Greetings

1. Goeie dag

   Good day / Hello

   Usage

   The most common Afrikaans greeting, used throughout the day in South Africa

   Grammar Note

   Afrikaans developed from 17th-century Dutch. "Goeie" corresponds to Dutch "goede"

2. Goeiemôre

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting; "môre" means morning in Afrikaans

   Grammar Note

   "Môre" corresponds to Dutch "morgen". The circumflex on ô indicates a long vowel

3. Goeienaand

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening greeting used from late afternoon onwards

   Grammar Note

   Afrikaans greetings combine "goeie" + time of day. "Aand" corresponds to Dutch "avond"

4. Hallo

   Hello / Hi

   Usage

   Casual greeting similar to English "Hello"; very common in South Africa

   Grammar Note

   Same form as Dutch "hallo"; a common borrowing from English "hello"

5. Totsiens

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Standard farewell; literally "until we see each other again"

   Grammar Note

   From Dutch "tot ziens" (until we meet again); "z" became "s" in Afrikaans

6. Dankie

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic expression of thanks, understood everywhere in South Africa

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Dutch "dankje". Afrikaans significantly simplified Dutch grammar

7. Baie dankie

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Stronger expression of thanks; "baie" means "very much / a lot"

   Grammar Note

   "Baie" is an Afrikaans-specific word equivalent to Dutch "veel" (many/very)

8. Verskoon my

   Excuse me / I beg your pardon

   Usage

   Used to get attention or for a light apology; equivalent to English "Excuse me"

   Grammar Note

   "Verskoon" corresponds to Dutch "verschoon". Used as an imperative form

9. Hoe gaan dit?

   How are you? / How is it going?

   Usage

   Common casual greeting; literally "how does it go?" — a very natural opener

   Grammar Note

   Afrikaans "dit" (it) is gender-neutral; Afrikaans eliminated most grammatical gender

10. Praat jy Engels?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    English is widely spoken in South Africa, but speaking Afrikaans is warmly received

    Grammar Note

    Questions in Afrikaans invert subject and verb: "Jy praat" (you speak) → "Praat jy?" (do you speak?)

11. Waar is die toilet?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Basic phrase for asking the location of the toilet in public places or restaurants

    Grammar Note

    Question word "waar" (where) comes first, followed by the verb "is". Similar structure to English

12. Ek kan nie Afrikaans praat nie

    I can't speak Afrikaans

    Usage

    Used to inform someone you can't speak Afrikaans; often leads to switching to English

    Grammar Note

    Afrikaans uses double negation: "nie…nie". The second "nie" at the end is a distinctive feature

13. Ek sal weer kom

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. Ek het 'n wonderlike tyd gehad

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye

15. Dankie, sien jou!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. Goeienag

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay

17. Ek gaan uit

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Casual phrase said when leaving the house

18. Ek is terug

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house/guesthouse

19. Verskoon my, ek moet nou gaan

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others

20. Dis 'n plesier

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Standard response to "Dankie" (thank you); literally "it's a pleasure"

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