nogal
Nogal (Rather, Quite)
Nogal means rather or quite, often with mild surprise: Die kos is nogal lekker. (The food is actually quite nice.)
How It Works
1. Rather, quite. Before an adjective or adverb, nogal means more than a little, but less than very:
- Die toets was nogal moeilik. (The test was quite difficult.)
- Dit was nogal 'n lang rit. (It was rather a long drive.)
2. A touch of surprise. Nogal often suggests that the speaker did not fully expect it: Hy is nogal slim! (He's actually quite clever!) Compare baie, which simply means very with no surprise.
3. And ... at that. In the phrase en dit nogal, it adds a surprising or annoying detail: Sy het laat gekom, en dit nogal na haar eie partytjie! (She arrived late, and to her own party at that!)
4. As an answer. Ja, nogal gives a cautious yes: Het jy die fliek geniet? Ja, nogal. (Did you enjoy the film? Yes, quite.)
5. One word. Nogal is written as one word. It is different from nog, which means still or yet (see al, nog and eers).
Examples (6)
- Die kos is nogal lekker.
The food is actually quite nice.
Word by Word: The food is rather tasty.
Nogal often suggests a pleasant surprise.
- Hy is nogal slim.
He's actually quite clever.
Word by Word: He is rather clever.
- Die toets was nogal moeilik.
The test was quite difficult.
Word by Word: The test was rather difficult.
- Dit was nogal 'n lang rit.
It was rather a long drive.
Word by Word: It was rather a long drive.
- Sy het laat gekom, en dit nogal na haar eie partytjie!
She arrived late, and to her own party at that!
Word by Word: She has late come, and that rather to her own party!
En dit nogal adds a surprising detail.
- Het jy die fliek geniet? Ja, nogal.
Did you enjoy the film? Yes, quite.
Word by Word: Have you the film enjoyed? Yes, rather.
Common Mistakes
Using nog when you mean quite.
Hy is nog slim.Hy is nogal slim.Hy is nog slim means He is still clever. For rather or quite, use nogal.
Writing nogal as two words.
Die kos is nog al lekker.Die kos is nogal lekker.Nogal is one word. Written apart, nog and al keep their own meanings, still and already.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Nogal is a particle placed like mos.
Related Patterns
- baieVery: Baie
Means very, without the hint of surprise that nogal carries.
Level 1 - te/genoegToo and Enough: Te and Genoeg
Other words that show degree: too and enough.
Level 2 - al/nog/eersAl, Nog and Eers
Nog means still or yet; do not confuse it with nogal.
Level 3 - daremDarem (At Least)
Another particle for mild surprise or relief.
Level 3 - Stacking Particles: maar net, sommer net
Shows how small words like nogal and darem combine to fine-tune tone.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice nogal in Bubblegum
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