blou
/blœu̯/
The English phrase 'blue' is translated into Afrikaans as blou.
The word blou is used to describe something that is blue-coloured. It functions as both an adjective and a noun representing the colour itself. If you need to specify a more vivid shade, you can use helderblou to mean 'bright blue'.
Meaning: blue-coloured (adj)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/blœu̯/
Did you know?
- Afrikaans speakers sometimes use blou in the phrase blou bloed to refer to nobility or 'blue blood', a concept imported from European aristocratic traditions.
- In many South African contexts, particularly in music or poetry, the concept of 'blues' as a genre of melancholy music is often referred to using the English loanword rather than a translated Afrikaans equivalent.
- The word blou shares a common ancestor with the English word 'blue', both tracing back to the Proto-Germanic root *blēwaz.
Examples in context
- Die meisie in die blou jas is my dogter.The girl in the blue coat is my daughter.This sentence shows how to use blou when describing a piece of clothing.Tatoeba #4340299 by Superdooperhero, translation #1449345 by CK
- Die lug is blou, die see is ook blou. Die lug en die see is blou.The sky is blue, the sea is also blue. The sky and the sea are blue.This sentence demonstrates using blou to describe the colour of nature, such as the sky and the sea.Tatoeba #2783281 by Diablofire, translation #1499932 by vivace160
- Ek hou van die blou rok met die wit kraag. Het jy dit in my grootte?I like the blue dress with the white collar. Do you have it in my size?This sentence shows how to use blou when describing a dress.Tatoeba #13458338 by Pietpetoors, translation #13457503 by araneo
- blou en geelBlue and yellow
- Die lug is 'n helderblou kleur vandag.The sky is a bright blue color today.
- Hierdie vaalblou rok pas perfek by my skoene.This light blue skirt matches my shoes perfectly.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Liezel and Johan are looking at paint samples for a room.
- LiezelWat dink jy van hierdie blou kleur?What do you think of this blue color?
- JohanEk dink dit is te donker.I think it is too dark.
- LiezelMiskien is 'n ligter blou beter.Maybe a lighter blue is better.
- JohanJa, dit sal die kamer helderder maak.Yes, that will make the room brighter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blue” translations and entries blou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
