Question 1

What does die mean in Die tweede bus is goedkoper?

Accepted Answer

die is the definite article “the.” In Afrikaans there is only one definite article (die) for all genders and numbers.

Question 2

What does tweede mean and how is it formed?

Accepted Answer

tweede means “second.” It’s the ordinal form of twee (“two”), created by adding -de. (Note: eerste “first” is irregular and ends in -ste.)

Question 3

What does bus mean in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

bus means “bus” (the vehicle), just like in English. The plural is busse.

Question 4

What does goedkoper mean?

Accepted Answer

goedkoper is the comparative form of goedkoop (“cheap”), so it means “cheaper.”

Question 5

How do you form comparatives like goedkoper in Afrikaans?

Accepted Answer

You generally add -er to the adjective or adverb:  
  • goedkoop → goedkoper (cheap → cheaper)  
  • groot → groter (big → bigger)  
Minor spelling adjustments may apply if a word ends in a vowel or certain consonant clusters.

Question 6

Why is there no word for “than” like in English?

Accepted Answer

Afrikaans uses as for “than.” In a full comparison you would say:  
Die tweede bus is goedkoper as die eerste bus.  
When the reference (e.g. “the first bus”) is clear from context, you can omit the as-phrase and still be understood.

Question 7

How do you pronounce Die tweede bus is goedkoper?

Accepted Answer

Approximate pronunciation for an English speaker:  
  • Die = “dee”  
  • tweede = “TWAY-də”  
  • bus = “bus” (short “u” as in “put”)  
  • is = “is”  
  • goedkoper = “KHOOHT-kuh-per”  
The initial g is pronounced like the “ch” in Scottish “loch” (a voiced velar fricative), somewhat between an English “h” and “g.”

Question 8

What is the word order in Die tweede bus is goedkoper?

Accepted Answer

It follows Subject-Verb-Complement, just like English:  
  1) Subject: Die tweede bus (The second bus)  
  2) Verb: is (is)  
  3) Complement: goedkoper (cheaper)

Die tweede bus is goedkoper.

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