heuning
The English word honey is translated into Afrikaans as heuning.
heuning refers to the sweet substance produced by bees.
Meaning: sweet substance produced by bees (noun)
Which one should you use?
While heuning refers to the food substance, the term Liefste is used when addressing someone affectionately.
Did you know?
- The word heuning is used in the idiomatic expression heuning in die ore gooi, which means to flatter someone or 'pour honey in their ears'.
- Afrikaans speakers use the word soet for both 'sweet' as a taste and 'well-behaved' when talking to children, which is often linked to the sweetness of heuning.
- Because South Africa has a massive variety of indigenous bees, heuning is often specified by the flower source, such as bosheuning for 'bush honey'.
Examples in context
- Ek is so bly om jou te sien, skat.I'm so glad to see you, honey.
- Hou op, soetlief. Jy laat my lag!Stop it, sweetie. You're making me laugh!
- Kan ek jou help, liefste?Can I help you, honey?
- Ek hou van heuning in my tee.I like honey in my tea.
- Die heuning is baie soet.The honey is very sweet.
- Ons het vars heuning gekoop.We bought fresh honey.
Example conversation
Anika and Johan are having breakfast in the kitchen.
- JohanIs daar nog heuning?Is there any honey left?
- AnikaJa, Johan, dit is in die kas.Yes, Johan, it is in the cupboard.
- JohanDankie, Anika, ek gaan dit gebruik.Thanks, Anika, I am going to use it.
- AnikaGeniet jou ontbyt.Enjoy your breakfast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “honey” translations and entries heuning, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
