beste vriend
The English phrase "best friend" is translated into Afrikaans as beste vriend.
This term is used to describe an especially close and trusted friend.
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
Which one should you use?
Beste vriend is used when referring to a male friend or a mixed-gender group of friends. If you are specifically referring to a female friend, use beste vriendin instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about more than one person, the plural form is beste vriende. If you are referring to a female friend, use the feminine form beste vriendin.
Did you know?
- While beste vriend is the standard term, Afrikaans speakers often use the slang word tjomma to describe a close friend or buddy.
- If you want to emphasize how close a 'best friend' is, you can use the word hartsvriend, which literally translates to 'heart friend'.
- The word vriend is part of a larger family of words in Afrikaans where the 'v' is pronounced like an 'f', meaning the word sounds much more like the English 'frient' than 'vrient'.
Examples in context
- Ons beste vriend is 'n dokter.Our best friend is a doctor.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a person's profession using beste vriend.Tatoeba #2783403 by Diablofire, translation #847133 by Source_Benedict_1921
- Ek wil graag my beste vriend, Piet, bedank vir sy ondersteuning.I would like to thank my best friend, Piet, for his support.
- Sy is my beste vriend.She is my best friend.
- Ek wil my beste vriend ontmoet.I want to meet my best friend.
Example conversation
Nicola and Pieter are talking about their social life at a cafe.
- NicolaKen jy my beste vriend?Do you know my best friend?
- PieterNee, vertel my van hom.No, tell me about him.
- NicolaHy is 'n baie goeie mens.He is a very good person.
- PieterDit klink vir my wonderlik.That sounds wonderful to me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
