Hou op
The English phrase "stop it" is translated into Afrikaans as Hou op.
Hou op serves two main purposes. It can be a direct command to cease an annoying action, or it can be used as an exclamation of disbelief, much like the English expressions "No way!" or "You're joking!" Additionally, the gender-neutral phrase Hou op daarmee. is used to say "stop it".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hou, meaning "hold" or "keep" and the particle op, meaning "up". Literally, it translates to "hold up".
Did you know?
- While 'Hou op' is a common way to say 'stop it', if you are specifically telling someone to stop talking, you might use hou jou mond, which literally means 'hold your mouth'.
- The English word 'hold' and the Afrikaans verb hou share a common ancestor in the Proto-Germanic verb *haldaną. This means 'to hold' or 'to keep' is the deep historical root of the command to 'stop'.
- If you use Hou op daarmee with a smirk, it shifts from a command to stop an annoying behavior to a way of saying 'you are teasing me'.
Examples in context
- Hou op daarmee, assebliefStop it, please
- Hou op met daardie geraas.Stop that noise.
- Hou op, dit is nie snaaks nie.Stop it, it is not funny.
- Asseblief, hou op om my te pla.Please, stop bothering me.
Example conversation
Johan is teasing Marelize in the kitchen.
- MarelizeHou op, Johan!Stop it, Johan!
- JohanEk speel maar net.I am just playing.
- MarelizeEk meen dit, hou op.I mean it, stop it.
- JohanRegs, ek sal ophou.Fine, I will stop.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hou, op, CC BY-SA 4.0.
