Ons speel die opnamespoor terug.

We play the recording track back.

Breakdown of Ons speel die opnamespoor terug.

• ons: we
• die opnamespoor: recording track
• terugspeel: to play back

Questions & Answers about Ons speel die opnamespoor terug.

Why is terug at the end of the sentence?

Because speel terug works like a separable verb in Afrikaans, similar to verbs like play back in English.

The full idea is terugspeel = to play back.

In a main clause, the conjugated verb goes earlier in the sentence, and the separable part often moves to the end:

• Ons speel die opnamespoor terug.
  = We play back the recording track.

But in an infinitive or after another verb, it usually stays together:

• Ons wil die opnamespoor terugspeel.
  = We want to play back the recording track.

So speel ... terug is completely normal here.

Is terugspeel one word or two words?

Both forms can appear, depending on the sentence structure.

• Dictionary form / infinitive: terugspeel
• Main clause with normal word order: speel ... terug

Examples:

• Ek kan dit terugspeel.
• Ek speel dit terug.

So the sentence Ons speel die opnamespoor terug contains the same verb as terugspeel.

What does opnamespoor mean literally?