hou van
/ɦœu fan/
To like something or someone in Afrikaans is to say hou van.
The phrase hou van is used to express that you find someone or something pleasant or agreeable. In informal settings, Afrikaans speakers may also use the word lekker to express a positive reaction or fondness for something.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, hou van translates to 'hold of' or 'hold from'.
Which one should you use?
While hou van is used for general preferences, the word liefhê is used to express much stronger, romantic or deep emotional love.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you do not like something, you must use a double negative structure: place nie after the verb and another nie at the end of the clause, forming hou nie van … nie.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɦœu fan/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use hou alone to mean 'like'. While hou means 'to hold' or 'to keep', you must include the preposition van to express that you like something.
Did you know?
- The word lekker is so versatile that it can describe food, weather, a feeling, or even a person's attractiveness, often replacing hou van in casual conversation.
- Afrikaans uses a double negative for dislike, requiring two instances of nie to properly negate hou van.
- The English word 'hold' and the Afrikaans word hou share the same prehistoric roots, both tracing back to the Proto-Germanic *haldan.
Examples in context
- Ek hou van boontjies.I like beans.This sentence shows how to use hou van to express a preference for food.Tatoeba #6020807 by CJuser01, translation #2245931 by CK
- Tom hou van die mense wat andere manipuleer nie.Tom doesn't like people who manipulate others.This sentence demonstrates the negative construction using hou van.Tatoeba #2783379 by Diablofire, translation #1109231 by CK
- Ek hou van druiwe, maar kan nie te veel daarvan eet nie.I like grapes, but I can't eat too many of them.This sentence illustrates how to express a preference for a fruit using hou van.Tatoeba #3435562 by siener, translation #2230659 by CK
- Ek hou van musiek soos jazz en rock.I like music like jazz and rock.
- My suster lyk soos my ma.My sister looks like my mom.
- Dis so lekker om by die see te ontspan.It's so nice to relax by the sea.
- Daardie kos is lekker!That food is delicious!
- Ek wil net so 'n skootrekenaar hê.I want a computer like that.
- Dis soos pret in die son.It's like fun in the sun.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Pieter and Anika are talking about a new movie.
- PieterHou jy van die nuwe fliek?Do you like the new movie?
- AnikaJa, ek hou van die storie.Yes, I like the story.
- PieterEk hou nie van die musiek nie.I don't like the music.
- AnikaDit is jammer om te hoor, Pieter.That is sorry to hear, Pieter.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hou van, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hou, hou van, van, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
