Die balkon is klein maar beskut.

The balcony is small but sheltered.

Breakdown of Die balkon is klein maar beskut.

• klein: small
• wees: to be
• maar: but
• die balkon: balcony

Questions & Answers about Die balkon is klein maar beskut.

Why does die mean the here, even though balkon is singular?

In Afrikaans, die is the definite article for both singular and plural nouns.

So:

• die balkon = the balcony
• die balkonne = the balconies

Unlike English, Afrikaans does not have different forms like the for singular and plural, and unlike Dutch or German, it does not mark grammatical gender in the article.

Is balkon a common Afrikaans word, and where does it come from?

Yes, balkon is a normal Afrikaans word for balcony. It is a borrowed word, ultimately related to the same international word found in many European languages.

Its plural is usually:

• balkonne = balconies

So you might also see:

• Die balkonne is klein maar beskut. = The balconies are small but sheltered.

Why is it is and not something like am or are?