Ons wil die verslag klaar kry voordat ons slaap.

We want to finish the report before we sleep.

Breakdown of Ons wil die verslag klaar kry voordat ons slaap.

• ons: we
• die: the
• wil: to want
• voordat: before
• slaap: to sleep
• die verslag: the report
• klaar kry: to finish

Questions & Answers about Ons wil die verslag klaar kry voordat ons slaap.

What does klaar kry mean in this sentence?

klaar kry literally means “get something finished” or “get done.” Idiomatically it’s used like English “finish” or “complete.” So die verslag klaar kry means “to finish the report.”

Why is the verb slaap placed at the end in voordat ons slaap?

In Afrikaans subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like voordat, the finite verb moves to the end of the clause. So voordat (before) pushes ons slaap into ons + slaap at the very end.

What is the difference between voordat and voor?

– voordat is a conjunction meaning “before” that introduces a clause: voordat ons slaap (“before we sleep”).
– voor is a preposition meaning “in front of” or “before” in time, but it must be followed by a noun or pronoun, not a full clause. For example: voor die deur (“in front of the door”) or voor die middag (“before noon”).

Why is it die verslag rather than ’n verslag?

Using die makes the noun definite (“the report”). If we said ’n verslag it would be indefinite (“a report”). Here the speaker refers to a specific, known report they want to finish.

Can I use klaar maak instead of klaar kry?

Yes, klaar maak (“make something finished”) also means “to finish.” Both are common.
Subtle nuance:
• klaar kry often emphasizes achieving the result (getting it done).
• klaar maak focuses on the action of finishing it. In everyday speech they’re largely interchangeable.

How does wil function here? Is it a modal verb?

Yes, wil is a modal auxiliary meaning “want.” It’s followed by an infinitive (die verslag klaar kry). Structure: subject (ons) + wil + object/infinitive.

Could I rephrase the sentence as Eers kry ons die verslag klaar, dan gaan ons slaap?

Absolutely. That means “First we’ll finish the report, then we’ll go to sleep.”
• Eers = first
• dan = then
• You split into two main clauses instead of using voordat.

Is there a difference between ons wil die verslag klaar kry and ons wil die verslag klaar hê?

Yes.
• klaar kry = “get it finished” (focus on achieving completion).
• klaar hê = “have it ready” (focus on it being in a ready state).
In practice they overlap, but klaar kry is more active/process-oriented.