Good question. In Afrikaans, adjectives often change form depending on where they appear.
After is, the adjective usually stays in its basic form:
But before a noun, the adjective often takes -e:
So:
A rough guide for an English speaker:
Very roughly: dee SAHL-doh iss lahkh
A few notes:
Afrikaans usually uses a double negative.
Die saldo is nie laag nie.
= The balance is not low.
Pattern:
Examples:
In a simple yes/no question, Afrikaans usually puts the verb first:
Is die saldo laag?
= Is the balance low?
This is very similar to English inversion:
Yes, depending on the exact meaning.
Possible alternatives include:
But laag is the most direct equivalent of low in The balance is low.
Examples:
So laag is the safest and most standard choice here.