want

Because (Want)

Level 1

Want means because. The reason after it is a normal sentence, so the word order does not change.

How It Works

Want gives the reason for what you just said. It joins two main clauses, and the reason always comes second.

  • Ek bly tuis, want ek is siek. I'm staying home because I'm sick.
  • Sy drink water, want sy is dors. She is drinking water because she is thirsty.

Want or omdat? Both mean because, but they order the words differently. After want the verb comes straight after the subject. After omdat the verb goes to the end of the clause:

  • Ek bly tuis, want ek is siek.
  • Ek bly tuis, omdat ek siek is.

The meaning is the same. The full comparison is in want vs omdat.

The want part comes second. In a full sentence, you cannot start with want the way you can with omdat. To put the reason first, use omdat: Omdat ek siek is, bly ek tuis.

After want, the clause can start with a word other than the subject. Then the verb comes before the subject, as in V2 inversion: Ek is bly, want môre is dit Saterdag.

Watch out for English. Afrikaans want never means to want. For wanting, use wil or wil ... hê: Ek wil koffie hê.

A comma usually comes before want.

Examples (6)

  1. Ek bly tuis, want ek is siek.

    I'm staying home because I'm sick.

    Word by Word: I stay home, because I am sick.

  2. Sy drink water, want sy is dors.

    She's drinking water because she's thirsty.

    Word by Word: She drinks water, because she is thirsty.

  3. Ons gaan nie swem nie, want dit reën.

    We're not going swimming because it's raining.

    Word by Word: We go not swim not, because it rains.

  4. Maak die venster toe, want dit is koud.

    Close the window, because it's cold.

    Word by Word: Make the window closed, because it is cold.

  5. Ek is bly, want môre is dit Saterdag.

    I'm happy, because tomorrow is Saturday.

    Word by Word: I am glad, because tomorrow is it Saturday.

    Môre comes first after want, so the verb is comes before dit.

  6. Hy leer Afrikaans, want sy ouma woon in Stellenbosch.

    He's learning Afrikaans because his grandmother lives in Stellenbosch.

    Word by Word: He learns Afrikaans, because his grandma lives in Stellenbosch.

Common Mistakes

  • Sending the verb to the end after want.

    Ek bly tuis, want ek siek is.
    Ek bly tuis, want ek is siek.

    Only omdat moves the verb to the end. After want, the verb comes right after the subject. You can also say: Ek bly tuis, omdat ek siek is.

  • Using want to mean to want, as in English.

    Ek want 'n koppie koffie.
    Ek wil 'n koppie koffie hê.

    Want only means because. To say you want something, use wil ... hê.

  • Starting the sentence with want.

    Want ek is siek, bly ek tuis.
    Omdat ek siek is, bly ek tuis.

    A want clause always follows the main clause. To give the reason first, use omdat.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

wantLevel 1Because (Want)

Learn This First

Want gives a reason while keeping normal main-clause word order, just like en.

Words in This Pattern