Ons konfigureer die modem.

We configure the modem.

Breakdown of Ons konfigureer die modem.

• ons: we
• die modem: modem
• konfigureer: to configure

Questions & Answers about Ons konfigureer die modem.

What does ons mean here?

Ons means we in this sentence.

A useful thing to know is that Afrikaans ons can mean both we and us. The sentence structure tells you which one it is. In Ons konfigureer die modem, it is the subject, so it means we.

Why is the verb konfigureer not changed for we?

Because Afrikaans verbs usually do not change form for different subjects in the present tense.

So you get:

• ek konfigureer = I configure
• jy konfigureer = you configure
• ons konfigureer = we configure
• hulle konfigureer = they configure

This is one of the ways Afrikaans is simpler than English.

Is konfigureer present tense?

Yes. Ons konfigureer die modem is in the present tense.

Depending on context, it can mean:

• we configure the modem
• we are configuring the modem

If you want to make the ongoing action especially clear, Afrikaans often uses a longer form such as Ons is besig om die modem te konfigureer.

Why is used here?