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Pronunciation · Uitspraak
Afrikaans is spelled much as it sounds. Learn these 21 patterns and you can read almost anything aloud. English comparisons are approximate.
| Spelling | Sounds like (approx.) | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| aa | long 'ah', as in father | maanmoon | |
| ee | like 'ear' without the r | tweetwo | |
| oe | 'oo' as in moon | boekbook | |
| ie | 'ee' as in see | tienten | |
| ui | no English match: say 'ay' with rounded lips | huishouse | |
| ei / y | 'ay' as in day | kleinsmall | |
| ou / au | 'oh' with a short 'oo' glide | oupagrandfather | |
| oo | 'oar' without the r | boomtree | |
| uu | French 'u': say 'ee' with rounded lips | uurhour | |
| g | throaty, like 'ch' in Scottish loch | goedgood | |
| r | tapped or rolled, like Spanish | rooired | |
| v | an English 'f' | virfor | |
| w | a soft 'v' | watwhat | |
| j | an English 'y' | jayes | |
| sj | 'sh' | sjokoladechocolate | |
| tj | 'ch' | tjipschips | |
| ê | 'air' | wêreldworld | |
| ë, ï | marks a new syllable, not a new sound | geëeteaten | |
| ô | 'or' | môretomorrow | |
| d at the end | sounds like 't' | honddog | |
| 'n | a short 'uh' | 'n huisa house |
Het jy kinders of kleinkinders? 🦁
They can learn to read and write Afrikaans with sound-by-sound lessons, games and Leo the lion. Learn at the same kitchen table.