FluentFiction - Afrikaans

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Finding His Voice: A Family Reunion Under the Vineyard Sun
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-02-04-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son sak stadig oor die Stellenbosch-platteland.
En: The sun slowly sets over the Stellenbosch countryside.

Af: Die lug is blouerig en die wingerde strek so ver as wat die oog kan sien.
En: The sky is bluish, and the vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see.

Af: Die geur van ryp druiwe hang in die lug, en 'n sagte briesie speel deur die blare.
En: The scent of ripe grapes hangs in the air, and a gentle breeze plays through the leaves.

Af: Vandag is Valentynsdag, en die van der Merwe-familie het 'n spesiale byeenkoms by die ou wynplaas.
En: Today is Valentine's Day, and the van der Merwe family has a special gathering at the old wine farm.

Af: Hulle kom van ver en wyd vir hierdie spesiale reünie.
En: They come from far and wide for this special reunion.

Af: Pieter, die jongste broer, sit onder 'n ou eikeboom en kyk na sy broer, Jaco, en suster, Annalise.
En: Pieter, the youngest brother, sits under an old oak tree watching his brother, Jaco, and sister, Annalise.

Af: Annalise staan in die middel van die grasveld en lag met die res van die familie wat om haar vergader.
En: Annalise stands in the middle of the grass field, laughing with the rest of the family gathered around her.

Af: Sy is helder en lewendig, soos altyd, en almal trek na haar toe aan.
En: She is bright and lively, as always, and everyone is drawn to her.

Af: Selfs die somerson lyk helderder waar sy staan.
En: Even the summer sun seems brighter where she stands.

Af: Jaco, die middelkind, beweeg tussen mense. Hy gesels hier en daar, altyd bereid om vrede te bewaar en te kalmeer waar nodig.
En: Jaco, the middle child, moves among people, chatting here and there, always ready to make peace and calm things when necessary.

Af: Pieter kyk na sy familie en voel die bekende gevoel van onsigbaarheid op hom neerdaal.
En: Pieter looks at his family and feels the familiar feeling of invisibility descend upon him.

Af: Dit is asof hy altyd in Annalise se skadu bly.
En: It's as if he always remains in Annalise's shadow.

Af: Pieter wil net een keer voel dat hy ook regtig gesien word.
En: Pieter just wants to feel, for once, that he is truly seen.

Af: Hy onthou die keer toe hy 'n kunskompetisie gewen het as kind.
En: He remembers the time he won an art competition as a child.

Af: Annalise het daardie dag 'n groot musiekuitvoering gehad, en die fokus was op haar.
En: Annalise had a big music performance that day, and the focus was on her.

Af: Niemand het sy tekening regtig opgemerk nie.
En: No one really noticed his drawing.

Af: Die klok slaan sesuur, en dit is tyd vir die groot familietoast.
En: The clock strikes six, and it's time for the grand family toast.

Af: Mense begin na die groot houttafel beweeg waar die glase wyn staan en wag.
En: People begin moving to the large wooden table where the wine glasses are ready and waiting.

Af: Annalise hou tradisioneel die toespraak, maar vandag voel Pieter 'n brand binne hom.
En: Traditionally, Annalise gives the speech, but today Pieter feels a fire inside him.

Af: Dit is tyd om te praat.
En: It's time to speak.

Af: Hulle tel hul glase, en Annalise begin praat.
En: They raise their glasses, and Annalise begins to speak.

Af: Maar dan neem Pieter 'n moedige stap vorentoe en vra om iets te sê.
En: But then Pieter takes a courageous step forward and asks to say something.

Af: Daar is 'n oomblik van stilte, en almal draai hulle aandag na hom.
En: There's a moment of silence, and everyone turns their attention to him.

Af: Sy hart klop vinnig, maar hy weet dit is nou of nooit.
En: His heart beats rapidly, but he knows it's now or never.

Af: “Ek wil 'n storie vertel,” begin Pieter.
En: "I want to tell a story," Pieter begins.

Af: Hy vertel van daardie kindertekening en hoe trots hy destyds was.
En: He talks about that childhood drawing and how proud he was at the time.

Af: Die familie luister aandagtig terwyl Pieter sy gevoel van onsigbaarheid en sy begeerte om waardeer te word deel.
En: The family listens attentively as Pieter shares his feelings of invisibility and his desire to be appreciated.

Af: ‘n Hele oomblik van stilte volg, en dan draai Annalise stadig na haar jonger broer.
En: A whole moment of silence follows, and then Annalise slowly turns to her younger brother.

Af: Met trane in haar oë sê sy hoe jammer sy is dat hy ooit so gevoel het.
En: With tears in her eyes, she says how sorry she is that he ever felt that way.

Af: Sy erken sy talent en stel voor dat hulle volgende keer 'n uitstalling vir sy kunswerke hou.
En: She acknowledges his talent and suggests they hold an exhibition for his artworks next time.

Af: Jaco knik goedkeurend en sê hoe belangrik dit is dat elkeen sy stem laat hoor.
En: Jaco nods approvingly and says how important it is for everyone to have their voice heard.

Af: Die ligte van die sitkamer begin aanflits, en die nag brin nuwe hoop vir die jongste van der Merwe.
En: The lights of the living room start to flash on, and the night brings new hope for the youngest van der Merwe.

Af: Pieter se hart word ligter, en hy voel uiteindelik asof hy sy plek in die familie gevind het.
En: Pieter's heart becomes lighter, and he finally feels as if he has found his place in the family.

Af: Hulle staan almal saam, en die naglug is gevul met gelag en liefde.
En: They all stand together, and the night air is filled with laughter and love.

Af: Die wingerde om hulle vou die familie in asof die natuur self hul vreugde vier.
En: The vineyards around them embrace the family as if nature itself is celebrating their joy.

Vocabulary Words:
countryside: platteland
vineyard: wingerd
gentle: sagte
breeze: briesie
gathering: byeenkoms
invisibility: onsigbaarheid
shadow: skadu
ripe: ryp
scent: geur
calm: kalmeer
exhibition: uitstalling
talent: talent
acknowledge: erken
courageous: moedige
moment: oomblik
familiar: bekende
attentively: aandagtig
appreciated: waardeer
toast: toast
heart: hart
desire: begeerte
joy: vreugde
reunion: reünie
laughing: lag
recognized: opgemerk
middle: middelkind
silently: stilte
indicate: stel voor
alight: aanflits
livelihood: lewendig

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Evening Embers: Building Bonds at the Neighborhood Braai
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-02-03-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die laat somerson begin stadig te sak en gooi 'n goue gloed oor die moderne voorstedelike buurt.
En: The late summer sun begins to slowly set, casting a golden glow over the modern suburban neighborhood.

Af: Die tuine is netjies versorg, en kinders se gelag dra oor die heinings.
En: The gardens are neatly maintained, and children's laughter carries over the fences.

Af: In 'n wye agterplaas, versier met stringliggies wat aan en uit flikker, is die klank van braaivleis op die rooster te hoor.
En: In a wide backyard, adorned with string lights that flicker on and off, the sound of braaivleis on the grill can be heard.

Af: Soos die vleis braai, dra die geur van die rook deur die lug en trek mense nader na Stefan se braai.
En: As the meat grills, the aroma of the smoke wafts through the air and draws people closer to Stefan's braai.

Af: Stefan is die hart van hierdie buurt. Hy geniet dit om mense bymekaar te bring.
En: Stefan is the heart of this neighborhood. He enjoys bringing people together.

Af: Vandag is geen uitsondering nie. Hy groet almal hartlik, sy entoesiasme aansteeklik.
En: Today is no exception. He greets everyone warmly, his enthusiasm contagious.

Af: Maar Stefan kan maklik dieper gevoelens mis.
En: But Stefan can easily miss deeper feelings.

Af: Anke, sy buurvrou, staan langs die rooster en glimlag vriendelik, maar daar is 'n skaduwee van eensaamheid in haar oë.
En: Anke, his neighbor, stands by the grill and smiles kindly, but there is a shadow of loneliness in her eyes.

Af: Haar lewensmaat het onlangs oorsee gegaan vir werk, en sy mis die geselskap.
En: Her partner recently went overseas for work, and she misses the companionship.

Af: Sy soek nou 'n manier om dié leemte te vul.
En: She is now looking for a way to fill that void.

Af: Anke kyk rond en sien Riaan langs die tafels staan.
En: Anke looks around and sees Riaan standing by the tables.

Af: Hy is nuut in die buurt, en sy houding is skaam en onrustig.
En: He is new to the neighborhood, and his demeanor is shy and uneasy.

Af: Sy vra haarself af of sy moet uitreik, bang dat haar eie onsekerhede sal interfereer.
En: She wonders whether she should reach out, afraid that her own insecurities might interfere.

Af: Maar sy besef dan dat sy nooit sal weet totdat sy probeer nie.
En: But then she realizes that she will never know unless she tries.

Af: Die vrees vir eensaamheid is groter as die vrees vir verwerping.
En: The fear of loneliness is greater than the fear of rejection.

Af: Met moed wat sy skaars weet sy het, stap Anke na Riaan.
En: With courage she scarcely knows she has, Anke walks over to Riaan.

Af: “Hallo, ek is Anke. Is jy reg om die buurt te leer ken? Kom, ek stel jou aan paar mense voor,” sê sy met 'n warm glimlag.
En: "Hello, I'm Anke. Are you ready to get to know the neighborhood? Come, I'll introduce you to a few people," she says with a warm smile.

Af: Riaan huiwer, sy hande ongemaklik in sy sakke.
En: Riaan hesitates, his hands awkwardly in his pockets.

Af: Hy knik egter saggies en volg haar deur die skare.
En: However, he nods softly and follows her through the crowd.

Af: Die braai vorder. Mense lag, gesels en die somerhitte is netjies met 'n koel drank weggevee.
En: The braai progresses. People laugh, chat, and the summer heat is neatly wiped away with a cool drink.

Af: Riaan voel eers soos 'n vreemde wese in 'n woelige see van mense, maar Anke bly langs hom, stel hom aan almal voor.
En: Riaan initially feels like a strange being in a bustling sea of people, but Anke stays by his side, introducing him to everyone.

Af: Geleidelik raak sy harte warmer, en sy verdediging laer.
En: Gradually, his heart warms, and his defenses lower.

Af: Later, terwyl hulle langs die braairooster staan en Anke die worsies omdraai, draai Riaan na haar.
En: Later, as they stand by the braairooster and Anke turns the sausages, Riaan turns to her.

Af: “Ek het rustigheid nodig by nuwe plekke. Ek voel dikwels ek pas nie in nie,” bieg hy.
En: "I need calm in new places. I often feel like I don't fit in," he confesses.

Af: Sy eerlikheid sny deur die lug soos die rook wat opkrul.
En: His honesty cuts through the air like the smoke that curls up.

Af: Anke voel 'n golf van simpatie plet.
En: Anke feels a wave of sympathy wash over her.

Af: "Ek ken die gevoel. Alle veranderinge is moeilik, maar jy doen goed. Ek is bly jy het gekom."
En: "I know that feeling. All changes are difficult, but you're doing well. I'm glad you came."

Af: Teen die einde van die aand, terwyl die ligte begin dim en die mense beginnen huishou, het Anke en Riaan 'n verwantskap begin.
En: By the end of the evening, as the lights begin to dim and the people start heading home, Anke and Riaan have started a bond.

Af: Hulle het albei besef dat hulle nie alleen is nie, en dat hulle in hierdie gemeenskap hul plek kan kry.
En: They both realized that they are not alone and that they can find their place in this community.

Af: Hulle ruil telefoonnommers uit en besluit om 'n koffie-afspraak te reël.
En: They exchange phone numbers and decide to arrange a coffee date.

Af: Anke voel 'n nuwe selfvertroue groei. Sy het ontdek dat die eerste stap baie keer net 'n vriendelike woord en 'n wye glimlag is.
En: Anke feels a new confidence growing. She has discovered that the first step is often just a kind word and a broad smile.

Af: Riaan, aan die ander kant, voel die warmte van die gemeenskap wat stadig om hom vou.
En: Riaan, on the other hand, feels the warmth of the community slowly embracing him.

Af: Die voorstedelike buurt raak 'n bietjie meer soos 'n huis, en vriendskap, 'n moontlikheid.
En: The suburban neighborhood becomes a little more like a home, and friendship, a possibility.

Af: Met die laaste takkies op die vuur wat in stukkies smeul, stap hulle uit die agterplaas, vol hoop, met 'n gevoel van behoort.
En: With the last twigs on the fire smoldering into pieces, they walk out of the backyard, full of hope, with a sense of belonging.

Vocabulary Words:
suburban: voorstedelike
aroma: geur
set: sak
grills: braai
companionship: geselskap
void: leemte
demeanor: houding
uneasy: onrustig
insecurities: onsekerhede
interfere: interfereer
courage: moed
hesitates: huiwer
awkwardly: ongemaklik
bustling: woelige
strange: vreemde
confesses: bieg
honesty: eerlikheid
sympathy: simpatie
belonging: behoort
bond: verwantskap
scarcely: skaars
progresses: vorder
embracing: vou
adorned: versier
flicker: flikker
recently: onlangs
overseas: oorsee
gradually: geleidelik
fear: vrees
smoldering: smeul

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Ancestral Shelter: Saving Kaapstad's Heritage from Modernity
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-02-03-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son sak stadig oor Kaapstad se moderne buitewyk, waar betonblokke en ou Kaaps-Hollandse huise skouers skuur.
En: The sun sets slowly over Kaapstad's modern outskirts, where concrete blocks and old Cape-Dutch houses rub shoulders.

Af: Anika se voete sink liggies in die warm grond van haar familie se landgoed, omring deur die geskiedenis van haar voorouers.
En: Anika's feet sink lightly into the warm ground of her family estate, surrounded by the history of her ancestors.

Af: In die verte, soos altyd, hou Tafelberg wag oor die stad.
En: In the distance, as always, Tafelberg stands guard over the city.

Af: "Nee, Anika," sê Pieter, sy stem vasberade.
En: "No, Anika," says Pieter, his voice resolute.

Af: "Dink aan die geld wat ons kan maak.
En: "Think of the money we can make.

Af: Die maatskappy se aanbod is fantasties.
En: The company's offer is fantastic."

Af: "Hy het die dokumente in sy hand gehou, sy oë gevul met drome van nuwe avonture, terwyl Anika die een bly wat die ou stories en die huisdiere liefhet.
En: He held the documents in his hand, his eyes filled with dreams of new adventures, while Anika remained the one who loves the old stories and the pets.

Af: Vir Pieter lyk die toekoms helder met die geld wat hulle kan kry.
En: For Pieter, the future seemed bright with the money they could get.

Af: "Maar Pieter," antwoord Anika terwyl sy na die ou eikeboom kyk, een van vele wat nog staande is lank nadat haar oupa dit geplant het.
En: "But Pieter," replied Anika as she looked at the old oak tree, one of many still standing long after her grandfather had planted it.

Af: "Hier is meer as net geld.
En: "There's more here than just money.

Af: Dis ons geskiedenis.
En: This is our history.

Af: Ons wortels.
En: Our roots."

Af: "Die somerhitte druk swaar, maar Anika se kalm resolve draai nie om nie.
En: The summer heat presses heavily, but Anika's calm resolve does not waver.

Af: Sy begin die ou laaie deurgaan, hope briewe en foto's, tot sy op 'n poef papier afkom wat haar afhande laat stop.
En: She begins going through the old drawers, heaps of letters and photos, until she comes upon a slip of paper that makes her pause.

Af: Die dokumente is gevlek en duidelik oud, maar die woorde op die bladsye onthul iets wonders.
En: The documents are stained and clearly old, but the words on the pages reveal something wonderful.

Af: Pieter kyk vraend toe Anika haastig na hom toe stap.
En: Pieter looks questioningly as Anika quickly walks toward him.

Af: "Wat het jy gevind?
En: "What did you find?"

Af: " vra hy, 'n kriesel van belangstelling in sy stem.
En: he asks, a spark of interest in his voice.

Af: "Ons landgoed, Pieter," sê sy, met 'n glimlag groter as die maanlig.
En: "Our estate, Pieter," she says, with a smile larger than the moonlight.

Af: "Hierdie plek het kulturele betekenis.
En: "This place has cultural significance.

Af: Ons kan dit 'n erfenisgebied verklaar!
En: We can declare it a heritage site!"

Af: "Vir die eerste keer kyk Pieter na die landgoed met ander oë.
En: For the first time, Pieter looks at the estate with different eyes.

Af: Die kinderverhale wat sy ouma vertel het, die somersmiddag braaivleis saam met vriende en familie, die plek waar hy sy eerste hond gekry het.
En: The childhood stories his grandmother had told, the summer afternoon barbecues with friends and family, the place where he got his first dog.

Af: Dit tref hom — die waarde van herinneringe, van die verlede.
En: It hits him — the value of memories, of the past.

Af: Na 'n lang tweegesprek, besluit Pieter om langs Anika te staan.
En: After a long discussion, Pieter decides to stand by Anika.

Af: Hy gee sy droom van onmiddellike rykdom op vir iets meer diepgaande.
En: He gives up his dream of immediate wealth for something more profound.

Af: Hulle werk saam, wapen aan wapen, om die korporatiewe reuse af te weer, met die krag van familie en geskiedenis agter hulle.
En: They work together, side by side, to fend off the corporate giants, with the strength of family and history behind them.

Af: Later, terwyl die somerson aan die horison verdwyn, sit Anika en Pieter saam op die stoep van die landgoed.
En: Later, as the summer sun disappears on the horizon, Anika and Pieter sit together on the porch of the estate.

Af: Die risies tussen momente van stilte en lag verduidelik die klankbaan van 'n gedeelde toekoms.
En: The banter between moments of silence and laughter explains the soundtrack of a shared future.

Af: "Hulle sê dat wat jy plant, groei," sê Anika met 'n glimlag.
En: "They say what you plant, grows," says Anika with a smile.

Af: "Ja," stem Pieter in, sy hand op die ou meubels rus.
En: "Yes," agrees Pieter, his hand resting on the old furniture.

Af: "En die stewigste bome val nie maklik.
En: "And the strongest trees do not fall easily."

Af: "En so vind die landgoed, saam met Anika en Pieter, 'n nuwe rusplek in die geskiedenis, beskerm teen die moderne wêreld se aanslae deur die liefde van sy mense.
En: And so the estate, along with Anika and Pieter, finds a new resting place in history, protected from the onslaught of the modern world by the love of its people.

Vocabulary Words:
outskirts: buitewyk
resolute: vasberade
heaps: hope
cultural: kulturele
significance: betekenis
heritage: erfenis
declare: verklaar
value: waarde
ancestry: voorouers
childhood: kinderverhale
memories: herinneringe
resolve: resolve
descendants: nageslag
adventures: avonture
documents: dokumente
stained: gevlek
pause: afhande
mediate: tweegesprek
fend off: af te weer
corporate: korporatiewe
giants: reuse
guard: wag
ancestors: voorouers
profund: diepgaande
onward: aanslae
sunset: sonsak
establishment: landgoed
significance: betekenis
banter: risies
adorn: versier

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Finding Balance: Anika's Journey to Embrace Support
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-02-02-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die sagte somerson lig val oor die universiteitsbiblioteek in Stellenbosch.
En: The soft summer sunlight falls over the university library in Stellenbosch.

Af: Boeke staan in lang rye, stil getuies van die kennis wat hulle dra.
En: Books stand in long rows, silent witnesses to the knowledge they carry.

Af: Anika sit by 'n studietafel met haar boeke en notas verspreid soos 'n warboel van gedagtes voor haar.
En: Anika sits at a study table with her books and notes spread out like a tangle of thoughts before her.

Af: Haar oë flits heen en weer, maar haar gedagtes bly by Marietjie, haar jonger sussie.
En: Her eyes dart back and forth, but her thoughts remain with Marietjie, her younger sister.

Af: Anika se lewe het skielik verander.
En: Anika's life has suddenly changed.

Af: Haar ouers is nie meer hier nie, en nou moet sy sorg vir haar sussie.
En: Her parents are no longer here, and now she has to care for her sister.

Af: Marietjie het pas by haar ingetrek en Anika probeer nog gewend raak aan hierdie nuwe rol as ouer.
En: Marietjie has just moved in with her, and Anika is still trying to adjust to this new role as a parent.

Af: "Pieter," sê sy sag toe haar vriend by haar aansluit, "ek weet nie hoe ek alles gaan regkry nie.
En: "Pieter," she says softly when her friend joins her, "I don't know how I'm going to manage everything."

Af: "Pieter, altyd 'n steunpilaar, sit sy rugsak neer en kyk simpatiek na haar.
En: Pieter, always a pillar of support, puts down his backpack and looks at her sympathetically.

Af: "Jy hoef nie alles alleen te doen nie, Anika," sê hy kalm.
En: "You don't have to do everything alone, Anika," he says calmly.

Af: "Een stap op 'n slag.
En: "One step at a time."

Af: "Anika sug en kyk af na haar skoot.
En: Anika sighs and looks down at her lap.

Af: Sy was nog altyd 'n goeie student.
En: She has always been a good student.

Af: Nou voel dit onmoontlik om alles in balans te kry.
En: Now it feels impossible to keep everything balanced.

Af: Hulle begin studeer, die stil murmur van die biblioteek soos 'n troos.
En: They begin studying, the quiet murmur of the library a comfort.

Af: Maar Anika se gedagtes dwaal af na Marietjie.
En: But Anika's thoughts wander to Marietjie.

Af: Die skoolverslae, die aandetes, die troos wat sy moes bied—al hierdie verantwoordelikhede het haar oorweldig.
En: The school reports, the dinners, the comfort she had to provide—all these responsibilities overwhelmed her.

Af: Uiteindelik breek Anika af.
En: Eventually, Anika breaks down.

Af: Sy laat haar pen val en begin trane onderdruk.
En: She drops her pen and starts to suppress tears.

Af: Pieter kyk op, onmiddellik bekommerd.
En: Pieter looks up, immediately concerned.

Af: "Anika, jy kan nie alles alleen dra nie.
En: "Anika, you can't carry everything alone."

Af: "In daardie oomblik besef sy dat Pieter reg is.
En: In that moment, she realizes Pieter is right.

Af: Sy draai na hom toe en snik.
En: She turns to him and sobs.

Af: "Ek weet ek moet hulp vra," sê sy skuldig, "maar ek weet nie waar om te begin nie.
En: "I know I need to ask for help," she says guiltily, "but I don't know where to start."

Af: "Pieter gryp haar hand.
En: Pieter squeezes her hand.

Af: "Ons sal 'n plan maak.
En: "We'll make a plan.

Af: Kom ons gaan na die dosente en studentevoorligting.
En: Let's go to the lecturers and student counseling.

Af: Hulle sal verstaan.
En: They will understand.

Af: Jy is nie alleen nie.
En: You are not alone."

Af: "Die volgende dag stap Anika, met Pieter aan haar sy, na die universiteitskantore.
En: The next day, Anika, with Pieter by her side, walks to the university offices.

Af: Sy vertel haar storie en vra vir hulp.
En: She tells her story and asks for help.

Af: Die dosente is ondersteunend.
En: The lecturers are supportive.

Af: Hulle reël meer buigbare sperdatums en hulpbronne om haar te help.
En: They arrange more flexible deadlines and resources to assist her.

Af: Na daardie afspraak voel Anika 'n gewig van haar skouers opgelig.
En: After that appointment, Anika feels a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Af: Met die ondersteuning van die universiteitsgemeenskap en Pieter aan haar sy, begin sy 'n nuwe ritme vind.
En: With the support of the university community and Pieter by her side, she begins to find a new rhythm.

Af: Marietjie is gelukkig en veilig.
En: Marietjie is happy and safe.

Af: Anika slaag steeds in haar studies, en meer belangrik, sy leer dat sy nie skaam hoef te wees om hulp te vra nie.
En: Anika still succeeds in her studies, and more importantly, she learns that she shouldn't be ashamed to ask for help.

Af: Die son buite skyn steeds helder, en binne-in die biblioteek is Anika weer aan die werk.
En: The sun outside still shines brightly, and inside the library, Anika is back to work.

Af: Hierdie keer met 'n glimlag en die wete dat sy nie alleen hoef te wees nie.
En: This time with a smile and the knowledge that she doesn't have to be alone.

Af: 'n Nuwe hoofstuk het begin, en sy is reg om dit aan te pak.
En: A new chapter has begun, and she is ready to tackle it.

Vocabulary Words:
dart: flits
adjust: gewend raak
pillar: steunpilaar
murmur: murmur
suppress: onderdruk
guiltily: skuldig
counseling: studentevoorligting
arrange: reël
resources: hulpbronne
appointment: afspraak
overwhelm: oorweldig
witnesses: getuies
tangle: warboel
silent: stil
supportive: ondersteunend
burden: gewig
flexible: buigbare
responsibilities: verantwoordelikhede
role: rol
comfort: troos
realize: besef
ashamed: skaam
brightly: helder
tackle: aan te pak
breathe: leun
lap: skoot
gaze: kyk
sympathetically: simpatiek
determination: vasberadenheid
contemplate: oorweeg

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: When Architecture Sparks Friendship Amidst a Summer Storm
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-02-02-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Dit was 'n someroggend by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch.
En: It was a summer morning at the Universiteit van Stellenbosch.

Af: Die son het helder oor die kapberg geskyn.
En: The sun shone brightly over the Kapberg.

Af: Studente het haastig oor die kampus beweeg, oppad biblioteek toe.
En: Students moved hurriedly across the campus, on their way to the library.

Af: Elske het vroeër as gewoonlik by die biblioteek aangekom.
En: Elske arrived at the library earlier than usual.

Af: Sy was 'n toegewyde argitektuurstudent.
En: She was a dedicated architecture student.

Af: Vandag sou sy aan haar tesis werk.
En: Today, she would work on her thesis.

Af: Die biblioteek was 'n groot, historiese gebou.
En: The library was a large, historical building.

Af: Die plafonne was hoog en groot houtboekrakke het die mure gevul.
En: The ceilings were high and large wooden bookshelves filled the walls.

Af: Die atmosfeer was rustig en stil, net die effense geluid van bladsye wat omgeslaan word was hoorbaar.
En: The atmosphere was calm and quiet, with only the slight sound of pages being turned audible.

Af: Skielik het daar 'n donderstorm oor die kampus gerol.
En: Suddenly, a thunderstorm rolled over the campus.

Af: Die reën het teen die vensters begin tik.
En: The rain began to tap against the windows.

Af: Elske het 'n bietjie ongemaklik in haar stoel rondgeskuif.
En: Elske shifted a bit uncomfortably in her chair.

Af: Sy wou nog 'n boek van die rak afhaal, maar was bewaarmakerig om deur die storm te loop.
En: She wanted to fetch another book from the shelf but was hesitant to walk through the storm.

Af: Johan, 'n geskiedenisstudent, was ook in die biblioteek.
En: Johan, a history student, was also in the library.

Af: Hy het 'n liefde gehad vir stories en was altyd nuuskierig oor die verlede.
En: He had a love for stories and was always curious about the past.

Af: Op daardie oomblik het hy gesien hoe Elske na 'n boek rak staar, onseker.
En: At that moment, he saw Elske staring at a bookshelf, uncertain.

Af: Johan het die kans gesien om met 'n nuwe gesig te gesels en het nader gestap.
En: Johan saw the opportunity to chat with a new face and stepped closer.

Af: “Hi, ek is Johan,” het hy vriendelik gesê.
En: "Hi, I'm Johan," he said kindly.

Af: Elske het haar kop gelig.
En: Elske lifted her head.

Af: “Ek sien jy probeer 'n boek bereik. Kan ek help?”
En: "I see you're trying to reach a book. Can I help?"

Af: Elske het huiwerig geglimlag.
En: Elske smiled hesitantly.

Af: “Dankie, ek is Elske.”
En: "Thank you, I'm Elske."

Af: Hulle het aan die praat geraak.
En: They started talking.

Af: Johan het begin vertel van 'n ou storie oor die biblioteek se boustyl.
En: Johan began telling an old story about the library's architectural style.

Af: Dit het Elske se aandag onmiddellik geprikkel.
En: It immediately captured Elske's attention.

Af: “Dit is so interessant,” het sy met opregte nuuskierigheid gesê.
En: "That is so interesting," she said with genuine curiosity.

Af: Johan het sy kans waargeneem en gevra, “Sal jy moontlik later met my 'n studie wandeling na van die ou argitektoniese plekke op kampus wil gaan?”
En: Johan seized the moment and asked, “Would you possibly like to go on a study walk with me to some of the old architectural sites on campus later?”

Af: Elske het 'n oomblik gelyk of sy sou weier, die gedagte aan haar tesis bly knaag.
En: Elske seemed for a moment as if she might refuse, the thought of her thesis still nagging.

Af: Maar Johan se entoesiasme het haar oortuig.
En: But Johan's enthusiasm convinced her.

Af: “Dit klink na 'n wonderlike idee,” het sy uiteindelik geantwoord.
En: "That sounds like a wonderful idea," she finally replied.

Af: Soos die storm buite bedaar het, het 'n nuwe vriendskap binne die biblioteek begin groei.
En: As the storm subsided outside, a new friendship began to grow within the library.

Af: Elske het geleer hoe om haar studies met vriendskap te balanseer.
En: Elske learned how to balance her studies with friendship.

Af: Johan het die vreugde gevind in ware vriendskap en het minder alleen gevoel.
En: Johan found joy in true friendship and felt less alone.

Af: Later die week, soos hulle beloof het, het Elske en Johan mekaar ontmoet om die interessante argitektoniese wonder van die kampus te verken.
En: Later in the week, as they had promised, Elske and Johan met to explore the interesting architectural wonders of the campus.

Af: Die biblioteek het 'n plek van begin geword vir iets spesiaals, nie net in hul individuele akademiese lewens nie, maar ook in 'n vervlegde pad van vriendskap en gedeelde ervarings.
En: The library became a place of beginnings for something special, not just in their individual academic lives but also on a shared path of friendship and shared experiences.

Vocabulary Words:
brightly: helder
hurriedly: haastig
dedicated: toegewyde
thesis: tesis
historical: historiese
ceilings: plafonne
wooden: hout
bookshelves: boekrakke
audible: hoorbaar
thunderstorm: donderstorm
hesitant: huiwerig
uncertain: onseker
capture: geprikkel
genuine: opregte
curiosity: nuuskierigheid
possibly: moontlik
subside: bedaar
friendship: vriendskap
explore: verken
wonders: wonder
shared: gedeelde
opportunity: kans
comfortable: gerieflik
enthusiasm: entoesiasme
experience: ervarings
shifted: rondgeskuif
embark: begin
seize: waargeneem
nag: knaag
path: pad