Afrikaans Verbs

Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Afrikaans. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Afrikaans.

Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Afrikaans conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:

Present Tense - Afrikaans
I speak English Ek praat Engels
you speak French Jy praat Frans
he speaks German Hy praat Duits
she speaks Italian Sy praat Italiaans
we speak Arabic Ons praat Arabies
they speak Chinese Hulle praat Chinees

The past tense in Afrikaans conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:

Past Tense - Afrikaans
I visited France Ek het Frankryk besoek
you visited Italy Jy het Italiё besoek
he visited Morocco Hy het Marokko besoek
she visited China Sy het China besoek
we visited Mexico Ons het Mexiko besoek
they visited Kenya Hulle het Kenia besoek

The future tense in Afrikaans conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:

Future Tense - Afrikaans
I will drink milk Ek sal melk drink
you will drink coffee Jy sal koffie drink
he will drink tea Hy sal tee drink
she will drink water Sy sal water drink
we will drink apple juice Ons sal appelsap drink
they will drink tea Hulle sal tee drink

Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.

ear oor

eye oog

mouth mond

nose neus

hair hare

face gesig

head kop

heart hart

hand hand

fingers vingers

leg been

feet voete

Travel Phrases in Afrikaans

Imagine yourself in some Afrikaans speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!

English - Afrikaans
Can you help me? Kan jy my help?
Can I help you? Kan ek jou help?
Where is the airport? Waar is die lughawe?
Go straight Gaan reguit
Then dan
Turn left draai links
Turn right draai regs

I hope this lesson about the verbs in Afrikaans was not hard for you. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. To see the full menu, you can also click on the "Menu" icon on the left side.