Onder die wasbak staan die emmer, omdat die kraan die hele nag lek.

Under the sink stands the bucket, because the tap leaks all night.

Breakdown of Onder die wasbak staan die emmer, omdat die kraan die hele nag lek.

• die: the
• hele: whole
• omdat: because
• die nag: the night

Questions & Answers about Onder die wasbak staan die emmer, omdat die kraan die hele nag lek.

Why is the verb staan before die emmer in Onder die wasbak staan die emmer?

Because Afrikaans main clauses usually follow a verb-second pattern.

If you start the sentence with something other than the subject, like the place phrase Onder die wasbak (Under the sink), the finite verb comes next:

• Onder die wasbak
  • staan
    • die emmer

Compare:

• Die emmer staan onder die wasbak. = The bucket is under the sink.
• Onder die wasbak staan die emmer. = Under the sink is the bucket.

Both are correct, but the second version gives more emphasis to the location.

Why does Afrikaans use staan instead of just is here?

Afrikaans often prefers position verbs where English would simply use is.

Common ones are:

• staan = stand
• sit = sit
• lê = lie
• hang = hang

So Die emmer staan onder die wasbak literally means The bucket stands under the sink, but in natural English we often just say The bucket is under the sink.

The idea is that the bucket is in an upright standing position, so staan sounds natural.