word (Become)

To Become: Word

Level 2

Word means become or get: Dit word donker. (It is getting dark.) The past uses het: Hy het siek geword. (He got sick.)

How It Works

1. Present. Word is the same for every person: ek word, jy word, hulle word.

  • Dit word donker. (It is getting dark.)
  • Die kinders word so vinnig groot. (The children are growing up so fast.)

2. After a modal. Word goes to the end as an infinitive (see modal verb word order): Sy wil 'n dokter word. (She wants to become a doctor.)

3. The past. Use het + geword, with geword at the end (see het + ge-): Hy het siek geword. (He got sick.) The auxiliary is always het, never is.

4. Ages and jobs. Ek word volgende maand dertig. (I turn thirty next month.) Wat wil jy word as jy groot is? (What do you want to be when you grow up?)

5. Raak. The verb raak can also mean become in many cases: Dit raak donker. Both are correct.

Tip: Word is also the helper verb of the passive: Die huis word gebou (The house is being built). That is a later step (see the passive with word). When word is followed by the ge- form of another verb, such as gebou, it is the passive; when it is followed by an adjective or noun, it means become: Hy word weer gesond. (He is getting well again.)

Examples (6)

  1. Dit word donker.

    It is getting dark.

    Word by Word: It becomes dark.

  2. Sy wil 'n dokter word.

    She wants to become a doctor.

    Word by Word: She wants a doctor become.

    After the modal wil, word goes to the end.

  3. Hy het siek geword.

    He got sick.

    Word by Word: He has sick become.

    The past of word is het ... geword.

  4. Die kinders word so vinnig groot.

    The children are growing up so fast.

    Word by Word: The children become so fast big.

  5. Ek word volgende maand dertig.

    I turn thirty next month.

    Word by Word: I become next month thirty.

  6. Wat wil jy word as jy groot is?

    What do you want to be when you grow up?

    Word by Word: What want you become when you big are?

Common Mistakes

  • Using is instead of het in the past.

    Hy is siek geword.
    Hy het siek geword.

    Word forms its past with het. Is + geword is not used in Afrikaans.

  • Leaving out ge- in the past.

    Hy het siek word.
    Hy het siek geword.

    After het, word takes its ge- form, geword.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

word (Become)Level 2To Become: Word

Learn This First

Word means become and follows the regular present tense.

Words in This Pattern

wordgeword