terwyl

While

Level 2

Terwyl means while and sends the verb to the end: Sy luister na musiek terwyl sy werk.

How It Works

1. At the same time. Terwyl shows that two things happen together:

  • Sy luister na musiek terwyl sy werk. (She listens to music while she works.)
  • Terwyl ek kook, dek hy die tafel. (While I cook, he sets the table.)

2. Word order. The verb goes to the end of the terwyl-clause (see verb at the end). A terwyl-clause at the start fills first place, so the main clause begins with its verb (see starting with a subordinate clause).

3. In the past. Both clauses can use het + participle: Terwyl ons gewag het, het ons koffie gedrink. (While we were waiting, we drank coffee.) Afrikaans has no special -ing form for this. To stress that an action was in progress, see besig om te.

4. Whereas. Terwyl can also contrast two facts: Hy hou van tee, terwyl sy koffie verkies. (He likes tea, whereas she prefers coffee.)

5. Terwyl needs a clause. Before a noun on its own, use a preposition such as tydens (during): tydens die ete (during the meal).

Examples (6)

  1. Sy luister na musiek terwyl sy werk.

    She listens to music while she works.

    Word by Word: She listens to music while she works.

  2. Terwyl ek kook, dek hy die tafel.

    While I cook, he sets the table.

    Word by Word: While I cook, sets he the table.

    The terwyl-clause comes first, so the main clause starts with dek.

  3. Die kinders het gespeel terwyl ons gepraat het.

    The children played while we talked.

    Word by Word: The children have played while we talked have.

  4. Moenie jou foon gebruik terwyl jy bestuur nie.

    Don't use your phone while you're driving.

    Word by Word: Don't your phone use while you drive not.

    The closing nie of moenie comes at the very end.

  5. Hy hou van tee, terwyl sy koffie verkies.

    He likes tea, whereas she prefers coffee.

    Word by Word: He holds of tea, while she coffee prefers.

    Here terwyl contrasts two facts.

  6. Terwyl ons gewag het, het ons koffie gedrink.

    While we were waiting, we drank coffee.

    Word by Word: While we waited have, have we coffee drunk.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping main-clause order after terwyl.

    Sy sing terwyl sy is in die stort.
    Sy sing terwyl sy in die stort is.

    Terwyl sends the verb to the end of its clause.

  • Using terwyl before a noun.

    Terwyl die ete het hy niks gesê nie.
    Tydens die ete het hy niks gesê nie.

    Terwyl must be followed by a clause with a subject and a verb. Before a noun, use tydens.

  • Putting the subject first in the main clause after a terwyl-clause.

    Terwyl ek kook, hy dek die tafel.
    Terwyl ek kook, dek hy die tafel.

    The terwyl-clause fills first place, so the main verb must come next.

How It Connects

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

terwylLevel 2While

Learn This First

Terwyl starts a subordinate clause, so its verbs go to the end.

Words in This Pattern

terwyl