BrixBloks Grammar Apps

In simple sentences you can think in the pattern: who + does what + to what. Later you will see that time words often come first and the verb still stays close to the beginning, but for now keep it as Subject–Verb–Object.

Memory tip: If you are unsure, copy English word order: subject, then verb, then the rest. It works in many everyday Afrikaans sentences.

There is no single plural ending for all nouns. Common patterns include -e (huis → huise), -s (foto → fotos) and -ers (kind → kinders). Vowels and consonants sometimes change. At beginner level, just learn the most useful words as singular + plural pairs.

Memory tip: Write new nouns into your notebook together with their plural: huis/huise, boek/boeke. The patterns will start to feel natural over time.

Die is the definite article for specific things: die huis, die hond. 'n is the indefinite article for a non-specific thing: 'n huis, 'n hond. Unlike some other languages, the verb form stays the same. Only the article tells you if something is specific or not.

Memory tip: Ask yourself: do I have a specific thing in mind? If yes, use die. If not, use 'n.

You can put a possessive word before the noun: my boek, jou huis, sy hond. With names and longer phrases you often use se: Pieter se huis, my vriend se kar. There are no endings on the noun itself.

Memory tip: Learn the short list: my (my), jou (your), sy (his), haar (her), ons (our), julle (your, plural), hulle (their). You will use them all the time.

A simple yes/no question can be made by saying the statement with a rising tone: Jy drink koffie? For clearer questions, the verb often comes before the subject: Drink jy koffie? Wh-questions start with a question word like waar (where), wat (what), wanneer (when), hoekom (why), hoe (how).

Memory tip: First, memorise the most common question words (waar, wat, wanneer, hoekom, hoe). Then reuse the same sentence patterns you already know.

To say 'not', Afrikaans typically uses nie twice: Ek drink nie koffie nie. The first nie comes after the verb or main part, and the second nie closes the sentence. In very short answers you sometimes see only one nie.

Memory tip: Think of it as putting the sentence in a 'nie ... nie' sandwich. The first nie comes after the verb, the second nie finishes the sentence.

In the present tense you mostly use is: Ek is moeg, Sy is gelukkig. In the past you use was: Ek was moeg. The form does not change for gender, and only changes a little for number (ons is, hulle is).

Memory tip: Good news: you do not drop is in simple sentences. Just keep it in, like in English.

Common location words include in (in), op (on), by (at), onder (under), langs (next to). They come before the noun: in die kamer, op die tafel. There are no special case endings on the noun itself.

Memory tip: Learn a few high-frequency prepositions together with die + noun: in die huis, op die tafel, by die skool.

In Afrikaans you normally put describing words before the noun: 'n groot huis, 'n ou vriend. The adjective often gets an -e when it stands before the noun. After the verb 'to be' it often appears in its short form: Die huis is groot.

Memory tip: Learn new adjectives together with a simple noun: 'n groot huis, 'n klein kamer. This builds word order and meaning at the same time.

The basic past tense is formed with het and a past participle that usually starts with ge-: Ek het gewerk, Ons het gekyk. Some verbs do not take ge-, but many common ones follow this pattern.

Memory tip: Start with a few high-frequency verbs like werk (work), eet (eat), drink (drink), gaan (go) and learn their het + ge- forms.

To say 'I will do', use sal + infinitive: Ek sal werk, Ons sal gaan. In everyday speech people also use the present tense with a future time expression: Môre werk ek, Volgende week gaan ons see toe.

Memory tip: Learn one clear model with sal + verb and one with present tense + a time word. Both are very natural.

These small verbs come directly before the main verb in its basic form: Ek kan Afrikaans praat, Ek moet werk, Ek wil rus. Together they show ability, obligation or desire.

Memory tip: Master three patterns early: Ek kan…, Ek moet…, Ek wil…. Then just swap in new verbs at the end.

To compare two things you often add -er and use as (than): groter as, kleiner as. For 'the most', you often add -ste: grootste, kleinste. With some longer adjectives you use meer (more) and mees (most).

Memory tip: Start with a few useful families: goed – beter – beste; groot – groter – grootste; klein – kleiner – kleinste.

To tell someone to do something, you normally use the plain verb: Kom hier!, Wag 'n bietjie!, Sit asseblief. There is no special ending for plural or polite forms; you change the tone and add asseblief for politeness.

Memory tip: Learn a small set of everyday commands you will actually use: Kom!, Wag!, Sit!, Luister!, Kyk!