sedert/sinds
Since
Sedert and sinds mean since: sedert Januarie, Ek woon hier sinds ek klein was. (I have lived here since I was small.)
How It Works
1. Before a time. As prepositions they come before a point in time:
- Ek woon sedert Januarie in Pretoria. (I have lived in Pretoria since January.)
- Dit reën al sedert gisteraand. (It has been raining since last night.)
2. Before a clause. As conjunctions they send the verb to the end (see verb at the end): Ek woon hier sinds ek klein was. (I have lived here since I was small.) A fronted clause is followed by the main verb: Sedert hy sy werk verloor het, woon hy by sy ouers.
3. Present tense for what still goes on. English says I have lived, but Afrikaans uses the present, often with al: Ek woon sedert 2019 hier. (I have lived here since 2019.) See al + present.
4. Sedert or sinds? Both are standard and mean the same. Sedert is the more common word. In speech you will also hear vandat: vandat ek klein was.
5. Since then. On its own, since then is sedertdien or sindsdien: Sy het sedertdien nie weer gebel nie. (She hasn't called again since then.)
6. Not for a reason. English since can also mean because. For that meaning, use omdat or aangesien, never sedert.
Examples (6)
- Ek woon sedert Januarie in Pretoria.
I have lived in Pretoria since January.
Word by Word: I live since January in Pretoria.
Afrikaans uses the present woon for a situation that is still going on.
- Ek woon hier sinds ek klein was.
I have lived here since I was small.
Word by Word: I live here since I small was.
As a conjunction, sinds sends was to the end.
- Sedert hy sy werk verloor het, woon hy by sy ouers.
Since he lost his job, he has been living with his parents.
Word by Word: Since he his work lost has, lives he with his parents.
- Ons is sedert ons skooldae vriende.
We have been friends since our school days.
Word by Word: We are since our school-days friends.
- Dit reën al sedert gisteraand.
It has been raining since last night.
Word by Word: It rains already since yesterday-evening.
- Sy het sedertdien nie weer gebel nie.
She hasn't called again since then.
Word by Word: She has since-then not again called not.
Since then, with no time or clause after it, is sedertdien.
Common Mistakes
Using sedert for since meaning because.
Sedert dit reën, bly ons binne.Aangesien dit reën, bly ons binne.Sedert only points to time. Here since gives a reason, so use aangesien or omdat.
Keeping the verb in second place after sinds.
Ek woon hier sinds ek was klein.Ek woon hier sinds ek klein was.As a conjunction, sinds starts a subordinate clause, so its verb goes to the end.
Using sedert on its own for since then.
Ek het hom sedert nie gesien nie.Ek het hom sedertdien nie gesien nie.Sedert needs a time or a clause after it. On its own, since then is sedertdien.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Sedert and sinds start a subordinate clause, so its verbs go to the end.
Related Patterns
- al + Present (How Long)How Long: Al + Present
Afrikaans uses al with the present tense for something that is still going on.
Level 3 - aangesienSince (Reason): Aangesien
Aangesien means since in the sense of because.
Level 4 - omdatBecause (Omdat)
Omdat gives a reason, which sedert never does.
Level 2 - van ... af/na ... toeVan ... Af and Na ... Toe
Van ... af also marks a starting point in time or place.
Level 3 - totUntil: Tot
Tot marks the end point, as sedert marks the starting point.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice sedert/sinds in Bubblegum
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