aan
On and at: Aan
Aan means on or at for things that hang from or are fixed to something: Die prent hang aan die muur. (The picture hangs on the wall.)
How It Works
1. Attached or hanging. Die prent hang aan die muur. (The picture hangs on the wall.) Die sleutel hang aan 'n haak. (The key hangs on a hook.) die blare aan die boom (the leaves on the tree)
2. Aan or op? Op is for resting on top: Die boek lê op die tafel. Aan is for fixed to or hanging from: Die kalender hang aan die muur. (see position verbs).
3. On: switched on or worn. Die lig is aan. (The light is on.) Die TV is nog aan. (The TV is still on.) Hy het 'n baadjie aan. (He has a jacket on.)
4. At the side of. aan die ander kant (on the other side), aan die kus (on the coast), aan tafel (at the table, for a meal): Kom aan tafel! (Come to the table!) Aan tafel has no die.
5. Fixed phrases. Some verbs take aan: Ek dink aan jou. (I'm thinking of you.) (see verbs with fixed prepositions). You will also meet aan die slaap (asleep) (see aan die + infinitive).
Tip: For giving something to a person, everyday Afrikaans uses vir: Gee dit vir my. (Give it to me.) Aan is more formal: 'n brief aan die hoof (a letter to the principal).
Examples (6)
- Die prent hang aan die muur.
The picture hangs on the wall.
Word by Word: The picture hangs on the wall.
- Ons sit aan tafel.
We're sitting at the table.
Word by Word: We sit at table.
Aan tafel means at the table for a meal, with no die.
- Die lig in die kombuis is nog aan.
The light in the kitchen is still on.
Word by Word: The light in the kitchen is still on.
- Ek dink baie aan jou.
I think of you a lot.
Word by Word: I think much of you.
Dink aan means think of someone or something.
- Hulle woon aan die kus.
They live on the coast.
Word by Word: They live on the coast.
- Sy het 'n rooi rok aan.
She has a red dress on.
Word by Word: She has a red dress on.
Aan after het can mean wearing.
Common Mistakes
Using op to mean switched on.
Die TV is op.Die TV is aan.Something switched on is aan. After is, op means finished or used up, as in Die melk is op (The milk is finished).
Using dink van for thinking of someone.
Ek dink van jou.Ek dink aan jou.Dink aan means think of someone. Dink van asks for an opinion: Wat dink jy van my plan?
How It Connects
Learn This First
Aan means on or at for things touching a surface.
Related Patterns
- lê/staan/hangPosition Verbs: Lê, Staan, Hang
Hang goes with aan: Die prent hang aan die muur.
Level 2 - Verbs With Fixed Prepositions
Verbs like dink aan that take a fixed preposition.
Level 3 - aan die + InfinitiveOngoing States: Aan Die Slaap
Aan die in phrases for ongoing states: aan die slaap.
Level 4 - virFor
Vir is the everyday word for to a person: Gee dit vir my.
Level 1 - byAt and Near: By
By (at, near) is another word for where someone or something is.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice aan in Bubblegum
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