hoewel/alhoewel
Although
Hoewel and alhoewel both mean although. The verb goes to the end: Hoewel dit koud is, gaan ons swem. (Although it is cold, we are going swimming.)
How It Works
1. Two words, one meaning. Hoewel and alhoewel mean exactly the same. You can use either one anywhere.
2. The verb goes to the end. Like omdat, they send the verb of their own clause to the end (see verb at the end):
- Ek hou van die film, hoewel dit baie lank is. (I like the film, although it is very long.)
- Hy het 'n nuwe fiets gekoop, alhoewel hy al een het. (He bought a new bike, although he already has one.)
3. Starting with hoewel. A hoewel clause at the start fills the first place, so the main clause begins with its verb: Hoewel dit koud is, gaan ons swem. (See starting with a subordinate clause.)
4. No maar in the main clause. Some languages say although ..., but .... Afrikaans does not add maar. To stress the contrast, add tog (still) after the verb: Hoewel dit koud is, gaan ons tog swem. (Although it is cold, we are still going swimming.)
5. Other ways to say although. Al with the verb first is common in speech: Al is dit koud, gaan ons swem. Ofskoon means the same but belongs to literary writing.
Examples (6)
- Hoewel dit koud is, gaan ons swem.
Although it is cold, we are going swimming.
Word by Word: Although it cold is, go we swim.
The hoewel clause comes first, so the main clause starts with gaan.
- Alhoewel sy moeg was, het sy verder gewerk.
Although she was tired, she kept on working.
Word by Word: Although she tired was, has she further worked.
- Ek hou van die film, hoewel dit baie lank is.
I like the film, although it is very long.
Word by Word: I like of the film, although it very long is.
- Hy het 'n nuwe fiets gekoop, alhoewel hy al een het.
He bought a new bike, although he already has one.
Word by Word: He has a new bike bought, although he already one has.
- Alhoewel ons min geld gehad het, was ons gelukkig.
Although we had little money, we were happy.
Word by Word: Although we little money had have, were we happy.
Gehad het stays together at the end of the alhoewel clause.
- Hoewel dit koud is, gaan ons tog swem.
Although it is cold, we are still going swimming.
Word by Word: Although it cold is, go we still swim.
Tog adds weight to the contrast in the main clause.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the verb in second place after hoewel.
Ek hou van die film, hoewel dit is baie lank.Ek hou van die film, hoewel dit baie lank is.Hoewel starts a subordinate clause, so its verb goes to the end.
Putting the subject first after a hoewel clause.
Hoewel dit koud is, ons gaan swem.Hoewel dit koud is, gaan ons swem.The whole hoewel clause counts as the first place, so the main verb comes next and the subject follows it.
Adding maar to the main clause.
Hoewel dit koud is, maar ons gaan swem.Hoewel dit koud is, gaan ons tog swem.Hoewel already shows the contrast, so maar is not added. Use tog after the verb if you want to stress it.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Hoewel starts a subordinate clause, so its verbs go to the end.
Related Patterns
- al + Verb FirstEven Though: Al + Verb First
Another common way to say although or even though, with the verb right after al.
Level 5 - ofskoonAlthough (Literary): Ofskoon
A literary word with the same meaning as hoewel.
Level 6 - Starting With a Subordinate Clause
Explains why the main clause starts with its verb after a fronted hoewel clause.
Level 3 - maarBut
Maar means but and joins two main clauses; it is not added after a hoewel clause.
Level 1 - want / omdatWant or Omdat?
Shows the same difference between a joining word that keeps normal order and one that moves the verb.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice hoewel/alhoewel in Bubblegum
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