Breakdown of Die netto salaris is laer ná die aftrekking.
wees
to be
laag
low
ná
after
die netto salaris
net salary
Questions & Answers about Die netto salaris is laer ná die aftrekking.
Why is die used twice in Die netto salaris is laer ná die aftrekking?
Because die is the Afrikaans definite article, and it is used for both singular and plural nouns.
In this sentence:
- die netto salaris = the net salary
- die aftrekking = the deduction
So each noun phrase gets its own die because each one is definite.
Unlike English, Afrikaans does not distinguish between the for singular and plural, and unlike languages such as German or Dutch, it does not change the article for gender.
Why is it laer? Is that the comparative form of laag?
Yes. Laer is the comparative form of laag.
- laag = low
- laer = lower
So:
- Die salaris is laag = The salary is low.
- Die salaris is laer = The salary is lower.
This is similar to English adjective comparison with -er, although the spelling changes a bit:
- laag → laer
That spelling change is just part of how Afrikaans forms this comparative.
Why does the sentence use is laer instead of something more like is meer laag?