Die kalkaanslag verdwyn ná die ontkalking.

The limescale buildup disappears after descaling.

Breakdown of Die kalkaanslag verdwyn ná die ontkalking.

• ná: after
• die kalkaanslag: limescale buildup
• die ontkalking: descaling
• verdwyn: to disappear

Questions & Answers about Die kalkaanslag verdwyn ná die ontkalking.

What does die mean here?

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

In this sentence, it appears twice because there are two definite nouns:

• die kalkaanslag = the limescale
• die ontkalking = the descaling

Unlike English, Afrikaans does not change the article for gender. It is just die for all definite singular nouns, and also for plural nouns in many cases.

Why is die used twice?

Because both noun phrases are definite:

• die kalkaanslag = the limescale deposit / the limescale
• die ontkalking = the descaling process

Afrikaans, like English, normally repeats the article when there are two separate noun phrases. So you cannot use one die for both parts of the sentence.

What does kalkaanslag mean exactly?

Kalkaanslag is a compound noun meaning limescale, lime deposit, or mineral buildup.

It is made up of:

• kalk = lime / chalk / calcium-based deposit
• aanslag = deposit, buildup, coating, attack depending on context

In household contexts, kalkaanslag usually means the hard white mineral deposit you get in kettles, coffee machines, taps, and similar appliances.