wêreld

See also: wereld, and wereld-

Afrikaans

Etymology

From Dutch wereld (“world”), from Middle Dutch werelt, from Old Dutch werold, werolt, from Proto-Germanic *weraldiz (literally “age of man”), from *weraz (“man”) + *aldiz (“time, age, old”).

The development of Middle Dutch -er(e)l- → Afrikaans -êrel- (instead of -erel-) is regular. Compare kêrel, pêrel.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈvɛːrəlt/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

wêreld (plural wêrelde)

1. world
   • 1992, “Liza se klavier”‎^[1]performed by Laurika Rauch:

     Ja, die hele wêreld word stil
     En luister in die donker uur
     Na die naggeluide van Liza se klavier.

     Yes, the whole world becomes quiet
     And listens in the dark hour
     To the night sounds of Liza’s piano.

Derived terms

• wêreldwyd