ten/ter
Fixed Phrases with Ten and Ter
Learn the phrase, not a rule: ten minste (at least), ter wille van (for the sake of). You cannot build new ones.
How It Works
1. Where they come from. Dutch once had case forms of its articles. Te den became ten, and te der became ter. Afrikaans now has only die, so these forms live on only in set phrases.
2. Common ten phrases.
- ten minste — at least
- ten slotte — finally, in conclusion
- ten spyte van — in spite of (see ten spyte van)
- ten opsigte van — with regard to
- ten gunste van — in favour of
- ten koste van — at the cost of
- ten volle — fully
- ten einde — in order to (see ten einde ... te)
3. Common ter phrases.
- ter wille van — for the sake of
- ter sake — relevant: Dit is nie ter sake nie.
- ter herinnering aan — in memory of
- ter waarde van — to the value of
4. No new phrases. Ten and ter are not productive. Use them only in phrases you know.
5. Spelling. Most of these phrases are written as separate words: ten spyte van, ten opsigte van. The Woordelys also allows a few as one word: tenminste next to ten minste, and terwille van next to ter wille van. Many are abbreviated in writing, such as t.o.v. for ten opsigte van.
Examples (6)
- Ons het ten minste drie stoele nodig.
We need at least three chairs.
Word by Word: We have at-the least three chairs necessary.
- Ten spyte van die reën het die wedstryd voortgegaan.
Despite the rain, the match went ahead.
Word by Word: In spite of the rain has the match continued.
- Hulle het ter wille van die kinders in die stad gebly.
They stayed in the city for the sake of the children.
Word by Word: They have for the sake of the children in the city stayed.
- Sy ouderdom is nie ter sake nie.
His age is irrelevant.
Word by Word: His age is not at-the matter not.
- Ten slotte wil ek almal bedank.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone.
Word by Word: At-the end want I everyone thank.
- Die konsert word ter herinnering aan die slagoffers gehou.
The concert is being held in memory of the victims.
Word by Word: The concert is at-the remembrance of the victims held.
Common Mistakes
Swapping ten and ter.
Ons het ter minste drie stoele nodig.Ons het ten minste drie stoele nodig.Each phrase has its own fixed choice of ten or ter: ten minste, never ter minste, and ter wille van, never ten wille van.
Writing ten spyte as one word.
Tenspyte van die reën het die wedstryd voortgegaan.Ten spyte van die reën het die wedstryd voortgegaan.Ten spyte van is written as three separate words. Only a few phrases, such as ten minste (also tenminste) and ter wille van (also terwille van), have a one-word spelling too.
Dropping van after ten spyte.
Ten spyte die reën het die wedstryd voortgegaan.Ten spyte van die reën het die wedstryd voortgegaan.The full preposition is ten spyte van. Van cannot be left out before the noun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Ten and ter survive in fixed phrases.
Related Patterns
- ten spyte van/ondanksDespite
Ten spyte van is the most common ten phrase.
Level 4 - Formal Prepositions: met betrekking tot
Many ten and ter phrases are formal prepositions, such as ten opsigte van.
Level 5 - Old Genitives: des, 'sOld Genitives: Des and 'S
Another trace of the old Dutch case forms in modern Afrikaans.
Level 6 - te wete/te kenneOld Infinitives: Te Wete and Te Kenne
Other fixed phrases that keep old forms with te.
Level 6 - Formal Written Afrikaans
Most ten and ter phrases belong to formal writing.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice ten/ter in Bubblegum
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