gaan
/ˈχɑːn/
The Afrikaans verb for 'go' is gaan.
gaan is used to describe moving through space, particularly from one place to another. Similar to its use in English, gaan can also function as an auxiliary verb to express a future intention or an action that is about to happen, such as saying one is 'going to' do something.
Meaning: to move through space (especially from one place to another) (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The present tense form of the verb is gaan. To form the past tense, use the auxiliary verb het combined with the past participle gegaan (het gegaan).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈχɑːn/
Did you know?
- In Afrikaans, gaan is used in the common greeting Hoe gaan dit?, which literally means 'How does it go?' but functions as 'How are you?'
- The word gaan originates from a fusion of two different Proto-Germanic verbs, *gāną and *ganganą, which both related to walking.
- If you want to say you are 'going' to a party, you use gaan, but if you are describing the act of walking specifically, you might use the word loop.
Examples in context
- Wil sy gaan of nie?Does she want to go or not?This sentence shows how to use gaan when asking about someone's intention to go.Tatoeba #13585260 by Pietpetoors, translation #11457670 by qwertzu
- Ek gaan slaap om tien.I go to bed about ten.This sentence demonstrates using gaan to describe a routine action like going to sleep.Tatoeba #2364311 by siener, translation #252409 by CK
- Tom sal sekerlik gaan.Tom ought to go.This sentence illustrates using gaan to express that someone ought to go.Tatoeba #6456506 by Dewald, translation #6440611 by CK
- Ek gaanI go
- Jy gaanYou go
- Hy gaanHe goes
- Sy gaanShe goes
- Ons gaanWe go
- Julle gaanYou (plural) go
- Hulle gaanThey go
- Ek bring my kinders skooltoe.I take my children to school.
- Ons vertrek môre vroegoggend.We are leaving early tomorrow morning.
- Skuus, ek is besig. Gaan speel buite.Sorry, I am busy. Go play outside.
- Julle doen goed, hou koers!You're doing well, keep going!
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andries and Marelize are deciding whether to leave a party.
- AndriesMarelize, gaan ons nou?Marelize, are we going now?
- MarelizeEk weet nie, Andries.I don't know, Andries.
- AndriesOns moet gaan voor dit reën.We must go before it rains.
- MarelizeJy is reg, kom ons gaan.You are right, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go” translations and entries gaan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gaan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
