FluentFiction - Afrikaans

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: The Crown Heist: Marelize’s Medieval Misadventure
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-19-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Marelize en haar vriende, Pieter en Johannes, het besluit om 'n aand by die Middeleeuse Tye restaurant deur te bring.
En: Marelize and her friends, Pieter and Johannes, decided to spend an evening at the Middeleeuse Tye restaurant.

Af: Dit was 'n somer in die Suidelike Halfrond, en die atmosfeer was vol opgewondenheid.
En: It was summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and the atmosphere was full of excitement.

Af: Kandelare flikker orals, en die reuk van geroosterde vleis het deur die lug gedryf.
En: Chandeliers flickered everywhere, and the smell of roasted meat drifted through the air.

Af: Reg voor hulle het ridders op perde geveg, swaard geklink in 'n opwindende vertoning.
En: Right in front of them, knights on horses fought, swords clinking in an exhilarating display.

Af: Marelize, met haar liefde vir geskiedenis, het gelees oor die konings en ridders van lank gelede.
En: Marelize, with her love for history, had read about the kings and knights of long ago.

Af: Sy het besluit dat sy 'n stukkie geskiedenis wil steel... die koning se kroon wat daar op 'n tafel blink.
En: She decided that she wanted to snatch a piece of history... the king's crown glistening on a table.

Af: "Ek het 'n plan," fluister sy vir Pieter en Johannes.
En: "I have a plan," she whispered to Pieter and Johannes.

Af: "Ek gaan die kroon steel."
En: "I'm going to steal the crown."

Af: "Jy is mal," sê Pieter, sy hande innervigting.
En: "You're crazy," said Pieter, his hands in disbelief.

Af: "Dis deel van die vertoning en daar is wagte orals."
En: "It's part of the show and there are guards everywhere."

Af: "Maar ek het 'n idee," sê Marelize.
En: "But I have an idea," said Marelize.

Af: "Ek gaan maak asof ek verstik aan my sop.
En: "I'm going to pretend I'm choking on my soup.

Af: Dit sal 'n groot genoeg afleiding wees."
En: That will be a big enough distraction."

Af: Johannes lag, maar sy oë wys bekommernis.
En: Johannes laughed, but his eyes showed concern.

Af: "Marelize, hulle sal ons dalk uitgooi."
En: "Marelize, they might throw us out."

Af: Die sop word bedien en Marelize hou haar keel dramaties vas, staar, en begin dawerend hoes.
En: The soup was served, and Marelize clutched her throat dramatically, stared, and began to cough loudly.

Af: Dadelik kyk mense op, en Pieter spring op en maak of hy haar wil help.
En: Immediately, people looked up, and Pieter jumped up, pretending to help her.

Af: Intussen sien Marelize haar kans.
En: Meanwhile, Marelize saw her chance.

Af: Sy glip op, en nader die tafel met die kroon.
En: She slipped off and approached the table with the crown.

Af: Net toe sy wil gryp, struikel sy en stamp 'n trollie vol borde en glase om.
En: Just as she was about to grab it, she stumbled and knocked over a trolley full of plates and glasses.

Af: Dit laat 'n geweldig lawaai.
En: It made a tremendous noise.

Af: 'n Oo!gaan deur die skare, en die spelers in die arena teken dadelik die situasie in die toneelstuk in.
En: An "Oo!" went through the crowd, and the players in the arena immediately incorporated the situation into the play.

Af: Die koning draai om en sê: "Wie durf my tafel nader?
En: The king turned and said, "Who dares to approach my table?

Af: Is dit 'n ridder wat sy lojaliteit wil bewys?"
En: Is it a knight who wishes to prove his loyalty?"

Af: Die gehoor breek uit in gelag en applous.
En: The audience burst into laughter and applause.

Af: Marelize, bloos en nog verbaas oor die verwikkeling, buig met 'n geamuseerde glimlag.
En: Marelize, blushing and still surprised by the development, bowed with an amused smile.

Af: Pieter en Johannes lag saam.
En: Pieter and Johannes laughed along.

Af: "Jy het dalk nie die kroon gekry nie," sê Pieter,
En: "You might not have gotten the crown," said Pieter,

Af: "maar jy was beslis deel van die vertoning."
En: "but you were definitely part of the show."

Af: En so leer Marelize dat soms, haar speelse natuur en impulsiewe dade kan lei tot goeie vermaak vir almal.
En: And so Marelize learned that sometimes, her playful nature and impulsive actions can lead to great entertainment for everyone.

Af: Terwyl die aand aangaan, geniet sy die res van die vertoning, tevrede om deel van die storie te wees, al is dit net vir 'n aand.
En: As the evening progressed, she enjoyed the rest of the show, satisfied to be part of the story, even if just for one evening.

Vocabulary Words:
chandeliers: kandelare
flickered: flikker
roasted: geroosterde
knights: ridders
exhilarating: opwindende
snatch: steel
glistening: blink
disbelief: innervigting
distract: afleiding
dramatically: dramaties
tremendous: geweldig
trolley: trollie
plates: borde
incorporated: teken
prove: bewys
loyalty: lojaliteit
burst: breek
applause: applous
blushing: bloos
playful: speelse
impulsive: impulsiewe
entertainment: vermaak
atmosphere: atmosfeer
concern: bekommernis
choking: verstik
immediately: dadelik
crowd: skare
arena: arena
smile: glimlag
evening: aand

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Unlocking Inspiration: Elsje's Artistic Quest at Kasteel
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-19-08-38-19-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son sak stadig oor die Kasteel de Goede Hoop, en die klanke van die Nuwejaarfees vul die lug.
En: The sun slowly sets over the Kasteel de Goede Hoop, and the sounds of the New Year's festival fill the air.

Af: Felle kleure, vlae en liggies omring die ou klipmure.
En: Bright colors, flags, and lights surround the old stone walls.

Af: Mense lag, dans, en die opwinding is tasbaar.
En: People laugh and dance, and the excitement is palpable.

Af: Tussen die skares beweeg Elsje, 'n jong kunstenaar, op soek na inspirasie.
En: Amongst the crowds, Elsje, a young artist, moves in search of inspiration.

Af: Haar kop is vol drome, maar sy voel ook die druk van self-twyfel.
En: Her head is full of dreams, but she also feels the pressure of self-doubt.

Af: Sal sy die essensie van hierdie fees kan vasvang in haar skildery?
En: Will she be able to capture the essence of this festival in her painting?

Af: Elsje kyk rond, maar die gedruis van mense oorweldig haar.
En: Elsje looks around, but the noise of people overwhelms her.

Af: Sy wil 'n rustige plekkie vind, 'n plek waar sy alleen kan dink en teken.
En: She wants to find a quiet spot, a place where she can think and sketch alone.

Af: Skielik sien sy Kobus, die stoïese wag van die kasteel.
En: Suddenly, she sees Kobus, the stoic guard of the castle.

Af: Hy staan op sy pos, verlief op die geskiedenis rondom hom.
En: He stands at his post, in love with the history surrounding him.

Af: Elsje stap nader.
En: Elsje approaches.

Af: "Middag, Kobus," groet sy skaars hoorbaar oor die lawaai.
En: "Afternoon, Kobus," she greets, barely audible over the noise.

Af: "Hallo, Elsje," antwoord Kobus, sy oë vriendelik.
En: "Hello, Elsje," replies Kobus, his eyes friendly.

Af: "Hoe gaan dit? Waar is jou tekenblok?"
En: "How is it going? Where is your sketch pad?"

Af: "Ek sukkel om 'n plek te vind om te sketse maak.
En: "I'm struggling to find a place to make sketches.

Af: Dink jy daar is 'n stil hoekie of 'n plek met 'n storie?" vra Elsje hoopvol.
En: Do you think there is a quiet corner or a place with a story?" Elsje asks hopefully.

Af: Kobus dink vir 'n oomblik.
En: Kobus thinks for a moment.

Af: "Wel, daar is 'n plek wat min mense weet van.
En: "Well, there is a place not many people know about.

Af: As jy my 'n storie uit die kasteel in jou kuns kan insluit, kan ek jou wys," stel hy voor.
En: If you can include a story from the castle in your art, I can show you," he suggests.

Af: Elsje glimlag breed, bly oor die geleentheid.
En: Elsje smiles broadly, grateful for the opportunity.

Af: Saam beweeg hulle deur die gange van die kasteel, weg van die skares.
En: Together, they move through the halls of the castle, away from the crowds.

Af: Hulle arriveer by 'n verborge nis, weggekruip agter 'n ou eikehoutdeur.
En: They arrive at a hidden niche, tucked away behind an old oak door.

Af: Die klippe is kouer hier, die muur versier met verweerde gravures wat lank gelede gekerf is.
En: The stones are colder here, the wall adorned with weathered engravings carved long ago.

Af: "Hier is 'n legende," begin Kobus, sy stem gedemp.
En: "Here is a legend," begins Kobus, his voice muted.

Af: "Die legende van 'n geheime kasteelkamer waar verlore skatte versteek lê.
En: "The legend of a secret castle room where lost treasures lie hidden.

Af: Eendag, so sê hulle, sal iemand wat met 'n ware hart soek, die kamer ontdek."
En: Someday, they say, someone with a true heart will discover the room."

Af: Elsje kyk na die muur, haar verbeelding aan die brand.
En: Elsje looks at the wall, her imagination set aflame.

Af: Dit is die vonk wat sy nodig het.
En: This is the spark she needed.

Af: Die klanke van die fees verdwyn in die agtergrond soos haar hande begin beweeg oor haar tekenblok.
En: The sounds of the festival fade into the background as her hands begin to move over her sketch pad.

Af: Kobus staan stil en kyk hoe Elsje teken.
En: Kobus stands still and watches as Elsje draws.

Af: Haar lyne vloei met selfvertroue, die twyfel verdwyn saam met elke slag van haar potlood.
En: Her lines flow with confidence, the doubt disappearing with each stroke of her pencil.

Af: Vir Elsje is hierdie oomblik magie; die geskiedenis en die opwinding is nou lewendig op die bladsy.
En: For Elsje, this moment is magic; the history and excitement are now alive on the page.

Af: Toe sy opkyk, glimlag Elsje.
En: When she looks up, Elsje smiles.

Af: "Dankie, Kobus.
En: "Thank you, Kobus.

Af: Dit is presies wat ek nodig gehad het," sê sy, haar oë straal van nuwe selfvertroue.
En: This is exactly what I needed," she says, her eyes radiating with newfound confidence.

Af: "Dit is 'n plesier," antwoord Kobus, tevrede met die idee dat nog 'n storie vertel gaan word.
En: "It's a pleasure," replies Kobus, satisfied with the idea that another story is about to be told.

Af: Terwyl die klanke van die Nuwejaarfees weer nader kom, voel Elsje 'n diep tevredenheid oor haar en haar kuns.
En: As the sounds of the New Year's festival draw near again, Elsje feels a deep satisfaction with her and her art.

Af: Sy weet nou, inspirasie is nie net om ons nie, maar ook binne ons, gereed om ontdek te word.
En: She now knows, inspiration is not just around us, but also within us, ready to be discovered.

Vocabulary Words:
sets: sak
palpable: tasbaar
crowds: saares
inspiration: inspirasie
self-doubt: self-twyfel
overwhelms: oorweldig
stoic: stoïese
quiet: rustige
suggests: stel voor
broadly: breed
niche: nis
tucked: weggeskuil
oak: eikehout
adorned: versier
weathered: verweerde
engravings: gravures
muted: gedemp
legend: legende
treasures: skatte
aflame: aan die brand
confidence: selfvertroue
inspiration: inspirasie
stoic: stoïese
legend: legende
self-doubt: self-twyfel
opportunity: geleentheid
tucked: weggekruip
sketch: teken
pleasure: plesier
disappear: verdwyn

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Taming the Wild: Unveiling Secrets in the Kruger Explorer
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-18-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son hang hoog oor die bosveld.
En: The sun hangs high over the bushveld.

Af: 'n Vou in die aardewerk van die menslike avontuur ontvou in die Krugerwildtuin.
En: A chapter in the tapestry of human adventure unfolds in the Krugerwildtuin.

Af: Thandi staan aan die rand van 'n uitgestrekte oop veld.
En: Thandi stands at the edge of a vast open field.

Af: Sy voel die warm somerbries oor haar gesig en luister na die ritmiese gesing van 'n Piet-my-vrou in die verte.
En: She feels the warm summer breeze on her face and listens to the rhythmic call of a Piet-my-vrou in the distance.

Af: Sy draai haar kop en kyk na Johan en Emilie wat agter haar staan.
En: She turns her head and looks at Johan and Emilie standing behind her.

Af: Johan krap aan sy kop, skepties oor Thandi se nuwe opsporingsmetodes.
En: Johan scratches his head, skeptical of Thandi's new tracking methods.

Af: Emilie, met kamera in die hand, is opgewonde oor die moontlikheid van 'n seldsame foto.
En: Emilie, with a camera in hand, is excited about the possibility of a rare photo.

Af: “Hier is waar ons moet wees,” sê Thandi met oortuiging.
En: "This is where we need to be," says Thandi with conviction.

Af: Johan trek sy skouers op, duidelik ongemaklik.
En: Johan shrugs, clearly uncomfortable.

Af: “Jy weet nie eens of hierdie metode werk nie,” antwoord hy.
En: "You don't even know if this method works," he replies.

Af: Emilie kyk op na die blou lug waar 'n arend hoog bo sweef.
En: Emilie looks up at the blue sky where an eagle soars high above.

Af: Sy vang die oomblik met haar kamera, versigtig om nie die groeiende spanning tussen haar kollegas te versteur nie.
En: She captures the moment with her camera, careful not to disturb the growing tension between her colleagues.

Af: "Wat het ons om te verloor?" voeg sy sag by, probeer om die lug ligter te maak.
En: "What do we have to lose?" she adds softly, trying to lighten the mood.

Af: Thandi het 'n nuwe manier ontwikkel om seldsame spesies op te spoor.
En: Thandi has developed a new way to track rare species.

Af: Sy hoop om 'n geheimsinnige klein kat, die rooikat, te vind.
En: She hopes to find a mysterious small cat, the rooikat.

Af: Johan het egter twyfel.
En: Johan, however, has doubts.

Af: "Ons moenie te diep in die bos ingaan nie," waarsku hy.
En: "We shouldn’t go too deep into the forest," he warns.

Af: “Ons ken nie die gevare nie, en daar is 'n rede hoekom ander hierdie plekke vermy.”
En: "We don’t know the dangers, and there’s a reason why others avoid these places."

Af: Ten spyte van Johan se bekommernisse, besluit Thandi om die uitdaging aan te pak.
En: Despite Johan's concerns, Thandi decides to take on the challenge.

Af: Met 'n vasberade stap, begin sy dieper die bos in.
En: With a determined stride, she starts deeper into the forest.

Af: Emilie volg, haar lens altyd gereed, terwyl Johan agter die groep sukkel.
En: Emilie follows, her lens always ready, while Johan struggles behind the group.

Af: Die bos is wyd en 'n symfonie van lewe.
En: The forest is vast and a symphony of life.

Af: Hulle stap deur digte gras en hoë acacia bome.
En: They walk through dense grass and tall acacia trees.

Af: Skielik, breek 'n harde geluid die stilte.
En: Suddenly, a loud sound breaks the silence.

Af: Thandi stop, haar hart klop vinnig.
En: Thandi stops, her heart racing.

Af: Voor hulle, nie ver nie, is 'n pragtige rooikat.
En: In front of them, not far away, is a beautiful rooikat.

Af: Sy metode het gewerk!
En: Her method has worked!

Af: Sy kyk na Johan, sy oë wyd van verbasing.
En: She looks at Johan, his eyes wide with amazement.

Af: Maar voor hulle die oomblik kan geniet, beweeg 'n paar olifante onverwags nader.
En: But before they can enjoy the moment, a few elephants unexpectedly move closer.

Af: Die reuse diere het nie van hul teenwoordigheid gehou nie.
En: The giant animals haven't appreciated their presence.

Af: “Ons moet draai!” blaf Johan, sy skeptisisme opsy teen die realiteit van hul situasie.
En: “We need to turn back!” barks Johan, his skepticism set aside in light of their reality.

Af: Sonder verdere huiwering maak hulle haastig pad deur die doringrige struike, hande houerig aan takke.
En: Without further hesitation, they hastily make their way through the thorny bushes, hands grasping branches.

Af: Die gejuig van die lewe omkring hulle toe hulle uiteindelik 'n skuiling van die olifante se pad vind.
En: The chorus of life surrounds them as they finally find shelter out of the elephants' path.

Af: Uiteindelik, met die eerste glim van sonsondergang, stap hulle terug na hul kamp.
En: Finally, with the first glimpse of sunset, they walk back to their camp.

Af: Uitgeput, maar veilig, met Emilie knip 'n paar finale foto's.
En: Exhausted but safe, with Emilie snapping a few final pictures.

Af: Thandi glimlag, haar laaste kyk na Johan sê alles.
En: Thandi smiles, her last look at Johan says it all.

Af: Daar is 'n nuwe begrip tussen hulle - 'n respek vir haar metode.
En: There is a new understanding between them—a respect for her method.

Af: Emilie vang al die emosie vas in 'n enkele skoot, 'n simbool van hul oorwinning oor twyfel.
En: Emilie captures all the emotion in a single shot, a symbol of their triumph over doubt.

Af: Die veldtog eindig nie net met bewys van 'n seldsame rooikat nie, maar 'n les in vertroue en samewerking.
En: The expedition ends not just with proof of a rare rooikat, but a lesson in trust and cooperation.

Vocabulary Words:
bushveld: bosveld
tapestry: aardewerk
conviction: oortuiging
skeptical: skepties
rhythmic: ritmiese
possibility: moontlikheid
method: metode
developed: ontwikkel
track: opspoor
rare: seldsame
mysterious: geheimsinnige
stride: stap
dense: digte
acacia: acacia
heart racing: hart klop vinnig
amazed: verbasing
unexpectedly: onverwags
appreciated: van gehou
hesitation: huiwering
thorny: doringrige
grasping: houerig
shelter: skuiling
exhausted: uitgeput
understanding: begrip
respect: respek
emotion: emosie
triumph: oorwinning
cooperation: samewerking
proof: bewys
adventure: avontuur

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Breaking Barriers: The Adventure at Cape Town Science Centre
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-18-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die sonskyn het helder geskyn oor Kaapstad en die Cape Town Science Centre was vol lewe.
En: The sunshine shone brightly over Kaapstad and the Cape Town Science Centre was full of life.

Af: Skoolkinders in hul uniforms het met opgewondenheid rondbeweeg, hand in hand met die nuwe ontdekkings wat wag.
En: Schoolchildren in their uniforms moved around excitedly, hand in hand with the new discoveries awaiting.

Af: Riaan stap stadig binne, sy hart vol van verwagting en 'n bietjie vrees.
En: Riaan walked slowly inside, his heart full of anticipation and a bit of fear.

Af: Hy was 'n stil seuntjie, altyd ingestel op die wonders van die natuur, maar vandag se uitstappie was 'n uitdaging.
En: He was a quiet boy, always attuned to the wonders of nature, but today's outing was a challenge.

Af: Riaan het 'n begeerte om deel te wees van die groepaktiwiteite.
En: Riaan had a desire to be part of the group activities.

Af: Hy wou vriende maak, maar sy sosiale angs het hom dikwels teruggehou.
En: He wanted to make friends, but his social anxiety often held him back.

Af: Hy stap skaars by die Glas en Wetenskap-uitstalling in toe hy Elsie en Thabo sien lag.
En: He had barely stepped into the Glass and Science exhibition when he saw Elsie and Thabo laughing.

Af: Hulle het saam aksiefigure van die spierskeletstelsel gemaak.
En: They were making action figures of the musculoskeletal system together.

Af: Riaan bewonder hul vriendskap op 'n afstand.
En: Riaan admired their friendship from a distance.

Af: Tydens die uitstappie was daar 'n aankondiging vir 'n wetenskapeksperiment oor magnete in die groot saal.
En: During the outing, there was an announcement for a science experiment about magnets in the great hall.

Af: Dit was die perfekte kans vir Riaan om nader te beweeg na 'n ander wêreld.
En: It was the perfect chance for Riaan to move closer to another world.

Af: Sy bene was seer van die vrees wat in sy maag gekriewel het, maar hy het moed geskep en aangesluit.
En: His legs were sore from the fear swirling in his stomach, but he gathered courage and joined in.

Af: Die groep het rondom 'n groot tafel gestaan met 'n verskeidenheid magnete en metale.
En: The group stood around a large table with a variety of magnets and metals.

Af: Die onderwyser, 'n vriendelike vrou met 'n breë glimlag, het verduidelik hoe verskillende materiale deur magnete aangetrokke word.
En: The teacher, a friendly woman with a broad smile, explained how different materials are attracted by magnets.

Af: Sy het 'n vraag gevra: "Wie kan verduidelik waarom sekere metale nie deur magnete aangetrokke word nie?
En: She asked a question: "Who can explain why certain metals are not attracted by magnets?"

Af: " Stilte het gevolg.
En: Silence followed.

Af: Riaan, wie se kop dikwels in boeke oor die natuur weggekruip was, herken die kans.
En: Riaan, whose head was often buried in books about nature, recognized the opportunity.

Af: Sy hand het uitgesteek, effens swak maar ferm.
En: His hand shot up, slightly weak but firm.

Af: "Dis oor die atomiese struktuur van die metaal," het hy geantwoord, sy stem aanvanklik sag maar vol selfvertroue.
En: "It's about the atomic structure of the metal," he answered, his voice initially soft but full of confidence.

Af: Die onderwyser het geglimlag.
En: The teacher smiled.

Af: "Presies!
En: "Exactly!"

Af: "Elsie het haar kop na Riaan gedraai, ooglopend beïndruk.
En: Elsie turned her head to Riaan, visibly impressed.

Af: "Wow, jy weet baie van wetenskap!
En: "Wow, you know a lot about science!"

Af: " het sy gesê.
En: she said.

Af: "Wil jy saam met ons verder gaan kyk?
En: "Do you want to explore with us?"

Af: " Thabo het ook geknik, en Riaan het 'n gevoel van vreugde oor hom voel spoel.
En: Thabo nodded as well, and Riaan felt a wave of joy wash over him.

Af: So het die middag voortgesleep in die wetenskap sentrum.
En: Thus the afternoon stretched on in the science center.

Af: Riaan, Elsie en Thabo het saam aan nuwe eksperimente deelgeneem, endorserede mikroreënwoude en interaktiewe sterrekunde-uitstallings.
En: Riaan, Elsie, and Thabo participated in new experiments together, explored micro rainforests, and interacted with astronomy exhibits.

Af: Met elke nuwe aktiwiteit het Riaan bietjie meer van sy vrees losgelaat en sy maatskaplike skil begin afskud.
En: With each new activity, Riaan let go of a bit more of his fear and began to shed his social shell.

Af: Teen die einde van die dag, het hulle op die trappe voor die sentrum gesit, moeg maar gelukkig.
En: By the end of the day, they sat on the steps in front of the center, tired but happy.

Af: Riaan het geleer dat risiko neem soms net die raak vat wat 'n mens nodig het om nuwe vriendskappe te sluit.
En: Riaan had learned that taking risks sometimes just needed the courage to make new friendships.

Af: Hy het besef dat om uit sy gemaksone te stap nie net uitdagend was nie, maar ook lonend.
En: He realized that stepping out of his comfort zone was not only challenging but also rewarding.

Af: In die stralende sonskyn van die middag het Riaan 'n nuwe stuk van homself ontdek.
En: In the radiant afternoon sunshine, Riaan discovered a new part of himself.

Af: Hy was nie net 'n stil agtergrondfiguur nie, maar iemand wat gewaardeer en verwelkom is, danksy sy kennis en moed om die onbekende te betree.
En: He was not just a quiet background figure, but someone who was valued and welcomed, thanks to his knowledge and courage to venture into the unknown.

Af: Die uitstappie na die Cape Town Science Centre was 'n sukses, vol ontdekking en nuwe beginne.
En: The outing to the Cape Town Science Centre was a success, full of discovery and new beginnings.

Vocabulary Words:
sunshine: sonskyn
discovery: ontdekking
anticipation: verwagting
anxiety: angs
musculoskeletal: spierskeletstelsel
exhibition: uitstalling
admired: bewonder
magnets: magnete
sore: seer
opportunity: kans
atomic: atomiese
structure: struktuur
confidence: selfvertroue
visibly: ooglopend
impressed: beïndruk
explore: gaan kyk
interacted: interaktiewe
astronomy: sterrekunde
participated: deelgeneem
experiment: eksperiment
shell: skil
risks: risiko
venture: betree
rewarding: lonend
radiant: stralend
background: agtergrond
challenging: uitdagend
friendship: vriendskap
gathered: geskep
confidence: selfvertroue

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Johan's Journey: Finding Hope in Every Vote
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-17-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: In die warm somerson vol helder kleure en laggende kinders op die straat, stap Johan doeltreffend oor die sypaadjie.
En: In the warm summer sun full of bright colors and laughing children on the street, Johan walks purposefully across the sidewalk.

Af: Hy is op pad na die stemlokaal in die hart van Kaapstad.
En: He is on his way to the polling station in the heart of Kaapstad.

Af: Sy gedagtes draai oor die belang van sy dagtaak.
En: His thoughts revolve around the importance of his day's task.

Af: “Maak my stem rêrig 'n verskil?” wonder hy.
En: “Does my vote really make a difference?” he wonders.

Af: Johan is 'n jong onderwyser met 'n liefde vir sy land en mense, maar die politieke onrus laat hom twyfel oor sy stem se krag.
En: Johan is a young teacher with a love for his country and people, but the political turmoil makes him doubt the power of his vote.

Af: Toe hy by die straat afdraai, sien hy dat almal vorentoe staar na 'n versperring.
En: When he turns down the street, he sees everyone staring ahead at a barrier.

Af: ’n Teken sê: "Oopgrawingswerk. Pad gesluit."
En: A sign says: “Excavation work. Road closed.”

Af: Johan sug en draai om vir 'n nuwe roete.
En: Johan sighs and turns around for a new route.

Af: Dis asof alles hom probeer ontmoedig.
En: It's as if everything is trying to discourage him.

Af: Maar hy byt vas en stap verder.
En: But he perseveres and keeps walking.

Af: By die stemlokaal is daar 'n lang tou.
En: At the polling station, there's a long line.

Af: Mense praat en hande waai vrolik in die lug.
En: People are talking and hands wave cheerfully in the air.

Af: Die energie van die somerson weerspieël binne die vier mure.
En: The energy of the summer sun is reflected within the four walls.

Af: Johan voeg by die tou en voel dadelik die hitte.
En: Johan joins the line and immediately feels the heat.

Af: Swaar, soos 'n kombers, maar ook gevul met hoop.
En: Heavy, like a blanket, but also filled with hope.

Af: Hy luister na die mense om hom.
En: He listens to the people around him.

Af: Elise, 'n ent van hom af, gesels met Martinus.
En: Elise, a short distance from him, is chatting with Martinus.

Af: “Dis keer dat ons dinge verander,” sê sy met oortuiging.
En: “It's time for us to change things,” she says with conviction.

Af: Martinus knik instemmend en voeg by: “Sonder ons stem, wat bly oor? Dis ons dorp.”
En: Martinus nods in agreement and adds: “Without our vote, what remains? It's our town.”

Af: Johan voel 'n klein vonkie van hoop in sy bors.
En: Johan feels a small spark of hope in his chest.

Af: Hierdie gesprekke, hierdie gemeenskap, herinner hom daaraan dat elke stem bydra tot 'n groter klank.
En: These conversations, this community, remind him that every vote contributes to a larger sound.

Af: Sommer gou bereik hy die deur wat toegang gee tot die groot saal.
En: Soon he reaches the door that gives access to the large hall.

Af: Posters van kleurrykheid herinner elkeen aan die belangrikheid om ‘n verskil te maak.
En: Posters of colorful imagery remind everyone of the importance of making a difference.

Af: Toe hy uiteindelik sy kaartjies en sy stembriewe kry, vul Johan die papiere in met hernude energie.
En: When he finally gets his cards and ballots, Johan fills out the papers with renewed energy.

Af: Hy plaas hulle in die kis.
En: He places them in the box.

Af: Met 'n glimlag, draai hy om, hou sy sweetdoekie teen sy voorkop en stap uit, voel duidelik ligter.
En: With a smile, he turns around, presses his sweat cloth against his forehead, and steps out, feeling noticeably lighter.

Af: "Besoek ons volgende keer," roep 'n vriendelike vrou by die deur.
En: "Visit us next time," calls a friendly woman at the door.

Af: Johan knik met 'n skaduwee van 'n glimlag.
En: Johan nods with a shadow of a smile.

Af: Hy weet nie of sy stem die wereld gaan verander nie, maar hy voel deel van iets groter.
En: He doesn't know if his vote will change the world, but he feels part of something bigger.

Af: Met nuwe moed stap Johan terug huis toe.
En: With new courage, Johan walks back home.

Af: Die skaduwees van sy vrae weggevou soos die koel bries wat oor die stad gly.
En: The shadows of his questions tucked away like the cool breeze gliding over the city.

Af: Hy weet dat môre miskien nie dadelik anders gaan lyk nie, maar vandag was hy daar, deel van die geluid, en dit is wat saak maak.
En: He knows that tomorrow might not immediately look different, but today he was there, part of the sound, and that is what matters.

Vocabulary Words:
purposefully: doeltreffend
polling station: stembureau
turmoil: onrus
barrier: versperring
excavation: oopgrawingswerk
perseveres: byt vas
cheerfully: vrolik
conviction: oortuiging
contributes: bydra
imagery: kleurrykheid
renewed: hernude
forehead: voorkop
visibly: duidelik
courage: moed
community: gemeenskap
spark: vonkie
blanket: kombers
line: tou
gliding: gly
access: toegang
energy: energie
shadow: skaduwee
revolve: draai oor
sighs: sug
detour: nuwe roete
presses: hou
ballots: stembriewe
task: dragtaak
stares: staar
remind: herinner