Breakdown of Ek plaas die boek op die tafel.
ek
I
die
the
die boek
the book
die tafel
the table
op
on
plaas
to place
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Questions & Answers about Ek plaas die boek op die tafel.
What is the literal word-for-word translation of Ek plaas die boek op die tafel?
Ek = I
plaas = place
die = the
boek = book
op = on
die = the
tafel = table
Which tense is used in plaas?
This is the simple present tense. Afrikaans uses the base verb form for all persons in the present, so plaas covers I, you, he/she, etc.
Why doesn’t the verb change form for I?
Afrikaans verbs do not conjugate for person or number in the present tense. Whether the subject is ek, jy, hy, ons, etc., the verb stays as plaas.
Why are there two instances of die in the sentence?
Die is the definite article in Afrikaans (equivalent to “the” in English). You use it before each specific noun—in this case boek and tafel.
Can you drop die before tafel and just say op tafel?
Yes and no. For generic or idiomatic expressions like sit dit op tafel (“put it on [a] table”), Afrikaans often omits the article. But if you mean on the table (that specific table), you normally include die: op die tafel.
Why is op die tafel placed after die boek instead of before?
Afrikaans follows a Subject–Verb–Object–Adverbial order. Prepositional phrases of place (like op die tafel) come after the object.
How would you say “I placed the book on the table” (past tense)?
Use the perfect tense with het plus the past participle:
Ek het die boek op die tafel geplaas.
How would you say “I will place the book on the table” (future tense)?
Two common forms:
- With sal: Ek sal die boek op die tafel plaas.
- With gaan: Ek gaan die boek op die tafel plaas.
Can I use another verb for “place,” like sit?
Yes. Sit can also mean “to put” or “to set something down.” So Ek sit die boek op die tafel is correct and more colloquial, while plaas sounds a bit more formal or deliberate.
How do you express a progressive action like “I am placing the book on the table”?
You can use besig plus om plus the infinitive:
Ek is besig om die boek op die tafel te plaas.
Alternatively, simply add a time adverb: Ek plaas nou die boek op die tafel (“I’m placing the book on the table now”).