Ons begin die gesprek.

We begin the conversation.

Breakdown of Ons begin die gesprek.

• ons: we
• begin: to start
• die gesprek: the conversation

Questions & Answers about Ons begin die gesprek.

What does ons mean here?

Here ons means we.

In Afrikaans, ons can mean we when it is the subject of the sentence, and us in other contexts.

• Ons begin die gesprek. = We begin the conversation.
• Hy sien ons. = He sees us.

So in this sentence, because ons comes before the verb and is doing the action, it means we.

Why is it begin and not a different verb form for we?

Afrikaans verbs usually do not change form depending on the subject the way English verbs sometimes do.

So you get:

• Ek begin = I begin
• Jy begin = you begin
• Hy begin = he begins
• Ons begin = we begin

The verb stays begin in all these examples. That is one reason Afrikaans grammar often feels simpler than English.

What is die doing in the sentence?