One Concept, One Word
Afrikaans joins words that name one thing into one word: kombuis + tafel = kombuistafel (kitchen table). The last part says what it is: a kombuistafel is a kind of table.
How It Works
1. Write it as one word.
- skool + kind = skoolkind (schoolchild)
- kombuis + tafel = kombuistafel (kitchen table)
- boek + winkel = boekwinkel (bookshop)
- ys + kas = yskas (fridge, literally ice cupboard)
2. The last part is the main word. Swap the parts and the meaning changes: a blomtuin is a garden full of flowers, but a tuinblom is a flower that grows in a garden.
3. Endings go on the last part. The plural and the diminutive change only the end of the word: skoolkind → skoolkinders, boekwinkel → boekwinkels, yskas → yskassie (a small fridge).
4. The first part is not always a noun. It can be a verb stem, as in slaapkamer (bedroom, literally sleep room), or a small word like voor in voordeur (front door).
5. Linking letters and hyphens. Some compounds add a linking s or e between the parts: verjaarsdag (birthday), tandeborsel (toothbrush) (see linking letters in compounds). A hyphen is used only in special cases, such as when two vowels would run together and be misread: see-eend (sea duck) (see hyphens in compounds).
Tip: The stress usually falls on the first part: skoolkind, voordeur.
Examples (6)
- Die skoolkinders speel buite.
The schoolchildren are playing outside.
Word by Word: The schoolchildren play outside.
The plural ending goes on the last part: kind becomes kinders.
- Sit die borde op die kombuistafel.
Put the plates on the kitchen table.
Word by Word: Put the plates on the kitchen-table.
- Die melk staan in die yskas.
The milk is in the fridge.
Word by Word: The milk stands in the ice-cupboard.
Ys (ice) + kas (cupboard): the last part says what kind of thing it is.
- Sy werk in 'n boekwinkel.
She works in a bookshop.
Word by Word: She works in a book-shop.
- Maak asseblief die voordeur toe.
Please close the front door.
Word by Word: Make please the front-door closed.
- My slaapkamer is klein.
My bedroom is small.
Word by Word: My sleep-room is small.
The first part slaap is a verb stem.
Common Mistakes
Writing a compound as two words, as in English.
Sit dit op die kombuis tafel.Sit dit op die kombuistafel.A kitchen table is one thing, so Afrikaans writes it as one word.
Adding a hyphen where none is needed.
Sy werk in 'n boek-winkel.Sy werk in 'n boekwinkel.Compounds are normally written solid. A hyphen is only for special cases, such as two clashing vowels.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Compound nouns are written as one word and take die like any noun.
Related Patterns
- Linking Letters: -s-, -e-Linking Letters in Compounds
Some compounds join their parts with a linking s or e.
Level 3 - Hyphens in Compound Words
The special cases where a compound takes a hyphen.
Level 5 - -s (Plural)Plurals with -s
Many compounds form their plural with -s on the last part.
Level 1 - -e (Plural)Plurals with -e
Other compounds take -e on the last part, following that word.
Level 1 - Diminutive -ie
Diminutive endings also go on the last part of a compound.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
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