Hierdie tafel is lank.

This table is long.

Breakdown of Hierdie tafel is lank.

• wees: to be
• die tafel: the table
• lank: long

Questions & Answers about Hierdie tafel is lank.

What does the word Hierdie mean in English?

The word Hierdie translates to this in English. It’s used when pointing to or referencing something near the speaker.

How do you pronounce Hierdie correctly in Afrikaans?

You can pronounce Hierdie as HEER-dee. The “r” is rolled lightly, similar to the Spanish “r.”

Why don’t we see an article (like “a” or “the”) before tafel in this sentence?

Afrikaans often uses just die (meaning the) or ’n (meaning a) where English uses articles, but in this sentence, Hierdie already indicates this table, so no additional article is needed.

What does lank mean, and can it be used for both “long” and “tall”?

The word lank generally means long in Afrikaans. It can also be used when describing something that is tall, depending on context (for example, a lank person can be understood as “tall”).

Why do we use is here, and is it the same as “is” in English?

Yes, is in Afrikaans functions similarly to “is” in English as the verb “to be.” Here it makes a simple present tense statement: “Hierdie tafel is lank.” (“This table is long.”)