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Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie.

Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie.
We wait for sir at the station.
FromLesson 10inHardcore Afrikaans

Breakdown of Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie.

ons
we
wag
to wait
vir
for
by
at
die stasie
the station
meneer
sir

Questions & Answers about Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie.

Why is wag used here instead of wacht?
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).
Why do we include vir after wag? In English we just say “wait him.”
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.
What exactly does meneer mean, and why is there no article before it?

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.

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

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.”

How do you pronounce stasie?

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”).

Can we drop the subject Ons and just say Wag vir meneer by die stasie?
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 ….
What is the word order in Ons wag vir meneer by die stasie?

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

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.

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