Breakdown of Ek verkies die beste opsie, nie net die goedkoopste nie.
ek
I
die
the
nie
not
verkies
to prefer
beste
best
goedkoopste
cheapest
die opsie
the option
net
only
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Questions & Answers about Ek verkies die beste opsie, nie net die goedkoopste nie.
Why is there nie both before net and at the end of the clause?
Afrikaans uses a double nie … nie construction to form negation. In nie net … nie, the first nie introduces the negative idea (“not”), net means “only,” and the final nie closes the negation. So nie net die goedkoopste nie literally means “not only the cheapest.”
Why do we say die beste instead of ’n beste?
All superlatives in Afrikaans take the definite article die. You cannot say “’n beste.” So beste (best) becomes die beste = the best.
Why isn’t opsie repeated in the second clause (why not nie net die goedkoopste opsie nie)?
Afrikaans allows ellipsis: if a word or phrase is already clear from context, you can drop it. Since opsie appears in the first clause, it’s understood in the second, so you omit it for brevity.
How do you form the superlative of goedkoop?
Most Afrikaans adjectives form the superlative by adding –ste. Thus goedkoop → goedkoopste = cheapest. When you use it, you pair it with die: die goedkoopste.
What’s the difference between nie net and slegs?
Nie net … nie means “not only … but also” or implies a contrast (“not just X”).
Example: Nie net is hy slim nie, hy is ook baie vriendelik.
Slegs means simply “only” without necessarily contrasting with something else:
Example: Dit is slegs ’n klein fout.
Why doesn’t Afrikaans use a helper like do (e.g. “do prefer”)?
Afrikaans does not need an auxiliary verb in the present or past tense. You express the tense by the verb itself (sometimes adding -d or -t in the past). So Ek verkies = I prefer, with no extra do.
Is opsie a native Afrikaans word?
Opsie is actually a loanword from English, but it’s fully integrated into Afrikaans as a feminine noun. It’s the standard term for “option” or “choice.”
Can I switch the clauses and add maar (but) or ook (also)?
Yes. A more explicit version is:
Ek verkies nie net die goedkoopste nie, maar (ook) die beste opsie.
Here maar = but, and ook = also, making the contrast very clear.
Why is verkies used instead of hou meer van?
Both are possible:
- Ek verkies die beste opsie (I prefer the best option)
- Ek hou meer van die beste opsie (I like the best option more)
Verkies is more direct and formal for “prefer,” while hou meer van literally means “hold more of” and is slightly less formal.