stofsuier
The English phrase "vacuum cleaner" is translated into Afrikaans as stofsuier.
stofsuier refers to a machine that cleans floors by sucking up dust and dirt.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of stof (dust) and suier (sucker/one who sucks).
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, stofsuiers, you add an -s to the end of the word.
Did you know?
- The Afrikaans stofsuier shares a root with the English word 'dust'. Both words trace back to the same Proto-Germanic origin for 'dust' or 'powder'.
- In Afrikaans, the concept of the machine is entirely tied to the physical action of 'sucking' rather than the scientific concept of a 'vacuum'.
- The word stofsuier is derived from the Dutch stofzuiger or the German Staubsauger.
Examples in context
- Ek moet die stofsuier gebruik om die vloer skoon te maak.I need to use the vacuum cleaner to clean the floor.
- Kan jy asseblief die stofie haal? Ek wil die mat skoonmaak.Can you please get the vacuum cleaner? I want to clean the carpet.
- Ek moet die stofsuier gebruik om die mat te skoonmaak.I must use the vacuum cleaner to clean the carpet.
- Die stofsuier is baie hard.The vacuum cleaner is very loud.
- Ek moet die nuwe stofsuier koop.I must buy the new vacuum cleaner.
Example conversation
Nicola and Stefan are cleaning their living room.
- NicolaStefan, waar is die stofsuier?Stefan, where is the vacuum cleaner?
- StefanDit is in die kas, Nicola.It is in the cupboard, Nicola.
- NicolaDankie, die vloer is baie vuil.Thank you, the floor is very dirty.
- StefanEk sal dit dadelik gebruik.I will use it immediately.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry stofsuier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries stofsuier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
