Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Die nuwe toerusting verbind vinnig met die stelsel as die verbinding sterk is. - The new equipment connects quickly to the system if the connection is strong.

verbind is the verb “to connect” or “connects.”
verbinding is the noun “connection.”
So in the sentence the equipment verbind (verb) when the verbinding (noun) is strong.

Why is as used to mean “if” instead of “when”?

In Afrikaans, as often means “if.”

For time-related “when,” you’d use wanneer or toe (for past events).
Here, as introduces a conditional clause: “if the connection is strong.”

Why is there no comma before as die verbinding sterk is?

Afrikaans normally does not use a comma before subordinate clauses introduced by as, omdat, terwyl, etc.
Only in long or complex sentences does one sometimes add commas for clarity.

Why is the word order die nuwe toerusting verbind vinnig (Subject-Verb-Adverb) instead of Subject-Adverb-Verb?

Afrikaans follows a V2 (verb-second) rule in main clauses:

The finite verb (verbind) must be the second element.
Adverbs like vinnig usually come after the verb.
If you wanted to emphasize speed, you could front the adverb:
“Vinnig verbind die nuwe toerusting met die stelsel…”

Why is met used, and not a word for “to,” in verbind met die stelsel?

The verb verbind naturally takes met (“with”) to show what it connects to/with.
So verbind met = “connect(s) to/with.”
There is no separate “to” as in English.

How do you form the past tense or perfect of verbind?

Afrikaans typically uses the perfect with het + past participle:

Present perfect: “Die toerusting het vinnig met die stelsel verbind.”
There is no separate past-participle spelling; it remains verbind.

Why is nuwe not nieuw, like in Dutch?

Afrikaans spelling simplified many Dutch words.

Dutch nieuw became Afrikaans nuwe.
Afrikaans adjectives are not inflected for gender or number as strictly as in Dutch, so nuwe toerusting is correct.

Why is die used before both nuwe toerusting and verbinding?

die is the definite article (“the”) in Afrikaans, used for all genders in the singular and plural.
So you always say die toerusting and die verbinding for “the equipment” and “the connection.”

Can you omit die in “as verbinding sterk is”?

No. If you refer to a specific connection you need die.
Without die, verbinding would be indefinite (“if a connection is strong”), changing the meaning.

Why is there no capitalization of verbinding after as even though it starts a clause?

Only the very first word of the entire sentence is capitalized in Afrikaans.
Subordinate clauses introduced by as do not start with a capital unless they begin a new sentence.