as (Than)
Than: As
comparative + as = than: vinniger as die bus · ouer as ek · meer as genoeg
How It Works
The basic pattern
Put as after the comparative, then the thing you compare with: Die trein is vinniger as die bus. (The train is faster than the bus.)
Pronouns after as
Standard Afrikaans uses the subject form, because a verb is understood after it: Hy is ouer as ek (than I am), Sy werk harder as hulle.
Amounts
Meer ... as and minder ... as compare amounts: Sy het meer boeke as ek. Dit kos minder as honderd rand.
A whole clause after as
To compare with a full clause, Afrikaans usually says as wat, and the verbs go to the end as in other subordinate clauses: Die toets was makliker as wat ek gedink het.
Watch out
- In Afrikaans, dan means then. It never means than, as it does in Dutch.
- Soos never follows a comparative. Groter soos is wrong. Say groter as.
- This as is different from as meaning if or when. The comparative in front of it tells you which one you have.
Examples (6)
- Hy is ouer as ek.
He is older than me.
Word by Word: He is older than I.
- Die trein is vinniger as die bus.
The train is faster than the bus.
Word by Word: The train is faster than the bus.
- My broer is langer as my pa.
My brother is taller than my dad.
Word by Word: My brother is taller than my dad.
- Sy het meer boeke as ek.
She has more books than I do.
Word by Word: She has more books than I.
- Vandag is dit warmer as gister.
Today it is warmer than yesterday.
Word by Word: Today is it warmer than yesterday.
Vandag comes first, so the verb is comes before dit.
- Die toets was makliker as wat ek gedink het.
The test was easier than I thought.
Word by Word: The test was easier than what I thought had.
Before a full clause, as wat is common, and the verbs go to the end.
Common Mistakes
Using Dutch dan for than.
Hy is groter dan sy broer.Hy is groter as sy broer.In Afrikaans, dan means then. After a comparative, than is always as.
Using soos after a comparative.
Die trein is vinniger soos die bus.Die trein is vinniger as die bus.Soos is for equal things, as in so vinnig soos. After a comparative, use as.
Keeping English word order in the clause after as wat.
Dit was makliker as wat ek het gedink.Dit was makliker as wat ek gedink het.The clause after as wat is a subordinate clause, so the verbs go to the end.
How It Connects
Learn This First
As means than after a comparative.
Related Patterns
- Irregular Comparisons
Beter, meer, minder and liewer are followed by as in the same way.
Level 2 - so ... soosAs ... as: So ... Soos
For two equal things, Afrikaans uses so ... soos instead of as.
Level 2 - Superlative -ste
The superlative compares with a whole group and needs no as.
Level 2 - as (If)If and When: As
The same word as also means if or when, but then no comparative comes before it.
Level 2 - Verb at the End in Subordinate Clauses
A clause after as wat puts its verbs at the end.
Level 2
Practice as (Than) in Bubblegum
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