-heid
The -heid Suffix
-heid makes a noun from an adjective: vry → vryheid (freedom). Plural: moontlikhede (possibilities).
How It Works
1. Adjective + -heid.
- vry (free) → vryheid (freedom)
- waar (true) → waarheid (truth)
- gesond (healthy) → gesondheid (health)
- veilig (safe) → veiligheid (safety)
- moontlik (possible) → moontlikheid (possibility)
- skoon → skoonheid (beauty). Today skoon usually means clean, but the noun keeps its old meaning of beauty.
It combines easily with adjectives made with -lik and -ig: vriendelikheid (friendliness), eerlikheid (honesty), nuuskierigheid (curiosity).
2. The plural is -hede. moontlikheid → moontlikhede, waarheid → waarhede. Many -heid nouns name ideas and are rarely used in the plural.
3. In compounds. A -heid noun takes a linking s before a second noun: Vryheidsdag (Freedom Day), veiligheidsgordel (seat belt), gesondheidsorg (health care). See linking letters in compounds.
4. Other quality nouns. Some measurement adjectives use -te instead (lank → lengte), and relationship nouns often use -skap (vriendskap). Learn each noun as a word.
Examples (6)
- Vryheid is baie belangrik vir ons.
Freedom is very important to us.
Word by Word: Freedom is very important for us.
- Gesondheid is meer werd as geld.
Health is worth more than money.
Word by Word: Health is more worth than money.
- Vertel my die waarheid.
Tell me the truth.
Word by Word: Tell me the truth.
- Daar is baie moontlikhede.
There are many possibilities.
Word by Word: There are many possibilities.
The plural of -heid is -hede.
- Die skoonheid van die berge is asemrowend.
The beauty of the mountains is breathtaking.
Word by Word: The beauty of the mountains is breath-robbing.
- Sy vriendelikheid het my verras.
His friendliness surprised me.
Word by Word: His friendliness has me surprised.
Common Mistakes
Adding -e to -heid for the plural.
Daar is baie moontlikheide.Daar is baie moontlikhede.The plural of -heid is always -hede.
Leaving out the linking s in a compound.
Maak jou veiligheidgordel vas.Maak jou veiligheidsgordel vas.A -heid noun joins the next noun with a linking s: veiligheidsgordel, Vryheidsdag.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The suffix -heid turns an adjective into a noun.
Related Patterns
- -likThe -lik Suffix
-heid often turns -lik adjectives into nouns: vriendelik → vriendelikheid.
Level 3 - -igThe -ig Suffix
-heid also attaches to -ig adjectives: veilig → veiligheid.
Level 3 - -skapThe -skap Suffix
Another noun suffix, used for states and relationships such as vriendskap.
Level 4 - Nouns in -teLengte, Hoogte: Nouns in -te
Measurement adjectives form their nouns with -te instead: lank → lengte.
Level 4 - Linking Letters: -s-, -e-Linking Letters in Compounds
Explains the linking s in compounds such as veiligheidsgordel.
Level 3 - -ingThe -ing Suffix
The noun suffix for verbs, while -heid is the noun suffix for adjectives.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -heid in Bubblegum
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