is
The English phrase "are" is translated as is in Afrikaans.
is is the present tense plural form of the verb to be.
Which one should you use?
In Afrikaans, there is no distinction between the singular 'is' (is) and the plural 'are' (are) used in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, the Afrikaans verb is is used for all persons in the present tense, including singular (he/she/it is) and plural (we/you/they are).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to conjugate is into different forms for plural subjects, but in Afrikaans, is remains unchanged regardless of the subject's number.
Did you know?
- Afrikaans often omits the verb is entirely in certain informal constructions where English would strictly require the word 'are'.
- While is is used for the present tense, Afrikaans does not have a dedicated plural form of the verb 'to be' in the past tense either. The word was is used for both 'was' and 'were'.
- The simplicity of the verb is is part of a larger historical trend where Afrikaans shed complex conjugations found in its parent language, Dutch.
Examples in context
- Jy is baie ryk.You are very wealthy.This sentence shows how to use is with a singular subject to describe wealth.Tatoeba #13458397 by Pietpetoors, translation #13455283 by Aghanim
- Wel, hier is ons!Well, here we are!This sentence demonstrates using is to indicate presence or location.Tatoeba #3445618 by siener, translation #30176 by jakov
- Ons is teen oorlog.We are against war.This sentence shows how to use is with a plural subject to express an opinion.Tatoeba #5507180 by CJuser01, translation #22850 by CC
- Daar'sThere's
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nicola and Andries are at a coffee shop.
- NicolaIs julle reg vir die koffie?Are you all ready for the coffee?
- AndriesJa, ons is baie honger.Yes, we are very hungry.
- NicolaDie koekies is heerlik hier.The cookies are delicious here.
- AndriesAndries en ek is reg.Andries and I are ready.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
