Breakdown of Beweeg stadig in die kombuis, want die vloer is nat.
wees
to be
in
in
want
because
nat
wet
die kombuis
the kitchen
die vloer
the floor
beweeg
to move
stadig
slowly
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Afrikaans grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Beweeg stadig in die kombuis, want die vloer is nat.
What does beweeg mean, and why is it in that form?
beweeg is the imperative of the verb beweeg (to move). In this sentence it issues a command: “move.” In Afrikaans the imperative looks like the base form of the verb and is identical for singular and plural “you.”
Why is there no –ly on stadig – how are adverbs formed in Afrikaans?
Many Afrikaans adverbs are the same as their adjective form. stadig means both “slow” (adj.) and “slowly” (adv.). You don’t add an English-style –ly ending. Some adverbs do take –lik or –s, but stadig stays unchanged.
Why is the word order beweeg (verb) + stadig (adverb) + in die kombuis (location)?
Afrikaans generally follows V – manner – place order. Here the imperative verb beweeg, then the manner adverb stadig, and finally the prepositional phrase in die kombuis. It mirrors the English “move slowly in the kitchen.”
Why is want used here, and how does it differ from omdat?
Both want and omdat mean because. want is a coordinating conjunction (joins two main clauses) and keeps the verb in second position. omdat is subordinating, sending the verb to the end of its clause.
Examples:
…, want die vloer is nat.
…, omdat die vloer nat is.
Why does the verb in the second clause stay in the middle (die vloer is nat)? Shouldn’t subordinate clauses push the verb to the end?
Because want is a coordinating conjunction, not a subordinating one. Clauses joined by want remain “main” clauses, so they follow standard SVO (subject-verb-object/adjective) order. True subordinate conjunctions like omdat, terwyl etc. do push the verb to the end.
Is the comma before want mandatory?
In formal Afrikaans you usually put a comma before want when joining two independent clauses, just like in English. In informal writing it’s sometimes dropped, but using it clarifies the boundary between the clauses.
How do you pronounce kombuis?
Roughly kom-BOYS. Phonetically [kɔmˈbœy̯s]. The vowel in the second syllable sounds like English “boy,” and the final s is unvoiced.
Can beweeg address both singular and plural audiences? How do you tell?
Yes. Afrikaans imperative forms don’t distinguish singular vs. plural “you.” beweeg works for one person or a group. If you want to emphasise a group you can add julle (you all): beweeg julle stadig, but it’s often understood without that.
Could you use loop instead of beweeg? What’s the difference?
Yes, you could say loop stadig in die kombuis (“walk slowly in the kitchen”). loop specifically means “to walk,” whereas beweeg is more general: “move.” Choose loop when you mean “walk,” and beweeg for any movement.