Useful Words & Phrases
Afrikaans — the Everyday Language
| German | Afrikaans | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo / Howzit | Hallo / Hausit |
| Good day | Goeie dag | Chuja dach |
| How are you? | Hoe gaan dit? | Hu chaan dit? |
| Good, thank you | Goed, dankie | Chut, danki |
| Thank you | Dankie / Baie dankie | Danki / Baje danki |
| Please | Asseblief | Assebliif |
| Yes / No | Ja / Nee | Ja / Ni |
| Goodbye | Totsiens | Tot-siins |
| Excuse me | Verskoon my | Ferskun may |
| How much does it cost? | Hoeveel kos dit? | Huffiil kos dit? |
| Water | Water | Waater |
| Beer | Bier | Biir |
| Meat | Vleis | Flais |
| Grill | Braai | Braai |
| Cheers! | Gesondheid! | Chesondheit! |
| Gravel road | Gravel road / Pad | Grävvel roud / Pat |
| Gas station | Petrolstasie | Petrol-stasi |
Oshiwambo — a Few Basics
| German | Oshiwambo |
|---|---|
| Hello | Meme / Tate (to woman/man) |
| How are you? | Owa lala po nawa? |
| Good | Nawa |
| Thank you | Tangi unene |
| Goodbye | Kala po nawa |
Namibian Slang Terms
- Lekker: (Afrikaans) Great, awesome, tasty — the most used word in southern Africa. "Die braai was lekker!"
- Pad: (Afrikaans) Road, track — "Die pad to Sossusvlei is good"
- Now-now: Soon, shortly — can mean 5 minutes or 2 hours
- Just now: In a while — even less specific than now-now
- Bakkie: Pick-up truck — the standard vehicle on Namibian farms
- Biltong: Dried meat — Namibia's national snack
- Sundowner: Drink at sunset — the most beautiful Namibian tradition
💡 Tipp
A simple "Hallo" and "Dankie" in Afrikaans immediately opens doors in Namibia. And if you are addressed in German in Swakopmund or Windhoek, feel free to respond — the joy of the German Namibians is genuine.
