Adjective + -e
When Adjectives Take -e
Before a noun: 'n pragtige dag, 'n interessante boek · many short words stay: 'n groot huis, 'n mooi rok · after is: Die dag is pragtig.
How It Works
Longer adjectives take -e
Most adjectives with two or more syllables add -e before a noun, including those ending in -ig, -lik and -baar: pragtig → 'n pragtige dag, vriendelik → 'n vriendelike man, interessant → 'n interessante boek, gelukkig → die gelukkige kind. Watch the spelling: bruikbaar becomes bruikbare, because the syllable is now open. See Long Vowels: One Letter or Two.
Exceptions among longer words
Adjectives ending in an unstressed -er usually stay as they are: 'n lekker ete, 'n donker kamer, 'n ander dag. Adjectives that already end in -e do not add another: 'n tevrede kliënt.
Short adjectives
Many one-syllable adjectives never change: 'n groot huis, 'n klein kind, 'n mooi rok, die rooi kar, 'n warm dag. Others take -e and often change their sound, such as goed → goeie and koud → koue. Those are covered in Goed Becomes Goeie. For short adjectives, learn the form before a noun together with the word.
No -e after is
When the adjective comes after the noun and a verb such as is or word, it has no ending: Die dag is pragtig. Die boek is interessant. The same plain form is used as an adverb: Sy sing pragtig. See Adjectives Used as Adverbs.
Examples (6)
- Dit was 'n pragtige dag.
It was a beautiful day.
Word by Word: It was a beautiful day.
- Ek lees 'n interessante boek.
I am reading an interesting book.
Word by Word: I read an interesting book.
- Die gelukkige kind speel buite.
The happy child is playing outside.
Word by Word: The happy child plays outside.
- Hulle woon in 'n groot huis.
They live in a big house.
Word by Word: They live in a big house.
Groot is one of the many short adjectives that never add -e.
- Daar is pragtige blomme in die tuin.
There are beautiful flowers in the garden.
Word by Word: There are beautiful flowers in the garden.
The -e stays the same in the plural.
- Die dag is pragtig.
The day is beautiful.
Word by Word: The day is beautiful.
After is, pragtig has no -e.
Common Mistakes
Adding -e to an adjective after is.
Die boek is interessante.Die boek is interessant.The -e is only used before a noun. After is, the adjective keeps its basic form.
Leaving out the -e on a longer adjective before a noun.
Dit was 'n pragtig dag.Dit was 'n pragtige dag.Adjectives such as pragtig add -e when they come before the noun.
Adding -e to a short adjective that never takes it.
Hulle woon in 'n grote huis.Hulle woon in 'n groot huis.Groot stays groot before a noun. Many short adjectives never add -e.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Many adjectives add -e when they stand before a noun.
Related Patterns
- goed → goeieGoed Becomes Goeie
Some short adjectives change their sound when they take the -e.
Level 2 - Adjectives Used as Adverbs
The adverb uses the plain form without -e.
Level 1 - Participles Before Nouns: gekookte, gesteelde
Ge- forms before a noun take an ending in a similar way.
Level 3 - Adjectives Used as Nouns
An adjective with -e can stand in for a noun.
Level 3 - Place Adjectives in -seKaapse, Suid-Afrikaanse: Place Adjectives
Adjectives from place names end in -se before a noun.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Adjective + -e in Bubblegum
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