Breakdown of Ons klim die trappe op na die tweede verdieping van die gebou.
ons
we
die
the
na
to
die verdieping
the floor
klim op
to climb up
die trappe
the stairs
tweede
second
van
of
die gebou
the building
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Questions & Answers about Ons klim die trappe op na die tweede verdieping van die gebou.
Why does klim split from op in klim die trappe op?
Afrikaans has separable verbs like opklim (“to climb up”). When there’s an object, the preposition or particle (op) moves to the end of the clause: klim die trappe op.
What does na mean here, and why not naar?
In Afrikaans na means “to” or “towards.” Dutch uses naar for the same sense, but Afrikaans simplified it to na. So na die tweede verdieping = “to the second floor.”
Why do we use die before trappe, tweede verdieping, and gebou?
Afrikaans uses the definite article die before specific nouns—singular or plural. Here it marks “the stairs,” “the second floor,” and “the building.”
What’s the plural of trap, and why is it trappe?
Trap (step/stair) forms its plural regularly by adding -pe: trappe.
Is verdieping the same as the English “floor”?
Yes. Verdieping means “floor” or “storey” in a building—the same concept as in English.
Why must we say van die gebou instead of just van gebou?
In Afrikaans, when using van (“of/from”) with a definite noun, you include die. So you always say van die gebou (“of the building”).