Understanding prepositions of time in any language is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy. Afrikaans, a language derived from Dutch and spoken mainly in South Africa and Namibia, has its own set of prepositions that govern time. This article will guide you through the various prepositions of time in Afrikaans, their correct usage, and provide examples to help you grasp these concepts more effectively.
Introduction to Prepositions of Time in Afrikaans
Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They are essential for indicating time, place, direction, and more. In Afrikaans, prepositions of time are used to specify moments, durations, and relationships between events. Mastering these will greatly improve your ability to communicate accurately and comprehensibly in Afrikaans.
Common Prepositions of Time in Afrikaans
Here are some of the most frequently used prepositions of time in Afrikaans:
“In” – “In”
“Om” – “At”
“Teen” – “By” or “Towards”
“Na” – “After”
“Voor” – “Before”
“Gedurende” – “During”
“Vanaf” – “From”
“Tot” – “Until”
“Oor” – “In” (when referring to time in the future)
“Sedert” – “Since”
Let’s delve deeper into each of these prepositions, with examples to illustrate their use.
“In”
The preposition “in” is used similarly to its English counterpart. It indicates a period within which something happens.
Example:
– Ek sal jou in die oggend sien.
(I will see you in the morning.)
– Hy het in Februarie begin werk.
(He started working in February.)
“Om”
“Om” is used to specify the exact time at which something happens. It is equivalent to “at” in English.
Example:
– Die vergadering begin om drie-uur.
(The meeting starts at three o’clock.)
– Ons eet aandete om sewe-uur.
(We eat dinner at seven o’clock.)
“Teen”
“Teen” can be translated as “by” or “towards” and is used to indicate a deadline or the approach of a time.
Example:
– Teen die einde van die dag, sal ek klaar wees.
(By the end of the day, I will be finished.)
– Sy sal teen die middag hier wees.
(She will be here by the afternoon.)
“Na”
“Na” translates to “after” and is used to indicate something happening following a particular time or event.
Example:
– Ek sal jou na werk ontmoet.
(I will meet you after work.)
– Na die ete, het ons gaan stap.
(After dinner, we went for a walk.)
“Voor”
“Voor” means “before” and is used to indicate something happening prior to a particular time or event.
Example:
– Jy moet jou werk voor agtuur klaarmaak.
(You must finish your work before eight o’clock.)
– Voor die vergadering, moet ons die dokumente hersien.
(Before the meeting, we must review the documents.)
“Gedurende”
“Gedurende” translates to “during” and is used to specify a period within which something occurs.
Example:
– Gedurende die vakansie, het ons baie geslaap.
(During the holiday, we slept a lot.)
– Sy werk gedurende die dag.
(She works during the day.)
“Vanaf”
“Vanaf” is used to indicate the starting point of a period and can be translated as “from.”
Example:
– Die klas duur vanaf nege-uur tot elf-uur.
(The class lasts from nine o’clock until eleven o’clock.)
– Hy werk vanaf Maandag tot Vrydag.
(He works from Monday to Friday.)
“Tot”
“Tot” translates to “until” and is used to indicate the end point of a period.
Example:
– Die winkel is oop tot vyf-uur.
(The store is open until five o’clock.)
– Sy bly by ons tot volgende week.
(She stays with us until next week.)
“Oor”
“Oor” is used to indicate a period of time in the future and can be translated as “in.”
Example:
– Ek sal jou oor ‘n uur bel.
(I will call you in an hour.)
– Oor twee weke gaan ons met vakansie.
(In two weeks, we are going on holiday.)
“Sedert”
“Sedert” means “since” and is used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues into the present.
Example:
– Sedert hy hier werk, het hy baie geleer.
(Since he started working here, he has learned a lot.)
– Ek ken haar sedert ons kinders was.
(I have known her since we were children.)
Combining Prepositions of Time with Other Elements
Understanding how to combine these prepositions with other elements in a sentence is crucial for constructing coherent and meaningful sentences in Afrikaans. Here are a few tips and examples to help you master this:
Using Prepositions with Days and Months
When specifying days and months, Afrikaans often uses “op” (on) for days and “in” (in) for months.
Example:
– Ons gaan op Maandag vertrek.
(We are leaving on Monday.)
– Die fees is in Desember.
(The festival is in December.)
Using Prepositions with Parts of the Day
When referring to parts of the day, “in” is commonly used.
Example:
– Ek werk in die oggend.
(I work in the morning.)
– Ons rus in die middag.
(We rest in the afternoon.)
Using Prepositions with Time Periods
When talking about specific periods, such as hours, weeks, or years, different prepositions are used.
Example:
– Hy sal oor ‘n week terug wees.
(He will be back in a week.)
– Sy het in 2010 begin werk.
(She started working in 2010.)
Using Prepositions to Express Duration
To express how long something lasts, Afrikaans uses prepositions like “vir” (for).
Example:
– Ek het vir twee ure gewag.
(I waited for two hours.)
– Hy studeer vir drie jaar.
(He studies for three years.)
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master prepositions of time in Afrikaans is through practice. Here are a few exercises to help reinforce what you have learned:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate preposition of time.
1. Die partytjie begin ___ agtuur.
2. Ons het ___ die somer gaan kamp.
3. Ek het hom ___ die oggend gesien.
4. Sy sal ___ die naweek kom kuier.
5. Ek studeer ___ Maandag tot Vrydag.
Exercise 2: Translation Practice
Translate the following sentences into Afrikaans using the correct prepositions of time.
1. I will meet you at three o’clock.
2. We are going on holiday in December.
3. She has been working here since 2015.
4. He will call you in an hour.
5. The store is open until eight o’clock.
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Construct sentences in Afrikaans using the following prepositions of time: “in,” “om,” “na,” “voor,” “gedurende.”
Example:
– Ek sal jou ___ die middag ontmoet. (om)
Conclusion
Prepositions of time in Afrikaans are fundamental components of the language that help you articulate when events occur. By understanding and practicing the use of these prepositions, you can significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Afrikaans. Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering any language skill. Use the exercises provided, engage in conversations, and immerse yourself in the language to reinforce your learning. Happy studying!
