Question 1

Why is wag used here instead of wacht?

Accepted Answer

In Afrikaans the verb for “to wait” is always wag. The form wacht (with a “t”) is Dutch or archaic. So whenever you mean “wait,” you use wag, regardless of tense (e.g. ons wag, ek het gewag, jy sal wag).

Question 2

Why do we include vir after wag? In English we just say “wait him.”

Accepted Answer

Afrikaans mirrors English in requiring a preposition: wag vir = “wait for.” Without vir the sentence would be ungrammatical. So always pair wag with vir when naming whom or what you’re waiting for.

Question 3

What exactly does meneer mean, and why is there no article before it?

Accepted Answer

meneer literally means “Mister,” “sir,” or “gentleman.”  
• When used like a title before a name (e.g. Meneer Jansen), no article is needed—just like “Mr. Smith.”  
• If you wanted to say “a gentleman,” you’d say ’n meneer.  
• If you meant “the gentleman,” use die meneer.  
Here, vir meneer implies you’re waiting for a specific known gentleman (title without name), so no article is used.

Question 4

Why is the preposition by used for stasie, instead of in or op?

Accepted Answer

by indicates location “at” or “beside.”  
• by die stasie = “at the station” (outside or anywhere on the premises).  
• in die stasie would mean “inside the station building.”  
• op die stasie is less common and could suggest “on top of the station,” so stick with by for “at.”

Question 5

How do you pronounce stasie?

Accepted Answer

You can split it into three sounds:  
• sta – like “star” without the “r,” with a long “a” ([aː])  
• sie – like English “see” ([siː])  
• final e – a quick schwa ([ə])  
Put together: [ˈstaː.si.ə] (“STAA-see-uh”).

Question 6

Can we drop the subject Ons and just say Wag vir meneer by die stasie?

Accepted Answer

No. Afrikaans requires an explicit subject in a normal indicative sentence. Only imperatives (commands) or very informal speech might drop it. For “We are waiting for…” you must say Ons wag ….

Question 7

What is the word order in Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie?

Accepted Answer

It follows the standard Subject–Verb–Object–Adverbial pattern:  
1. Ons (Subject)  
2. wag (Verb)  
3. vir meneer (Object of preposition)  
4. by die stasie (Adverbial of place)

Question 8

Why might I sometimes see Mnr. instead of meneer, and how do I use it?

Accepted Answer

Mnr. is simply the abbreviated form of meneer, with a capital M and a period (just like “Mr.” in English). You use it before a surname:  
• Ons wag vir Mnr. van der Merwe by die stasie.  
If you’re not naming him, write meneer in full and lowercase.

Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie.

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Master Afrikaans — from Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie to fluency