Die kole is heeltemal koud.

to be

Breakdown of Die kole is heeltemal koud.

• koud: cold
• die kole: the glowing coals
• heeltemal: completely

Questions & Answers about Die kole is heeltemal koud.

What does die mean here, and why is it not capitalized?

Die means the.

In Afrikaans, die is the definite article for:

• singular nouns: die man = the man
• plural nouns: die kole = the coals

It is not capitalized because it is not at the start of an English-style title or a proper noun. In the sentence Die kole is heeltemal koud, it is capitalized only because it begins the sentence.

Why is kole used instead of kool?

Kole is the plural form of kool.

So:

• die kool = the coal
• die kole = the coals

A learner may notice that the vowel changes in the plural. That is normal in Afrikaans with some nouns. You cannot always predict every plural perfectly, so it is useful to learn noun plurals together with the singular form.

Is kole always about coal, or can it also mean embers?

In context, kole often refers to coals, especially hot or burnt pieces from a fire. Depending on context, English might translate it as coals or embers.

So in a fire-related situation, Die kole is heeltemal koud could naturally mean that the fire has died out and the coals/embers are completely cold.