maar
But
Maar means but. It joins two ideas that contrast, and the word order after it does not change.
How It Works
Maar joins two ideas where the second one contrasts with or limits the first. It works just like English but.
The word order stays the same. Maar joins two main clauses, so each one keeps the order you learned in basic word order: subject, then verb.
- Die huis is klein, maar dit is mooi. The house is small, but it is pretty.
- Ek is moeg, maar ek wil nog speel. I am tired, but I still want to play.
Maar does not count as the first place. It sits outside the clause, so the subject still comes next. If you put another word first after maar, such as a time word, the verb comes before the subject, as in V2 inversion: Ek werk vandag, maar môre bly ek tuis.
Short phrases work too. Maar can join words or phrases: klein maar mooi (small but pretty). After a negative, it gives the right alternative: Hy is nie lui nie, maar moeg. Note the full nie ... nie before maar.
A comma usually comes before maar when it joins two full clauses.
Maar also has a second life as a softening word, as in Kom maar in (Go ahead and come in). That use is covered in maar (particle).
Examples (6)
- Die huis is klein, maar dit is mooi.
The house is small, but it is pretty.
Word by Word: The house is small, but it is pretty.
- Ek is moeg, maar ek wil nog speel.
I'm tired, but I still want to play.
Word by Word: I am tired, but I want still play.
- Ons wil swem, maar die water is te koud.
We want to swim, but the water is too cold.
Word by Word: We want swim, but the water is too cold.
- Sy praat Afrikaans, maar nie Zoeloe nie.
She speaks Afrikaans, but not Zulu.
Word by Word: She speaks Afrikaans, but not Zulu not.
A short phrase after maar still takes both parts of the negation.
- Ek werk vandag, maar môre bly ek tuis.
I'm working today, but tomorrow I'm staying home.
Word by Word: I work today, but tomorrow stay I home.
Môre comes first after maar, so the verb bly comes before ek.
- Hy is nie lui nie, maar moeg.
He isn't lazy, just tired.
Word by Word: He is not lazy not, but tired.
After a negative, maar gives the correct description.
Common Mistakes
Moving the verb to the end after maar, as if it were omdat.
Die huis is klein, maar dit mooi is.Die huis is klein, maar dit is mooi.Only subordinating words such as omdat and dat send the verb to the end. Maar joins two main clauses, so the verb stays right after the subject.
Putting the verb straight after maar.
Die huis is klein, maar is dit mooi.Die huis is klein, maar dit is mooi.Maar is not the first part of the clause. The subject still comes first, then the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Maar joins two main clauses the same way en does.
Related Patterns
- ofOr
Of (or) joins two choices in the same way, with no change in word order.
Level 1 - wantBecause (Want)
Want (because) also joins two main clauses without moving the verb.
Level 1 - Verb Second After a Fronted Word
If a word other than the subject starts the clause after maar, the verb comes before the subject.
Level 2 - maar (Softener)Maar as a Softener
The same word also softens requests and statements: Kom maar in.
Level 3 - nie net ... nie, maar ookNot Only ... but Also
Maar ook completes the pattern not only ... but also.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice maar in Bubblegum
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