olifant
/ˈʊə̯.liˌfant/
The Afrikaans word for elephant is olifant.
The word is used to refer to the large mammal.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While olifant is the standard term, trompie is used in informal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʊə̯.liˌfant/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The Greek root of the word, 'eléphās', is thought by some historians to have originally referred to 'ivory' rather than the animal itself.
- In South African slang, if someone is described as having 'olifant-ore', it means they have incredibly large ears, often used teasingly.
- While olifant is the animal, the word olifantsrus appears frequently in South African place names, meaning 'elephant's rest'.
Examples in context
- Die olifant is baie groot.The elephant is very big.
- Ek het 'n olifant in die dieretuin gesien.I saw an elephant at the zoo.
- Daardie olifant eet baie gras.That elephant eats a lot of grass.
Example conversation
Andries and Anika are looking at a wildlife book.
- AndriesKyk na hierdie olifant!Look at this elephant!
- AnikaHy is pragtig, Andries.He is beautiful, Andries.
- AndriesIs hy nie ook baie swaar nie?Is he not also very heavy?
- AnikaJa, hy is baie groot.Yes, he is very large.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries olifant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
