Daar is ’n hond in die tuin.

There is a dog in the garden.

Breakdown of Daar is ’n hond in die tuin.

• die hond: the dog
• die: the
• wees: to be
• in: in

Questions & Answers about Daar is ’n hond in die tuin.

Why does this sentence begin with Daar is instead of just Is or another structure?

In existential statements, Daar is functions like English There is/are to indicate existence. Here daar is a dummy subject, not a location word.

What does ’n mean, and why is there an apostrophe?

’n is the indefinite article (equivalent to English a/an). The apostrophe shows the omitted e from een (one). It’s pronounced [ən].

Why is die used before tuin, and does it change for number or gender?

Die is the definite article the in Afrikaans. It never changes for singular/plural or gender: die tuin (the garden), die honde (the dogs).

Could I say ’n hond is in die tuin instead? If so, does it mean the same?

You could, but ’n hond is in die tuin means “a dog is in the garden,” focusing on the dog’s location. Daar is ’n hond in die tuin simply states that a dog exists in the garden.

How would I ask “Is there a dog in the garden?” in Afrikaans?