aap
/ɑːp/
The Afrikaans word for monkey is aap.
aap is the standard noun used to refer to a primate.
Meaning: primate (noun)
Which one should you use?
While aap is the standard term, Aapie is used as an endearing way to refer to a monkey, much like the English expression 'little monkey'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑːp/
Did you know?
- In certain South African contexts, the term aap can be highly sensitive due to its historical use in racial slurs, making it much more volatile than the English 'monkey'.
- If you want to describe someone as a 'copycat', you might hear the phrase aap najaap, which literally means 'monkey mimics'.
- Even though it sounds identical to the English 'ape', the Afrikaans aap is used for all types of primates, including both monkeys and larger apes.
Examples in context
- Ek het 'n aap in die tuin gesien!I saw a monkey in the garden!
- Daar is 'n bobbejaan op die dak!There is a monkey on the roof!
- Die aap sit in die boom.The monkey sits in the tree.
- Ek het 'n klein aap gesien.I saw a small monkey.
- Die aap eet 'n piesang.The monkey is eating a banana.
Example conversation
At the zoo, looking at the primate enclosure.
- NicolaKyk daar, Andries, 'n groot aap!Look there, Andries, a big monkey!
- AndriesJa, hy is baie snaaks.Yes, he is very funny.
- NicolaHy hou van die vrugte.He likes the fruit.
- AndriesNicola, hy is regtig vinnig!Nicola, he is really fast!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations and entries aap, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
