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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.

Learning a language means learning vocabulary. This is not always easy, but we will help you!

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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Introduction to Frisian

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