be-
The Prefix Be-
Be- makes a verb that takes a direct object: Ek antwoord op die vraag → Ek beantwoord die vraag. The past has no ge-: Ek het die vraag beantwoord.
How It Works
1. Be- makes a direct object. Compare each simple verb with its be- partner:
- Ek antwoord op die vraag. → Ek beantwoord die vraag. (I answer the question.)
- Hulle woon op die eiland. → Hulle bewoon die eiland. (They live on / inhabit the island.)
- skryf (write) → beskryf (describe): Kan jy die man beskryf?
- dank (give thanks, mostly formal) → bedank (the everyday verb for thanking someone): Ek wil jou bedank.
Be- can also make verbs from adjectives: vry (free) → bevry (set free).
2. Common be- verbs to know. Many everyday verbs start with be-, even when there is no simple partner with a clear link in meaning: begin, besoek (visit), betaal (pay), bestel (order), besluit (decide), bedoel (mean), beloof (promise).
3. No ge- in the past. Be- is never stressed and never splits off, so, like the other unstressed prefixes, it takes no ge-:
- Ek het die vraag beantwoord.
- Ons het ons ouma besoek.
- Hy het die rekening betaal.
Te goes in front of the whole verb: Dit is moeilik om die vraag te beantwoord. Compare verbs whose prefix can split, in oorsteek or oortree.
4. Watch out for look-alikes. In some verbs be is simply part of the word, not a prefix. Bel (phone) is one example, so its past is gebel: Ek het jou gister gebel.
Other unstressed prefixes work the same way: ver- and ont- and her-.
Examples (6)
- Ek het die vraag beantwoord.
I answered the question.
Word by Word: I have the question answered.
Be- takes no ge-, so the participle is beantwoord.
- Beantwoord asseblief al die vrae.
Please answer all the questions.
Word by Word: Answer please all the questions.
- Hy wil jou vir die geskenk bedank.
He wants to thank you for the gift.
Word by Word: He wants you for the gift thank.
- Net twintig mense bewoon die klein eiland.
Only twenty people live on the small island.
Word by Word: Only twenty people inhabit the small island.
Bewoon takes the island as a direct object; plain woon needs op: Hulle woon op die eiland.
- Kan jy die man beskryf wat jy gesien het?
Can you describe the man you saw?
Word by Word: Can you the man describe who you seen have?
- Ons het ons ouma in die vakansie besoek.
We visited our grandmother during the holidays.
Word by Word: We have our grandma in the holiday visited.
Common Mistakes
Adding ge- to a be- verb.
Ek het die vraag gebeantwoord.Ek het die vraag beantwoord.Be- is an unstressed prefix, so standard Afrikaans adds no ge-. You may hear forms with ge- in very casual speech, but they are not standard.
Keeping the preposition after a be- verb.
Ek beantwoord op jou vraag.Ek beantwoord jou vraag.Be- already turns the question into a direct object. Use either antwoord op or beantwoord, not both.
Using the plain verb with a direct object.
Hulle woon die eiland.Hulle bewoon die eiland.Plain woon needs a preposition: Hulle woon op die eiland. To take the island as a direct object, use bewoon.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Be- is an inseparable prefix.
Related Patterns
- Participles Without ge-
The rule that be- verbs, like other unstressed prefixes, take no ge-.
Level 2 - ver-The Prefix Ver-
Another unstressed prefix that forms verbs without ge- in the past.
Level 4 - ont-/her-The Prefixes Ont- and Her-
Two more unstressed prefixes that work like be-.
Level 4 - Verbs With Fixed Prepositions
Many simple verbs need a fixed preposition that the be- verb no longer needs.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice be- in Bubblegum
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