Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Die kwitansie wys dat ons reeds betaal het vir die toerusting. - The receipt shows that we have already paid for the equipment.

Kwitansie means “receipt” in English. It’s a written acknowledgment that a payment has been made. The word is borrowed directly from Dutch (kwitantie).

Why is the verb wys in the present tense if the payment already happened?

In the main clause, wys (“shows”) is present tense because it describes what the receipt currently indicates. The past action itself is expressed in the subordinate clause with betaal het (“have paid”).

Why does het appear at the very end of the subordinate clause?

Afrikaans places the finite verb (here het) at the end of a subordinate clause introduced by dat. The order is: dat + subject + any adverbs or objects + past participle + finite verb. Hence: dat ons reeds betaal het.

What does reeds mean, and can I use al instead?

Reeds means “already.” You can often substitute al for reeds—both mean “already,” though reeds can sound slightly more formal or emphatic. In a main clause you might say ons het al vir die toerusting betaal.

Why is vir used before die toerusting?

In Afrikaans, the verb betaal (“to pay”) generally requires the preposition vir when specifying what you’re paying for. So you always say betaal vir iets (“pay for something”).

Could I omit dat and say “Die kwitansie wys ons reeds betaal het vir die toerusting”?

No. Standard Afrikaans requires dat to introduce a subordinate clause. Omitting dat would make the sentence ungrammatical.

Why is the past participle of betaal the same as the infinitive (betaal)?

Some Afrikaans verbs have past participles identical to their base form. Betaal is one of these irregular verbs: its past participle is also betaal, and you need the auxiliary het to form the perfect tense.