Die seisoen is nie ewig nie.

The season is not eternal.

Breakdown of Die seisoen is nie ewig nie.

• wees: to be
• nie: not
• die seisoen: season
• ewig: eternal; forever

Questions & Answers about Die seisoen is nie ewig nie.

Why are there two instances of nie in Die seisoen is nie ewig nie?

Afrikaans usually uses a double negative structure. In a basic negative sentence, you often place:

• the first nie after the verb or the part being negated
• the second nie near the end of the clause

So:

• Die seisoen is ewig. = The season is eternal.
• Die seisoen is nie ewig nie. = The season is not eternal.

This nie ... nie pattern is one of the most important features of Afrikaans grammar.

Where exactly do the two nie words go in this sentence?

In Die seisoen is nie ewig nie:

• is is the verb
• ewig is the description
• the first nie comes before ewig
• the second nie comes at the end of the clause

So the pattern here is:

subject + verb + nie + description + nie

That gives:

Die seisoen is nie ewig nie.

What does die mean here? Is it the same as English the?