Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Ek mag nie eet tydens eksamen nie.

In Afrikaans mag expresses permission (“may” or “allowed to”), not ability. So Ek mag nie eet means “I may not eat,” not “I cannot eat” (that would be kan nie).

Why isn’t kan nie used instead of mag nie?

Kan nie means “cannot” or “am/are/is not able to.” Here the sentence forbids eating (permission), so you need mag nie (“may not”) rather than kan nie (“cannot”).

Why are there two nies in one sentence?

Afrikaans uses a “double negation” structure. You put nie before the main verb phrase (mag nie eet) and again at the end of the clause. Dropping either one would be ungrammatical.

Could I move tydens to another position, for example Ek mag nie tydens eksamen eet nie?

Yes, you can move the time phrase, but watch word order. Both
• Ek mag nie eet tydens eksamen nie.
• Ek mag nie tydens eksamen eet nie.
are correct and mean the same. The time expression can sit after the verb or between the negation and the verb.

Why is there no article before eksamen? Shouldn’t it be die eksamen?

You may include die (“the”) if you’re referring to a specific exam:
• Ek mag nie eet tydens die eksamen nie.
But in general statements about exams in general, Afrikaans often drops the article: tydens eksamen = “during exams.”

What part of speech is tydens, and how does it work?

Tydens is a preposition meaning “during.” It governs a noun (often without an article) and introduces the time frame: tydens eksamen = “during exams” or “during the exam.”

Why is the verb eet not conjugated differently?

Afrikaans verbs don’t change form for person or number. The infinitive eet stays the same for ek, jy, hy, ons, etc.

What’s the difference between mag nie and moet nie?

• mag nie = “may not,” expresses lack of permission.
• moet nie = “must not,” expresses prohibition or obligation not to do something.
In many contexts they’re similar, but moet nie can feel stronger or more like an order.