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Before we delve into this Afrikaans grammar guide, let’s get this out of our systems: Grammar in any language is a strange bird. Look at this joke in English, for instance:
Question: What is the longest sentence in the English language?
Answer: “I do.”
Did you get it? If you didn’t and you’re an AfrikaansPod101 Premium PLUS student already, why not ask your tutor?
![Male Hands in Handcuffs](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/23702&v=medium.jpg)
If you’re not a member (or a punster), let me explain. “Sentence” means two things in English. This is how the online dictionary defines it:
A “sentence” is:
1. a set of words in most languages that is complete in itself, usually containing a subject and a clause that states something about the subject (A clause is a phrase or a part of a sentence.)
2. the punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a specific offence
Punning is the art of using an alternate meaning of a word in a comical way. This joke would not be funny if you didn’t know the second meaning of “sentence.”
But that’s not all—context is important too. So how does “I do” relate to a long prison sentence? Well, it’s simple, because there’s only one place where you would commonly use those words in relation to a lengthy commitment. Fortunately not for all, but for some, that’s marriage!
![Male and Female Hands Together, Showing Wedding Bands](https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/03/09/12/10/couple-1246304_1280.jpg)
Yes, it’s not simple. Some students compare grammar to math and music studies—quite complex! So, for your convenience, we’ve compiled this free online Afrikaans language grammar guide. Study these principles thoroughly and you will get well ahead on your journey to learn Afrikaans.
Context can only be understood if you know a country’s culture and language well. For this, you’ll need to have the basics of the language’s grammar under your belt!
The grammar of most languages can be subdivided and explained under two headings: lexicology and syntax.
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- Afrikaans Grammar: “Lexicology” / Woordleer
- Afrikaans Grammar: “Syntax” / Sintaksis
- AfrikaansPod101 – Your Excellent Afrikaans Grammar Companion!
1. Afrikaans Grammar: “Lexicology” / Woordleer
Afrikaans is a West-Germanic language, very closely related to Dutch. These are the basics of its lexicological complexities.
1.1 “NOUN” / NAAMWOORD
Definition | Just like in English, a naamwoord most often indicates something you can perceive with any one of your senses. These also include abstract things. |
How to Identify | To spot a noun, ask the following questions: a) Can I use it with an article, or lidwoord, such as ‘n (“a”) or die (“the”)? b) Does it have a plural form? c) Can I turn it into a diminutive? If you answer yes to these questions, then it’s a noun! |
Examples | Just like English nouns, Afrikaans nouns decline for number. Different from English, they also inflect for diminutives. ‘n rok / “a dress” ‘n rokkie / “a little dress” die rokke / “the dresses” |
Main Sub-categories |
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![Water Droplets on Wood](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/25689&v=medium.jpg)
WATERDRUPPELS OP HOUT (“WATER DROPS ON WOOD”)
1.2 “VERB” / WERKWOORD
Definition | Verbs usually depict some sort of action, including abstract actions. |
How to Identify | To identify a verb, ask the following questions: a) Can I use a pronoun, such as “he,” “she,” or “we” (hy, sy, or ons), in front of it? Or, in other words, can someone or something perform this action? b) Can it take a past tense form? |
Examples | Afrikaans verbs conjugate for tense, mood, and voice, but not for noun, pronoun, or number. So, we don’t worry about subject-verb agreement in Afrikaans. Here, we’ll discuss only the basics of tense conjugation. For more details, take a look at this article: All About Verb Conjugation in Afrikaans.
Examples: Hy / Sy vlieg. (“He / She flies.”) Ons lag. (“We laugh.”) Julle bly. (“You stay/remain.”) Die honde blaf. (“The dogs bark.”)
Examples: Hy / Sy het gevlieg. (“He / She flew.”) OR (“He / She has flown.”) Ons het gelag. (“We laughed.”) OR (“We have laughed.”) Julle het gebly. (“You stayed/remained.”) OR (“You have stayed/remained.”) Die honde het geblaf. (“The dogs barked.”) OR (“The dogs have barked.”) → Future Tense: For the future tense, the auxiliary verb of modality (also called a modal verb) sal is used the same way as “will” (i.e., with the infinitive verb). Examples: Hy / Sy sal vlieg. (“He / She will fly.”) Ons sal lag. (“We will laugh.”) Julle sal bly. (“You will stay/remain.”) Die honde sal blaf. (“The dogs will/would bark.”)
Example: Toe ek opstaan, glimlag hy vir my. (Lit. “When I stand up, he smiles at me.”) It would not be incorrect to change it to the past tense, though. |
Main Sub-categories |
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![A Woman Laughing](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/28980&v=medium.jpg)
SY HET NET GELAG (“SHE JUST LAUGHED”)
1.3 “ADJECTIVE” / BYVOEGLIKE NAAMWOORD or ADJEKTIEF
Definition | These types of words modify or describe nouns. |
How to Identify | To identify an adjective, ask the following questions: a) Can I use the word in front of a noun? b) Will it still say something about the noun if I use it after a linking verb (koppelwerkwoord)? c) Does the word have degrees of comparison? |
Examples | 1. In front of a noun: ‘n Gelukkige man (“a happy man”) / ‘n Opgewonde kind (“an excited child”) 2. After a linking verb / koppelwerkwoord: Hy is gelukkig. (“He is happy.”) / Die kind is opgewonde. (“The child is excited.”) 3. Degrees of comparison: Gelukkig, gelukkiger, gelukkigste (“Happy, happier, happiest”) / Opgewonde, meer opgewonde, die mees opgewonde (“Excited, more excited, the most excited”) |
Main Sub-categories | Like in English, there are two types of adjectives. The classification is based on their position in a sentence relative to the noun.
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![Pretty Woman Laughing](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/25824&v=medium.jpg)
DIE MOOI VROU IS GELUKKIG. (“THE PRETTY WOMAN IS HAPPY”)
1.4 “ADVERB” / BYWOORD
Definition | The adverb describes the verb or verbal clause in a sentence. |
How to Identify | Which word says something about what happens or what is being done? The adverb should answer questions such as, “How?” “When?” “Where?” or “How much?” Some adverbs have degrees of comparison. |
Examples |
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Main Sub-categories | As you probably noticed in the examples, there are several types of adverbs. Following are the four main categories:
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![Tarred Road with Mountain on Background](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/11602&v=medium.jpg)
DIE PAD WAS LANK. (“THE ROAD WAS LONG”)
1.5 “PRONOUN” / VOORNAAMWOORD
Definition | A pronoun is a word that acts as a replacement for a noun in a sentence. |
How to Identify | Ask this question: Can the word stand in place of the noun? In other words, does it refer to a person or a thing? |
Examples | ek, jy, hy, ons, dit, niemand, wie, hierdie, daardie (“I,” “you,” “he,” “we/us,” “it,” “nobody,” “who,” “this,” “that”) |
Main Sub-categories |
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![A Couple Laughing at a Table](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/29391&v=medium.jpg)
HULLE HET MEKAAR LIEF. (“THEY LOVE EACH OTHER.”)
1.6 “PREPOSITION” / VOORSETSEL
Definition | Prepositions show a relationship between an object and another element in the sentence. It usually precedes the object of the sentence (which is a noun, a pronoun, or a clause/phrase with either). Prepositions indicate time or location, or introduce an object. |
How to Identify | Ask yourself if you can add an article and/or a noun after a voorsetsel (“preposition”). |
Examples | onderaan, langs, agter, by, vir (“underneath,” “next to,” “behind,” “by,” “for”) |
Main Sub-categories | There are three main types of prepositions.
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![A Rear View of Couple Sitting on Deck Chairs on the Beach](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/25478&v=medium.jpg)
HULLE IS OP DIE STRAND. (“THEY ARE ON THE BEACH.”)
1.7 “ARTICLE” / LIDWOORD
Definition | Articles are short words that define nouns as nonspecific or specific. They are determiners that modify nouns. |
How to Identify | There are only two articles in both English and Afrikaans: ‘n (“a”) and die (“the”). |
Examples | ‘n rekenaar (“a computer”) die neef (“the cousin”) |
Main Sub-categories | Two types of articles can be discerned:
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![Woman in Long Red Dress](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/28406&v=medium.jpg)
DRA ‘N ROK, ENIGE ROK. (“WEAR A DRESS, ANY DRESS.”)
1.8 “CONJUNCTION” / VOEGWOORD
Definition | A conjunction links words, phrases, and clauses, or ideas and thoughts—both literally, and in meaning. |
How to Identify | Depending on the conjunction, you could ask yourself this question: Can I discern two independent sentences by removing the conjunction? |
Examples | Jan slaap terwyl ons werk. (“John sleeps while we work.”) Patricia en Lukas was by die begrafnis. (“Patricia and Lukas were at the funeral.”) |
Main Sub-categories | Unlike in English, which categorizes conjunctions into three groups, Afrikaans categorizes them into only two groups. Some voegwoorde fall into both categories. 1. Neweskikkende voegwoord / “Coordinating conjunction” These conjunctions join independent clauses, which are phrases that can function as sentences and still make sense when you remove the conjunctions. These conjunctions include: en, maar, want, of, dog, terwyl (“and,” “but,” “because,” “or,” “yet,” “while”). Example: Hy slaap en ons werk. (“He sleeps and we work.”) 2. Onderskikkende voegwoord / “Subordinating conjunction” This type of conjunction only joins dependent clauses. These are clauses that cannot function as a sentence, nor do they make sense when you remove the conjunction. These conjunctions include: hoewel, omdat, terwyl (“however/though,” “because,” “while”). Example: Terwyl hy slaap, werk. (Lit.: “Though he sleeping was, were we working.”) |
![Sleeping Man](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/26071&v=medium.jpg)
HY SLAAP EN ONS WERK. (“HE SLEEPS AND WE WORK.”)
1.9 “PARTICLE” / PARTIKEL
Definition | Particles are short auxiliary words or parts of words that have no semantic meaning on their own. They modify nouns and verbs for negation, possession, comparison, etc. |
How to Identify | Ask yourself questions pertaining to the categories. For example: Is the word used to indicate negation? Is it used to indicate possession? |
Examples | so…soos (“as”) nie…nie (“not”) se / (” ‘s “) – genitive van (“of”) |
Main Sub-categories | Many of the following Afrikaans partikels are found in English, even though English doesn’t necessarily categorize them as such.
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![Desert Dunes](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/6260&v=medium.jpg)
DIS TE WARM IN DIE WOESTYN. (“IT’S TOO HOT IN THE DESERT.”)
1.10 “NUMBER WORDS” / TELWOORDE
Definition | These words indicate numbers or an amount. |
How to Identify | Ask yourself these questions: a) Can I symbolize the word with numbers, like 1,2,3…? (With the exception of onbepaalde hooftelwoorde [“indefinite pronouns”].) b) Can I turn the word into a rangtelwoord (i.e. ordinal number)? c) Is it impossible to grade the word? (Number words cannot be expressed in grades. We cannot say, for instance, “one-er” or “one-est.” “One” is and can only be that—a single thing!) d) Is this word indispensable in its modification of the noun? (A noun in a sentence will still “work” if adjectives are removed. However, most often, determiners such as numbers are indispensable to the meaning of the noun.) |
Examples | elf (“eleven”) twee-en-twintig (“twenty-two”) tiende (“tenth”) massas (“masses”) |
Main Sub-categories | All number words function as determiners of nouns (and not as adjectives).
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1.11 “INTERJECTIONS” / TUSSENWERPSELS
Definition | An interjection is an utterance or exclamation that conveys a certain meaning or emotion. |
How to Identify | Ask yourself if the word can:
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Examples |
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Main Sub-categories | None. |
![Woman Looking Amazed](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/23928&v=medium.jpg)
SJOE! (“WOW!”)
Got it? Probably not, but don’t despair. No valuable discipline is ever gained overnight!
Now let’s move on to the next point of basic Afrikaans grammar: how Afrikaans words get strung together into sentences.
2. Afrikaans Grammar: “Syntax” / Sintaksis
Syntax, which is the basic grammatical structure of sentences, can be a gruellingly complex subject in any language. Correct Afrikaans grammar largely depends on your ability to form sentences according to the proper structures and rules. However, the basics are fairly similar to English.
Buckle up!
2.1 Enkelvoudige Sin (“Simple Sentence”) VS Saamgestelde Sin (“Compound Sentence”)
A) Simple sentences in both English and Afrikaans follow a simple Subject-Verb (SV) format. For example: Die kind eet. (“The child eats.”)
Notes:
- Simple sentences can have only one verb or gesegde. In Afrikaans syntax, single verbs and clauses are referred to as gesegdes (approximately: “clauses”). Read on for more about this.
- Also remember: a gesegde comprising an auxiliary verb + main verb = only one verb!
B) Compound sentences always contain two verbs or gesegdes (“clauses”). For example: Die kind eet terwyl die hond blaf. (“The child eats while the dog barks.”)
2.2 Parts of Simple and Compound Sentences
Sentences consist of other parts, too. Very briefly, the following:
A) Enkelvoudige sinne / “Simple sentences”
1. Onderwerp (“Subject”)
Who or what performs the action in the sentence or phrase? The answer is always the subject. For example: Clint vlieg die vliegtuig. (“Clint flies the airplane.”)
2. Voorwerp (“Object”)
In a sentence, the object usually follows the subject (except in the passive voice). The object is that which the action is performed upon. For example: Clint vlieg die vliegtuig. (“Clint flies the airplane.”)
Note:
- Direkte voorwerp / “Direct object”
The direkte voorwerp (“direct object”) always follows the main transitive verb. For example:- ❖ Vlieg (“fly”) = main verb
❖ Vliegtuig (“airplane”) = direkte voorwerp (“direct object”)
An indirekte voorwerp (“indirect object”) always follows a preposition. For example: Clint vlieg die vliegtuig vir Paul. (“Clint flies the airplane for Paul.”)
The preposition vir is followed by Paul, the indirekte voorwerp (“indirect object”).
3. Gesegde (“Clause”)
As mentioned, all verbs and clauses are called a gesegde (approximate: “clause”) in Afrikaans syntax. They are sometimes referred to as a werkwoordstuk. (Lit: “verb piece”).
Example: Clint het die vliegtuig gevlieg. (“Clint flew the airplane.”)
- ❖ Het (“has”) = auxiliary verb of time
❖ gevlieg (“flew”) = main verb, simple past tense
(Refer back to Auxiliary Verbs of Time under the previous section for more information on the prefix ge-.)
![Fighter Plane Pilot in the Cockpit](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/26330&v=medium.jpg)
CLINT HET DIE VLIEGTUIG GEVLIEG. (“CLINT FLEW THE AIRPLANE.”)
4. Byvoeglike & Bywoordelike Bepalings (“Adjective and Adverbial Clauses”)
i) Byvoeglike Bepalings: In Afrikaans syntax, all adjective words or clauses are grouped under byvoeglike bepalings. Like in English, these describe nouns.
Example 1 [Single word adjectives]: Die honger kind eet die lekker kos. (“The hungry child eats the tasty food.”)
Example 2 [Adjective phrases]: Die kind met die rooi trui eet die kos met baie kaas. (“The child with the red jersey eats the food with lots of cheese.”)
ii) Bywoordelike Bepalings: All adverbial words or clauses are called bywoordelike bepalings in Afrikaans syntax. As in English, these describe actions or verbs. Adverbial words or clauses are divided into four groups: time, place, manner, and degree.
Refer back to Bywoorde (“Adjectives”) under the previous section for examples of single words that fall into this category. Following are examples of adverbial clauses:
Example 1: Voor haar vertrek moet sy eers groet. (“Before her departure she must first greet.”)
Here, the underlined = bywoordelike bepaling van tyd (“adverbial clause of time”).
Example 2: Hulle gaan oorslaap in die beste hotel. (“They are going to sleep over in the best hotel.”)
Here, the underlined = bywoordelike bepaling van plek (“adverbial clause of place”).
![Couple Standing at a Hotel Reception](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/21900&v=medium.jpg)
HULLE GAAN OORSLAAP IN DIE BESTE HOTEL. (“THEY ARE GOING TO SLEEP OVER IN THE BEST HOTEL.”)
B) Saamgestelde sinne / “Compound sentences”
Compound sentences consist of two or more clauses or simple sentences with ideas that relate to each other. As mentioned, in Afrikaans syntax these always contain two gesegdes (“verbs” or “clauses”).
1. Neweskikkende sin / “Coordinating sentence”
Parts of sentences are grouped under this heading when they are of equal importance in terms of meaning. In Afrikaans, they also still make sense when the neweskikkende voegwoord (“coordinating sentence”) is removed, and can function as simple sentences.
Example: Jan wil skei maar Marta weier. (“John wants to divorce but Martha refuses.”)
2. Onderskikkende bysin / “Subordinating sentence”
Compound sentences can also contain a main sentence and one or more subordinating clauses. The latter is identified by the fact that it doesn’t make sense when it stands alone. In such a case, the subordinating sentence or clause is called a bysin.
Example: Die man wat in die rooi sportsmotor ry, moet voor parkeer. (“The man who’s driving the red sports car must park in the front.”
Here, the underlined = Onderskikkende bysin.
![Red Sports Car](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/3207&v=medium.jpg)
DIE MAN WAT IN DIE ROOI SPORTSMOTOR RY MOET VOOR PARKEER. (“THE MAN WHO’S DRIVING THE RED SPORTS CAR MUST PARK IN THE FRONT.”)
2.3 Basic Word Order – STOMPI
Like most Germanic languages, such as English, Dutch, and French, the basic Afrikaans sentence follows the SVO pattern:
Subject: Ek
Verb: drink
Object: koffie
Translation: “I drink coffee.”
![A Cup of Coffee with Coffee Beans](http://wordlist.languagepod101.com/wordlist/media/22103&v=medium.jpg)
Obviously, things get more complex as you expand sentences. Throw adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, etc., into the mix, and you soon sit with a more difficult sentence pattern.
For this, we have a rule-of-thumb in Afrikaans: the oft-quoted STOMPI rule. It’s beguilingly simple because almost every sentence will more-or-less follow this pattern. Stick to this pattern, and you’re very unlikely to mess up your word order.
Note: Only in much-extended sentences will you be able to apply the STOMPI rule completely. This topic is thoroughly covered in our Afrikaans Word Order article, so be sure to study that too.
STOMPI is the easy acronym we use, but since we’re dealing with grammar, that’s not the whole picture. This is because it actually includes two silent verbs, and therefore stands for:
Subject Die reën
(V1) Verb 1 kom
Time soms
Object vir die Kapenaars
Manner saggies
Place oor die berge
(V2) Verb 2 gesluip
Infinitive om verligting te bring.
Translation: “The rain sometimes sneaks quietly over the mountains for the Capetonians to bring relief.”
As you can see, this is a very long, descriptive sentence. The following one is simpler, but also correct.
Subject Die reën
(V1) Verb 1 sluip
Time soms
Object –
Manner –
Place oor die berge
(V2) –
Infinitive om verligting te bring.
Translation: “The rain sometimes sneaks over the mountains to bring relief.”
3. AfrikaansPod101 – Your Excellent Afrikaans Grammar Companion!
Well, this is a whopper of a double-cream, super-sized article that hopefully whet your appetite for more! Do you have any comments or Afrikaans grammar questions? Don’t be shy! Post them below.
Also be sure to enroll right away so you can immediately start with some Afrikaans grammar exercises. As you can see, there’s a lot to know. But relax—AfrikaansPod101 really does take the lead in Afrikaans learning.
We offer you several excellent Afrikaans learning tools to help you master the language easily and almost effortlessly. There are so many learning options available!
Our well-researched tools include:
1. An extensive vocabulary list page, updated regularly.
2. A new Afrikaans word to learn every day. Master these words easily with our recordings and flashcards!
3. Access to numerous recordings, such as those in this Afrikaans Vocab Builder.
4. A free Afrikaans online dictionary.
5. An excellent 100 Core Afrikaans Words list!
Learn much faster with the help of a personal tutor, who will first let you take an assessment to personalize your training. From there, he or she will work one-on-one with you to help you reach your goals and overcome obstacles.
Happy learning!
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