Moet ons die afspraak verander?

Must we change the appointment?

Breakdown of Moet ons die afspraak verander?

• ons: we
• die: the
• moet: must
• verander: to change
• die afspraak: the appointment

Questions & Answers about Moet ons die afspraak verander?

What is the literal word-for-word translation of Moet ons die afspraak verander?

Word by word:
• moet = must / should / need to
• ons = we / us
• die = the
• afspraak = appointment / agreement
• verander = change

Putting it naturally into English gives: “Should we change the appointment?”

Why is moet used here, and does it mean “must” or “should”?

Moet is a modal verb that covers both “must” (strong obligation) and “should” (advice). In a question like this, it almost always reads as “should we,” asking for input rather than issuing a strict order.

How are yes/no questions formed in Afrikaans?

You invert the finite verb and the subject. Compare the statement:
 “Ons moet die afspraak verander.”
For a yes/no question, swap moet and ons:
 “Moet ons die afspraak verander?”

Why does verander appear at the end of the sentence?

Afrikaans follows a verb-second (V2) rule with modal verbs:

1. The finite verb (moet) goes first.
2. The subject (ons) goes second.
3. The non-finite main verb (infinitive verander) goes to the end.

How do you pronounce “Moet ons die afspraak verander?”

Rough phonetic: /mʏt ɔns di ˈɑfspraːk fərˈɑndər/

Approximate guide:
• Moet = “moot” (short “oo,” like English “foot”)
• ons = “uns” (rhymes with “once” without the c)
• die = “dee”
• afspraak = “AHF-spraahk” (first syllable stressed)
• verander = “fuh-RAN-dur”

Can I use moet in different tenses like past or future?

Yes.
• Past tense uses moes (“did have to”):
 “Moes ons die afspraak verander?” = “Did we have to change the appointment?”
• Future uses sal + infinitive:
 “Sal ons die afspraak verander?” = “Will we change the appointment?”

What’s the difference between “Moet ons…” and “Sal ons…”?

• Moet ons… = “Should we / Do we have to…” (asking about necessity or advice)
• Sal ons… = “Shall we / Will we…” (asking about a future plan or polite suggestion)

Why is the article die used before afspraak, and can it change?

Die is the definite article “the,” used here because you’re talking about a specific appointment. If you wanted to say “our appointment,” you’d use a possessive pronoun instead:
“Moet ons ons afspraak verander?” = “Should we change our appointment?”

How would I make this sentence negative or ask “Shouldn’t we change the appointment?”

Negative yes/no questions use the double-negation pattern in Afrikaans:
“Moet ons nie die afspraak verander nie?”
Literally: “Should we not change the appointment?” functionally “Shouldn’t we change the appointment?”