Afrikaans Figures of Speech & Literary Devices (Grades 8–12 FAL)

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No stories. No life lessons. Just marks.

You want to walk into that Afrikaans FAL exam, see a “figuurlike taal” question, and write the correct answer in 30 seconds without panicking. This post is your weapon.

The Big Secret (Read This First)

Examiners ask the same 6 figures of speech every single year. Not 20. Not 50. Just six.

Learn these six. Use the formula below. Collect your marks.

The 6 Figures of Speech You Must Know

1. Vergelyking (Simile)

How to spot it: Look for “soos” (like) or “as” (as).

Example: Hy is so sterk soos ’n bul.

Exam answer formula:

Vergelyking. Die man word met ’n bul vergelyk om te wys hy is baie sterk.

2. Metafoor (Metaphor)

How to spot it: No “soos” or “as.” Something IS something else.

Example: Haar stem is fluweel.

Exam answer formula:

Metafoor. Haar stem word fluweel genoem om te wys dit is sag en aangenaam.

3. Personifikasie (Personification)

How to spot it: Non-human things do human actions.

Example: Die son glimlag vir ons.

Exam answer formula:

Personifikasie. Die son kry ’n menslike eienskap (glimlag) om ’n vrolike atmosfeer te skep.

4. Hiperbool (Hyperbole)

How to spot it: Extreme exaggeration that is not literally true.

Example: Ek het ’n duisend keer gesê moenie mors nie.

Exam answer formula:

Hiperbool. Die spreker oordryf om te wys hy is baie gefrustreerd.

5. Idioom (Idiom)

How to spot it: Literal meaning makes no sense.

Common idioms you MUST know:

  • Hy slaan die spyker op die kop – he is correct
  • Die bobbejaan agter die berg – hidden trouble
  • Nou gaan ons die hond in die pot kry – real problem appears
  • Sy hou haar hart vas – she is nervous
  • Dit maak vir my nie ’n appel nie – I don’t care

Exam answer formula:

Idioom. Dit beteken [real meaning].

6. Teenstelling / Paradox

How to spot it: Two opposite ideas together.

Example: Stilte wat skree.

Exam answer formula:

Teenstelling. Stilte en skree is teenoorgesteldes. Dit skep ’n ongemaklike gevoel.

The 3-Step Answer Formula (USE THIS EVERY TIME)

  1. Name the device (Vergelyking / Metafoor / Personifikasie / Hiperbool / Idioom / Teenstelling)
  2. Quote proof (2–5 words from the text)
  3. Explain effect (“om te wys…”, “om ’n gevoel te skep…”, “die skrywer beklemtoon…”)

Full Example

Question: “Die tyd eet my geduld op.”

Answer:

Personifikasie. Die woorde “eet my geduld” wys dit. Die tyd kry ’n menslike aksie om te wys die spreker raak baie ongeduldig.

The “5 Minutes Before Exam” Memory Strip

Device Clue Answer starter
Vergelyking soos / as word vergelyk met
Metafoor is / no soos word genoem om te wys
Personifikasie human action kry menslike eienskap om
Hiperbool exaggeration oordryf om te wys
Idioom weird meaning beteken
Teenstelling opposites teenoorgesteldes

Common Mark-Killers (DO NOT DO THESE)

  • Killer 1: Only naming it → always add proof + effect
  • Killer 2: Literal idiom meaning → must give real meaning
  • Killer 3: Forgetting effect → always include “om te wys…”

Quick Practice

Identify each figure of speech:

  • Die reën huil op die venster.
  • My huis is ’n tronk.
  • Ek het ’n miljoen huiswerk.
  • Hy hardloop soos ’n perd.
  • Sy slaan die spyker op die kop.

Answers

  • Personifikasie
  • Metafoor
  • Hiperbool
  • Vergelyking
  • Idioom

Last Word Before You Go

You do not need to love Afrikaans. You just need to pass.

Remember:

  • Learn the 6 devices
  • Memorise the idioms
  • Use the 3-step formula
  • Never leave questions blank

Do that, and the marks are yours.

Share this with someone currently staring at an Afrikaans paper like it is written in another universe.

Sterkte. Now go write that exam.

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