- Dutch
- Frisian
- Afrikaans
- An attribution involves an adjective phrase (AP)
that is attributed of a noun
(N), and usually precedes the noun, as in this
example:
Example 1
'n rooi sonsondergang a red sunset - The adjective will inflect or not, depending on the phonological shape of the word.
Polysyllabic stems:
Polysyllabic stems, as in the example of arrogant below, normally inflect before all nouns.
Example 2
Example 3
haar suiwer stem her pure voice Example 4
die beskeie man the modest man Monosyllabic stems:
Monosyllabic adjectives (and compound adjectives that end in a monosyllabic stem) may or may not inflect, depending on the auslaut of the stem.
For instance, if the adjective ends in a sonorant, such as /n/, /m/, /l/ or /r/, plus /d/, inflection is mandatory, as in this example:
Example 5
groot rond·e kase large round·ATTR cheeses large round cheeses When the schwa is added, a sound change takes place, in that the /x/ is deleted between the two vowels. Such intervocalic elision occurs, for example, when the adjective moeg tired is used attributively, and is inflected:
Example 6
Note that after the delection of the intervocalic letter g (i.e. the sound /x/), the letter e (i.e. the schwa) which now starts a new syllable, is written with a diaeresis, as ë, to indicate the start of the syllable, as is shown by the example above.
In the case of closed syllables which are written with a double vowel, such as vaag vague, the deletion of /x/ results in an open syllable, and the vowel is represented by a single lettter, as in this example:
Example 7
The two factors mentioned above often combine, so that the orthographic result of /x/ deletion and a consequent open syllable has to be reflected, as in this example:
Example 8
A number of monosyllabic adjectives ending in /d/ also undergo intervocalic consonant deletion, with the same orthographic result, as in
Example 9
- A noun may be omitted following an adjective and other prenominal
elements. Such so-called noun ellipsis may result in the transfer of
noun-like qualities to the relevant adjectives, so that nominalisation
can be said to have occurred. Compare the sentences below:
Example 10
- The attributive construction may contain a list of several
APs. Such a stacking construction differs
from coordination, and it exhibits characteristic orderings among the
adjectives involved, depending on their morphonological or semantic type
Emphatic inflection and semantic
distinction. This is exemplified below:
Example 11
die smaaklik·e kou·e rou vis (< koud·e) the tasty·ATTR cold·ATTR raw fish the tasty cold raw fish
The use of attributive adjective inflection was unmarked in incipient Afrikaans during the 18th and 19th centuries, and based on (however, not consistently) the gender-based inflection of adjectives before masculine and feminine nouns in Dutch. In time, the system of inflection shifted to the phonological structure of the adjective itself. Raidt (1983) provides a well-structured framework to categorise the various environments determining attributive inflection. (Raidt, E.H. 1983)
The general rule is that the attributive formant -e is suffixed to polysyllabic adjectives, more specifically adjectives containing a grammatical morpheme. Some examples:
'n verstaanbar·e vraag (< verstaanbaar·e) |
an understandable·ATTR question |
an understandable question |
heerlik·e kos |
delicious·ATTR food |
delicious food |
vinnig·e motors |
fast·ATTR cars |
fast cars |
Exceptions are those already ending in -e, such as eie own in the example below.
Adjectives ending in -er whether it forms part of the stem or represents a grammatical morpheme (such as the comparative suffix), do not, by default, inflect (whether is it a grammatical morpheme or not), as illustrated by the examples below:
Ostrander studente |
clever students |
'n lekker gesprek |
a pleasant conversation |
ou·er vroue (< oud·er) |
old·CMPR women |
older women |
There are some exceptions to the -er rule, where forms with -er have the status of collocations as part of fixed (inherited from 17th century Dutch) expressions, and are inflected, as in:
'n verder·e vraag |
a far·CMPR.ATTR question |
a further question |
by nader·e ondersoek |
at close·CMPR.ATTR investigation |
on closer investigation |
In addition, adjectival compounds based on an uninflectable monosyllabic stem do not inflect, for example an intensive form such as 'n spierwit landskap a muscle.white landscape a snow-white landscape, or a compound of two lexical morphemes, such as goedkoop groente good.buy vegetables cheap vegetables But note that adjectives ending in -er ,
Various exceptions to the default apply to both polysyllabic (as above) and monosyllabic stems. Those applicable to monosyllabic stems are discussed under the heading where the relevant phonological process is categorised.
While it is extremely difficult to make provision for all possible phonological forms, certain regularities regarding monosyllabic adjective stems can be identified. Monosyllabic adjective stems receive the attributive formant -e, inter alia, in the following cases:
-
If the stem ends in a consonant cluster which consists of a sonorant plus /d/ (-md, -nd, -ld and -rd )
'n vreemd·e geluid |
a strange·ATTR sound |
a strange sound |
'n wild·e jaagtog |
a wild·ATTR chase |
a wild chase |
- If the stem ends in a vowel plus /x/
la·e klanke (< laag·e) |
vague·ATTR promises |
low tones |
dro·ë bestanddele (< droog·e) |
dry·ATTR ingredients |
dry ingredients |
moe·ë reisigers (< moeg·e) |
tired·ATTR travellers |
tired travellers |
rui·e wenkbroue (< ruig·e) |
bushy·ATTR eyebrows |
bushy eyebrows |
Note that the intervocalic deletion of /x/ can bring about spelling changes, as illustrated in some examples above.
- After a long or high vowel (or diphthong) plus /d/
wred·e aanvallers (< wreed·e) |
cruel·ATTR attackers |
cruel attackers |
While this group is relatively restricted, some adjectives ending in /d/ under similar phonological (and orthographic) changes as in the case of invertocalic /x/ deletion, undergo intervocalic /d/ deletion, causing the concomitant spelling changes, as discussed above. Orthographically, an important difference is that (except for breed broad, of which the attributive form is breë (<breed·e)), the schwa is never represented by means of a diaeresis ( ë) in the case of /d/ deletion. Adjective stems ending in -d include also dood dead, goed good, goud golden, koud cold and wyd wide.
'n wy·e verskeidenheid (< wyd·e) |
a wide·ATTR variety |
a large assortment |
kou·e water (< koud·e) |
cold·ATTR water |
cold water |
Note that, phonologically, /d/ elision causes glide insertion, leading to forms such as [vəijə] and [kəuwə].
'n gou·e medalje (< goud·e) |
a gold·ATTR medal |
a gold medal |
'n dooi·e perd (< dood·e) |
a dead·ATTR horse |
a dead horse |
An example of an exception is oud old, of which the attributive form is ou, as in die Ou Testament the Old Testament, where /d/ deletion does take place, but no inflection. This is one of a few cases where the distinction between the attributive and predicate/adverbial forms are marked in a different way than by means of the schwa suffix. Two examples in this regard are jonk young and lank long, of which the attributive forms are jong, as in 'n jong meisie a young girl, and lang, as in 'n lang reis a long journey, respectively.
Returning to intervocalic /d/ deletion: Also note that inflection without /d/ deletion does occur in the case of some adjective stems containing a short vowel such as glad smooth, but that the vowel quality is retained by doubling the consonant in the spelling:
gladd·e bande (< glad·e) |
smooth·ATTR tyres |
smooth tyres |
Other verb stems with short vowels and different auslaut consonants are facultative, and may or not inflect, as in the case of dor arid and fel severe, as in the following examples:
'n dor/dorr·e landskap |
an arid/arid·ATTR landscape |
an arid landscape |
fel/fell·e kritiek |
severe/severe·ATTR criticism |
severe criticism |
- If the stem ends in a vowel plus /f/
Note that intervocalic voicing of /f/ occurs in all cases, as well as consonant doubling in the spelling where the quality of short vowels has to be maintained.
'n doww·e pyn (< dof·e) |
a dull·ATTR pain |
a dull pain |
Die waarskuwing was nie om dow·e neute nie. (< doof·e) |
the warning was not about deaf·ATTR nuts |
The warning was not for nothing. |
styw·e spiere (< styf·e) |
stiff·ATTR muscles |
stiff muscles |
- If the stem ends in a voiceless obstruent plus underlying /t/
Diachronically, the deletion of /t/ in syllable-final consonant clusters can be said to have taken place during the evolution of Afrikaans from 17th century Dutch; however, the /t/ reappears when the syllable structure is altered as a result of inflection, and /t/ starts the final syllable.
'n sagt·e teiken (< sag·e) |
a soft·ATTR target |
a soft target |
'n vast·e inkomste (< vas·e) |
a fixed·ATTR income |
a fixed income |
stipt·e gehoorsaamheid (< stip·e) |
strict·ATTR obedience |
strict obedience |
Exceptions in colloquial language occur in the case of some items, for example 'n sleg vent a nasty character/fellow, but then with added emotive content.
- If the stem ends in the rounded front vowel /y/, with epenthesis of /v/
This phenomenon is comparable to the syllable-initial realisation of cluster-final /t/ in adjective stems, except that its origin, evident from the spelling in Dutch, apparently represented a glide, and not an obstruent.
ruw·e berge (< ru·e) |
rough·ATTR mountains |
rough mountains |
die sluw·e jakkals (< slu·e) |
the wily·ATTR jackal |
the wily jackal |
Possibly as a result of the low frequency of this combination, the uninflected form is found often in examples like the following:
'n kru woord |
a coarse word |
- If the stem ends in a consonant cluster, with final /s/.
'n wulps·e blondine |
a voluptuous·ATTR blonde |
a voluptuous blonde |
met rats·e bewegings |
with swift·ATTR movements |
with swift movements |
mals·e plantegroei |
luxuriant·ATTR vegetation |
luxuriant vegetation |
- If the stem ends in a vowel plus /s/
wys·e woorde om in gedagte te hou |
wise·ATTR words for.COMP in thought PTCL.INF keep.INF |
wise words to keep in mind |
bos·e geeste (< boos·e) |
evil·ATTR spirits |
evil spirits |
In this category, various exceptions occur, which in many cases correlate with semantic nuances, such as grys hare grey hair, but tot die gryse ouderdom until the grey age until old age, los buie loose showers scattered showers, but losse sedes loose morals. In many cases, inflection also correlates with a figurative connotation, or emphasis .
The inflectional patterns occurring in Standard Afrikaans, exemplified in examples (18) to (53), do not fully represent the Afrikaans diasystem. An analysis which is restricted to this variety would obfuscate linguistic phenomena which occur in colloquial varieties and are exposed much more to language contact (and possibly creolisation). In this section, the spotlight is turned to primary data which were collected during the 1980s among the speakers of Cape Vernacular Afrikaans (generally known as Kaaps), and particularly in the Malay, or Cape Muslim community. A few more recent and comparable examples will also be included.
The reason for selecting this variety is that the sociolinguistic circumstances which influenced the development of Kaaps during its period of formation strongly favoured the retention of features which were the result of the contact situation. Hence present-day Kaaps would form an excellent testing ground to determine whether the expected results of grammatical gender loss led to a regular, simplified adjectival system. The importance of taking note of both the morphonological rules for adjectival inflection in Standard Afrikaans as in the combined system is underlined by the fact that variants from Kaaps have increasingly been used in normative contexts such as the electronic and print media since 1994, when the first democratic elections took place in the country.
A comparative diachronic study which was undertaken on the basis of the data referred to above (Kotzé 1984:41-73) points to some interesting differences between Kaaps (K-Afr.) and the standard variety (SAfr.) in relation to adjectival inflection. In some respects, Kaaps has remained a more conservative dialect, in that monomorphemic adjectives retained an attributive formant in a relatively consistent fashion, as in the following examples, which show that regularisation has indeed occurred in this variety:
K: Saoedi-Arabië was 'n arm·e land. |
Saudi Arabia was a poor·ATTR country |
SV: Saoedi-Arabië was 'n arm land. |
K: 'n ryk·e man |
a rich·ATTR man |
SV: 'n ryk man |
K: jou ou·e lesse (< oud·e) |
your old·ATTR lessons |
SV: jou ou lesse |
K: 'n klein·e bietjie |
a small·ATTR bit |
a little bit |
SV: 'n klein bietjie |
K: 'n kort·e distansie |
a short·ATTR distance |
SV: 'n kort distansie |
K: lekker vars·e snoek |
tasty fresh·ATTR snoek (barracouta) |
SV: lekker vars snoek |
These examples from Kaaps are a reflection of the general situation in late 18th century Cape Afrikaans (Raidt 1994:80). This pattern is also manifested in the attributive form of the possessive pronoun ons our, as in
K: baie manne van ons·e mense |
many men of our·ATTR people |
SV: baie manne van ons mense |
K: hy sal nooit in ons·e pad staan nie |
he will.AUX never in our·ATTR path stand |
he will never stand in our way |
SV: hy sal nooit in ons pad staan nie |
The examples of this category also reflect the situation in the 19th century (Raidt 1994:280) in all varieties of Afrikaans. On the basis of the comparison, one will be able to conclude that the inflected form of monomorphemic attributive adjectives in present-day Kaaps forms a larger category than in the standard variety, in which the process of regularisation (i.e. through generalisation of -e suffixing) was reversed somehow or other before the the present pattern became fixed. On the other hand, the phonological processes in Kaaps which are linked to the inflectional patterns are largely the same, and the default categories in which inflection in Standard Afrikaans is compulsory are identical to those in Kaaps. Examples from the data are:
K: 'n mens wat doen goei·e ietse (< goed·e) |
a person that.REL does good·ATTR somethings |
someone who does good things |
SV: 'n mens wat goeie dinge doen |
The rule according to which intervocalic /d/ is deleted (See heading 2 under Monosyllabic stems in the Read more section) is applicable in the example above.
In the example below, taken from a written Cape Muslim Afrikaans text, the inflectional rule applicable to polysyllabic stems (geestige (< geestig)), as well as that referring to intervocalic /x/ (hoë (< hoog)) deletion apply.
K: die geestig·e gemeenskap met Sy ho·ë baas (< hoog·e) |
the spiritual·ATTR communion with his high·ATTR master |
SV: die geestelike gemeenskap met sy hoë meester |
Afrikaans adjective | Attr. inflection | English translastion | Restricted use | Unmarked | Marked/Alternative | Example |
absoluut | ...lute | absolute | ||||
agterdogtig | ·e | suspicious | ||||
bedremmeld | ·e | sheepish, embarrassed | ||||
behoorlik | ·e | properly, proper | ||||
beteuterd | ·e | downcast, embarrassed | ||||
aaklig | ·e | awful, terrible | ||||
aamborstig | ·e | short-breathed, asthmatic | ||||
aangeklam | ·de | tipsy | ||||
aangenaam | ..name | pleasant | ||||
aangenome | – | adopted | ||||
aanhoudend | ·e | continuous, continuously | ||||
aanloklik | ·e | attractive, alluring | ||||
aanlyn | – | online | ||||
aanstaande | – | coming, next | ATTR | |||
aansteeklik | ·e | contagious, catching | ||||
aanstellerig | ·e | affected, full of airs | ||||
aanstootlik | ·e | offensive, obnoxious | ||||
aantreklik | ·e | attractive | ||||
aanvaarbaar | ...bare | acceptable | ||||
aanvallend | ·e | aggressive | ||||
aanvallig | ·e | charming | ||||
aanwesig | ·e | present | ||||
abnormaal | ...male | abnormal | ||||
adellik | ·e | noble | ||||
afdraand | ·e | down-hill | ||||
afgunstig | ·e | jealous, envious | ||||
afskuwelik | ·e | horrible, detestable | ||||
afsonderlik | ·e | separate | ||||
afstootlik | ·e | repulsive | ||||
afsydig | ·e | aloof | ||||
afwesig | ·e | absent | ||||
aggressief | ...siewe | aggressive | ||||
agtelosig | ·e | careless | ||||
agterbaks | ·e | sly, underhand | ||||
agterlik | ·e | backward | ||||
agtermekaar | – | neat | ||||
agterstallig | ·e | overdue | ||||
agterste | – | hind, hindmost | ||||
agterstevoor | – | wrong way round | ||||
al | ·le | all, every | ATTR | |||
algemeen | ...mene | general | ||||
alleen | –, PRED | alone | ADV, PRED | |||
allerbeste | – | very best | ATTR | |||
allergies | ·e | allergic | ||||
amptelik | ·e | official | ||||
ander | – | other | ATTR | |||
anders | ·e | different | ||||
angstig | ·e | fearful, terrified | ||||
apart | ·e | separate | ||||
arm | – | poor | arm en ryk mense | ·e | die arme drommel | |
arrogant | ·e | arrogant | ||||
astrant | ·e | cheeky | ||||
asvaal | – | pale | ||||
avontuurlik | ·e | adventurous | ||||
baie | – | many, much | ||||
bak | – | cupped | ||||
bakleierig | ·e | quarrelsome | ||||
bang | – | afraid, fearful | 'n bang mens | ·e | hierdie bange nag | |
bankrot | – | bankrupt, insolvent | ||||
basies | ·e | basic, basically | ||||
beangs | ·te | fearful | ||||
bedagsaam | ...same | considerate | ||||
bedek | ·e | concealed | ||||
bedompig | ·e | sultry, stuffy | ||||
bedonderd | ·e | mad, crazy | ||||
bedorwe | – | spoilt | ||||
bedrywig | ·e | active, busy | ||||
beduiweld | ·e | eccentric, difficult [person] | ||||
bedwelmd | ·e | drugged, intoxicated | ||||
beeldskoon | ...skone | a real looker | ||||
been-af | – | in love | ||||
begeerlik | ·e | desirable | ||||
behoeftig | ·e | needy, destitute | ||||
bejaard | ·e | elderly | ||||
bek-af | – | down-hearted | ||||
bekend | ·e | known | ||||
bekoorlik | ·e | charming | ||||
bekwaam | bekwame | capable | ||||
belaglik | ·e | ridiculous | ||||
belangrik | ·e | important | ||||
beleefd | ·e | polite | ||||
bemoedigend | ·e | encouraging | ||||
benoud | ·e | stuffy | ||||
bepaald | ·e | certain, particular | ||||
bereid | –, PRED | prepared, willing | ||||
bergagtig | ·e | mountainous | ||||
beroemd | ·e | famous | ||||
berug | ·te | notorious | ||||
beseer | ·de | injured | ||||
besig | ·e | busy | ||||
besimpeld | ·e | silly | ||||
beskaafd | ·e | civilized | ||||
beskeie | – | modest | ||||
beskikbaar | ...bare | available | ||||
beskonke | – | under the influence | ||||
besope | – | drunk | ||||
betalend | ·e | profitable | ||||
beter | – | better | 'n beter kans | ·e | na betere oorde verhuis | |
betrokke | – | overcast, involved, relevant | ||||
betroubaar | ...bare | reliable | ||||
bevorderlik (~ vir) | ·e | beneficial, conducive | ||||
bevredigend | ·e | satisfactory | ||||
bewerig | ·e | shaky, trembling | ||||
bewolk | ·te | cloudy, overcast | ||||
bewus | ·te | conscious | ||||
bewusteloos | ...lose | unconscious | ||||
billik | ·e | fair, reasonable | ||||
bitter | – | bitter | 'n bitter pil | ·e | tot hulle bittere ontnugtering | |
blank | ·e | white [people] | ||||
blanko | – | blank | ||||
bleek | – | pale | ||||
bles | – | bald | ||||
blind | ·e | blind | ||||
blink | – | shining, bright | ||||
blitsig | ·e | quick as lightning | ||||
blitsvinnig | ·e | double quick | ||||
bloeddorstig | ·e | blood-thirsty | ||||
bloederig | ·e | smeared with blood | ||||
bloedig | ·e | bloody | ||||
bloedjonk | ...jong | very young | ||||
bloedmin | – | very few, precious little | ||||
bloedrooi | – | blood-red | ||||
daagliks | ·e | daily | ||||
danig, danig met | ·e | quite, fond of | ||||
dankbaar | ...bare | grateful | ||||
dapper | – | brave | almal dappper soldate | ·e | 'n dappere houding | |
deeglik | ·e | thorough | ||||
deeltyds | ·e | part-time | ||||
definitief | ...tiewe | definite | ||||
deftig | ·e | stylish, smart | ||||
deksels | ·e | jolly, damn | ||||
delikaat | ...kate | delicate | ||||
demokraties | ·e | democratic | ||||
desperaat | ...rate | desperate | ||||
destyds | ·e | then | ||||
deurmekaar | – | mixed-up, confused | ||||
deurnat | – | soaking wet | ||||
deurskynend | ·e | transparent | ||||
diep | – | deep | diep spore | ·e | diepe teleurstelling | |
diepgaande | – | profound, radical | ||||
dierbaar | ...bare | dear, beloved | ||||
dierlik | ·e | animal, brutal | ||||
dieselfde | – | the same | ||||
dig | ·te | dense, close, tight | ||||
digterlik | ·e | poetic | ||||
dik | – | thick | dik matte | ·ke | die dikke boek deurgelees | |
dikbek | – | sulky | ||||
dikmond | – | sulky | ||||
dikvellig | ·e | thick-skinned | ||||
direk | ·te | direct | ||||
disnis | – | out cold | PRED | |||
dodelik | ·e | deadly | ||||
doelbewus | ·te | deliberate | ||||
doelloos | ...lose | aimless, goalless | ||||
doeltreffend | ·e | effective | ||||
doenig | ·e | busy | ||||
doenlik | ·e | feasible | ||||
dof | dowwe | dim | ||||
dol | – | crazed, hectic | dol honde | ·le | 'n dolle jaagtog | |
dolleeg | ...leë | completely empty | ||||
dom | – | dim-witted, stupid | dom keuses | ·me | domme dinge wat ek gesê het | |
donker | – | dark | 'n donker wolk | ·e | 'n donkere wanhoopsnag | |
donkerrooi | – | dark red | ||||
dood | dooie | dead | ||||
doodbang | – | petrified, scared to death | ||||
doodeerlik | ·e | downright honest | ||||
doodernstig | ·e | deadly serious | ||||
doodgewoon | ...gewone | quite common | ||||
doodmaklik | ·e | dead easy | ||||
doodmoeg | ...moeë | dead beat, dead tired | ||||
doodonskuldig | ·e | quite innocent | ||||
doodreg | ·te | dead right | ||||
doodsbleek | – | deathly pale, ashen | ||||
doodsiek | – | fatally ill, moribund | ||||
doodstil | – | motionless, deadly quiet | ||||
doodtevrede | – | perfectly content | ||||
doof | dowe | deaf | ||||
doofstom | – | deaf and dumb | ||||
dooierig | ·e | listless, sluggish | ||||
dor | – | arid | 'n dor land | ·re | net dorre vlaktes | |
dors | – | thirsty | ||||
dowerig | ·e | slightly deaf | ||||
draagbaar | ...bare | portable | ||||
draaglik | ·e | bearable | ||||
draderig | ·e | thready, fibrous | ||||
dragtig | ·e | gravid, with young | ||||
dreigend | ·e | menacing, threatening | ||||
driehoekig | ·e | triangular | ||||
drietalig | ·e | trilingual | ||||
driftig | ·e | passionate | ||||
dringend | ·e | urgent | ||||
drinkbaar | ...bare | potable | ||||
droewig | ·e | sad, dismal | ||||
dronk | – | drunk | ||||
droog | droë | dry | ||||
druk | – | busy, heavy | ||||
drukkend | ·e | oppressive | ||||
dubbel | ·e | double | ||||
dubbelsinnig | ·e | ambiguous, equivocal | ||||
duidelik | ·e | clear | ||||
duiselig | ·e | dizzy | ||||
duister | – | dark, obscure | 'n donker kamer | ·e | duistere geheime | |
dun | – | thin | ||||
duskantste | – | on this side, near | ATTR | |||
duur | – | expensive | 'n duur prys | dure | 'n dure les | |
duursaam | ...same | durable | ||||
dwaas | dwase | foolish | ||||
dwars | – | cross | ||||
dynserig | ·e | hazy | ||||
edel | ·e | noble | ||||
eenmalig | ·e | unique | ||||
eenparig | ·e | unanimous | ||||
eensaam | ...same | lonely, solitary | ||||
eensgesind | ·e | at one, in harmony | ||||
eensydig | ·e | biased, one-sided | ||||
eentonig | ·e | monotonous | ||||
eenvoudig | ·e | simple, plain | ||||
eerbaar | ...bare | honest, virtuous | ||||
eerlik | ·e | honest, honourable | ||||
eersgebore | – | first-born | ||||
eersgenoemde | – | first-mentioned | ATTR | |||
eerskomende | – | following, next | ATTR | |||
eertydse | – | former | ATTR | |||
eervol | ·le | honourable | ||||
eetbaar | ...bare | edible | ||||
eeue oud | ~ oue | age-old | ||||
effektief | ...tiewe | effective | ||||
effens | ·e | slight | ||||
eg | ·te | genuine, authentic | ||||
egalig | ·e | steady | ||||
Egipties | ·e | Egyptian | ||||
egoïsties | ·e | selfish | ||||
eie | – | own | ||||
eienaardig | ·e | strange, peculiar, funny | ||||
eiesinnig | ·e | headstrong, obstinate | ||||
eiewys | – | self-conceited, stubborn | ||||
eina | – | scanty, lame, poor | ||||
eindeloos | ...lose | endless | ||||
eintlik | ·e | real | ||||
eksie-perfeksie | – | perfect | ||||
ekstra | – | extra | ||||
elasties | ·e | elastic | ||||
elegant | ·e | elegant, stylish | ||||
elektries | ·e | electric | ||||
elektronies | ·e | electronic | ||||
elementêr | ·e | elementary | ||||
ellendig | ·e | miserable | ||||
ene | – | a certain | ATTR | |||
eng | – | narrow-minded, narrow | ||||
enig | ·e | any | ATTR | |||
enig | – | only | PRED | |||
enigste | – | only | ATTR | |||
enkel | ·e | single, a few | ||||
enorm | ·e | enormous | ||||
entoesiasties | ·e | enthusiastic | ||||
erg | ·e | bad, badly | ||||
ergerlik | ·e | offensive | ||||
ergste | – | worst | ATTR | |||
erkentlik | ·e | grateful | ||||
ernstig | ·e | serious, seriously | ||||
ervare | – | experienced | ||||
essensieel | ...siële | essential | ||||
etnies | ·e | ethnic | ||||
eweredig | ·e | proportional | ||||
ewig | ·e | eternal | ||||
fantasties | ·e | fantastic | ||||
fatsoenlik | ·e | decent | ||||
feestelik | ·e | festive | ||||
feilbaar | ...bare | fallible | ||||
fel | – | fierce, sharp | fel kritiek | ·le | 'n felle stryd | |
ferm | – | firm, steady | ||||
figuurlik | ·e | figurative | ||||
fiks | – | fit | ||||
filosofies | ·e | philosophical | ||||
finaal | finale | final | ||||
finansieel | ...siële | financial | ||||
fisiek | ·e | physical, bodily | ||||
fisies | ·e | scientific, physically | ||||
flambojant | ·e | flamboyant | ||||
flenters | – | in smithereens | PRED | |||
flink | – | smart, brisk, thorough | 'n flink stappie | ·e | die polisie se flinke optrede | |
florerend | ·e | flourishing | ||||
flou | – | dim, weak, silly | flou verskonings | ·e | geen floue idee nie | |
fluks | – | hard-working, diligent | 'n fluks jong boer | ·e | hierdie flukse student | |
formeel | ...mele | formal | ||||
fors | – | strong, sturdy | 'n fors middeljarige man | ·e | sy pa se forse blik | |
foutief | ...tiewe | faulty, defective | ||||
fraai | – | pretty | fraai illustrasies | ·e | 'n fraaie poppie | |
fris | – | fresh | 'n fris windjie het gewaai | ·e | frisse, helder sopraanstem | |
frustrerend | ·e | frustrating | ||||
futiel | ·e | futile, in vain | ||||
futloos | ...lose | spiritless | ||||
fyn | – | fine | 'n fyn balans | ·e | 'n fyne woordspeling | |
fyngevoelig | ·e | sensitive | ||||
gaaf | gawe | fine, friendly | ||||
gaande | – | crazy (about), exited | ||||
gaar | – | cooked | ||||
galant | ·e | courteous | ||||
galbitter | – | bitter as gall | ||||
galsterig | ·e | rancid | ||||
gangbaar | ...bare | acceptable | ||||
gans | ·e | whole, entire[ly], altogether | ATTR, ADV | |||
gapend | ·e | yawning, gaping | ||||
gasvry | ·e | hospitable | ||||
gaterig | ·e | full of holes, holey | ||||
geag | ·te | respected | ATTR | |||
gebak | ·te | baked, fried | ||||
gebal | ·de | clenched | ||||
gebars | ·te | cracked, burst | ||||
gebelg | ·de | offended, angry | ||||
geboë | – | bowed, bent | ||||
gebore | – | born | ||||
gebraai | ·de | grilled, roasted | ||||
gebreek | ·te | broken, crushed | ||||
gebrekkig | ·e | faulty, imperfect | ||||
gebreklik | ·e | disabled, deformed | ||||
gebroke | – | broken | ||||
gebruiklik | ·e | customary | ||||
gebuk (~ gaan) | ·ke | bent, burdened | ADV | |||
gedaan | gedane | done, finished | ||||
gedeeltelik | ·e | partial | ||||
gedetermineerd | ·e | resolute | ||||
gedrink | ·te | tipsy, drunk | PRED, ATTR | |||
gedug | ·te | formidable | ||||
geduldig | ·e | patient | ||||
gedurig | ·e | continuous, constant | ||||
gedwonge | – | forced | ||||
geel | – | yellow | ||||
geesdriftig | ·e | enthusiastic | ||||
geestelik | ·e | spiritual, mental | ||||
geestig | ·e | witty, funny | ||||
gegewe | – | given | ||||
gegoed | ·e | well-to-do, well-off | ATTR | |||
gegradueer | ·de | graduate | ||||
gegrief | ·de | resentful | ||||
gehard | ·e | tough, tempered | ||||
gehawend | ·e | tattered | ||||
geheg | ·te | attached | ||||
geheim | ·e | secret | ||||
geheimsinnig | ·e | mysterious | ||||
geholpe | – | helped | ||||
gehoorsaam | ...same | obedient | ||||
geil | – | lush, fertile | ||||
geïllustreer | ·de | illustrated | ||||
geïnteresseerd | ·e | interested | ||||
gek | – | silly, fond of | 'n gek gevoel | ·ke | gekke dinge doen | |
gekant (~ teen) | – | set against | ||||
geklee | geklede | dressed | ||||
geklik | ·e | stupid | ||||
gekonfyt | – | skilled, an old hand | PRED | |||
gekrenk | ·te | hurt [fig.] | ||||
geldelik | ·e | financial | ATTR, ADV | |||
geldgierig | ·e | avaricious, greedy for money | ||||
geldig | ·e | valid | ||||
geleë | – | situated, convenient | ||||
geleerd | ·e | learned | ||||
geleidelik | ·e | gradual | ||||
geletterd | ·e | literate | ||||
geliefd | ·e | popular | ||||
geliefkoos | ·de | favourite | ||||
geloofwaardig | ·e | credible | ||||
gelukkig | ·e | happy, lucky, fortunate | ||||
gelyk | ·e | level, equal | ||||
gelykop | – | |||||
gelyktydig | ·e | simultaneous | ||||
gemaklik | ·e | comfortable, easy | ||||
gemeen | gemene | mean, dirty, in common | ||||
gemeenskaplik | ·e | common, collective | ||||
gemeng | ·de | mixed | ||||
gemiddeld | ·e | average | ||||
genadig | ·e | merciful, lenient | ||||
geniepsig | ·e | hurting,nasty | ||||
genotvol | ·le | enjoyable | ||||
geolie | ·de | oiled, lubricated | ||||
geoorloof | ·de | permissible | ||||
gepas | ·te | appropriate, fitting | ||||
gereed | – | ready, prepared | PRED | |||
gereël | ·de | arranged | ||||
gereeld | ·e | regular | ||||
geregtig | ·de | entitled | ||||
geregverdig | ·de | justified | ||||
gerieflik | ·e | comfortable | ||||
gering | ·e | slight | ||||
gerus | ·te | at ease, calm | ||||
gesaghebbend | ·e | authoritative | ||||
gesamentlik | ·e | joint, total | ||||
geseënd | ·e | blessed | ||||
gesellig | ·e | sociable, cosy | ||||
geset | ·te | stout, corpulent, set | ||||
geskiedkundig | ·e | historic, historical | ||||
geskik | ·te | suitable, appropriate | ||||
geskool | ·de | trained | ||||
geslaag | ·de | successful | ||||
geslepe | – | cunning | ||||
geslote | – | closed | ||||
gesond | ·e | healthy | ||||
gespanne | – | tense | ||||
gespierd | ·e | muscular | ||||
gespikkel | ·de | speckled, spotted | ||||
gespits | ·te | pointed | ||||
gesproke | – | spoken | ||||
getrou | ·e | faithful, loyal | ||||
geurig | ·e | fragrant, tasty | ||||
gevaarlik | ·e | dangerous | ||||
gevange | – | captive, imprisoned | ||||
gevat | ·te | witty | ||||
gevleg | ·te | braided, plaited | ||||
gevlek | ·te | spotted, stained | ||||
gevoelig | ·e | sensitive | ||||
gevoelloos | ...lose | callous, numb | ||||
gevoelvol | ·le | tender | ||||
gewaag | ·de | risky | ||||
gewapen | ·de | armed | ||||
gewelddadig | ·e | violent | ||||
geweldig | ·e | enormous, mighty | ||||
gewens | ·te | desired | ||||
gewese | – | former, ex- | ATTR | |||
gewetenloos | ...lose | unscrupulous | ||||
gewigtig | ·e | important | ||||
gewild | ·e | popular | ||||
gewillig | ·e | willing, ready | ||||
gewis | ·se | certain | ||||
gewoon | gewone | common, normal | ||||
gewoond (~ aan) | – | accustomed, used to | ||||
giftig | ·e | poisonous, venomous | ||||
gitswart | – | pitch black | ||||
glad | ·de | slippery, smooth | ||||
glashelder | – | crystal-clear | ||||
glibberig | ·e | slippery | ||||
goddelik | ·e | divine | ||||
goddeloos | ...lose | godless, naughty | ||||
godsdienstig | ·e | religious, devout | ||||
goed | goeie | good | ||||
goedgelowig | ·e | naïve, credulous | ||||
goedhartig | ·e | kind-hearted, good-natured | ||||
goedkoop | – | cheap | ||||
goor | – | nasty | ||||
gou | – | quick, soon | PRED, ADV | |||
goue | –, ATTR | golden, gold-coloured | ||||
grasgroen | – | grass-green | ||||
gratis | – | free | ||||
gretig | ·e | keen, eager | ||||
grieselig | ·e | creepy, gruesome | ||||
groen | – | green, unripe | ||||
grof | growwe | rough, coarse | ||||
grondwetlik | ·e | constitutional | ||||
groot | – | big, huge | 'n groot verskeidenheid boeke | grote | die grote God | |
grusaam | ...same | gruesome, horrible | ||||
grys | – | grey | 'n grys oggend in Londen | ·e | in die gryse verlede | |
gulsig | ·e | greedy | ||||
gunstig | ·e | favourable, opportune | ||||
guur | gure | unpleasant, inclement | ||||
haaks | – | squared, right-angled, at loggerheads | ||||
haarfyn | – | in detail | ||||
haastig | ·e | hasty, in a hurry | ||||
haglik | ·e | critical, desperate | ||||
half | halwe | half, semi- | ATTR, ADV | |||
halfjaarliks | ·e | half-yearly, every six months | ||||
handgemeen | – | fighting hand to hand | PRED | |||
handig | ·e | handy, clever | ||||
hans | – | hand-fed, orphan | ||||
hard | ·e | hard, loud | ||||
hardhandig | ·e | harsh, rough | ||||
hardkoppig | ·e | stubborn | ||||
hardlywig | ·e | constipated | ||||
hardnekkig | ·e | obstinate | ||||
hardvogtig | ·e | callous, hard-hearted | ||||
hardwerkend | ·e | diligent, hard-working | ||||
harig | ·e | hairy | ||||
hartlik | ·e | cordially | ||||
hartstogtelik | ·e | passionate, passionately | ||||
hatig | ·e | spiteful, vengeful | ||||
heel | hele | whole, entire | ||||
heeltyds | ·e | fulltime | ||||
heerlik | ·e | delightful, delicious | ||||
hees | – | hoarse | ||||
heet | – | hot | heet sonstrale | hete | op hete kole | |
heg | ·te | firm, solid | ||||
heilig | ·e | holy, sacred | ||||
heimlik | ·e | secret | ||||
helder | – | bright, clear | ||||
helderrooi | – | bright red | ||||
hels | ·e | devilish, hellish | ||||
heuwelagtig | ·e | hilly | ||||
hewig | ·e | violent, heavy | ||||
higiënies | ·e | hygienic | ||||
hinderlik | ·e | annoying, inconvenient | ||||
hiperkorrek | ·te | hypercorrect | ||||
hiperkrities | ·e | hypercritical | ||||
hipermodern | ·e | hypermodern | ||||
histeries | ·e | hysterical | ||||
histories | ·e | historical, historic | ||||
hoër | – | higher | fondse met hoër opbrengste | ·e | gereed vir hoëre louere | |
hoflik | ·e | polite | ||||
hol | – | hollow | 'n hol kol op die maag | ·le | holle beloftes | |
holrug | – | hackneyed | PRED, ADV | |||
hondmak | – | tame as a dog | ||||
honger | – | hungry | ||||
hoog | hoë | high | ||||
hoogdrawend | ·e | pompous | ||||
hooghartig | ·e | haughty | ||||
hoogmoedig | ·e | haughty, proud | ||||
hoogste | – | highest, utmost | ||||
hoopvol | ·le | full of hope | ||||
hopeloos | ...lose | beyond hope, hopeless, hopelessly | ||||
horisontaal | ...tale | horizontal | ||||
houtgerus | ·te | unconcerned | ||||
hubaar | ...bare | eligible, marriageable | ||||
huidig | ·e | present, current | ATTR | |||
huilerig | ·e | crying ,whimpering | ||||
huislik | ·e | domestic, homely | ||||
huiwerig | ·e | hesitant | ||||
hulpeloos | ...lose | helpless, helplessly | ||||
hulpvaardig | ·e | cooperative, helpful | ||||
humeurig | ·e | moody | ||||
hups | ·e | lively | ||||
ideaal | ideale | ideal | ||||
idiomaties | ·e | idiomatic | ||||
immoreel | ...rele | immoral | ||||
imposant | ·e | impressive | ||||
indirek | ·te | indirect | ||||
individueel | ...duele | individual | ||||
indringend | ·e | penetrating | ||||
indrukwekkend | ·e | impressive | ||||
industrieel | ...triële | industrial | ||||
informeel | ...mele | informal | ||||
ingebore | – | innate | ||||
ingedagte | – | lost in thought | ||||
ingemaak | ·te | canned | ||||
ingenome | – | pleased | ||||
ingeskrewe | – | registered | ||||
ingeslote | – | enclosed | ||||
ingetoë | – | modest | ||||
ingewikkeld | ·e | complicated | ||||
ingrypend | ·e | far-reaching | ||||
inhalig | ·e | greedy | ||||
inheems | ·e | indigenous | ||||
inmekaar | – | together, into each other | PRED, ADV | |||
innig | ·e | intimate, sincere | ||||
inskiklik | ·e | obliging, accommodating | ||||
inspannend | ·e | strenuous | ||||
intelligent | ·e | intelligent | ||||
interessant | ·e | interesting | ||||
interkerklik | ·e | interdenominational | ||||
internasionaal | ...nale | international | ||||
intiem | ·e | intimate | ||||
irrasioneel | ...nele | irrational | ||||
jaarliks | ·e | annual, every year | ||||
jags | ·e | lecherous, on heat | ||||
jaloers | ·e | jealous | ||||
jammer | –, PRED | sorry | ||||
jeugdig | ·e | youthful, juvenile | ||||
jeukerig | ·e | itching | ||||
jolig | ·e | jolly | ||||
jonk | jong | young, late | 'n jong student | jonge | met die jonge Marie aan jou sy | |
junior | – | junior | ||||
kaal | – | naked, bald | 'n kaal bolyf | kale | bly slegs die kale beendere oor | |
kaalgat | – | stark naked | ||||
kaalkop | – | bald head | ||||
kaalvoet | – | barefoot | ||||
kaduks | ·e | dog-tired, finished | ||||
kalm | – | calm | kalm denke | ·e | met 'n kalme waardigheid | |
kapabel | – | likely to | ||||
kapot | – | gone to pieces, exhausted | PRED | |||
karig | ·e | scant, scantily | ||||
kastig | ·e | so-called, as if | ||||
katools | ·e | on heat | ||||
katswink | – | dazed | PRED | |||
katterig | ·e | catty, quarrelsome | ||||
kenmerkend | ·e | characteristic | ||||
kersregop | – | bolt upright | ||||
kielierig | ·e | ticklish | ||||
kiertsregop | – | bolt upright | ||||
kieskeurig | ·e | particular | ||||
kiets | – | quits, even | PRED | |||
kinderagtig | ·e | childish, silly | ||||
kinderlik | ·e | childlike, innocent | ||||
kinderloos | ...lose | childless | ||||
kinds | ·e | senile | ||||
klaar | – | finished, ready | ||||
klaarblyklik | ·e | obvious | ||||
klaarpraat (met | – | done, finished | PRED | |||
klam | – | damp | ||||
klein | – | little, small | 'n klein dorpie | ·e | die kleine Mpondo | |
kleinserig | ·e | over-sensitive | ||||
klerklik | ·e | clerical | ||||
klewerig | ·e | sticky | ||||
kliphard | ·e | as hard as stone | ||||
klipperig | ·e | stony | ||||
klokhelder | – | clear as a bell | ||||
knap | – | smart | ||||
knaphandig | ·e | skilful | ||||
knorrig | ·e | grumpy | ||||
knus | – | snug, cosy | ||||
koddig | ·e | funny, odd | ||||
koel | – | cool, chilly | koel weer | ·e | 'n gesindheid van koele afsydigheid | |
koelbloedig | ·e | cold-blooded | ||||
koelerig | ·e | rather cool, fresh | ||||
kolonialisties | ·e | colonialist | ||||
kolossaal | ...sale | colossal | ||||
komieklik | ·e | funny | ||||
komies | ·e | comical | ||||
kommersieel | ...siële | commercial | ||||
kompak | ·te | compact | ||||
koninklik | ·e | royal | ||||
konsekwent | ·e | consistent | ||||
konserwatief | ...tiewe | conservative | ||||
koorsagtig | ·e | feverish, urgent | ||||
koorsig | ·e | feverish | ||||
koppig | ·e | stubborn, obstinate | ||||
kordaat | ...date | bold, brave |