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Numbers & Time in Afrikaans
Afrikaans numbers are logical and straightforward. These 35 essential phrases cover counting and time — with native audio from a South African speaker.
Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
🔢 Getalle 1 tot 10 — Numbers 1–10
1.
Een.
One (1)
Almost identical to Dutch numbers. English speakers often recognise Afrikaans numbers easily.
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2.
Twee.
Two (2)
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3.
Drie.
Three (3)
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4.
Vier.
Four (4)
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5.
Vyf.
Five (5)
The 'y' in Afrikaans is a vowel, often sounding like 'ay' or the 'ei' in 'height'.
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6.
Ses.
Six (6)
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7.
Sewe.
Seven (7)
'w' between vowels sounds like 'v' in Afrikaans — 'sewe' = 'say-vuh'.
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8.
Agt.
Eight (8)
The Afrikaans 'g' is guttural — like Dutch 'g' or the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'.
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9.
Nege.
Nine (9)
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10.
Tien.
Ten (10)
Eleven = elf, twelve = twaalf. Many Afrikaans numbers sound familiar to English ears.
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💯 Groter Getalle — Bigger Numbers
11.
Elf.
Eleven (11)
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12.
Twaalf.
Twelve (12)
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13.
Twintig.
Twenty (20)
Afrikaans compounds: een-en-twintig (21), twee-en-twintig (22). Ones come first!
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14.
Dertig.
Thirty (30)
Pattern: twintig, dertig, veertig, vyftig, sestig, sewentig, tagtig, negentig.
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15.
Vyftig.
Fifty (50)
Like German: een-en-vyftig (51) = one-and-fifty. Ones come before tens.
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16.
Honderd.
One hundred (100)
200 = tweehonderd, 300 = driehonderd — straightforward compounds.
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17.
Duisend.
One thousand (1,000)
South African prices are in rand (R). Many items cost thousands of rand.
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18.
Hoeveel kos dit?
How much does it cost?
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19.
Dit kos tien rand.
It costs ten rand.
'Rand' has no plural form — always 'tien rand', never 'rande' (though 'rande' is used for cents).
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20.
Twee kaartjies, asseblief.
Two tickets, please.
Diminutives (-tjie/-jie) are used constantly in Afrikaans — they add warmth and familiarity.
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🕐 Die Tyd — Telling the Time
21.
Hoe laat is dit?
What time is it?
Literally 'how late is it?' Same structure as German — South Africa and Germany share this phrasing.
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22.
Dit is drie-uur.
It's three o'clock.
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23.
Dit is halfvier.
It's half past three. (3:30)
WARNING: 'Half vier' = 3:30 (half BEFORE four) — the same system as Dutch and German!
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24.
Dit is kwart oor drie.
It's quarter past three. (3:15)
3:45 = 'kwart voor vier' (quarter before four).
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25.
In die oggend.
In the morning.
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26.
In die middag.
In the afternoon.
Evening = 'in die aand.' Night = 'in die nag.'
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27.
Vandag.
Today.
'Vanaand' = tonight. 'Vanoggend' = this morning. 'Van' + time word is the pattern.
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28.
Môre.
Tomorrow.
'Môre' = tomorrow OR morning. 'Môreoggend' = tomorrow morning (to be specific).
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📅 Dae van die Week — Days of the Week
29.
Maandag.
Monday.
'Maan' = moon. Afrikaans days closely mirror Dutch days.
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30.
Dinsdag.
Tuesday.
From the Germanic 'Ding' (assembly day). Same root as Dutch and English 'Tuesday.'
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31.
Woensdag.
Wednesday.
From Wodan/Odin — same root as English 'Wednesday' (Woden's day).
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32.
Donderdag.
Thursday.
'Donder' = thunder. Named after Thor (Donar). Literally 'thunder day.'
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33.
Vrydag.
Friday.
'Vry' can mean 'free' — so 'Vrydag' carries a double meaning of 'Freya's day' and 'freedom day'!
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34.
Saterdag.
Saturday.
From Saturn (via Dutch). Unusually follows the Roman planet naming, unlike Spanish/Portuguese.
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35.
Sondag.
Sunday.
'Son' = sun. Literally 'sun day' — the same as English 'Sunday.' Very easy to remember!
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