Learning Frisian: Example Dialogues and Phrases
In this article, we provide you with useful Frisian example dialogues and phrases with English translations to help you learn Frisian.
© University of Groningen
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Below you will find the transcripts of Frisian dialogues with the English translation. Read the text and the translation.
Dialogue 1
| Hee Gerbrich! Wat dochst? | Hi Gerbrich! What are you doing? |
| Hee Albert. Ik bin oan it bakken. Dat is myn hobby. | Hi Albert. I’m baking. That’s my hobby. |
| Wat makkest? | What are you making? |
| Ik meitsje sûkerbôle. Echt Frysk! | I’m making “sugarbread”. Really Frisian! |
| Is dat in yngewikkeld resept? | Is it a difficult recipe? |
| Nee, hear. Sûkerbôle is hiel maklik. | No, “sugarbread” is very easy. |
| Wat moat der allegearre yn? | What are the ingredients? |
| Blom, aai, bûter, gêst, molke. En fansels sûker. | Flour, egg, butter, yeast, milk and sugar of course. |
| En wat is dit? | And what is this? |
| Dat is kaniel. Dat makket it lekkerder. | That’s cinnamon. That makes it tastier. |
| En wêrom makkesto sûkerbôle? | And why do you make “sugarbread”? |
| Ik meitsje it foar myn freon. It is syn favorite neigesetsje. | I make it for my boyfriend. It’s his favourite desert. |
| Dat begryp ik. Sûkerbôle is lekker. Wat is dyn favorite iten? | I can understand that. “Sugarbread” is delicious. What is your favourite food? |
| Ik hâld fan stamppot. | I like stamppot. |
| Watfoar stamppot? | What kind of stamppot? |
| It lekkerste fyn ik soarkoal. Mei fegetaryske woarst. | I like sauerkraut the best. With a vegetarian sausage. |
| Ja, dat fyn ik ek lekker. | Yes, I like that as well. |
| … skoft … | * … pause …* |
| Mei ik priuwe? | Can I taste? |
| Ja, hear. | Yes, you can. |
| Mmmm, lekker! Miskien in bytsje mear sâlt? | Mmmm, tastes good. Maybe a wee bit more salt? |
| Ja, dat is better, tink ik. | Yes, that’s better, I think. |
| Hoe lang moat it yn ‘e oven? | How long does it need to be in the oven? |
| In healoere. Wolsto aanst ek in stikje priuwe, Albert? | Half an hour. Do you want to taste it, Albert? |
| Dankewol, mar ik ha it no net oan tiid. Ik sil oer in kertier te sporten. Spitich. | Thank you, but I don’t have time now. In fifteen minutes I’m going to do some exercise. It’s a pity. |
| Ja, spitich. Oare kear better. | Yes, it’s a pity. Maybe next time. |
| Ja, oant sjen en lekker ite! | Yes, see you and enjoy the food! |
| Dankewol. | Thank you. |
| Do! | Bye! |
| It bêste! | Bye! |
Dialogue 2
| Hoi Silke! | Hi Silke! |
| Hoi Gosse. Hoe giet it? | Hi Gosse. How are you? |
| Goed. En mei dy? | Good. How about you? |
| Ek goed. Hiel goed. Ik ha in nij hûs. | I’m good too. Very good. I have a new flat. |
| O ja? Wêr? | Oh? Where? |
| By it park. Yn de Spanjaardslaan. Op nûmer 40. | By the park. In Spanjaardslaan. At number 40. |
| O, wat in aardichheid. Hast ek foto’s? | Oh, cool. Do you have photos? |
| Ja. Sjoch. Dit is de wenkeamer. | Yes. Look. This is the living room. |
| O, kreas, hear. In romme keamer! | Wow, that’s really nice. A spacious room. |
| Ja. En de keuken is ek grut. Sjoch. | Yes. And the kitchen is big as well. Look. |
| Moai! Hoefolle sliepkeamers hast? | Beautiful! How many bedrooms do you have? |
| Twa. In grutte sliepkeamer en noch in oaren. Dy sliepkeamer is wat lytser. | Two. One big bedroom and one other. That one is a bit smaller. |
| Moai, sis. Hast ek in tún? | Nice. Do you have a garden? |
| Nee, ik ha gjin tún. Mar wol in balkon mei in soad sinne. | No, I don’t have a garden. But I do have a sunny balcony. |
| Wat noflik. Is it grutter as dyn foarige hûs? | Oh, that’s nice. Is it bigger than your previous flat? |
| Ja, folle grutter. En ik ha no in badkeamer! | Yes, much bigger. And now I’ve got a bathroom of my own. |
| Mei in bad? | With a bath? |
| Nee, ik ha gjin bad. Allinnich in dûs. | No, I don’t have a bath. Just a shower. |
| Dat hinderet neat, of wol? | That’s not a problem, I suppose? |
| Nee, fansels net. | No, of course not. |
| Moatst in soad dwaan yn it hûs? Moatst noch skilderje? Of dingen reparearje? | Do you need to do things in the house? Do you need to paint? Or to repair things? |
| Nee, dat hoecht net. Ik kin der direkt wenje. | No there’s no need whatsoever. I can move in straight away. |
| Goh, wat noflik. En is it ek djoer? | Oh, that’s good. And is it expensive? |
| Ha ha, dat sis ik net! No ja, it is net sa djoer. | Ha ha, I won’t say that! Well, it’s not too expensive. |
| Goed. Wannear kinst dêr wenje? | Good. When can you move in? |
| Oare moanne. | Next month. |
| O, ik kom gau te sjen, hear. | Oh, I’ll come and have a look soon. |
| Ja. Do hast myn nûmer, hin? | Yes. You have my number, right? |
| Ja, hear. Ik belje dy! | Yes, sure. I’ll call you! |
| Okee. It bêste! | OK. Bye! |
| Oant sjen! | See you! |
© University of Groningen
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