indien

If (Formal): Indien

Level 4

Indien is a formal if: Indien u vrae het, kontak ons gerus. (If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.)

How It Works

1. A formal if. Indien means the same as as in a condition, but it sounds official. It often appears together with polite u:

  • As jy vrae het, bel my. (If you have questions, call me.) (everyday)
  • Indien u vrae het, kontak ons gerus. (If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.) (formal)

In a chat with a friend, indien sounds stiff, so choose as. See formal written Afrikaans for other formal choices.

2. Word order. The verb goes to the end of the indien clause. When the clause comes first, the main clause starts with its verb: Indien dit reën, word die wedstryd na Saterdag uitgestel.

3. Short forms without a verb. Formal writing often uses indien in short phrases: indien moontlik (if possible), indien nodig (if necessary), indien wel (if so). For if not, careful writers prefer so nie, although indien nie is also heard.

4. Only for conditions. English if can also mean whether. Afrikaans uses of for that, never indien or as (see indirect questions): Ek weet nie of hy kom nie.

Examples (5)

  1. Indien u vrae het, kontak ons gerus.

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

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

  2. Indien dit reën, word die wedstryd na Saterdag uitgestel.

    If it rains, the match will be postponed to Saturday.

    Word by Word: If it rains, is the match to Saturday postponed.

  3. Die aansoek sal nie oorweeg word nie indien dit laat ingedien word.

    The application will not be considered if it is submitted late.

    Word by Word: The application shall not considered be not if it late submitted is.

  4. Indien u nie meer 'n lid wil wees nie, laat weet ons asseblief.

    If you no longer wish to be a member, please let us know.

    Word by Word: If you not more a member want be not, let know us please.

  5. Stuur asseblief die dokumente, indien moontlik, voor Vrydag.

    Please send the documents before Friday, if possible.

    Word by Word: Send please the documents, if possible, before Friday.

    Indien moontlik is a fixed short phrase with no verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using indien for whether.

    Ek weet nie indien hy kom nie.
    Ek weet nie of hy kom nie.

    Indien only sets a condition. To mean whether, Afrikaans uses of.

  • Starting the main clause with the subject after a fronted indien clause.

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

    The indien clause fills first place, so the main clause starts with its verb.

  • Keeping the verb in second place after indien.

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

    Indien starts a subordinate clause, so its verb goes to the end.

How It Connects

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

indienLevel 4If (Formal): Indien

Learn This First

Indien is a formal word for if.

Words in This Pattern

indien