Questions & Answers about Die verslete mou het 'n skeur.
Why does the sentence start with die?
Die is the Afrikaans definite article, meaning the.
In this sentence, die verslete mou means the worn sleeve. Afrikaans uses die for:
So unlike some other languages, you do not need different forms for masculine, feminine, or neuter nouns.
Examples:
- die mou = the sleeve
- die moue = the sleeves
- die boek = the book
- die boeke = the books
Why is it verslete and not some shorter form like verslet?
Verslete is the normal adjective form meaning worn, threadbare, or frayed from use.
It is one of those adjectives that already appears in an -e form. In other words, verslete is simply the standard word you learn and use here.
So:
- die verslete mou = the worn sleeve
You do not normally strip the -e off and say verslet in this meaning.
What exactly is mou?