Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Ek sien hoe die hond ronddraf in die tuin. - I see how the dog trots around in the garden.

Here hoe is a conjunction meaning how. It introduces a subordinate clause that describes the manner in which the dog is moving: “I see how the dog trots around in the garden.”

Why doesn’t Afrikaans have a separate present continuous tense like English “is trotting”?

Afrikaans uses the simple present tense for both simple and continuous actions. So you say Ek sien… ronddraf for “I see… trotting.” If you really want to stress the ongoing nature, you can use the “besig … om te” construction, e.g. Ek sien dat die hond besig is om in die tuin rond te draf.

Why is ronddraf written as one word, and why does it have a double d?

ronddraf is a closed compound of the prefix rond- (“around”) and the verb draf (“trot”). When you join these two morphemes, the d is doubled to keep the pronunciation clear and preserve the root form draf.

What’s the difference between ronddraf and hardloop?

ronddraf specifically means “to trot around,” implying a steady, measured pace. hardloop means “to run.” If you imagine a horse in a relaxed trot, that’s draf, not full-on hardloop.

Can I drop hoe and just say “Ek sien die hond ronddraf in die tuin”?

Yes. Ek sien die hond ronddraf in die tuin or Ek sien die hond in die tuin ronddraf are both perfectly natural. Leaving out hoe changes it from “I see how the dog trots…” to “I see the dog trotting in the garden.”

Why is the verb ronddraf placed directly after the subject die hond rather than at the end like in German?

Afrikaans follows Subject–Verb–Object (SVO) order in both main and subordinate clauses (even those introduced by hoe). Adverbials or prepositional phrases such as in die tuin typically come later.

What is the difference between sien and kyk in Afrikaans?

sien means “to see” or “to perceive” (you might notice something without intending to). kyk means “to look” or “to watch,” implying a deliberate action or focus.

How do you pronounce ui in tuin?

The ui digraph is a rounded diphthong, approximately [œy]. It’s a bit like the vowel in English “boy,” but more fronted and rounded. Many learners approximate it as “uh-ee” or “oy,” but the target sound is closer to German eu.

Why isn’t tuin capitalized?

In Afrikaans only sentence-initial words and proper nouns are capitalized. Common nouns like tuin stay lowercase.