hul/jul
Short Forms Hul and Jul
Before a noun, hulle can shrink to hul and julle to jul: hul kinders (their children), jul huis (your house).
How It Works
1. Before a noun. As possessives, both forms are standard (see possessives ons, julle and hulle):
- hulle kinders = hul kinders (their children)
- julle huis = jul huis (your house, said to more than one person)
The short form is especially common when the full form has just been used as the subject: Die bure het hul huis verkoop. Hoekom het julle nie jul kinders saamgebring nie?
2. With -self. The reflexive forms are usually built on the short form: hulself (themselves) and julself (yourselves). See -self.
3. Use the full form everywhere else. As a subject or object, and whenever the word is stressed, use hulle and julle: Hulle is laat. Ek sien julle môre. Standing alone, the possessive is hulle s'n or julle s'n (see mine, yours, theirs), and the family form is always Ma-hulle (see noun + -hulle).
Tip: You never have to use hul or jul. The full forms are always correct, so learn to recognise the short ones and use them before nouns when you are comfortable. The short forms sound a little more written and formal, so in relaxed conversation most people say hulle and julle.
Examples (6)
- Die kinders speel met hul honde.
The children are playing with their dogs.
Word by Word: The children play with their dogs.
- Die bure het hul huis verkoop.
The neighbours sold their house.
Word by Word: The neighbours have their house sold.
- Hoekom het julle nie jul kinders saamgebring nie?
Why didn't you bring your children along?
Word by Word: Why have you not your children along-brought not?
Julle is the subject; jul is the possessive before kinders.
- Die spelers het hul bes gedoen.
The players did their best.
Word by Word: The players have their best done.
- Hulle het hulself goed voorberei.
They prepared themselves well.
Word by Word: They have themselves well prepared.
The reflexive is built on the short form: hulself.
- Maak julself tuis!
Make yourselves at home!
Word by Word: Make yourselves home!
Common Mistakes
Using hul on its own as a standalone possessive.
Die boeke is hul.Die boeke is hulle s'n.Hul only stands before a noun. When the possessive stands alone, as in theirs, use hulle s'n.
Shortening -hulle in family and group forms.
Ma-hul kom vanaand.Ma-hulle kom vanaand.The form meaning Mom and the others is fixed as Ma-hulle. The short form hul is not used there.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Hul and jul are short forms of hulle and julle.
Related Patterns
- ons/julle/hulleSubject Pronouns Plural
The full subject and object pronouns, which keep their full form.
Level 1 - myne/joune/syne/hare/s'nMine, Yours, Theirs
Standing alone, the possessive is hulle s'n or julle s'n, not hul.
Level 2 - -selfMyself, Yourself: -self
Hulself and julself are built on the short forms.
Level 2 - Noun + -hulleMa-Hulle: Someone and Their People
The group form Ma-hulle always keeps the full hulle.
Level 3 - Formal Written Afrikaans
Hul and jul are especially frequent in written Afrikaans.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice hul/jul in Bubblegum
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