'n
/ə/
The English phrase "a" is translated into Afrikaans as 'n.
'n is an indefinite article used before a singular countable noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, which switches between "a" and "an" based on the following sound, Afrikaans uses the single form 'n regardless of whether the following word starts with a vowel or a consonant.
How do you pronounce it?
/ə/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use "an" before words starting with vowels, but in Afrikaans, you must always use 'n.
Did you know?
- The word 'n is actually a shortened version of the word een, which means both 'one' and 'a'.
- While 'n is common, Afrikaans has no equivalent to the English 'some' when used as an indefinite article before an uncountable noun, often leaving the space blank.
- If you want to emphasize that there is exactly 'one' of something, you must switch from 'n to the full word een.
Examples in context
- Ek het 'n kar.I have a car.Tatoeba #657427 by winterstream, translation #252272 by CK
- Het jy 'n kar?Do you have a car?Tatoeba #759037 by siener, translation #69236 by CK
- Ek het 'n pen.I have a pen.Tatoeba #5907292 by CJuser01, translation #255571 by CK
- Ek het 'n hond.I have a dog.
- Hy het 'n kat.He has a cat.
- Hierdie is 'n boek.This is a book.
- Sy het 'n huis.She has a house.
- Hy het 'n motor.He has a car.
- Sy eet 'n burger.She is eating a burger.
- Ek het 'n bietjie geld.I have a little money.
- Hy het 'n bietjie tyd.He has a little time.
- Ek sien 'n blom.I see a flower.
- Hy stuur 'n boodskap.He sends a message.
- Sy het 'n motorfiets.She has a motorcycle.
- Ons drink 'n koffie.We are having a coffee.
- Jy het 'n vriend.You have a friend.
- 400 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anika and Stefan are talking about a movie.
- AnikaHet jy 'n kaartjie vir die fliek?Do you have a ticket for the movie?
- StefanJa, ek het 'n kaartjie.Yes, I have a ticket.
- AnikaIs daar 'n plek by jou?Is there a spot next to you?
- StefanJa, daar is 'n stoel hier.Yes, there is a chair here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 'n, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 'n, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
