Legal and Official Afrikaans

Level 6

Laws, contracts and official letters have their own vocabulary: ingevolge artikel 5 (in terms of section 5), kragtens die kontrak (by virtue of the contract), die onderhawige saak (the matter under discussion), genoemde eiendom (the said property).

How It Works

1. Formal prepositions. Legal texts link a rule to its source:

  • ingevolge (in terms of, under): ingevolge artikel 5
  • kragtens (by virtue of, under the power of): kragtens die kontrak
  • ooreenkomstig (in accordance with), behoudens (subject to), namens (on behalf of)

They work like any preposition and fit with other formal multi-word prepositions such as ten opsigte van.

2. Pointing words. Official texts refer back precisely:

  • onderhawige (under discussion, in question): die onderhawige saak, used before a noun
  • genoemde, bogenoemde, voormelde (the said, the above-mentioned)
  • die ondergetekende (the undersigned), hiermee (hereby), onderskeidelik (respectively)

3. Conditions. Indien (if), tensy (unless) and mits (provided that) are common. They are subordinating, so the verb goes to the end: mits die eienaar toestemming gee.

4. Requests with geliewe. Forms and notices use geliewe + object + te + infinitive for a polite instruction: Geliewe die vorm in te vul. (Please fill in the form.) With a separable verb, te goes between the parts: in te vul, terug te stuur.

5. Typical sentence shapes. Official Afrikaans prefers the passive (moet ingedien word), nominal style and old participles such as synde. Recognize them when you read; in everyday letters, plain words are usually better.

Examples (6)

  1. Ingevolge artikel 5 moet die aansoek binne 30 dae ingedien word.

    In terms of section 5, the application must be submitted within 30 days.

    Word by Word: In-terms-of section 5 must the application within 30 days submitted be.

  2. Kragtens die kontrak is die huurder verantwoordelik vir herstelwerk.

    Under the contract, the tenant is responsible for repairs.

    Word by Word: By-virtue-of the contract is the tenant responsible for repair-work.

  3. Die onderhawige saak word na die hof verwys.

    The matter in question is referred to court.

    Word by Word: The under-discussion matter is to the court referred.

  4. Genoemde eiendom word hiermee aan die koper oorgedra.

    The said property is hereby transferred to the buyer.

    Word by Word: Said property is herewith to the buyer transferred.

  5. Geliewe die vorm in te vul en voor Vrydag terug te stuur.

    Please fill in the form and return it before Friday.

    Word by Word: Please the form in to fill and before Friday back to send.

  6. Die huurder mag diere aanhou, mits die eienaar skriftelik toestemming gee.

    The tenant may keep animals, provided that the owner gives written permission.

    Word by Word: The tenant may animals keep, provided the owner in-writing permission gives.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out te after geliewe.

    Geliewe die vorm invul.
    Geliewe die vorm in te vul.

    Geliewe is followed by te + infinitive. With a separable verb such as invul, te goes between the parts: in te vul.

  • Using main-clause word order after mits.

    Die huurder mag diere aanhou, mits die eienaar gee skriftelik toestemming.
    Die huurder mag diere aanhou, mits die eienaar skriftelik toestemming gee.

    Mits is a subordinating conjunction, so the verb goes to the end of its clause.

How It Connects

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

Legal and Official AfrikaansLevel 6

Learn This First

Official writing combines noun-heavy phrasing with polite infinitive requests.

Words in This Pattern

ingevolge