lelik
/ˈlɪə̯.lək/
The English word 'ugly' is translated into Afrikaans as lelik.
lelik is used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing. However, it can also refer to a person's behavior or character, meaning 'nasty' or 'mean'.
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express degrees of ugliness, you can use the comparative form leliker (uglier) or the superlative form lelikste (ugliest).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈlɪə̯.lək/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- When an Afrikaans speaker says someone has a lelike mond, they might be referring to the person's tendency to swear or use foul language rather than the shape of their mouth.
- In Afrikaans, the word 'lelik' can be used as an intensifier for bad news, similar to how an English speaker might say something is 'terribly' bad.
- Afrikaans uses the word lelik to describe weather that is stormy or threatening, describing a 'dark' or 'ugly' sky.
Examples in context
- Dis te lelik.It's too ugly.This sentence is useful for expressing that something is too ugly.Tatoeba #2364280 by siener, translation #2249338 by CK
- Dit was baie lelik.It was very ugly.This sentence is useful for describing how ugly something was.Tatoeba #12773861 by Tom9358, translation #5422778 by CK
- Die ou gebou is lelik.The old building is ugly.
Example conversation
Liezel and Johan are looking at a painting.
- LiezelJohan, vind jy hierdie skildery lelik?Johan, do you find this painting ugly?
- JohanNee, ek dink dit is interessant.No, I think it is interesting.
- LiezelEk dink die kleure is net lelik.I think the colors are just ugly.
- JohanKuns is vir almal verskillend.Art is different for everyone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugly” translations and entries lelik, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
