vloekwoorde
The English phrase "swear words" is vloekwoorde in Afrikaans.
vloekwoorde is used to refer to specific swear words or profanities. While vloekwoorde describes the individual words themselves, the term vloektaal is used to describe the concept of profanity or "swearing language" in general.
What does it mean word for word?
The term vloekwoorde is a compound of vloek, which means "curse" or "swear" and woorde, which means "words".
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is vloekwoord. If you want to use the verb "to swear" or "to curse", the word is vloek.
When do people say it?
In informal Afrikaans, several terms are used as expletives. Poes! is a strong term for female genitalia often used to insult someone or for emphasis. Donnerse! is a stronger version of donner used to express annoyance or anger, and Naai! is a term for sexual intercourse used as an expletive to express contempt or anger.
Did you know?
- In Afrikaans, the word donner originally means 'thunder', making the expletive donnerse a linguistic remnant of swearing by the elements.
- The word vloek literally means 'to curse', reflecting a historical connection where swearing was viewed as calling down a divine curse upon someone rather than just using a vulgar word.
- The word donner is not just a swear word but is a verb that literally means 'to strike' or 'to hit', making its use in expletives a literal description of violence.
Examples in context
- Hy gebruik baie vloekwoorde.He uses many swear words.
- Moenie daardie vloekwoorde gebruik nie.Do not use those swear words.
- Sy vloekwoorde is baie beledigend.Her swear words are very offensive.
Example conversation
Nicola hears Andries using bad language.
- AndriesSjoe, ek is so kwaad!Wow, I am so angry!
- NicolaAndries, moenie vloekwoorde gebruik nie.Andries, do not use swear words.
- AndriesJammer, ek was net gefrustreerd.Sorry, I was just frustrated.
- NicolaDit is reg, kalmeer nou.That is fine, calm down now.
