Markets & Souvenirs

1. Hoeveel kos dit?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Basic price inquiry at a market

   Grammar Note

   "kos" means "costs" or "to cost"

2. Kan ek oor die prys onderhandel?

   Can I negotiate the price?

   Usage

   Opening phrase for price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   "Kan ek" = "Can I"

3. Ek bied [laer prys].

   I'll offer [lower price].

   Usage

   Making a counter-offer

   Grammar Note

   "Ek bied" = "I offer/bid"

4. Kan ek 'n korting kry as ek meer koop?

   Can I get a discount if I buy more?

   Usage

   Asking for bulk discount

   Grammar Note

   "as ek meer koop" = "if I buy more"

5. Is dit handgemaak of plaaslik vervaardig?

   Is this handmade or locally made?

   Usage

   Checking origin and craftsmanship

   Grammar Note

   "plaaslik vervaardig" = "locally manufactured"

6. Watter materiaal is dit gemaak van?

   What material is this made of?

   Usage

   Checking what material an item is made from

   Grammar Note

   "gemaak van" = "made of"

7. Kan u dit as geskenk toedraai?

   Can you gift-wrap this?

   Usage

   Requesting gift wrapping

   Grammar Note

   "u" is the polite form of "you"

8. Waar is die nagmark?

   Where is the night market?

   Usage

   Asking for directions to night market

   Grammar Note

   "Waar is" = "Where is". Dutch markt loses its final t in Afrikaans and is written mark (as in plaaslike mark). Afrikaans also writes compounds as one word, hence nagmark.

9. Kan ek 'n kwitansie kry?

   Can I have a receipt?

   Usage

   Requesting a receipt

   Grammar Note

   "kry" means "to get/receive"

10. Wat is die mark se openingstye?

    What are the market opening hours?

    Usage

    Asking about market opening hours

    Grammar Note

    "se" marks possession. The noun is built on open + -ing, giving openingstye (not oopingstye, which is pulled toward the adjective oop "open").

11. Ek kyk net, dankie.

    I'm just looking, thank you.

    Usage

    Response to a vendor approaching you

    Grammar Note

    "net" is an adverb meaning "just/only"

12. Aanvaar u kaartbetalings?

    Do you accept card payments?

    Usage

    Checking if card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    Yes/no questions put the verb first. Kaartjie is the diminutive of kaart and means "ticket" ("Twee kaartjies" = two tickets). A bank card is kaart, so the compound is kaartbetalings.

13. Ek koop dit as 'n soewenier.

    I'm buying this as a souvenir.

    Usage

    Stating the item is for a souvenir

    Grammar Note

    "as 'n" means "as a"

14. Kan dit internasionaal gestuur word?

    Can this be shipped internationally?

    Usage

    Asking if international shipping is available

    Grammar Note

    "gestuur word" = passive "be shipped"

15. Wat is u beste produk vandag?

    What's your best item today?

    Usage

    Asking for the vendor's best item

    Grammar Note

    "u" is polite "your"

16. Is die prys onderhandelbaar?

    Is the price negotiable?

    Usage

    Asking if there is room to negotiate

    Grammar Note

    Suffix "-baar" is equivalent to English "-able"

17. Dit is te duur.

    This is too expensive.

    Usage

    Expressing that the price is too high

    Grammar Note

    "te" is a degree adverb meaning "too"

18. Knoffel

    Garlic

    Usage

    To buy it at a market, or to check whether a dish contains it

19. Uie

    Onions

    Usage

    To buy them at a market; the singular is "ui"

20. Rissie

    Chilli

    Usage

    To buy it at a market, or to check the source of the heat in a dish

21. Koljander

    Coriander / cilantro

    Usage

    Also useful for asking to leave it out; the fresh leaves are "koljanderblare"

22. Gemmer

    Ginger

    Usage

    To buy it at a market

23. Tofoe

    Tofu

    Usage

    When looking for tofu; the English spelling "tofu" is also understood

24. Jogurt

    Yoghurt

    Usage

    To buy yoghurt

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