Die bus is stadiger, tog is dit goedkoper.

to be

Breakdown of Die bus is stadiger, tog is dit goedkoper.

• dit: it
• die bus: the bus
• stadig: slow
• goedkoop: cheap
• tog: yet

Questions & Answers about Die bus is stadiger, tog is dit goedkoper.

What does die mean in this sentence and does it change for number or gender?

die is the definite article (“the”) in Afrikaans. It is invariable—you use die for both singular and plural nouns and there’s no grammatical gender distinction.

What does stadig mean and why is it stadiger here?

stadig means slow (in terms of speed, or sometimes gradual/steady). To make a comparison (“slower”), you add the suffix -er, giving stadiger.

When should you form a comparative with -er and when with meer?

• Most one- or two-syllable adjectives take -er (e.g. groot → groter, vinnig → vinniger, stadig → stadiger).
• Longer or less common adjectives generally use meer (e.g. interessant → meer interessant, kompleks → meer kompleks).

What is tog and how is it different from maar?

tog means “yet,” “still,” or “nevertheless,” signalling a concession or contrast. maar is a more neutral “but.” So
• Die bus is stadiger, maar is dit goedkoper. = The bus is slower, but it is cheaper.
• Die bus is stadiger, tog is dit goedkoper. = The bus is slower, yet it is cheaper (stronger sense of “nevertheless”).

Why is there a comma before tog?

You separate two main clauses with a comma before a coordinating conjunction or contrasting adverb like tog, just as in English you’d write “… slower, however it is cheaper.”

Why does is come before dit in the second clause?

Afrikaans follows a verb-second (V2) word order. When an element other than the subject (here tog) starts the clause, the verb moves into second position, so is precedes dit.

Why is dit used instead of hy for referring to the bus?

In Afrikaans, inanimate objects and neuter nouns take dit (“it”). hy (“he”) is reserved for male people or certain living beings.

What does goedkoper mean and how is it formed?

goedkoper means “cheaper.” It’s the comparative of goedkoop (cheap), formed regularly by adding -er.

Can you drop the second is in the sentence?

Yes. An elliptical version is perfectly acceptable:
Die bus is stadiger, tog goedkoper.
Omitting the second is makes it more concise, though including it keeps each clause fully explicit.

Could you use trager instead of stadiger, and is there any nuance between stadig and traag?

Yes, trager (comparative of traag) also means “slower.”
• stadig often implies a steady, measured slowness.
• traag can suggest sluggishness or lack of vigour.
In many contexts they overlap, so both stadiger and trager will be understood.