These phrases are useful when you are trying to communicate in Afrikaans.
| Excuse me | Verskoon my |
| Can you help me please? | Kan jy my help asseblief? |
| I am trying to learn Afrikaans | Ek probeer Afrikaans leer |
| Please speak more slowly | Praat asseblief stadiger |
| Where is ..? | Waar is ..? |
| How much does this cost? | Hoeveel kos dit? |
| I don't speak Afrikaans | Ek praat nie Afrikaans nie |
| Can you repeat that? | Kan jy dit asseblief herhaal? |
| I don't understand | Ek verstaan nie |
| Pardon? | Ekskuus? |
| What is it called in Afrikaans? | Wat is dit in Afrikaans? |
Basic 'get by' type phrases can also be used to illustrate basic Afrikaans Grammar.
For example:
Ek praat nie Afrikaans nie (I don't speak Afrikaans) shows the double negative used in negation.
Ek probeer Afrikaans leer I am trying to learn Afrikaans) shows Afrikaans word order.