sodra
As Soon as: Sodra
Sodra means as soon as. The verb goes to the end: Bel my sodra jy daar is. (Call me as soon as you are there.)
How It Works
1. The verb goes to the end. After sodra, the verb stands last (see verb at the end). A separable verb joins up again at the end (see separable verbs at the end):
- Bel my sodra jy daar is. (Call me as soon as you are there.)
- Sodra die reën ophou, gaan ons stap. (As soon as the rain stops, we'll go for a walk.)
2. Starting with sodra. A sodra clause at the start fills the first place, so the main clause begins with its verb: Sodra die reën ophou, gaan ons stap. (See starting with a subordinate clause.)
3. Any time. Sodra works for plans, habits and past events:
- Ek sal jou laat weet sodra ek meer weet. (I'll let you know as soon as I know more.)
- Sodra sy die nuus gehoor het, het sy haar ma gebel. (As soon as she heard the news, she called her mother.)
4. So gou as. In speech, so gou as (often so gou as wat) means the same: So gou as ek by die huis kom, gaan ek bad. Sodra sounds a little more careful.
Tip: As soon as possible is usually so gou moontlik. In formal writing you will also see sodra moontlik.
Examples (5)
- Bel my sodra jy daar is.
Call me as soon as you're there.
Word by Word: Call me as-soon-as you there are.
- Sodra die reën ophou, gaan ons stap.
As soon as the rain stops, we'll go for a walk.
Word by Word: As-soon-as the rain up-stops, go we walk.
The separable verb ophou stays in one piece at the end, and the main clause starts with gaan.
- Ek sal jou laat weet sodra ek meer weet.
I'll let you know as soon as I know more.
Word by Word: I will you let know as-soon-as I more know.
- Sodra sy die nuus gehoor het, het sy haar ma gebel.
As soon as she heard the news, she called her mother.
Word by Word: As-soon-as she the news heard has, has she her mother called.
- Die kinders hardloop buitentoe sodra die klok lui.
The children run outside as soon as the bell rings.
Word by Word: The children run outside-to as-soon-as the bell rings.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the verb in second place after sodra.
Bel my sodra jy is daar.Bel my sodra jy daar is.Sodra starts a subordinate clause, so its verb goes to the end.
Putting the subject first after a sodra clause.
Sodra die reën ophou, ons gaan stap.Sodra die reën ophou, gaan ons stap.The whole sodra clause counts as the first place, so the main verb comes next and the subject follows it.
Splitting a separable verb inside a sodra clause.
Bel my sodra jy by die huis kom aan.Bel my sodra jy by die huis aankom.In a sodra clause the verb goes to the end, so a separable verb joins up again: aankom, not kom ... aan.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Sodra starts a subordinate clause, so its verbs go to the end.
Related Patterns
- wanneerWhen: Wanneer
Wanneer means when; sodra adds that it happens straight away.
Level 2 - as (If)If and When: As
As also means when for the present and future.
Level 2 - nadatAfter (Nadat)
Nadat means after, without the idea of straight away.
Level 2 - totdatUntil (Totdat)
Totdat means until, the opposite end of the waiting time.
Level 2 - Starting With a Subordinate Clause
Explains why the main clause starts with its verb after a fronted sodra clause.
Level 3 - Separable Verbs at the End
Shows why ophou stays in one piece at the end of a sodra clause.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice sodra in Bubblegum
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