Adjectives Before Nouns
Put the adjective before the noun, as in English: 'n groot huis (a big house), die rooi kar (the red car).
How It Works
Before the noun. The order is article, adjective, noun, just like English:
- 'n groot huis (a big house)
- die rooi kar (the red car)
- 'n klein hond (a small dog)
- 'n mooi dag (a beautiful day)
- groen appels (green apples)
After is. When the adjective follows is or another linking verb, it stands alone in its basic form: Die huis is groot. Die appels is groen.
One form for everything. Afrikaans nouns have no gender, so the adjective does not change for masculine, feminine, singular or plural: 'n groot hond, groot honde.
Some adjectives add -e before a noun. Words like groot, klein, rooi and mooi stay the same, but many others take -e in front of a noun: Die kar is nuut but die nuwe kar. You will learn which ones in when adjectives take -e and Goed becomes goeie.
Examples (6)
- Ons woon in 'n groot huis.
We live in a big house.
Word by Word: We live in a big house.
- Die rooi kar staan voor die huis.
The red car is parked in front of the house.
Word by Word: The red car stands before the house.
- Sy dra 'n blou rok.
She is wearing a blue dress.
Word by Word: She wears a blue dress.
- Dit is 'n mooi dag.
It is a beautiful day.
Word by Word: It is a beautiful day.
- Hy het 'n klein hond.
He has a small dog.
Word by Word: He has a small dog.
- Die huis is groot.
The house is big.
Word by Word: The house is big.
After is, the adjective stands on its own.
Common Mistakes
Putting the adjective after the noun.
Ons woon in 'n huis groot.Ons woon in 'n groot huis.An adjective that describes a noun always comes before it.
Using the -e form after is.
Die kar is nuwe.Die kar is nuut.The -e form is only used before a noun: die nuwe kar. After is, use the dictionary form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Adjectives stand between die and the noun.
Related Patterns
- Adjective + -eWhen Adjectives Take -e
When an adjective before a noun adds -e: die nuwe kar.
Level 2 - goed → goeieGoed Becomes Goeie
Adjectives that change shape before a noun: goed → goeie.
Level 2 - Adjectives Used as Adverbs
The same adjective used to describe how you do something.
Level 1 - is/weesTo Be: Is and Wees
Is links a noun to an adjective: Die huis is groot.
Level 1 - 'n + NounThe Article 'N
The article that comes first: 'n groot huis.
Level 1 - baieVery: Baie
Baie before an adjective means very: 'n baie groot huis.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Adjectives Before Nouns in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Afrikaans lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
