Lost in "Direct" Translation

There are many phrases used in English here that are just plain foreign sounding to us!  We finally figured out that there are FAR more English words than there are Afrikaans words.  This vast difference makes for some very interesting phrases because of their direct translation….so we thought we’d share a few with you.

“Make a turn”

Defined: to stop by your house, to go visit someone, to drop by or stop by.

Ex. “We should have coffee.  I will make a turn this afternoon.”

“Make Bread”

Defined: to put a substance between two pieces of sliced sandwich bread.  This substance could be butter, jelly, Marmite/Oxo/Bovril, tomato, chutney, cheese, etc…

          Ex. “Today I have to make bread for my kids, my husband and for me.”

“That side”

          Defined: anywhere else except where you currently are.  WHATT? 

          A few examples here would be:

a.     “Where are you staying in Tsumeb?” “That side.”

b.    “Where did you find such a good deal on potatoes?” “That side.”

c.    “Are you going that side, when your Visa expires?” “yep, yep I am!”

d.    “Where did the ball go when you kicked it?” “That side.”

e.    “Where are you from?”  “That side.”

AGAIN, ANYWHERE…..BUT WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.  

“Pitched up”

          Defined: to show up, to arrive.

Ex. “100 people bought tickets to the benefit concert, but only 30 people pitched up.”

               “I was digging a deep hole today but my friend pitched up and dug too.”

 

“Du Du” yes…pronounced Doo-Doo—imagine our immature laughter right now!

          Defined: to go to bed or take a nap.

Ex.  “Are you ready to Du Du?” “Do you need to Du Du?”  “Does my wittle dolly wolly wanna Du Du?”  J

“Fall Pregnant”

Defined:  to conceive.

Ex. “We are hoping to fall pregnant in January.”

“I fell pregnant with my second child 2 months after the first one was born.”

The first time we heard this term used, Scott leaned over to me and said, “that sounds terribly dangerous…to FALL pregnant”…you may be a little off balance but you should really try NOT to fall pregnant!

“Stand Up”

Defined:  to rise from your bed with feet on the floor and walk into the restroom       and relieve yourself/empty your bladder or occasionally defined as “wake up”.

Ex.  “I had to stand up 3 times last night.”

“What time do you stand up in the morning?”

“I had to stand up for the baby to drink twice last night.”

(bonus word there: to drink=to nurse/breastfeed)

We hope you enjoyed these!