Breakdown of Na die storm bespreek ons die gevaar en vind 'n beter oplossing.
ons
we
en
and
beter
better
na
after
’n
a
vind
to find
die oplossing
the solution
die storm
the storm
die gevaar
the danger
bespreek
to discuss
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Afrikaans grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Na die storm bespreek ons die gevaar en vind 'n beter oplossing.
Why is bespreek placed before the subject ons after Na die storm?
Because Afrikaans follows a verb-second (V2) word order. When you front an adverbial phrase like Na die storm, the finite verb (bespreek) must come immediately after it, and then the subject (ons) follows.
What’s the difference between Na die storm and Nadat die storm?
Na is a preposition used with a noun phrase, so Na die storm simply means After the storm. Nadat is a conjunction that introduces a full clause with its own verb, e.g. Nadat die storm geëindig het (“After the storm had ended”).
Why is the indefinite article written as 'n and not een?
The article 'n is a shortened form of een: the apostrophe replaces the dropped e. It functions like a/an in English.
What does bespreek mean here? Is it related to describe?
In Afrikaans, bespreek means to discuss or to talk over. The Afrikaans verb for describe is beskryf, not bespreek.
Why are bespreek and vind in the present tense even though Na die storm refers to something that already happened?
Afrikaans often uses the simple present to narrate a sequence of actions for immediacy. You can translate it as “we discuss the danger and find a better solution” even though the storm is in the past.
How would you express this sentence in the past tense?
Use the auxiliary het plus past participles:
Na die storm het ons die gevaar bespreek en 'n beter oplossing gevind.
Could you drop die before gevaar and just say bespreek gevaar?
Yes, omitting the article gives a general sense (bespreek gevaar = discuss danger in general). But die gevaar points to a specific danger, which fits this context.
Is there a more formal way to say vind 'n beter oplossing?
You could use ons kom tot 'n beter oplossing, meaning we arrive at a better solution, which sounds a bit more formal.