Formal Written Afrikaans

Level 5

Formal Afrikaans writes words in full and chooses formal words: Indien u enige vrae het, kontak ons gerus. (If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.)

How It Works

1. Full forms. Write the full form of short spoken words (see short forms): dit is, not dis; daardie, not daai; geen, not g'n.

2. Formal word choices. Many everyday words have a formal partner:

  • as (if) → indien
  • kry (get) → ontvang (receive), verkry (obtain)
  • nodig hê (need) → benodig
  • oor (about) → aangaande, betreffende
  • omdat (because) → aangesien; as gevolg van → weens
  • gebeur (happen) → plaasvind (take place)

3. Polite u. Formal texts address the reader with u: Ons bedank u vir u navraag. (We thank you for your enquiry.)

4. More passives. Official writing often uses the passive, which puts the thing affected first and can leave out who does the action: Die aansoek moet voor 1 Maart ingedien word. (The application must be submitted before 1 March.) In a passive with a modal, the participle and word go to the end.

5. The same grammar. Formal style does not change the rules. Verbs still go to the end of subordinate clauses, and nie ... nie still closes a negation: Indien u nie betyds betaal nie, sal u rekening gesluit word. (If you do not pay on time, your account will be closed.)

For how everyday speech differs, see spoken and written Afrikaans.

Examples (6)

  1. Die aansoek moet voor 1 Maart ingedien word.

    The application must be submitted before 1 March.

    Word by Word: The application must before 1 March submitted be.

  2. Indien u enige vrae het, kontak ons gerus.

    If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

    Word by Word: If you any questions have, contact us freely.

  3. Ons het u brief op 3 Mei ontvang.

    We received your letter on 3 May.

    Word by Word: We have your letter on 3 May received.

  4. Weens die reën is die wedstryd uitgestel.

    Because of the rain, the match has been postponed.

    Word by Word: Because-of the rain is the match postponed.

  5. Die vergadering sal om 10:00 in die saal plaasvind.

    The meeting will take place in the hall at 10:00.

    Word by Word: The meeting will at 10:00 in the hall take-place.

  6. Alle vorms moet volledig ingevul word.

    All forms must be filled in completely.

    Word by Word: All forms must completely filled-in be.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the verb in second place after indien.

    Indien u het enige vrae, kontak ons.
    Indien u enige vrae het, kontak ons.

    Indien starts a subordinate clause, so the conjugated verb goes to the end of that clause, just as after as.

  • Using English word order in a passive with a modal.

    Die aansoek moet word ingedien voor 1 Maart.
    Die aansoek moet voor 1 Maart ingedien word.

    The participle comes before word, and both go to the end of the clause: moet ... ingedien word.

  • Adding ge- to a verb that starts with ont-.

    Ons het u brief geontvang.
    Ons het u brief ontvang.

    Verbs that start with an unstressed prefix such as ont-, be- or ver- form the past without ge-.

How It Connects

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

Formal Written AfrikaansLevel 5

Learn This First

Formal writing combines formal connectors and vocabulary with structures such as modal passives.

Words in This Pattern

indienontvang