rug
/rœχ/
The English word 'back' (referring to the rear of the body) is translated into Afrikaans as rug.
rug is used as a noun to refer specifically to the anatomical back of a person or animal.
Meaning: the rear of body (noun)
Which one should you use?
While rug refers to the anatomical back (the noun), the word agter is used to describe the position or direction of being 'behind' or 'near the rear'. Additionally, agteraf is used as an adjective to mean 'away from the main area'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/rœχ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse the Afrikaans rug with the English word 'rug' meaning a carpet. In Afrikaans, a carpet is called a mat or tapyt.
Did you know?
- The Afrikaans word rug also refers to the spine of a book.
- The pronunciation of rug ends with a guttural sound produced in the throat, which is distinct from the soft 'g' found in English words like 'gem'.
- The phrase met die rug teen die muur describes being 'with your back against the wall' in both a literal and a metaphorical sense of desperation.
Examples in context
- Tom het gesterf met 'n mes in sy rug.Tom died with a knife in his back.This sentence shows how to use rug when referring to a knife in a person's back.Tatoeba #2783306 by Diablofire, translation #1026238 by CK
- Ek kom terug na die huis toe.I am coming back to the house.
- Hy wil sy boek terug hê.He wants his book back.
- Kom terug!Come back!
- Ek sal vanaand terugkom.I will come back tonight.
- Hulle wil nie meer terugkom nie.They don't want to come back anymore.
- Gaan agtertoe en sien wat gebeur.Go back and see what happens.
- Kyk terug!Look back!
- Gaan terug na die beginpunt.Go back to the starting point.
- Dit was goed om jou weer te sien nadat jy teruggekom het.It was good to see you again after you came back.
- My rug is baie seer vandag.My back is very sore today.
- Sy dra 'n tas op haar rug.She carries a bag on her back.
Example conversation
Andries and Anika are talking about a gym workout.
- AndriesHet jy nou al minder pyn in jou rug?Do you have less pain in your back now?
- AnikaJa, Andries, dit voel baie beter vandag.Yes, Andries, it feels much better today.
- AndriesEk kan help om jou rug te masseer.I can help massage your back.
- AnikaDankie, Anika sal dit waardeer.Thank you, Anika would appreciate it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “back” translations and entries rug, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
