Shopping

1. Hoeveel kos dit?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to ask the price of an item at a shop or market

   Grammar Note

   "Kos" is polysemous in Afrikaans: means both "food" and "to cost"

2. Kan ek dit aanpas?

   Can I try it on?

   Usage

   Used when wanting to try on clothing or shoes

   Grammar Note

   "Aanpas" is a separable verb (aan + pas). "Pas" = Dutch "passen" (to fit/try on)

3. Het u 'n groter maat?

   Do you have a larger size?

   Usage

   Polite phrase used when clothing doesn't fit and you need a larger size

   Grammar Note

   "U" is formal "you" in Afrikaans. "Groter" is the comparative of "groot" (big)

4. Kan u 'n afslag gee?

   Can you give a discount?

   Usage

   Used to negotiate a discount at markets or smaller shops

   Grammar Note

   "Afslag" literally means "down-stroke"; it means discount. Dutch equivalent is "korting"

5. Aanvaar u kredietkaarte?

   Do you accept credit cards?

   Usage

   Used to check payment options; card payments are widely accepted in South Africa

   Grammar Note

   "Kredietkaarte" = krediet (credit) + kaarte (cards, plural). Afrikaans plurals often add -e

6. Ek neem dit

   I'll take this

   Usage

   Short and practical phrase when deciding to purchase an item

   Grammar Note

   "Neem" = to take. Present tense used to express future intention, as in Dutch

7. Waar is die geskenkafdeling?

   Where is the gift section?

   Usage

   Used to find the gift section in a department store or tourist attraction

   Grammar Note

   "Geskenkafdeling" = geskenk (gift) + afdeling (section/department). Classic Afrikaans compounding

8. Ek het die kwitansie

   I have the receipt

   Usage

   Used when presenting a receipt for a return or exchange

   Grammar Note

   "Kwitansie" is borrowed from French "quittance" via Dutch "kwitantie"

9. Dit is vir myself

   This is for myself

   Usage

   Used to clarify that a purchase is for yourself, not as a gift

   Grammar Note

   "Myself" is identical to English. The Dutch equivalent is "mijzelf"

10. Kan u dit inpak?

    Can you wrap it?

    Usage

    Used to ask for gift wrapping or packaging of an item

    Grammar Note

    "Inpak" is a separable verb (in + pak) meaning "to pack/wrap in"

11. Ek het nie 'n kwitansie nodig nie

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining a receipt, using the same noun as "Ek het die kwitansie" ("I have the receipt")

    Grammar Note

    Afrikaans brackets the clause with "nie … nie". The object follows the first "nie", giving the same order as "Ek het nie 'n bespreking nie" ("I don't have a booking"), with "nodig" immediately before the closing "nie".

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