Mastering Afrikaans Pronouns: Part 3 – Personal Pronouns (including exceptions)

 

Build on what you have learned in Parts 1 and 2. By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand how personal pronouns behave with words like “het,” “besit,” and conjunctions, even when possession is involved.

Persoonlike voornaamwoorde (possessive pronouns) with exceptions to the rule.

 The Possessive pronoun with the word “besit” and “het”

 If the pronoun is used with the word “besit” or “het” it is a personal pronoun even if it indicates possession.

Personal pronoun	Personal pronoun example	Personal pronoun with "besit"	Personal pronoun with "het"
Ek (I)	Ek eet die koek.	Ek besit ‘n kar.	Ek het ‘n hond.
Jy (you)	Jy eet die koek.	Jy besit ‘n kar.	Jy het ‘n hond.
Hy (he)	Hy eet die koek.	Hy besit ‘n kar.	Hy het ‘n hond.
Sy (she)	Sy eet die koek.	Sy besit ‘n kar.	Sy het ‘n hond.
Ons (we)	Ons eet die koek.	Ons besit ‘n kar.	Ons het ‘n hond.
Julle (you – meer as een persoon)	Julle eet die koek.	Julle besit ‘n kar.	Julle het ‘n hond.
Hulle (they)	Hulle eet die koek.	Hulle besit ‘n kar.	Hulle het ‘n hond.

  

Personal pronouns that come after a conjunction

The personal pronoun does not change if it is placed after a conjunction. Treat the bit after the conjunction as if it's a new sentence.

Personal pronoun	Personal pronoun example	Personal pronoun with a conjunction
Ek (I)	Ek eet die koek.	Hy eet ‘n koek en ek eet ‘n appel
Jy (you)	Jy eet die koek.	Hy eet ‘n koek en jy eet ‘n appel
Hy (he)	Hy eet die koek.	Hy eet ‘n koek en hy eet ‘n appel
Sy (she)	Sy eet die koek.	Hy eet ‘n koek en sy eet ‘n appel
Ons (we)	Ons eet die koek.	Hy eet ‘n koek en ons eet ‘n appel
Julle (you – more than one person)	Julle eet die koek.	Hy eet ‘n koek en julle eet ‘n appel
Hulle (they)	Hulle eet die koek.	Hy eet ‘n koek en hulle eet ‘n appel

 

Click the following link to go to the next lesson:

When to use which pronouns in Afrikaans: Part 4 (reflexive pronouns)

 

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Refrecences.

Lutrin, B. (1999). Afrikaans handbook & study guide: An English student’s guide to Afrikaans. Sandton: Berlut Books.

de Jonge, A. (n.d.). Leer Afrikaans sonder om jou rieme styf te loop. Graffiti Boeke.

De Klerk, P. F., Esterhuizen, B. J., Hammann, H. J. R., & Neethling, E. L. (1986). Afrikaans my taal. Maskew Miller Longman.

Nel, M. (2019). Afrikaans+: Everything you need to obtain top marks. LAPA Uitgewers.

The majority of this course content is based on the author’s experience, practice, and self-study.

 

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