Hoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons.

Hoewel means although or even though. It introduces a contrast:

• Hoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons.
• Although it is difficult, we dance.

It is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause.

Because hoewel introduces a subordinate clause, and in Afrikaans, the conjugated verb often goes to the end of a subordinate clause.

So:

• dit is moeilik = it is difficult
  becomes
• hoewel dit moeilik is = although it is difficult

This is very similar to Dutch and German-style word order.

In a normal main clause, you would usually say:

• Ons dans. = We dance.

But when another element comes first — here, the whole clause Hoewel dit moeilik is — Afrikaans uses verb-second word order in the main clause. That means the verb comes before the subject:

• Hoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons.

So the pattern is:

• first element
• verb
• subject

That is why dans ons is correct here.

Dit means it.

In this sentence, it works just like English it in it is difficult. It does not refer to a specific object; it is just the normal subject used in this kind of statement.

So:

• dit is moeilik = it is difficult

Moeilik means difficult or hard. Here it is an adjective.

In dit is moeilik, it describes the situation as difficult.

You can also see moeilik in other sentences:

• Die toets is moeilik. = The test is difficult.
• Afrikaans is nie moeilik nie. = Afrikaans is not difficult.

The comma separates the introductory subordinate clause from the main clause:

• Hoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons.

This is also natural in English:

• Although it is difficult, we dance.

The comma helps show where the first clause ends and the main statement begins.

Yes. That is also correct.

• Hoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons.
• Ons dans hoewel dit moeilik is.

Both mean the same thing. The difference is mainly emphasis:

• Hoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons. emphasizes the contrast first.
• Ons dans hoewel dit moeilik is. starts with the main action.

Notice that when the hoewel clause comes second, the main clause keeps normal word order:

• Ons dans not
• Dans ons

No. A learner may also come across alhoewel, which also means although.

So you may see:

• Hoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons.
• Alhoewel dit moeilik is, dans ons.

Both are understood. Hoewel is very common and perfectly natural.

Yes. Depending on context, hoewel can often be translated as:

• although
• though
• even though

So this sentence could be understood as:

• Although it is difficult, we dance.
• Even though it is difficult, we dance.

The exact English version depends on tone and context more than on grammar.

A negative version would use Afrikaans double negation. For example:

• Hoewel dit nie moeilik is nie, dans ons.
• Although it is not difficult, we dance.

Notice the two parts of the negation:

• nie ... nie

That is a very important Afrikaans pattern.