-ende (Participle)
The -ende Participle
'n slapende kind (a sleeping child), lopende water (running water). The -ende form describes a noun; it does not make an English -ing tense.
How It Works
1. Forming it. Add -ende to the verb:
- slaap → slapende, loop → lopende, kom → komende, brand → brandende, volg → volgende
The spelling changes like other endings: a long vowel written with two letters is written with one before -ende (slaap → slapende), and a short vowel doubles the consonant after it (swem → swemmende). See long vowels: one letter or two. A few are irregular, such as sterf → sterwende (dying).
2. Before a noun. This is its main job:
- 'n brandende kers (a burning candle)
- die volgende dag (the next day)
- die komende week (the coming week)
3. Words that became adjectives. Some -end words are now ordinary adjectives. After a verb such as is they drop the -e: 'n opwindende fliek but Die fliek was opwindend. (The film was exciting.) Others are dringend (urgent) and voortdurend (constant).
4. Not a tense. Afrikaans has no is ...-ing tense. For something happening now, use the present tense or is besig om te: Die baba slaap. (The baby is sleeping.)
5. Past or present? The -ende form describes something still doing the action. The ge- form describes something the action was done to (see participles before nouns): kokende water (boiling water) but gekookte water (boiled water).
Tip: For while doing, Afrikaans uses al + -ende: al lopende (while walking). Formal writing also uses -ende to start a phrase (see participle clauses).
Examples (6)
- Moenie die slapende kind wakker maak nie.
Don't wake the sleeping child.
Word by Word: Don't the sleeping child awake make not.
- Ons het lopende water in die kamer.
We have running water in the room.
Word by Word: We have running water in the room.
- Ek is die komende week met vakansie.
I'm on holiday this coming week.
Word by Word: I am the coming week with holiday.
- Sy het 'n brandende kers op die tafel gesit.
She put a burning candle on the table.
Word by Word: She has a burning candle on the table put.
- Die volgende dag het dit gereën.
The next day it rained.
Word by Word: The following day has it rained.
- Die sterwende man het na sy seun gevra.
The dying man asked for his son.
Word by Word: The dying man has for his son asked.
Sterf has an irregular -ende form: sterwende.
Common Mistakes
Using -ende to make an English-style is ...-ing tense.
Die kind is slapende.Die kind slaap.The -ende form describes a noun. For something happening now, Afrikaans uses the present tense.
Keeping the double vowel before -ende.
Ons het loopende water.Ons het lopende water.Before -ende the syllable is open, so the long o is written with one letter: lopende.
Using the bare verb before a noun.
Moenie die slaap kind wakker maak nie.Moenie die slapende kind wakker maak nie.A verb must take -ende before it can describe a noun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The present participle forms an adjective in -ende and follows the usual stem-spelling rules.
Related Patterns
- Old Participles: gebroke, geskreweGebroke, Geskrewe: Old Participles as Adjectives
Other old verb forms used only as adjectives, such as gebroke.
Level 4 - al + -endeWhile Doing: Al Lopende
Uses the -ende form to say while doing: al lopende.
Level 5 - is besig om teIn the Middle of Doing: Besig Om Te
The usual way to stress that something is happening right now.
Level 2 - Participle Clauses
Formal phrases that start with an -ende form.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ende (Participle) in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Afrikaans lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
