Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Die winkelier sluit sy deur tydens die storm. - The shopkeeper closes his door during the storm.

tydens is a preposition meaning “during.” It governs a noun phrase (e.g. tydens die storm = “during the storm”). You could say in die storm, but that often implies “in the midst of the storm” (physically inside it). If you want “while it was storming,” you might prefer terwyl dit storm.

Is there a difference between sluit, sluit … toe and toemaak?

All three mean “to close/shut,” but with slight nuances:

sluit = the basic verb “to close.”
sluit … toe = adds the particle toe to stress completion, like “shut … closed.”
toemaak = literally “make … closed,” a common colloquial alternative.
Examples:
• sluit die deur = close the door
• sluit die deur toe = shut the door (more emphatic)
• maak die deur toe = shut the door (everyday speech)

Why doesn’t Afrikaans use a verb‐second rule like German? If I start with Tydens die storm, does the verb move?

Afrikaans follows a strict SVO (Subject–Verb–Object) order in main clauses. Even with a fronted adverbial, you still do Adverbial–Subject–Verb–Object. So:
• Die winkelier sluit sy deur tydens die storm.
• Tydens die storm sluit die winkelier sy deur.
The verb remains immediately after the subject.

What type of word is sy, and how do I know it’s “his” and not “she”?

sy can be either:
• a possessive pronoun “his”
• a subject pronoun “she”
Context tells you which:
• Before a noun (sy deur) it’s “his door.”
• Standing alone before a verb (Sy eet.) it’s “She eats.”

What does winkelier mean, and are there synonyms?

winkelier = “shopkeeper” (the person who runs or manages a shop).
Synonyms/related terms:
• winkelhouer = “shop owner” (emphasis on ownership)
• ’n winkelbestuurder = “shop manager”
• winkeleienaar is rare but literally “shop proprietor.”

Why isn’t there an article before deur (“die deur”)?

Possessive pronouns replace articles. You say sy deur (“his door”) not sy die deur. The pattern is Possessive Pronoun + Noun.

How can I tell when deur is the noun “door” versus the preposition “through/by”?

• As a noun (“door”) it follows an article or possessive: die deur, sy deur.
• As a preposition (“through/by”) it precedes a noun phrase: deur die bos (“through the forest”), or marks the agent in passive: Die boek is deur hom geskryf (“The book was written by him”).

Could I use ’n storm instead of die storm?

Yes.
• tydens ’n storm = “during a storm” (any storm)
• tydens die storm = “during the storm” (a specific storm you have in mind)

Can I swap tydens die storm with terwyl dit storm?

Absolutely.
• tydens die storm = preposition + noun phrase (“during the storm”).
• terwyl dit storm = conjunction + clause (“while it storms”).
Both convey simultaneous action, but terwyl is used when you want a full clause with its own verb.