Ons dans, hoewel ons moeg is.

We dance although we are tired.

Breakdown of Ons dans, hoewel ons moeg is.

• ons: we
• wees: to be
• moeg: tired
• dans: to dance

Questions & Answers about Ons dans, hoewel ons moeg is.

What does hoewel mean, and when do you use it?

Hoewel means although / though / even though.

You use it to introduce a contrast:

• Ons dans = we dance
• hoewel ons moeg is = although we are tired

So the sentence expresses: one thing is true, despite another thing being true.

Why is there a comma before hoewel?

In Afrikaans, a comma is normally used to separate a main clause from a subordinate clause.

Here:

• Ons dans = main clause
• hoewel ons moeg is = subordinate clause

So the comma helps show the structure of the sentence. This is very normal in written Afrikaans.

Why is the word order hoewel ons moeg is and not hoewel ons is moeg?

Because hoewel introduces a subordinate clause, and in Afrikaans subordinate clauses usually send the finite verb to the end.

So:

• Main clause: Ons dans
• Subordinate clause: hoewel ons moeg is

Compare:

• Ons is moeg. = main clause
• hoewel ons moeg is = subordinate clause

This verb-at-the-end pattern is one of the most important word-order features in Afrikaans.

Why is ons used twice?