The Infinitive in Afrikaans: om te – part 4 (om and te on their own)

📘 Who this is for: CAPS, IEB, Cambridge students (FAL and SAL Grades 7–12) and adult Afrikaans learners.

Learn how to use 'om' and 'te' in Afrikaans if they are on their own and not part of the infinitive (om te)."

"Om" and "te" on their own

"Om te" can form an infinitive when they are used together in a sentence, but "om" and "te" can also be used on their own. However if either of these words are used without the other one they can mean something completely different. 

"Om" on its own

On its own "om" means something like "around."

Example 1

I like people around me.

Ek hou van mense om my.

Example 2

The children ran around the house.
Die kinders het om die huis gehardloop.

"Te" on its own

On its own "te" means "too." 

Example 1

It is too hot.

Dit is te warem.

Example 2

There are too many people here.

Daar is te veel mense hier.

Using "om" and "te" with the infinitive.

You can use "om" and "te" with the infinitive in more complicated sentences.

Example 1

It is too cold to swim right now.

Dit is te koud om op die oomblik te swem.

Example 2

I like to have people around me.

Ek hou daarvan om mense om my te hê.

Example 3

I am too tired to have so many people around me.

Ek is te moeg om so by mense om my te hê.

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