-ing
The -ing Suffix
-ing makes a noun from a verb: vergader → vergadering (meeting), teken → tekening (drawing).
How It Works
1. Verb + -ing.
- vergader (to meet) → vergadering (a meeting)
- teken (to draw) → tekening (a drawing)
- oefen (to practise) → oefening (an exercise)
- verander (to change) → verandering (a change)
- uitnodig (to invite) → uitnodiging (an invitation)
2. Spelling changes. The rules are the same as for plural spelling:
- A double vowel becomes single: verklaar → verklaring (explanation), regeer → regering (government), betaal → betaling (payment).
- A consonant after a short stressed vowel doubles: bestel → bestelling (order). The root los in oplos keeps its own short vowel, so it doubles too, just as in losse: oplos → oplossing (solution).
3. Some add t. Several verbs ending in a short vowel plus g add -ting: verwag → verwagting (expectation), verplig → verpligting (obligation), stig → stigting (foundation). Learn these as words.
4. Plural. -ing nouns usually take -s: vergaderings, tekenings. The plural in -e, such as vergaderinge, is also correct and sounds more formal.
5. Not English -ing. Afrikaans never uses -ing to form a tense. For I am reading, say Ek lees or Ek is besig om te lees (see besig om te). For an activity in general, Afrikaans often uses the infinitive as a noun: Swem is gesond (see verbs as nouns).
6. Diminutives. Because -ing is unstressed, its diminutive is -inkie: tekening → tekeninkie (see diminutive -kie).
Examples (6)
- Die vergadering begin om nege-uur.
The meeting starts at nine o'clock.
Word by Word: The meeting begins at nine-hour.
- Kyk na my tekening!
Look at my drawing!
Word by Word: Look at my drawing!
- Ons het jou bestelling ontvang.
We have received your order.
Word by Word: We have your order received.
- Daar is 'n eenvoudige oplossing.
There is a simple solution.
Word by Word: There is a simple solution.
- Die regering het nuwe wette gemaak.
The government made new laws.
Word by Word: The government has new laws made.
- Sy het hoë verwagtings.
She has high expectations.
Word by Word: She has high expectations.
Verwagting has an extra t; its plural can also be verwagtinge.
Common Mistakes
Using -ing to form a verb tense, as in English.
Ek is lesing 'n boek.Ek lees 'n boek.Afrikaans has one present tense form, so I am reading is Ek lees. The noun lesing means a lecture or a reading, not the act of reading right now.
Forgetting to double the consonant after a short stressed vowel.
Dit is 'n goeie oplosing.Dit is 'n goeie oplossing.The o of the root los in oplos is short, so the s doubles before -ing, just as in losse: oplossing.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The ending -ing forms an action, event or result noun from a verb stem, with the usual spelling changes.
Related Patterns
- -heidThe -heid Suffix
The noun suffix for adjectives, while -ing is the noun suffix for verbs.
Level 3 - -er (Doer)The Doer Suffix -er
-er names the person who does an action; -ing names the action or its result.
Level 3 - Verbs as Nouns: die swemDie Swem: Verbs as Nouns
The plain infinitive can also act as a noun for an activity: die swem.
Level 4 - ver-The Prefix Ver-
Many -ing nouns come from ver- verbs, such as verandering and verwagting.
Level 4 - Diminutive -kie
Nouns in unstressed -ing form their diminutive with -inkie.
Level 3 - is besig om teIn the Middle of Doing: Besig Om Te
How Afrikaans expresses English progressive -ing.
Level 2
Practice -ing in Bubblegum
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