Participles Before Nouns: gekookte, gesteelde
Before a noun: 'n gekookte eier, die gesteelde kar. After is: Die eier is gekook.
How It Works
1. Before a noun, add an ending. A regular participle is made with ge-: kook → gekook. Before a noun it needs -te or -de.
2. -te after k, p, s and f:
- gekook → 'n gekookte eier (a boiled egg)
- gebak → gebakte vis (fried fish)
- gestamp → gestampte mielies (stamped maize)
- gerook → gerookte snoek (smoked snoek)
3. -de after vowels and most other sounds:
- gesteel → die gesteelde kar (the stolen car)
- gebrei → 'n gebreide trui (a knitted jersey)
- gevul → 'n gevulde koek (a filled cake)
Verbs ending in -ig also take -de: 'n beskadigde kar (a damaged car), die Verenigde State (the United States). A few verbs have a special form, such as gevra → die gevraagde inligting (the requested information).
4. Participles without ge-. Participles without ge- follow the same rule: die vertaalde boek (the translated book), die betaalde rekening (the paid bill).
5. After is, no ending. After the noun, the plain form returns: Die eier is gekook. Die kar is gesteel.
Tip: some verbs keep an old form just for use as an adjective, such as 'n gebroke hart. See strong participles as adjectives.
Examples (6)
- Ek eet elke oggend 'n gekookte eier.
I eat a boiled egg every morning.
Word by Word: I eat every morning a boiled egg.
Kook ends in k, so the participle takes -te.
- Ons het gebakte vis en skyfies bestel.
We ordered fried fish and chips.
Word by Word: We have fried fish and chips ordered.
- Die polisie het die gesteelde kar gekry.
The police found the stolen car.
Word by Word: The police have the stolen car got.
Steel ends in l, so the participle takes -de.
- Stuur asseblief die gevraagde inligting voor Vrydag.
Please send the requested information before Friday.
Word by Word: Send please the asked information before Friday.
- Ouma het vir my 'n gebreide trui gegee.
Grandma gave me a knitted jersey.
Word by Word: Grandma has for me a knitted jersey given.
- Is die eiers al gekook?
Are the eggs boiled yet?
Word by Word: Are the eggs already boiled?
After is the participle has no ending.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the ending before a noun.
Ek eet 'n gekook eier.Ek eet 'n gekookte eier.Before a noun, a regular participle needs -te or -de. Kook ends in k, so it is gekookte.
Adding the ending after is.
Die eier is gekookte.Die eier is gekook.After is, word and similar verbs, the participle stays in its plain form.
Using -te after a sound that takes -de.
Die polisie het die gesteelte kar gekry.Die polisie het die gesteelde kar gekry.Steel ends in l, not in k, p, s or f, so the ending is -de.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A ge- form can describe a noun, taking the adjective ending.
Related Patterns
- Participles Without ge-
Participles such as vertaal and betaal take the same endings: die vertaalde boek.
Level 2 - Old Participles: gebroke, geskreweGebroke, Geskrewe: Old Participles as Adjectives
Some verbs use an old form before nouns instead: gebroke, geslote.
Level 4 - Past Passive: is + ge-The Past Passive: Is + Ge-
After is the participle keeps its plain form: Die kar is gesteel.
Level 3 - Adjectives Used as Nouns
A participle with its ending can also stand alone as a noun.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Participles Before Nouns: gekookte, gesteelde in Bubblegum
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