by
At and Near: By
By means at or near: by die deur (at the door), by die werk (at work), by my ouma (at my grandmother's).
How It Works
At or near a place. by die deur (at the door), by die see (at the seaside), Die winkel is by die stasie (The shop is near the station).
At work and at home. by die werk (at work), by die huis (at home). Tuis also means at home.
With a person. By + a person means at that person's place or staying with them:
- Ek bly by my ouma. I live with my grandmother.
- Kom kuier by ons! Come and visit us!
- Sy is by die dokter. She is at the doctor's.
By is a false friend. It looks like English by, but it often means something else:
- by bus, by car: met die bus, met die kar. See met.
- by five o'clock: teen vyfuur. See teen.
- written by someone: deur. See deur.
By with dit becomes daarby (with it, next to it). See daar/hier + preposition.
Examples (6)
- Ek wag by die deur.
I'm waiting at the door.
Word by Word: I wait at the door.
- Is jou pa by die werk?
Is your dad at work?
Word by Word: Is your dad at the work?
- Ek bly by my ouma.
I live with my grandmother.
Word by Word: I stay at my grandma.
- Ons hou vakansie by die see.
We're having a holiday at the seaside.
Word by Word: We hold holiday at the sea.
- Kom kuier Saterdag by ons!
Come and visit us on Saturday!
Word by Word: Come visit Saturday at us!
By + a person means at that person's home.
- Die winkel is by die stasie.
The shop is near the station.
Word by Word: The shop is at the station.
Common Mistakes
Using by for transport, as in English by bus.
Ek gaan by die bus werk toe.Ek gaan met die bus werk toe.Transport takes met in Afrikaans. By means at or near a place.
Using by for a deadline, as in English by five.
Kom by vyfuur terug.Kom teen vyfuur terug.For a time limit, Afrikaans uses teen.
How It Connects
Learn This First
By marks being at or near a place, which contrasts with in.
Related Patterns
- metWith
Met is the word for English by with transport: met die bus.
Level 1 - teenAgainst and by: Teen
Teen is the word for English by with a deadline: teen vyfuur.
Level 2 - deurThrough
Deur is the word for English by with the person who does something.
Level 2 - opOn
Op is used for at in set phrases such as op skool.
Level 1 - Noun + toeGoing Somewhere: Huis Toe
Huis toe is the way to say going home, while by die huis means at home.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice by in Bubblegum
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