Afrikaans Idioms: A Delightful Addition To Conversations

Idioms are an essential part of any language, adding colour, humour, and cultural nuances that can often be lost in translation. Here’s a look at 20 funny Afrikaans idioms, their literal translations, and the meanings behind them. 

 1. “Haar soos 'n hond in 'n kerslig.”

• Literal Translation: "Hair like a dog in candlelight."

• Meaning: Used to describe someone who looks disheveled or unkempt. The imagery evokes a comical picture of a dog in a dimly lit room.

2. “Moet nie die hele hoender in die pan sit nie.”

• Literal Translation:"Don’t put the whole chicken in the pan."

• Meaning: This means not to go overboard or take on too much at once. It’s a humorous way to remind someone to take it easy.

3. “Sy het 'n kat in die sak gekoop.”

• Literal Translation: "She bought a cat in the bag."

• Meaning: Refers to making a purchase without checking it out first, akin to the English idiom “buying a pig in a poke.” 

4. “Hy is so arm, hy kan nie 'n bietjie stof in die wind gooi nie.”

• Literal Translation: "He is so poor, he can’t throw a little dust in the wind."

• Meaning: This idiom humorously points out someone’s extreme poverty.

5. “Sy praat soos 'n ou seilboot.”

• Literal Translation:"She talks like an old sailboat."

• Meaning: Used to describe someone who talks too much or rambles on without getting to the point.

6. “Hy het die kat aan die stert beet.”

• Literal Translation: "He has the cat by the tail."

• Meaning: This means that someone is in a difficult situation or has complicated problems to deal with.

7. “Jy is 'n bloukoeie.”

• Literal Translation: "You are a blue cow."

• Meaning:This idiom is used to describe someone who is naïve or gullible, as a blue cow is an absurd concept.

8. “Hy is been af”

•   Translation: "He is crazy in love."

•   Meaning: A figurative expression conveying intense infatuation.

9. “Hy is heeltemal deur die haak.”

• Literal Translation: "He is completely through the hook."

• Meaning: This idiom means that someone is out of control or has lost their mind.

10. “Ek is so honger soos 'n wolf.”

• Literal Translation: "I am as hungry as a wolf."

• Meaning: A funny way to express extreme hunger, similar to the English saying.

11. “Hy het nie 'n cent om sy naam te skree nie.”

• Literal Translation: "He doesn’t have a cent to scream his name."

• Meaning: This idiom indicates that someone is utterly broke.

12. “Sy het die hele nag soos 'n kat geslaap.”

• Literal Translation: "She slept like a cat the whole night."

• Meaning: This describes someone who slept very lightly or was restless throughout the night.

13. “Hy het sy kop in die wolke.”

• Literal Translation: "He has his head in the clouds."

• Meaning: Used for someone who is daydreaming or not paying attention to reality.

14. “Hy het die leeu se stert getrek.”

• Literal Translation: "He pulled the lion’s tail."

• Meaning: This idiom describes someone who provokes trouble or challenges someone powerful.

15. “Haar skoonheid is soos 'n roos met dorings.”

• Literal Translation: "Her beauty is like a rose with thorns."

• Meaning: It humorously points out that while someone may be beautiful, they also have a prickly side.

16. “Hy het die skaal gebroke.”

• Literal Translation: "He broke the scale."

• Meaning: This idiom humorously refers to someone who has gained a lot of weight.

17. “Sy praat soos 'n vis in 'n skaal.”

• Literal Translation: "She talks like a fish in a scale."

•   Meaning: Indicates that someone is speaking nonsense or gibberish.

18. “Hy is so vinnig soos 'n haas.”

• Literal Translation: "He is as fast as a hare."

• Meaning: A funny way to describe someone who is very quick or hasty.

19. “Sy het die muis gesien en weggehardloop.”

• Literal Translation: "She saw the mouse and ran away."

• Meaning: This is used to describe someone who is easily frightened or scared.

20. “Hy is 'n groot vis in 'n klein dam.”

• Literal Translation: "He is a big fish in a small pond."

• Meaning: A humorous way to point out someone who thinks they are important but is actually in a limited environment.

These funny Afrikaans idioms not only provide insight into the language but also reflect the culture and humour of the people who speak it. They can be a delightful addition to conversations, making them more engaging and entertaining. So next time you're speaking Afrikaans, consider sprinkling in some of these idioms to add a touch of humour to your dialogue!