Greetings

19 phrases · West Frisian with romanization, English and audio

  1. Goemoarn!

    Good morning!

    Usage

    Morning greeting. Not the Dutch "Goedemorgen". Afternoon: Goemiddei; evening: Goejûn

    Grammar Note

    The official word list writes it as one word. The two-word "Goeie moarn" also occurs, but this set uses the one-word form

  2. Goemiddei!

    Good afternoon!

    Usage

    Greeting for the afternoon, and a general "hello" in daytime

    Grammar Note

    A single word made of "goed" (good) and "middei" (midday). The spelling differs from Dutch "Goedemiddag"

  3. Goejûn!

    Good evening!

    Usage

    Greeting for the evening. For saying good night, use Goenacht

    Grammar Note

    "jûn" means evening. The circumflex on û is part of the spelling

  4. Hoi!

    Hi!

    Usage

    Casual hello for friends and people your age. With older strangers, Goemoarn and the like are safer

    Grammar Note

    A short interjection that works at any time of day

  5. Tige tank!

    Thank you very much

    Usage

    Standard way to thank someone, fine in any register. Not the Dutch "Dank u wel"

    Grammar Note

    "tank" is a noun meaning thanks and is spelled like "tank" (the vehicle or container). "Tige" is an intensifying adverb

  6. Asjebleaft.

    Please. / Here you are.

    Usage

    Means both "please" and "here you are"; add it when asking for something or handing something over

    Grammar Note

    Written as one word ("asjeblyft" is a variant spelling). It differs from Dutch "alstublieft"

  7. Oant sjen!

    Goodbye

    Usage

    Goodbye. The word list has no equivalent of Dutch "Doei", so this is the standard form

    Grammar Note

    Literally "until (we) see (each other)". A time word can be added, as in "Oant moarn" (see you tomorrow)

  8. Sorry, mei ik jo wat freegje?

    Excuse me, may I ask you something?

    Usage

    A polite opener for addressing a stranger, handy before asking the way or a shop

    Grammar Note

    The polite pronoun "jo" makes this formal. "Mei" here is the verb "may", not the month. With someone you know well, use "dy" instead of "jo"

  9. Hoe giet it mei jo?

    How are you?

    Usage

    Polite "How are you?". With a friend: Hoe giet it mei dy?

    Grammar Note

    Literally "How goes it with you?". "Giet" is the 3rd person singular of "gean" (to go)

  10. It spyt my.

    I'm sorry

    Usage

    An apology, also used when delivering unwelcome news

    Grammar Note

    Literally "it is regrettable to me". The subject is "it" and the person apologizing is the object "my"

  11. Goenacht!

    Good night

    Usage

    Said at night when parting or going to bed. For meeting people in the evening, use Goejûn

    Grammar Note

    A one-word form of "goed" and "nacht" (night). The Dutch-style "Goedenacht" is not in the word list

  12. Wolkom yn Fryslân!

    Welcome to Friesland!

    Usage

    A standard welcome for visitors. Fryslân is the Frisian name of the northern Dutch province of Friesland

    Grammar Note

    "Wolkom" is the Frisian form of Dutch "Welkom". The place name is spelled Fryslân, with â

  13. Wêr is it húske?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Asks where the toilet is. "Húske" literally means little house and is the everyday word

    Grammar Note

    "Where" is "wêr". "Waar" means weather or goods in Frisian, so it is not used here. Note the ú in húske

  14. Ik prate gjin Frysk.

    I do not speak Frisian.

    Usage

    Says you do not speak Frisian. All Frisian speakers also speak Dutch, so they can switch to Dutch or English

    Grammar Note

    "Gjin" negates a noun, like Dutch "geen". The language name Frysk is capitalized

  15. Ik kom werom.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Says you will come back; useful at the end of a trip or when leaving a shop

    Grammar Note

    "Werom" (back) goes with the verb "komme". It is used for coming back to a place

  16. Ik haw in geweldige tiid hân.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Tells someone you had a great time, typically at the end of a stay

    Grammar Note

    A perfect tense, literally "I have had a great time". The 1st person is spelled "haw" (not "ha") and the participle is "hân"

  17. Tank, oant sjen!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to thank and say goodbye in one go

    Grammar Note

    "Tank" alone is enough for thanks. For a politer version, say "Tige tank"

  18. Ik moat no fuort.

    I have to go now.

    Usage

    Says "I have to go now", a way to end a conversation

    Grammar Note

    The 1st person of "moatte" (must) is "moat". "Fuort" (away) carries the sense of leaving

  19. Graach dien.

    You're welcome

    Usage

    The reply to thanks, meaning "you are welcome"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "gladly done". It is spelled "graach", not Dutch "graag"

More West Frisian phrases

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