Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Sy lees nou.

Afrikaans typically uses only one present tense form. So whether you mean “she reads” (simple present) or “she is reading” (present continuous), you would say Sy lees nou. The context usually clarifies which meaning applies.

Do I always use sy to say “she,” or can it mean something else?

Sy is the pronoun for “she.” Afrikaans also has haar for “her” (possessive or object). Meanwhile, hy means “he,” sy means “she,” and hulle means “they.” In some contexts, sy can also imply possession if it’s spelled and pronounced slightly differently (e.g., s’n meaning “hers,” but that’s a separate concept).

How do I pronounce nou correctly?

Nou sounds somewhat similar to the English word “no,” but with a rounded lip at the end. You can also think of it like the start of “now,” but without trailing off into the “w” sound. It’s a shorter, flatter vowel than the English “now.”

Why is there no separate form of the verb lees for “she”?

Afrikaans verbs do not change form based on who is doing the action. Whether it’s ek lees (“I read”), sy lees (“she reads”), or ons lees (“we read”), the verb stays the same in the present tense. So sy lees, jy lees, hulle lees all keep lees unchanged.