almal
/al.mal/
In Afrikaans, the English word 'everyone' is translated as almal.
almal is the most common and direct way to say 'everyone' in Afrikaans, referring to every person.
Meaning: every person (pron)
Which one should you use?
While almal refers to every person, you should use the word alles when you mean 'everything' (every thing).
How do you pronounce it?
/al.mal/
Did you know?
- Although it functions as a pronoun today, the word almal traces its roots back to the Dutch adverbial form 'allemaal', which originally described how something was done rather than who did it.
- In some South African dialects, you may hear the phrase almal saam, which literally means 'everyone together' and is often used to emphasize total unity.
- While almal means 'everyone', Afrikaans has separate ways to express 'each one' (elkeen), which allows for a much more precise distinction between a group and individuals.
Examples in context
- Almal het die reg om veilig te voel.Everyone has the right to feel safe.This sentence shows how to express that everyone has a specific right.Tatoeba #13368832 by Pietpetoors, translation #9623879 by CK
- Almal dans.Everyone is dancing.This sentence illustrates a simple action being performed by everyone.Tatoeba #5456041 by CJuser01, translation #10339863 by Amastan
- Elon Musk het niks met Twitter te doen gehad nie, maar hy het die vermoë om dit vir almal te vernietig.Elon Musk had nothing to do with Twitter, but he has the ability to destroy it for everyone.This sentence demonstrates how to use the word to describe doing something for everyone.Tatoeba #13368820 by Pietpetoors, translation #11845577 by shekitten
- Goeie middag, almalGood afternoon, everyone
- Elkeen is genooi na die vergaderingEveryone is invited to the meeting
- Ieder en elk het vir hul span gejuigEveryone cheered for their team
- Kom almal, kom ons dans!Come on, everyone, let's dance!
- Almal is welkom by die partytjieEveryone is welcome at the party
- Die konsert is deur almal in die dorp bygewoonThe concert was attended by everyone in town
- Almal se mening moet gehoor wordEveryone's opinion should be heard
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small birthday party at home.
- PieterAlmal is hier.Everyone is here.
- LiezelJa, almal wag vir die koek.Yes, everyone is waiting for the cake.
- PieterIs almal reg om te sing?Is everyone ready to sing?
- LiezelEk dink almal is reg!I think everyone is ready!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “everyone” translations and entries almal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries almal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
