With only three tenses, Afrikaans is not only one of the easiest languages to learn, but it’s full of hilarious phrases that should exist in English. By translating Afrikaans to English, these Afrikaans idioms will definitely make you giggle.

Afrikaans is one of the official languages of South Africa and is one of the world’s youngest languages with roughly 8 million speakers. Due to its germanic origins, it’s relatively easy for English speakers to learn.

Sadly, there isn’t nearly enough learning material out there on the internet compared with other languages such as French, Italian, and Spanish. Without these resources, it makes it difficult for foreigners like me to pick up the language. In the interests of bringing more awareness to this baie lekker language, I thought I’d call upon my South African partner and friends to help me collate a list of common hilarious expressions that will spark your interest in learning Afrikaans. I’ve also create a free downloadable guide with a bunch of useful Afrikaans phrases for travellers to use.

This list is full of direct Afrikaans to English translations of everyday Afrikaans idioms. So you’ll certainly hear and use them often. Enjoy!

Let’s get started!

1. Now now

Translation: Nou nou

Meaning: In a little while, in a bit

2. Hang onto a branch

Translation: Hang aan ń tak

Meaning: Hold on a sec(ond)

3. The jackal is marrying the wolf’s wife

Translation: Jakkals trou met wolf se vrou

Meaning: Used when it’s raining and the sun shines at the same time

4. Walk in two lines

Translation: Twee rye spore loop

Meaning: To be drunk

5. Like a monkey on a stick

Translation: Nes ń aap op ń stokkie

Meaning: To look perplexed

6. Have a monkey up your sleeve

Translation: ń Aap in die mou hê

Meaning: To hide mischievous plans

7. Be hit by a windmill

Translation: ń Klap van die windmeul weg hê

Meaning: To not be in your right mind

8. All jokes on a stick

Translation: Alle grappies op ń stokkie

Meaning: All joking aside

9. Talk a dog out of a bush

Translation: ń Hond uit ń bos gesels

Meaning: To have a great conversation



10. Don’t shake the chicken

Translation: Moenie die hoender ruk nie

Meaning: Don’t overdo it

11. Scratch a lion’s ball with a short stick

Translation: Jy krap met ń kort stokkie aan ń groot leeu se bal

Meaning: Being arrogant or to push one’s luck

12. Let the baboon out of the sleeve

Translation: Die aap uit die mou laat

Meaning: Let the cat out of the bag, spill the beans

13. The mountains gave birth to a mouse

Translation: Die berge het ń muis gebaar

Meaning: To put in a lot of effort and have nothing to show for it

14. Search for a sausage in a dog stable

Translation: Wors in die hondestal soek

Meaning: To look for something you can’t find

15. Rub honey around someone’s mouth

Translation: Iemand heuning om die mond smeer

Meaning: To woo or butter someone up with flattery



16. Chase away fright with a bladder of peas

Translation: Jy kan hom met ń blaas ertjies die skrik op die lyf jag

Meaning: A person who is scared or scares easily

17. Such a mouth should get jam

Translation: So ń bek moet jem kry

Meaning: Used when someone says something which rings true or is very witty and sharp.



18. Simply

Translation: Sommer

Meaning: Used as an interjection for doing something with no particular reason, just because

19. Loose head

Translation: Loskop

Meaning: Used to explain forgetful or odd behaviour

20. Kitten of the track

Translation: Katjie van die baan

Meaning: Describes an outgoing and fun person at an event



21. Fetch a baboon from behind the hill

Translation: Die bobbejaan agter die bult te gaan haal

Meaning: To think or talk about problems that haven’t happened yet and thus possibly making them happen.

22. Talking a hole in someone’s head

Translation: Iemand ń gat in die kop praat

Meaning: To persuade someone



23. It’s a fact like a cow

Translation: Dis ń feit soos ń koei

Meaning: A fact you can’t argue with.

24. Stick a spoon in the roof

Translation: Lepel in die dak steek

Meaning: Euphemism for someone dying





25. His church is out

Translation: Sy kerk is uit

Meaning: It’s all over for him

Watch these 10 Funny Afrikaans Idioms

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Over to you!

Which one of these Afrikaans idioms is your favourite? Do you know any funny Afrikaans to English translations?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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