Ek ondersteun jou besluit.

I support your decision.

Breakdown of Ek ondersteun jou besluit.

• ek: I
• jou: your
• die besluit: the decision
• ondersteun: to support

Questions & Answers about Ek ondersteun jou besluit.

Why is the word order Ek ondersteun jou besluit Subject–Verb–Object? Do all simple Afrikaans sentences follow S-V-O?

Afrikaans, like English, generally uses S-V-O: • Ek (Subject)
• ondersteun (Verb)
• jou besluit (Object)
You only see different word orders when you front time or place elements (e.g. “Môre ondersteun ek jou besluit.”).

Why isn't there an article before besluit? When would I use die or ’n?

Once you use a possessive pronoun (jou), you don’t add die (“the”) or ’n (“a/an”). If you remove jou, you can say: • “die besluit” → “the decision”
• “’n besluit” → “a decision”

How do I know jou is “your” (possessive) and not “you” (object pronoun)?

jou does double duty.
– If it comes directly before a noun, it’s a possessive adjective (“your”).
– If it stands alone after a verb, it’s the object pronoun (“you”).
Examples:
• Ek ondersteun jou besluit. → I support your decision.
• Ek ondersteun jou. → I support you.

What’s the difference between jou and joune?

jou is the attributive possessive (“your” before a noun).
joune is the pronominal possessive (“yours” replacing the noun).
• Attributive: “Ek sien jou boek.” → I see your book.
• Pronominal: “Daardie boek is joune.” → That book is yours.

Is ondersteun a separable verb like in Dutch (e.g. “Ik steun … onder”)?

No. In Afrikaans ondersteun is inseparable and always one word. You say “Ek ondersteun …” without splitting it.

Can I use steun instead of ondersteun?

Yes.
– steun is a native verb meaning “support.”
– ondersteun is slightly more formal or technical (borrowed from Dutch).
Both are correct:
• “Ek steun jou besluit.”
• “Ek ondersteun jou besluit.”

How would I negate the sentence (“I don’t support your decision”)?

Afrikaans uses double nie for negation. Place one nie before the object and one at the end: • “Ek ondersteun nie jou besluit nie.”
Some speakers may drop the first nie, but the double negation is the standard pattern.

How can I intensify my support (“I fully support your decision”)?

You can add an adverb like volkomen, ten volle, or heeltemal: • “Ek ondersteun volkomen jou besluit.”
• “Ek ondersteun jou besluit ten volle.”
• “Ek ondersteun jou besluit heeltemal.”

How do I make it formal or address more than one person? What’s the formal/plural “you”?

For formal or plural “you,” use u: • “Ek ondersteun u besluit.”
Note that u also serves as both object and possessive pronoun in that context.

What’s the plural of besluit if I want to say “I support your decisions”?

The plural of besluit is besluite: • “Ek ondersteun jou besluite.” → I support your decisions.