Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Hulle kook nou kos op 'n warm stoof en voeg lekker geure by. - They are now cooking food on a warm stove and add a tasty flavor.

nou means now. In Afrikaans main clauses, time adverbs like nou typically follow the finite verb. So Hulle kook nou kos literally reads They cook now food, which we interpret in English as They are cooking food now.

How do you express the continuous (progressive) aspect in Afrikaans, since English uses are cooking?

Afrikaans doesn’t have a separate continuous tense. The simple present tense covers both habitual and ongoing actions. To highlight that something is happening right now, you add time words like nou or use the aan-progressive (e.g. is aan kook). In this sentence, nou signals that the cooking is in progress.

What does 'n represent, and why is there an apostrophe?

'n is the indefinite article a or an in Afrikaans. The apostrophe shows that it’s a contraction of een (one). Hence 'n warm stoof means a warm stove.

What exactly is a stoof in Afrikaans?

A stoof is a stove or hotplate—the kitchen appliance you cook on. It can be gas, electric or wood-fired depending on what you’re using.

Why is the preposition op used before 'n warm stoof?

op means on. You cook food on a stove, so kook kos op 'n stoof translates to cook food on a stove.

What does kos mean, and is it countable?

kos means food in general. It’s a mass noun, so you don’t pluralize it. You’d say meer kos for more food, not two foods.

Can you explain how the phrase voeg lekker geure by works?

The verb is voeg by (add). It’s separable: voeg (add) comes before the object and by goes to the end of the clause. So voeg lekker geure by means add tasty flavors. In past tense you’d say het lekker geure bygevoeg.

What does lekker mean in lekker geure, since it’s such a common word?

lekker is a flexible adjective meaning nice, pleasant, or tasty, depending on context. In lekker geure, it describes the flavors as delicious or flavorful.