party/sommige/'n paar
Some and a Few
'n Paar means a few: 'n paar dae. Party and sommige mean some: Party mense hou van reën. (Some people like rain.)
How It Works
1. 'n Paar: a few. It goes before a plural noun: 'n paar dae (a few days), 'n paar vrae (a few questions). It can also mean a pair: 'n paar skoene (a pair of shoes).
2. Party and sommige: some. Both mean some, pointing to part of a group:
- Party mense hou van reën. (Some people like rain.)
- Sommige winkels is op Sondag oop. (Some shops are open on Sunday.)
Party is more common in speech. Sommige is more usual in writing.
3. Some ... others. Party and sommige can stand on their own. They pair up to contrast two groups: Party was duur, party was goedkoop. (Some were expensive, others were cheap.) With sommige, the second word is ander: Sommige was duur, ander was goedkoop.
4. Some of the ... Add van die: Sommige van die kinders (some of the children). You will also hear just van die: Van die kinders was siek. (Some of the children were ill.)
5. Not with uncountable nouns. Party, sommige and 'n paar go with things you can count. For some with water, bread or time, use 'n bietjie: Wil jy 'n bietjie water hê? (Would you like some water?)
Tip: Party also means a political party, but a celebration is a partytjie. For all and every, see elke, alle, almal and alles.
Examples (6)
- Ek bly 'n paar dae by my ouma.
I'm staying with my grandma for a few days.
Word by Word: I stay a few days by my grandma.
- Party mense hou van reën.
Some people like rain.
Word by Word: Some people hold of rain.
- Sommige winkels is op Sondag oop.
Some shops are open on Sunday.
Word by Word: Some shops are on Sunday open.
- Party was duur, party was goedkoop.
Some were expensive, others were cheap.
Word by Word: Some were expensive, some were cheap.
Party can stand on its own, and two of them contrast two groups.
- Ek het 'n paar vrae.
I have a few questions.
Word by Word: I have a few questions.
- Sommige van die kinders het hulle huiswerk vergeet.
Some of the children forgot their homework.
Word by Word: Some of the children have their homework forgotten.
Common Mistakes
Using sommige with a noun you cannot count.
Ek wil sommige water hê.Ek wil 'n bietjie water hê.Sommige, party and 'n paar go with countable nouns. For some water, say 'n bietjie water.
Using a singular noun after 'n paar.
Ons bly 'n paar dag.Ons bly 'n paar dae.'n Paar means a few, so an ordinary noun such as dag takes the plural: 'n paar dae. Only unit words such as jaar and keer stay singular.
Using party for a celebration.
Ons hou Saterdag 'n party.Ons hou Saterdag 'n partytjie.In Afrikaans, a celebration is a partytjie. Party means some, or a political party.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These words for some and a few are used with plural nouns.
Related Patterns
- elke/alle/almal/allesEvery, All, Everyone, Everything
Words for every and all, the opposite end of the scale.
Level 2 - enige/enigiets/enigiemandAny: Enige
Enige means any, which is close to some in questions.
Level 3 - iets/niksSomething and Nothing
Iets means something, for things rather than groups.
Level 2 - iemand/niemandSomeone and No One
Iemand means someone, for one person.
Level 2 - A Cup Of: 'n koppie koffie
Another way to talk about amounts, like 'n koppie koffie.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice party/sommige/'n paar in Bubblegum
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