2,915 most common Afrikaans words
Ranked by how often each word turns up in everyday Afrikaans, with its meaning in English.
These are the 2,915 words that come up most often in everyday Afrikaans (Afrikaans), counted as they are actually said rather than as dictionary headwords — so where Afrikaans changes a word's ending, each ending is counted on its own. Work down from the top: the first few hundred carry most ordinary conversation.
| # | Word | In English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | die | the |
| 2 | nie | not |
| 3 | ek | I |
| 4 | is | am, are, is |
| 5 | het | to have |
| 6 | jy | you |
| 7 | n | N |
| 8 | dit | referring to the context |
| 9 | my | me |
| 10 | en | and |
| 11 | ons | we |
| 12 | wat | what |
| 13 | jou | you |
| 14 | van | of |
| 15 | in | in; inside; within |
| 16 | te | indicating excess: too |
| 17 | hy | he |
| 18 | vir | for |
| 19 | sy | she |
| 20 | maar | only; solely; just |
| 21 | gaan | to go |
| 22 | sal | shall, will |
| 23 | kan | can |
| 24 | dis | contraction of dit + is |
| 25 | so | so, like that/this, thus |
| 26 | u | you |
| 27 | met | with |
| 28 | dat | that |
| 29 | hulle | they; them |
| 30 | as | if |
| 31 | was | To be |
| 32 | ja | yes |
| 33 | kom | come |
| 34 | moet | must |
| 35 | nou | now |
| 36 | hier | here |
| 37 | daar | there |
| 38 | op | on |
| 39 | wil | to want |
| 40 | hom | him |
| 41 | weet | to know |
| 42 | haar | her |
| 43 | aan | on |
| 44 | wees | To be |
| 45 | net | only, just |
| 46 | nee | no |
| 47 | doen | to do |
| 48 | nog | still |
| 49 | goed | good |
| 50 | dan | then |
| 51 | hoe | how |
| 52 | ook | also, too, as well |
| 53 | word | to become; to get |
| 54 | s | S |
| 55 | sien | to see |
| 56 | julle | you |
| 57 | laat | to cause to, to make; forms a causative phrase |
| 58 | by | at |
| 59 | al | already |
| 60 | sê | to say |
| 61 | se | follows a noun to indicate that this noun possesses that… |
| 62 | baie | very, much |
| 63 | hierdie | this; these |
| 64 | soos | like; such as |
| 65 | maak | to make |
| 66 | dink | to think |
| 67 | of | or |
| 68 | toe | then; at that time; at that moment |
| 69 | waar | where |
| 70 | oor | over, above |
| 71 | alles | everything |
| 72 | een | one |
| 73 | niks | nothing |
| 74 | uit | out; outside |
| 75 | hou | to hold |
| 76 | bly | to live |
| 77 | iets | something |
| 78 | wie | who, whom |
| 79 | meer | more |
| 80 | sou | shall, will |
| 81 | kry | to get, receive, obtain |
| 82 | kyk | to look |
| 83 | goeie | good |
| 84 | man | man |
| 85 | dankie | thanks |
| 86 | deur | through |
| 87 | tog | still, notwithstanding, yet, surely |
| 88 | praat | to talk, to speak |
| 89 | gee | to give |
| 90 | dag | to think |
| 91 | vertel | to tell |
| 92 | geen | no, not a, not an, not any |
| 93 | werk | work |
| 94 | hê | to have |
| 95 | weg | away |
| 96 | nooit | never |
| 97 | wel | the opposite of not |
| 98 | almal | all; everyone |
| 99 | reg | right; correct |
| 100 | kon | can |
| 101 | mense | person, human being |
| 102 | lewe | life |
| 103 | wag | guard |
| 104 | altyd | always |
| 105 | wou | to want |
| 106 | dood | dead |
| 107 | sit | to sit; to be in a sitting position |
| 108 | ma | mom, mother |
| 109 | daardie | that; those |
| 110 | moenie | contraction of moet + nie, literally “mustn’t; shouldn’t” |
| 111 | o | O |
| 112 | gesê | to say |
| 113 | bietjie | a little; a bit; fairly |
| 114 | ander | another, another person, someone else |
| 115 | saam | with, together |
| 116 | mooi | beautiful, pretty |
| 117 | help | to help |
| 118 | mag | may, might |
| 119 | vra | ask |
| 120 | lyk | dead body; corpse |
| 121 | voor | before |
| 122 | tyd | time |
| 123 | asseblief | please; used to make a polite request |
| 124 | vrou | woman |
| 125 | ken | chin |
| 126 | tot | until |
| 127 | iemand | someone; somebody; anyone |
| 128 | groot | great; big; large |
| 129 | seker | probably, likely |
| 130 | twee | two |
| 131 | want | for, because |
| 132 | eers | first, at first |
| 133 | kind | child |
| 134 | jammer | sorry |
| 135 | miskien | maybe |
| 136 | hoor | To hear |
| 137 | beter | good |
| 138 | gedoen | to do |
| 139 | meneer | sir, mister; gentleman |
| 140 | anders | differently |
| 141 | jaar | A year |
| 142 | gesien | to see |
| 143 | verstaan | to hear correctly |
| 144 | los | to leave, abandon |
| 145 | pa | dad, father |
| 146 | probeer | to try |
| 147 | vader | father |
| 148 | huis | A house, residence |
| 149 | elke | every |
| 150 | natuurlik | naturally |
| 151 | omdat | because |
| 152 | moes | must |
| 153 | lank | long |
| 154 | môre | tomorrow |
| 155 | gelukkig | happy |
| 156 | glo | to believe |
| 157 | gou | quick, quickly |
| 158 | eerste | first |
| 159 | mens | one |
| 160 | kinders | child |
| 161 | naam | name |
| 162 | lief | nice, sweet |
| 163 | speel | to play |
| 164 | seun | son |
| 165 | genoeg | enough |
| 166 | niemand | nobody; no one |
| 167 | staan | to stand |
| 168 | gedink | to think |
| 169 | sonder | without |
| 170 | vergeet | to forget |
| 171 | voel | feel |
| 172 | slaap | sleep |
| 173 | luister | to listen |
| 174 | liefde | love |
| 175 | heer | gentleman |
| 176 | klein | small, little |
| 177 | vandag | today |
| 178 | nuwe | new |
| 179 | soek | to search, seek |
| 180 | geld | money |
| 181 | teen | against |
| 182 | graag | gladly, eagerly |
| 183 | hoekom | why, how come |
| 184 | t | T |
| 185 | onder | under |
| 186 | bring | to bring; to deliver |
| 187 | ag | esteem |
| 188 | eet | to eat |
| 189 | onthou | to remember, to keep in mind |
| 190 | ou | old, aged |
| 191 | gehad | to have |
| 192 | vind | to find |
| 193 | plek | a spot |
| 194 | land | country; nation |
| 195 | moeder | mother |
| 196 | wanneer | when |
| 197 | dae | a day |
| 198 | gekom | come |
| 199 | geweet | to know |
| 200 | skryf | To write |
| 201 | gekry | to get, receive, obtain |
| 202 | lees | to read |
| 203 | drink | to drink |
| 204 | gebruik | use; usage |
| 205 | lekker | good, nice, fun in a more generic sense |
| 206 | eie | own |
| 207 | nag | The period between sunset and sunrise, when the sky is… |
| 208 | kamer | A room, a chamber |
| 209 | totsiens | Goodbye, farewell |
| 210 | leer | To learn |
| 211 | geluk | luck, good luck |
| 212 | watter | what; which |
| 213 | vriend | friend |
| 214 | verloor | to lose |
| 215 | paar | pair |
| 216 | laaste | last |
| 217 | bang | afraid |
| 218 | raak | to become |
| 219 | pas | pace, step |
| 220 | hart | heart |
| 221 | alle | all; every |
| 222 | gehoor | To hear |
| 223 | dalk | perchance, perhaps, possibly |
| 224 | sing | to sing |
| 225 | wêreld | world |
| 226 | gemaak | to make |
| 227 | hoop | heap |
| 228 | meisie | girl |
| 229 | oë | eye |
| 230 | vriende | friend |
| 231 | vat | to take |
| 232 | veel | much, a lot |
| 233 | kop | head |
| 234 | leef | to live |
| 235 | dinge | thing |
| 236 | geword | to become; to get |
| 237 | loop | to walk |
| 238 | dogter | daughter |
| 239 | oop | open |
| 240 | oupa | grandfather |
| 241 | betaal | pay |
| 242 | trou | to marry |
| 243 | here | gentleman |
| 244 | lê | to lie |
| 245 | dokter | medical doctor, physician |
| 246 | wys | to show |
| 247 | ver | far, distant |
| 248 | besoek | to visit |
| 249 | familie | family |
| 250 | drie | three |
| 251 | behoort | to belong |
| 252 | maklik | easily |
| 253 | siek | ill, sick, unwell |
| 254 | liewer | rather |
| 255 | gevra | ask |
| 256 | agter | behind |
| 257 | sleg | bad |
| 258 | jong | young |
| 259 | geskryf | To write |
| 260 | hand | A hand |
| 261 | klaar | ready, prepared |
| 262 | hande | A hand |
| 263 | kos | food |
| 264 | pad | path; way; street |
| 265 | uur | hour |
| 266 | vroue | woman |
| 267 | noem | to call, to name |
| 268 | brief | letter |
| 269 | suster | sister |
| 270 | oorlog | war |
| 271 | trek | to haul |
| 272 | tussen | between |
| 273 | skuld | guilt, fault |
| 274 | mos | as you already know |
| 275 | verby | over, past, gone by |
| 276 | gevind | to find |
| 277 | haai | A shark |
| 278 | baas | boss |
| 279 | dra | to carry |
| 280 | regte | justice |
| 281 | myne | mine |
| 282 | a | A |
| 283 | aarde | Earth |
| 284 | lag | to laugh |
| 285 | koning | king |
| 286 | enigste | only one |
| 287 | water | water |
| 288 | sterf | to die |
| 289 | luitenant | lieutenant |
| 290 | graaf | earl, count |
| 291 | vanaand | tonight, this evening |
| 292 | broer | brother |
| 293 | binne | in, inside |
| 294 | woord | word |
| 295 | eintlik | actually, really, properly |
| 296 | besluit | to decide |
| 297 | gaaf | whole, complete |
| 298 | stem | vote |
| 299 | oomblik | moment, blink of an eye |
| 300 | keiser | emperor |
| 301 | koffie | coffee |
| 302 | idee | idea |
| 303 | gegee | to give |
| 304 | musiek | music |
| 305 | volg | to follow |
| 306 | lig | light; not heavy |
| 307 | gesig | face |
| 308 | gepraat | to talk, to speak |
| 309 | val | to fall |
| 310 | sorg | care; worry; concern |
| 311 | buite | outside |
| 312 | eer | honour |
| 313 | moontlik | possible |
| 314 | bed | bed |
| 315 | vertrou | to trust, confide, depend |
| 316 | besig | busy |
| 317 | antwoord | answer |
| 318 | probleem | problem |
| 319 | aanvaar | to accept |
| 320 | hoeveel | how much, how many |
| 321 | welkom | welcome |
| 322 | skool | school |
| 323 | presies | exactly, just, right |
| 324 | rus | to rest |
| 325 | vuur | fire, flame |
| 326 | mans | man |
| 327 | meisies | girl |
| 328 | weke | week |
| 329 | naby | near |
| 330 | koop | To buy |
| 331 | snaaks | funny, comical |
| 332 | week | week |
| 333 | waarheid | truth |
| 334 | gegaan | to go |
| 335 | mevrou | madam, lady |
| 336 | sommer | just, no more than |
| 337 | wonderlik | amazing, wonderful, great |
| 338 | dame | lady |
| 339 | vol | full |
| 340 | skilder | painter |
| 341 | beweeg | to move, to be in motion, to stir |
| 342 | ding | thing |
| 343 | sodat | so that |
| 344 | vertrek | to leave, to depart |
| 345 | tante | aunt |
| 346 | dans | dance |
| 347 | ouers | parent, father or mother |
| 348 | haat | hatred |
| 349 | bestaan | to exist |
| 350 | swaar | heavy |
| 351 | huil | to cry; to weep |
| 352 | manier | manner, way, mode |
| 353 | hul | alternative form of hulle; their |
| 354 | slegte | bad |
| 355 | oom | uncle |
| 356 | hemel | sky |
| 357 | film | film |
| 358 | mee | with |
| 359 | moeg | tired |
| 360 | tel | to count |
| 361 | sterk | strong |
| 362 | bo | above |
| 363 | woorde | word |
| 364 | kwaad | angry |
| 365 | ongelukkig | unfortunate, unlucky |
| 366 | veg | to fight |
| 367 | versigtig | careful |
| 368 | draai | to turn |
| 369 | minute | minute |
| 370 | warm | warm |
| 371 | klink | handle |
| 372 | dikwels | often |
| 373 | waarvan | of which |
| 374 | asof | as if |
| 375 | storie | story |
| 376 | gewerk | to work |
| 377 | ouma | grandmother |
| 378 | darem | certainly, indeed, really, at least |
| 379 | prinses | princess |
| 380 | vas | firm, tight |
| 381 | amper | almost |
| 382 | kort | short |
| 383 | oud | old, aged |
| 384 | ry | row |
| 385 | onmoontlik | impossible |
| 386 | wonder | miracle, wonder |
| 387 | baba | baby |
| 388 | lug | air |
| 389 | stad | city |
| 390 | joune | yours; thine |
| 391 | maande | A month |
| 392 | vier | four |
| 393 | vergewe | to forgive |
| 394 | ontvang | to receive |
| 395 | jare | A year |
| 396 | franse | French |
| 397 | huwelik | marriage, matrimony |
| 398 | gevoel | feel |
| 399 | generaal | general, general officer |
| 400 | reis | journey, trip, voyage |
| 401 | vry | free, unconstrained |
| 402 | wyn | wine |
| 403 | russe | Russian |
| 404 | majoor | major |
| 405 | besef | to realise, to notice |
| 406 | byna | almost |
| 407 | gewees | To be |
| 408 | droom | dream |
| 409 | vinnig | quick, fast |
| 410 | blomme | flower |
| 411 | doodmaak | to kill |
| 412 | bos | wood, forest |
| 413 | klomp | Wooden shoe, clog |
| 414 | breek | to break |
| 415 | pragtig | beautiful, gorgeous, magnificent |
| 416 | sekerlik | surely, certainly |
| 417 | nuus | news |
| 418 | ryk | rich, wealthy |
| 419 | sweer | to swear |
| 420 | gevaar | danger, peril |
| 421 | maand | A month |
| 422 | erken | to acknowledge, to recognise |
| 423 | roep | to call, to summon |
| 424 | oral | everywhere |
| 425 | rok | A dress |
| 426 | kaptein | captain, both in the land and naval senses of the rank |
| 427 | duitse | German |
| 428 | pyn | pain |
| 429 | kolonel | colonel |
| 430 | einde | end |
| 431 | rooi | red |
| 432 | plesier | pleasure |
| 433 | mis | to miss |
| 434 | hare | hers |
| 435 | slaan | hit, slap, beat, strike |
| 436 | gebou | to build |
| 437 | herken | to recognise |
| 438 | kies | cheek |
| 439 | plaas | farm; a piece of land, usually used for farming |
| 440 | tuis | home, at home |
| 441 | dié | this; these; that; those |
| 442 | hoof | head |
| 443 | sedert | since |
| 444 | orde | order |
| 445 | langs | along, alongside |
| 446 | aand | evening |
| 447 | gesondheid | health, healthiness |
| 448 | venster | window |
| 449 | glimlag | smile |
| 450 | daarna | thereafter, after that |
| 451 | gesond | healthy |
| 452 | spel | game, play |
| 453 | vrede | peace; tranquility |
| 454 | hond | dog |
| 455 | verdwyn | to disappear |
| 456 | stilte | silence |
| 457 | bloed | blood |
| 458 | soort | sort, kind |
| 459 | elkeen | everyone; everybody |
| 460 | skoon | clean; cleansed |
| 461 | gooi | to throw |
| 462 | voordat | before |
| 463 | aangaan | to concern; to be a concern to; to be someone’s business |
| 464 | gister | yesterday; the previous day |
| 465 | belangrik | important |
| 466 | skiet | shoot |
| 467 | teken | sign; signal |
| 468 | tafel | table |
| 469 | lei | to lead |
| 470 | see | sea |
| 471 | bier | beer |
| 472 | belowe | to promise |
| 473 | rond | round |
| 474 | staat | state |
| 475 | boeke | book |
| 476 | veilig | safe |
| 477 | boek | book |
| 478 | toekoms | future |
| 479 | soen | kiss |
| 480 | vyf | five |
| 481 | muur | wall |
| 482 | meester | A master |
| 483 | tronk | prison |
| 484 | soms | sometimes |
| 485 | elk | everyone; everybody |
| 486 | gelees | to read |
| 487 | mal | crazy |
| 488 | hertog | duke |
| 489 | engelse | English |
| 490 | gaste | guest |
| 491 | vraag | question |
| 492 | melk | milk |
| 493 | druk | to press, print |
| 494 | koningin | queen |
| 495 | gewoonlik | usually, normally |
| 496 | vrees | fear, apprehension |
| 497 | volk | people |
| 498 | hallo | hello |
| 499 | grond | ground, dirt, soil |
| 500 | verlede | past |
| 501 | perd | horse |
| 502 | vryheid | freedom |
| 503 | ure | hour |
| 504 | vlieg | fly |
| 505 | hiernatoe | to here |
| 506 | wen | to win |
| 507 | menere | sir, mister; gentleman |
| 508 | liggaam | body |
| 509 | kans | chance |
| 510 | ses | six |
| 511 | i | I |
| 512 | koud | cold |
| 513 | arm | arm |
| 514 | doodgaan | to die |
| 515 | aanval | An act of aggression; assault, attack |
| 516 | veral | especially, above all |
| 517 | vergeef | alternative form of vergewe |
| 518 | donker | dark |
| 519 | jonk | young |
| 520 | spesiale | special |
| 521 | probleme | problem |
| 522 | swak | weak |
| 523 | vrae | question |
| 524 | bou | to build |
| 525 | ly | to suffer |
| 526 | geveg | fight, battle, engagement |
| 527 | woonstel | An apartment |
| 528 | party | some, a few |
| 529 | vlug | flight, escape |
| 530 | onderwyser | teacher |
| 531 | vinniger | quick, fast |
| 532 | asem | breath |
| 533 | honger | hunger |
| 534 | sand | sand |
| 535 | spreek | to speak |
| 536 | polisie | police |
| 537 | prys | price |
| 538 | dorp | town |
| 539 | voorbeeld | example |
| 540 | juis | exactly, precisely |
| 541 | skip | ship |
| 542 | verskoning | a pardon; forgiveness |
| 543 | hang | to hang |
| 544 | verrassing | surprise |
| 545 | teenoor | opposite |
| 546 | waarheen | whither, where to |
| 547 | tuin | A garden, yard |
| 548 | saamgaan | accompany; come along |
| 549 | gebreek | to break |
| 550 | stuk | A piece, part |
| 551 | trein | train |
| 552 | eenvoudig | simple, plain |
| 553 | situasie | situation |
| 554 | bal | A ball |
| 555 | eendag | once, one day |
| 556 | mond | mouth |
| 557 | hoed | hat |
| 558 | rol | role |
| 559 | boodskap | message |
| 560 | nader | near, nearby |
| 561 | vreemd | strange; odd |
| 562 | skielik | suddenly |
| 563 | grootste | great; big; large |
| 564 | wit | white |
| 565 | wind | wind |
| 566 | opdrag | An order, an instruction |
| 567 | klim | to climb |
| 568 | sluit | to close |
| 569 | leër | empty |
| 570 | swart | black |
| 571 | uitvind | find out |
| 572 | brand | destructive, catastrophic fire |
| 573 | siel | soul |
| 574 | weggaan | to go away, to leave |
| 575 | nommer | number |
| 576 | fees | party; social gathering |
| 577 | persoon | person |
| 578 | kasteel | castle |
| 579 | vroeër | early |
| 580 | tee | tea |
| 581 | gryp | to grab |
| 582 | krag | strength |
| 583 | waarskynlik | probably |
| 584 | vroeg | early |
| 585 | begrawe | to bury |
| 586 | ruik | to smell |
| 587 | hardloop | run |
| 588 | adres | address, direction |
| 589 | groter | great; big; large |
| 590 | geskiedenis | history |
| 591 | seuns | son |
| 592 | geslaap | To sleep |
| 593 | hospitaal | hospital |
| 594 | hoog | high |
| 595 | diep | deep, down low |
| 596 | graf | grave |
| 597 | jag | hunt, pursuit |
| 598 | arms | arm |
| 599 | bid | to pray |
| 600 | gesit | to sit; to be in a sitting position |
| 601 | oortuig | to persuade; to convince |
| 602 | russiese | Russian |
| 603 | duur | expensive |
| 604 | kontak | contact |
| 605 | twyfel | doubt |
| 606 | foto | photo; photograph |
| 607 | voer | to feed; to give food |
| 608 | ware | To be |
| 609 | bied | to offer |
| 610 | admiraal | admiral |
| 611 | diens | service |
| 612 | name | name |
| 613 | materiaal | material |
| 614 | perfek | perfect |
| 615 | rug | back |
| 616 | verwyder | to remove |
| 617 | gebly | to live |
| 618 | helder | clear, bright |
| 619 | m | M |
| 620 | vorm | A form, a shape |
| 621 | sin | meaning, sense |
| 622 | straat | street, road |
| 623 | haastig | hasty, rash |
| 624 | soldate | soldier |
| 625 | mark | market |
| 626 | kar | cart |
| 627 | miljoen | million |
| 628 | blou | blue |
| 629 | gang | a passageway, alley |
| 630 | ring | ring, hollow circular object |
| 631 | derde | third |
| 632 | weermag | armed forces |
| 633 | skande | disgrace, shame |
| 634 | lewer | liver |
| 635 | nooi | to invite |
| 636 | skei | to separate |
| 637 | gas | guest |
| 638 | skilderye | painting |
| 639 | moord | murder |
| 640 | leier | leader |
| 641 | diere | animal |
| 642 | gevaarlik | dangerous |
| 643 | siekte | sickness, illness, disease |
| 644 | bome | tree |
| 645 | rook | smoke |
| 646 | oorleef | to survive |
| 647 | geboorte | birth |
| 648 | rot | rat |
| 649 | regs | On the right |
| 650 | deesdae | Nowadays, these days |
| 651 | beskou | to consider, to regard |
| 652 | ewig | eternal, everlasting |
| 653 | yster | iron |
| 654 | geskenk | past participle of skenk |
| 655 | ontploffing | explosion |
| 656 | klere | clothes, clothing |
| 657 | les | lesson |
| 658 | gehelp | to help |
| 659 | dogters | daughter |
| 660 | swem | to swim |
| 661 | briewe | letter |
| 662 | gewen | to win |
| 663 | vaar | to sail |
| 664 | horlosie | watch |
| 665 | gisteraand | last night; yesterday evening |
| 666 | steur | to be bothered |
| 667 | mees | tit, chickadee |
| 668 | vyand | An enemy, a host, a foe |
| 669 | vloot | fleet |
| 670 | bekend | known |
| 671 | bom | bomb, explosive |
| 672 | swede | Swede |
| 673 | gedra | to carry |
| 674 | seisoen | season, time of year |
| 675 | weens | on account of, because of, due to |
| 676 | volle | full |
| 677 | sersant | sergeant |
| 678 | kuier | to walk leisurely, to gallivant |
| 679 | soldaat | soldier |
| 680 | tree | step |
| 681 | lied | song, anthem |
| 682 | pous | pope |
| 683 | middel | means |
| 684 | koerant | newspaper |
| 685 | laai | to load |
| 686 | koue | cold |
| 687 | vars | fresh |
| 688 | verklaar | to explain, to declare |
| 689 | kantoor | office |
| 690 | somer | summer |
| 691 | reël | rule |
| 692 | verhouding | proportion |
| 693 | skat | treasure |
| 694 | solank | as long as |
| 695 | eerlik | honest |
| 696 | wet | law |
| 697 | glas | glass |
| 698 | reguit | straight, straight on |
| 699 | noudat | now that |
| 700 | kuns | art |
| 701 | duits | German |
| 702 | verras | to surprise |
| 703 | voete | foot |
| 704 | skaars | barely, hardly |
| 705 | groet | greet |
| 706 | vuil | dirty, not clean |
| 707 | stryd | struggle |
| 708 | kombuis | kitchen |
| 709 | la | la |
| 710 | berge | mountain |
| 711 | tweede | second |
| 712 | skree | to shout, to scream |
| 713 | lys | list, record |
| 714 | minuut | minute |
| 715 | nes | like; just like |
| 716 | middag | An afternoon |
| 717 | d | D |
| 718 | let | synonym of Letlander |
| 719 | sommige | some |
| 720 | foon | A telephone, a phone |
| 721 | brood | A loaf of bread |
| 722 | hertogin | a duchess |
| 723 | respek | respect |
| 724 | aankom | arrive |
| 725 | bus | bus |
| 726 | pole | Pole |
| 727 | piramide | pyramid |
| 728 | natuur | nature |
| 729 | veiligheid | safety, security |
| 730 | studeer | to study |
| 731 | lieg | to lie |
| 732 | skuldig | guilty |
| 733 | gees | mind, spirit |
| 734 | oog | eye |
| 735 | neus | nose |
| 736 | skoene | shoe |
| 737 | winter | winter |
| 738 | lente | spring, the season between winter and summer |
| 739 | werkers | worker |
| 740 | oefen | to train, instruct |
| 741 | vloek | curse, oath |
| 742 | gewoond | used, accustomed |
| 743 | varke | pig |
| 744 | tye | time |
| 745 | voet | foot |
| 746 | open | to open |
| 747 | gekoop | To buy |
| 748 | kaart | map |
| 749 | gat | hole; perforation |
| 750 | aap | A monkey, ape |
| 751 | huur | rent |
| 752 | groep | group |
| 753 | rotte | rat |
| 754 | vis | fish |
| 755 | kêrel | fellow, lad, chap |
| 756 | maat | mate, buddy |
| 757 | tien | ten |
| 758 | onnosel | foolishly |
| 759 | goeiedag | good day |
| 760 | teater | theatre |
| 761 | skep | to create, make |
| 762 | offisier | officer |
| 763 | skade | damage |
| 764 | hongaarse | Hungarian |
| 765 | seuntjie | son |
| 766 | honde | dog |
| 767 | taal | language |
| 768 | perde | horse |
| 769 | stukkie | A piece, part |
| 770 | slegs | only |
| 771 | grens | border, frontier |
| 772 | viool | a violin |
| 773 | besigheid | business |
| 774 | bene | leg of a human or humanoid |
| 775 | koor | choir, vocal ensemble |
| 776 | geliefde | beloved |
| 777 | ingaan | go in; enter |
| 778 | nek | neck |
| 779 | herinner | to remind |
| 780 | tydens | during |
| 781 | sag | soft |
| 782 | loopbaan | career |
| 783 | groei | growth |
| 784 | pla | to tease |
| 785 | bediende | servant, low-ranking employee |
| 786 | dak | roof |
| 787 | gewag | to wait |
| 788 | vloer | A floor |
| 789 | had | to have |
| 790 | sekondes | second |
| 791 | persoonlik | personally |
| 792 | vermaak | entertainment, amusement |
| 793 | geleef | to live |
| 794 | kruis | X-shape |
| 795 | nêrens | nowhere |
| 796 | rose | rose |
| 797 | frans | French |
| 798 | slagoffer | victim |
| 799 | susters | sister |
| 800 | voëls | A bird |
| 801 | wapen | weapon, arms |
| 802 | regering | government |
| 803 | artikel | article |
| 804 | huise | A house, residence |
| 805 | jas | coat |
| 806 | stasie | station |
| 807 | sleutel | key |
| 808 | kerk | church |
| 809 | reën | rain |
| 810 | nè | right? isn't it? |
| 811 | verslag | report |
| 812 | pret | fun |
| 813 | ouens | an old fellow, guy, bloke |
| 814 | telefoon | telephone |
| 815 | kelder | cellar, basement |
| 816 | uitgaan | go out; exit |
| 817 | lof | praise |
| 818 | rekenaar | computer |
| 819 | vaarwel | good-bye, farewell |
| 820 | gedrink | to drink |
| 821 | waarin | wherein |
| 822 | engels | English |
| 823 | berg | mountain |
| 824 | waardeer | to appreciate, to value |
| 825 | spring | to leap, jump |
| 826 | verwoes | to destroy; to devastate |
| 827 | lessenaar | desk |
| 828 | kunstenaar | artist |
| 829 | dors | thirst |
| 830 | kamers | A room, a chamber |
| 831 | vriendin | female friend |
| 832 | vriendskap | friendship |
| 833 | dog | alternative form of dag |
| 834 | vrot | rotten |
| 835 | poolse | Polish |
| 836 | byt | to bite |
| 837 | sterre | star |
| 838 | di | obsolete spelling of die |
| 839 | steel | to steal |
| 840 | aanvalle | An act of aggression; assault, attack |
| 841 | kruip | to creep |
| 842 | been | leg of a human or humanoid |
| 843 | brug | bridge, a structure used to cross a gap or a body of water |
| 844 | sewe | seven |
| 845 | beskryf | to describe, depict |
| 846 | mensdom | humanity, mankind |
| 847 | blind | blind |
| 848 | hoër | high |
| 849 | hoek | corner |
| 850 | geskiet | shoot |
| 851 | soontoe | there, thither, thereto |
| 852 | verjaardag | birthday |
| 853 | waarnatoe | to where, whither, whereto |
| 854 | boot | boat |
| 855 | papier | paper |
| 856 | misdaad | crime |
| 857 | silwer | made out of silver |
| 858 | bank | bench, couch |
| 859 | september | September |
| 860 | wa | wagon |
| 861 | vakansie | holiday, vacation |
| 862 | universiteit | university |
| 863 | lae | low |
| 864 | engel | angel |
| 865 | sekere | some, certain |
| 866 | sonde | sin |
| 867 | dokters | medical doctor, physician |
| 868 | belofte | promise |
| 869 | gesin | family |
| 870 | geloop | to walk |
| 871 | den | pine |
| 872 | minstens | at least |
| 873 | niggie | niece |
| 874 | toon | toe |
| 875 | vaderland | fatherland |
| 876 | gratis | free, without charge |
| 877 | stof | material, substance |
| 878 | kat | cat |
| 879 | politiek | politics |
| 880 | vleis | meat |
| 881 | laas | last; last time |
| 882 | ore | ear |
| 883 | ontbyt | breakfast |
| 884 | eiers | egg |
| 885 | bekostig | to finance, to pay for |
| 886 | tande | tooth |
| 887 | nuut | new |
| 888 | vyande | An enemy, a host, a foe |
| 889 | gesprek | talk, conversation |
| 890 | dogtertjie | daughter |
| 891 | blom | flower |
| 892 | beskawing | civilisation |
| 893 | goeiemôre | good morning |
| 894 | platteland | countryside |
| 895 | hoë | high |
| 896 | makliker | easy |
| 897 | gelê | to lie |
| 898 | skuldige | guilty |
| 899 | elders | elsewhere, somewhere else |
| 900 | groen | green |
| 901 | persoonlike | personally |
| 902 | oranje | orange |
| 903 | baklei | to quarrel, to argue, to fight |
| 904 | rof | rough, crude, uneven |
| 905 | regeer | to rule, to govern |
| 906 | rivier | river |
| 907 | agt | eight |
| 908 | verskil | difference |
| 909 | oggend | morning |
| 910 | roer | A rifle, a gun |
| 911 | titel | title |
| 912 | forseer | to force, to coerce |
| 913 | leeg | empty |
| 914 | paleis | palace |
| 915 | duitsers | German |
| 916 | beroof | to rob, to steal from |
| 917 | wolwe | wolf |
| 918 | getuie | witness |
| 919 | gekyk | to look |
| 920 | skrywer | writer |
| 921 | bruid | bride |
| 922 | weduwee | widow, surviving wife, dowager |
| 923 | skepe | ship |
| 924 | duisend | thousand |
| 925 | dapper | brave, courageous |
| 926 | daad | deed; act |
| 927 | risiko | risk |
| 928 | streke | prank, trick |
| 929 | fabriek | factory |
| 930 | jaag | chase, pursue |
| 931 | nege | nine |
| 932 | drankie | beverage, drink |
| 933 | personeel | staff |
| 934 | kroon | A crown |
| 935 | kaal | naked |
| 936 | drome | dream |
| 937 | haas | hare, rabbit |
| 938 | gelieg | to lie |
| 939 | jul | alternative form of julle; your |
| 940 | lande | country; nation |
| 941 | oktober | October |
| 942 | vertaling | translation |
| 943 | sneeu | snow |
| 944 | donderdag | Thursday |
| 945 | neef | nephew |
| 946 | eienaar | owner |
| 947 | doodgemaak | to kill |
| 948 | kamera | camera |
| 949 | portret | portrait |
| 950 | dokumente | document |
| 951 | wolf | wolf |
| 952 | koninkryk | kingdom |
| 953 | eed | oath |
| 954 | kontrak | contract |
| 955 | plekke | a spot |
| 956 | knieë | knee |
| 957 | hoogste | high |
| 958 | wysheid | wisdom |
| 959 | gesing | to sing |
| 960 | veld | A field, open country |
| 961 | makeer | to be amiss, to be wrong |
| 962 | teiken | aim; target; goal |
| 963 | skaak | chess |
| 964 | boer | A Boer; an Afrikaner, especially an inhabitant or… |
| 965 | vergelyk | to compare |
| 966 | geheue | memory |
| 967 | skildery | painting |
| 968 | snags | at night |
| 969 | spook | ghost, phantom |
| 970 | ligte | light; not heavy |
| 971 | samelewing | society |
| 972 | namens | on behalf of |
| 973 | olie | oil |
| 974 | letters | letter |
| 975 | jonger | young |
| 976 | stene | stone |
| 977 | motor | car, automobile |
| 978 | wilde | wild |
| 979 | bad | bath |
| 980 | kleremaker | tailor |
| 981 | byvoorbeeld | for example, for instance |
| 982 | ouer | old, aged |
| 983 | amerikaanse | American |
| 984 | kleur | color; colour |
| 985 | iewers | somewhere |
| 986 | wors | sausage |
| 987 | radio | radio |
| 988 | kas | A cupboard |
| 989 | geantwoord | to answer |
| 990 | bokant | above |
| 991 | optree | to act |
| 992 | toesig | supervision, oversight |
| 993 | navorsing | research |
| 994 | hoer | whore |
| 995 | swaard | sword |
| 996 | pastoor | parish priest |
| 997 | fiets | bicycle, bike |
| 998 | dier | animal |
| 999 | rob | seal |
| 1,000 | woordeboek | dictionary |
Take the list with you
The whole list as a tab-separated file — rank, word, meaning — about 68 KB. It opens in any spreadsheet.
Download all 2,915 Afrikaans words
Frequencies come from the OpenSubtitles corpus via hermitdave/FrequencyWords; English meanings from Wiktextract. Both are CC BY-SA 4.0, and so is this list.
Words stick once you use them
A list gets you the first few hundred. Saying them to someone who speaks Afrikaans is what makes them stay.