Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Afrikaans grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Die alarmstelsel werk.
Why does the sentence start with die? Does it mean the?
Yes. Die is the Afrikaans definite article, and here it means the.
So:
- die alarmstelsel = the alarm system
A useful point for English speakers: Afrikaans uses die for all genders and for both singular and plural definite nouns. Unlike languages such as German, you do not have to learn different forms like masculine, feminine, or neuter articles.
Examples:
- die huis = the house
- die motor = the car
- die kinders = the children
What is alarmstelsel? Is it one word?
Yes, alarmstelsel is one word. Afrikaans, like Dutch and German, often forms compound nouns by joining words together.
Here:
- alarm = alarm
- stelsel = system
So:
- alarmstelsel = alarm system
English often writes similar expressions as two words, but Afrikaans very often combines them into a single word.
Other examples:
- huisdeur = house door / front door
- skooltas = school bag
- sonbril = sunglasses
Why is it werk and not something like works?