Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Hy bly lank by my huis. - He stays for a long time at my house.

In Afrikaans, bly can mean “stay,” “remain,” or “live,” depending on the context. In this specific sentence, it suggests that the person continues to stay or live somewhere for a certain length of time.

What does lank convey here?

The word lank generally means “long” in the sense of duration. So saying Hy bly lank means “He stays for a long time.”

Why do we say by my huis and not in my huis?

Afrikaans often uses by to mean “at” or “by” a location, whereas in would mean specifically “inside.” If you want to emphasize he’s inside the house, you could say in my huis, but by my huis simply states he is at that place, not necessarily inside.

Could I replace by my huis with by my plek?

Yes. In Afrikaans, plek (“place”) can be used informally to refer to one’s home or spot. Saying by my plek is more informal and can mean “at my place.”

How would I rearrange the sentence if I want to emphasize the duration?