Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Die hysbak stop op elke verdieping wanneer dit besig is. - The elevator stops on every floor when it is busy.

hysbak is the Afrikaans word for “elevator” or “lift.” Literally it breaks down to “hoisting basket,” but it’s used just like our English “elevator.”

Why is the verb stop not stops?

In Afrikaans the present‐tense verb form is the same for all persons. You never add an –s for the third‐person singular. So you say ek stop, jy stop, hy stop, ons stop, etc.

What does op elke verdieping literally translate to, and why use op here?

op = “on” or “at”
elke = “every” or “each”
verdieping = “floor” (of a building)
“op elke verdieping” literally means “on every floor.” In Afrikaans you stand op ‘n verdieping, not by it.

Why do we use elke instead of alle for “every”?

elke is used with singular countable nouns to mean “each” or “every.”
alle is used with plural nouns (or uncountable concepts) to mean “all.”
Since verdieping is singular here, you use elke.

Why is wanneer used here for “when,” and could we use as instead?

wanneer specifically marks a time clause: “whenever” or “when.”
as can mean “if” or “when,” so using as for time can be ambiguous.
To be clear about timing, wanneer is preferred.

Why does the verb is come at the end in wanneer dit besig is?

Afrikaans places the finite verb at the end of a subordinate clause introduced by a conjunction (like wanneer, dat, terwyl, etc.). That’s why is goes to the end.

What does besig is mean, and how does it express the idea of “busy”?

besig is an adjective meaning “busy.”
The construction besig is (“being busy”) can express ongoing action, similar to the progressive in English (“when it’s busy”).
You could also say besig om te … (“busy doing …”), but here we just need “busy” on its own.

Why is the pronoun dit used instead of hy when referring to die hysbak?

In Afrikaans, hy is for people or animals (common gender), while dit is used for inanimate objects or neuter nouns like die hysbak.

Is a comma required before wanneer dit besig is, and where would it go?

A comma is optional between the main clause and a time clause. If you choose to use it, you’d write:
Die hysbak stop op elke verdieping, wanneer dit besig is.

Could we front the subordinate clause? For example:
Wanneer dit besig is, stop die hysbak op elke verdieping. How does that affect word order?

Yes, you can front the time clause. In Afrikaans main‐clause word order, the verb must still come second, so you get:

Wanneer dit besig is, (subordinate clause)
stop (verb)
die hysbak (subject)
op elke verdieping (rest of the sentence)