6 Flavoring Particles
Many particles do not translate directly. Focus on the feel.
01 • MAAR
[means indeed or just as well.]
Jy kan maar praat, dis sal nie help nie. – You can keep talking, it won't help.
Hoekom kan hy nie maar saamgaan nie? – Why can't he go along?
Coenie is maar vreeslik bang. – Coenie is indeed very scared.
Jy kan maar saamkom as jy wil. – If you want to, you may just as well come along.
02 • TOG
[means surely or it could indicate expected confirmation to questions.]
Hy is tog so moeilik as hy wil wees. – He can be so difficult, if he wants to be.
Jy kan tog nie alleen gaan nie? – Surely you can't go alone?
Jy kan tog maar probeer, jy weet. – You can surely try, you know.
Asseblief tog man! – Come on now! Please.
Jy kom tog nie weer geld vra nie? – Surely you're not coming to ask for money again?
03 • MOS
[means surely or as you know. MOS often renders an interrogative feel to a statement--questions with the "I'm-just-checking" feel.]
Hy sal dit mos doen, nie waar nie? – He's going to do it, not so?
Hoekom vra jy nog? – Why are you still asking?
Jy weet mos ek wil nie! – You know I don't want to!
Jy kan hom mos vra. – Surely you can ask him.
04 • DAREM
[means surely or really.]
Jy kan darem (tog) nie so onredelik wees nie. – Surely! you can't be that unreasonable!
Jy kan darem jok as jy die dag lus is. – You can really lie if you feel like it.
05 • SOMMER
[means without reason, because! or just.]
Hy het my sommer so geslaan! – He hit me just like that.
Hy is sommer net moeilik. – He's just difficult.
Sit dit sommer in die yskas. – Just put it in the fridge.
06 • HOOR
[means okay most of the time. It is just a sense of affirmation.]
Sien jou later, hoor! – See you later, O.K.!
Ons maak weer so, hoor! – Let's do it again, O.K.?