammar Note

   "Kos" means food in Afrikaans. The word is related to Dutch "kost" (food/board)

4. Ek is vegetariër

   I am a vegetarian

   Usage

   Used to communicate dietary restrictions; South Africa is heavily meat-centric

   Grammar Note

   Afrikaans verbs rarely conjugate; "is" is used for all persons (ek, jy, hy, ons)

5. Ek is allergies vir neute

   I am allergic to nuts

   Usage

   Important allergy phrase; replace "neute" with "seekos" (seafood) or other allergens

   Grammar Note

   "Vir" is a preposition meaning "for/to", corresponding to Dutch "voor"

6. Die rekening, asseblief

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Used to request the bill after dining

   Grammar Note

   "Rekening" is the same as Dutch (bill/account). "Die" = the (gender-neutral article)

7. Dit smaak heerlik

   It tastes delicious

   Usage

   Used to compliment food during a meal; particularly appreciated at home hospitality

   Grammar Note

   "Heerlik" corresponds to Dutch "heerlijk" and means both delicious and wonderful

8. Kan ek braaikos kry?

   Can I get braai (BBQ) food?

   Usage

   Braai is a culturally significant South African BBQ tradition enjoyed with friends

   Grammar Note

   "Kry" means to get or receive. "Braaikos" is a compound (braai + kos); as a mass noun it takes no article.

9. 'n Glas rooiwyn, asseblief

   A glass of red wine, please

   Usage

   South African wine is world-class; Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are key wine regions

   Grammar Note

   "Rooiwyn" = rooi (red) + wyn (wine). Afrikaans forms many compounds like this

10. Wat beveel u aan?

    What do you recommend?

    Usage

    Polite way to ask a restaurant staff member for their recommendation

    Grammar Note

    "U" is the formal "you" in Afrikaans (more polite than "jy"). "Aanbeveel" is a separable verb

11. Rys

    Rice (cooked)

    Usage

    To order or check for rice; Afrikaans uses "rys" for both raw and cooked rice

12. Brood

    Bread

    Usage

    To order or check for bread

13. Noedels

    Noodles

    Usage

    To order or check for noodles; pasta is "pasta"

14. Pittig

    Spicy hot

    Usage

    To check or request chilli heat — not temperature

15. Soet

    Sweet

    Usage

    To check or request sweetness

16. Rou

    Raw (uncooked)

    Usage

    To check whether something is uncooked — important for food safety

17. Vrugte

    Fruit

    Usage

    To order or buy fruit

18. Sop

    Soup

    Usage

    To order soup

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