Breakdown of Kinders glimlag wanneer hulle die reënboog sien.
hulle
they
sien
to see
die kind
the child
wanneer
when
glimlag
to smile
die reënboog
the rainbow
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Questions & Answers about Kinders glimlag wanneer hulle die reënboog sien.
What does Kinders mean and why isn’t there an article before it?
Kinders is the plural form of kind (child) and means “children.” In Afrikaans indefinite plural nouns don’t take an article, so Kinders glimlag… simply means “Children smile…”
How is the verb glimlag conjugated in the present tense?
Afrikaans verbs don’t change for person or number in the present tense. You say ek glimlag, jy glimlag, hy glimlag, ons glimlag, ensovoorts. There’s no extra ending like English “-s.”
Why is wanneer used here and what effect does it have on word order?
wanneer is a subordinating conjunction meaning “when.” In clauses introduced by wanneer, the finite verb moves to the end: wanneer hulle die reënboog sien follows conjunction–subject–object–verb order.
Could you use as instead of wanneer for “when”?
No. For present-time “when” clauses you use wanneer. as is mainly used as “if” in conditional or hypothetical contexts, not for simple present-time “when.”
Why is die used before reënboog, and how would you say “a rainbow” instead?
die is the definite article “the,” so die reënboog means “the rainbow.” To say “a rainbow,” use the indefinite article ’n, giving ’n reënboog.
Why does reënboog have a diaeresis on the e?
The diaeresis on ë signals that it’s a separate syllable. You pronounce it re-ën-boog rather than *reinboog.
How do you pronounce hulle?
Pronounce hulle roughly as [ˈhɵ.lə] (or [ˈhʏl.lə]). The h is a light aspirated sound, and u is like the German ü or French u.
Why is the object die reënboog placed before the verb sien in the subordinate clause?
Because in subordinate clauses the finite verb goes to the end. The order is conjunction (wanneer) – subject (hulle) – object (die reënboog) – verb (sien).
Could you replace wanneer hulle die reënboog sien with dat hulle die reënboog sien?
No. dat introduces “that” clauses (e.g., reporting speech or thoughts). Time clauses meaning “when” require wanneer, not dat.