liefde
/ˈlif.də/
The English word 'love' is translated into Afrikaans as liefde.
liefde is a noun used to refer to the concept of strong affection. When you want to express the action of loving someone, you should use the verb liefhê. For more subtle expressions of affection, you might say Ek smaak jou baie (I really like you).
Meaning: strong affection (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use the noun liefde when talking about the concept of love itself, but switch to the verb liefhê when you are describing the act of having strong affection for someone or being strongly inclined towards doing something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, liefde is uncountable and does not have a plural form in standard usage.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlif.də/
Did you know?
- The verb liefhê literally means 'to love-have'. It describes love as something you possess or hold for another person.
- In some traditional Afrikaans contexts, the phrase my liefie is used as a diminutive term of endearment, adding a suffix to lief to make it sound smaller and cuter.
- While liefde is the general word for love, Afrikaans uses the word hartliefling to describe a 'sweetheart' or a 'favorite of the heart'.
Examples in context
- Is liefde 'n misdaad?Is love a crime?This sentence is useful for questioning the nature of liefde.Tatoeba #5489348 by CJuser01, translation #12759876 by lingomaxim
- Sy is my eerste liefde.She's my first love.This sentence shows how to describe a first liefde.Tatoeba #1769441 by wwkudu, translation #541872 by FeuDRenais
- Dit was nie ware liefde nie.It wasn't real love.This sentence is used to clarify that a feeling was not true liefde.Tatoeba #2060230 by wwkudu, translation #426697 by CM
- Ek is lief vir jou, my liefieI love you, my darling
- Ek het jou lief, my vriendI love you, my friend
- Ek koester jou kennis en ervaringI cherish your knowledge and experience
Example conversation
Anika and Johan are talking about their relationship.
- AnikaJohan, ek het soveel liefde vir jou.Johan, I have so much love for you.
- JohanEk voel dieselfde liefde vir jou, Anika.I feel the same love for you, Anika.
- AnikaLiefde maak alles in die lewe beter.Love makes everything in life better.
- JohanDit is die belangrikste ding wat ons het.It is the most important thing we have.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “love” translations and entries liefde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
