Breakdown of Ons hou die vergadering in die klaslokaal wanneer die biblioteek te vol is.
ons
we
wees
to be
in
in
te
too
wanneer
when
vol
full
die biblioteek
the library
die vergadering
the meeting
hou
to hold
die klaslokaal
the classroom
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Afrikaans grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ons hou die vergadering in die klaslokaal wanneer die biblioteek te vol is.
What does hou mean in ons hou die vergadering in, and how is it different from hou van?
In ons hou die vergadering in, hou means “hold” or “host” (the meeting). It’s part of the separable verb inhou (“to hold”). By contrast, hou van means “to like” — hou + van = like something.
Why is in separated from hou rather than writing inhou as one word?
In Afrikaans main clauses, separable-verb particles move to the end. So you split inhou into hou (verb in second position) and in at the clause end:
Ons (subject) | hou (verb) | die vergadering (object) | in (particle).
Why do we use die before vergadering and klaslokaal?
Afrikaans uses die as the definite article (“the”). You need it just like English “the meeting” or “the classroom.”
Why is klaslokaal written as one word?
Afrikaans typically forms compound nouns by combining words. klas + lokaal becomes klaslokaal.
Why is the preposition in used with klaslokaal? Could it be something else?
Because you’re inside the classroom, you use in (“in the classroom”). If you were on top, you’d use op (“on the table”), or by for “by the library” (at/near).
What does wanneer mean here, and can we use as or toe instead?
wanneer means “when” in a time clause (for repeated or future events).
- as can also mean “when” for general or conditional statements (As dit reën,… “When it rains…”).
- toe is “when” for a single past event (Toe die biblioteek te vol was,… “When the library was too full…”).
In your sentence wanneer is best for habitual or future “when.”
Why does the verb is come at the end in wanneer die biblioteek te vol is?
Clauses introduced by time conjunctions like wanneer use verb-final order: subject + complements + verb. So you get die biblioteek (subject) + te vol (complement) + is (verb).
What does te vol mean, and how do you form those “too …” expressions?
te + adjective = “too …”
– te vol = too full
– te koud = too cold
– te laat = too late
In a main clause, would the word order change for “the library is too full”?
Yes. Main clauses use verb-second order (unless something else is fronted). So you say:
Die biblioteek is te vol.