When learning a new language, some of the issues we encounter are translating those crafty closed compound words – combinations of two or more words that function as a single unit and mean something different than the individual words they are built from.
- Aasvoël
Direct translation: bait bird
Actual meaning: vulture
2. Jagluiperd
Direct translation: Hunting lazy horse
Actual meaning: cheetah
3. Keelvol
Direct translation: full throat
Actual meaning: sick of it all
4. Knormoer
Direct translation: Growl nut
Actual meaning: starter motor
5. Klapkassie
Direct translation: Little Flap cupboard
Actual meaning: cubby hole
6. Kameelperd
Direct translation: Camel horse
Actual meaning: Giraffe
7. Kattekwaad
Direct translation: Cats mischief
Actual meaning: getting up to no good
8. Koggelmannetjie
Direct translation: teasing little man
Actual meaning: a male rock lizard
9. Luiperd
Direct translation: Lazy horse
Actual meaning: Leopard
10. Laatlammetjie
Direct translation: late lamb
Actual meaning: a child born many years after its siblings
11. Padkos
Direct translation: road food
Actual meaning: Southern African snacks and provisions for a journey
12. Perdeby
Direct translation: horse fly
Actual meaning: wasp
13. Pletterpet
Direct translation: falling hat
Actual meaning: helmet
14. Papier vampier
Direct translation: paper vampire
Actual meaning: stapler
15. Springmielies
Direct translation: Jumping corn
Actual meaning: popcorn
16. Trapsuutjie
Direct translation: step softly
Actual meaning: chameleon
17. Verkykers
Direct translation: far lookers
Actual meaning: binoculars
18. Vergrootglas
Direct translation: making big glass
Actual meaning: magnifying glass
19. Windmeulvliegtuig
Direct translation: wind mill flying plane
Actual meaning: helicopter
20. Ystervark
Direct translation: iron pig
Actual meaning: porcupine
Nou in Afrikaans, geliefde kinderboeke:
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