Die probleem met afvalwater is erg.

The problem with wastewater is serious.

Breakdown of Die probleem met afvalwater is erg.

• wees: to be
• met: with
• die probleem: the problem
• die afvalwater: wastewater

Questions & Answers about Die probleem met afvalwater is erg.

Why does the sentence start with die?

Die is the definite article in Afrikaans, and it usually means the.

So die probleem = the problem.

Unlike English, Afrikaans does not usually distinguish between the for singular and plural, and it also does not have different forms like de/het in Dutch. In most cases, die is simply the standard definite article.

Why is it die probleem and not something like het probleem?

Afrikaans uses die as the normal definite article for nouns. It does not keep the Dutch article system with de and het.

So in Afrikaans:

• die probleem = the problem
• die man = the man
• die huis = the house

This makes Afrikaans simpler than Dutch in this area.

What does met mean here?