in
In means in or inside: in die huis, in Kaapstad, in die winter.
How It Works
In is one of the easiest prepositions for English speakers, because it is used much like English in.
Inside a space or container: in die kamer (in the room), in die yskas (in the fridge), in my sak (in my pocket or bag).
Towns, countries and regions: in Kaapstad, in Suid-Afrika, in die stad (in the city). Some places take op instead, such as op 'n plaas (on a farm) and op skool (at school).
Time: use in for months, seasons and years: in Januarie, in die somer, in 2025. Days and dates take op: op Maandag, op 5 Mei. See months and dates.
Languages: Sê dit in Afrikaans. (Say it in Afrikaans.)
Moving into a place. To stress movement into something, Afrikaans often puts in after the noun: Sy loop die kamer in. (She walks into the room.)
In with dit. Instead of in dit, Afrikaans says daarin (in it, in there). See daar/hier + preposition.
Examples (6)
- Die kinders speel in die tuin.
The children are playing in the garden.
Word by Word: The children play in the garden.
- My ouers woon in Kaapstad.
My parents live in Cape Town.
Word by Word: My parents live in Cape Town.
- Die melk is in die yskas.
The milk is in the fridge.
Word by Word: The milk is in the ice-cupboard.
- In die winter reën dit baie in die Kaap.
In winter it rains a lot in the Cape.
Word by Word: In the winter rains it much in the Cape.
The time phrase comes first, so the verb reën comes before dit.
- Sê dit asseblief in Afrikaans.
Please say it in Afrikaans.
Word by Word: Say it please in Afrikaans.
- Sy loop die kamer in.
She walks into the room.
Word by Word: She walks the room in.
Putting in after the noun shows movement into the room.
Common Mistakes
Using in with days of the week.
Ek werk nie in Sondag nie.Ek werk nie op Sondag nie.Days and dates take op in Afrikaans. Keep in for months, seasons and years.
Using in for a farm.
My oom woon in 'n plaas.My oom woon op 'n plaas.Farms take op, just as English says on a farm.
How It Connects
Learn This First
In is one of the first prepositions, usually followed by a noun with die.
Related Patterns
- opOn
Op is used for days, dates and some places where you might expect in.
Level 1 - uitOut of
Uit (out of) is the opposite of in.
Level 1 - byAt and Near: By
By means at or near a place, rather than inside it.
Level 1 - onder/agter/langs/tussenWhere Things Are: Onder, Agter, Langs, Tussen
More prepositions for where things are.
Level 2 - Months and Dates
Months take in, while dates take op.
Level 2 - daarmee/hiervoor/daaroorDaarmee, Hiervoor, Daaroor
In joins with daar and hier to make daarin and hierin.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice in in Bubblegum
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