hoe was jou dag
To ask "how was your day" in Afrikaans, you say hoe was jou dag.
This phrase is used to inquire about the events and the quality of someone's day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hoe (how), was (was), jou (your) and dag (day).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase hoe was jou dag, the word jou is the possessive pronoun for "your" used with singular subjects.
When do people say it?
A common response to this question is Dit was goed, dankie (It was good, thank you).
Did you know?
- The word dag shares an ancient root with the concept of burning or being illuminated, as it comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰegʷʰ-.
- In South Africa, a short dag can be used as a greeting or a goodbye, as it is a shortening of goedendag.
- While hoe was jou dag is common, Afrikaans speakers often use the word lekker to describe a day that was not just 'good' but pleasant and enjoyable.
Examples in context
- Hoe was jou dag?How was your day?
- Hoe was jou dag vandag?How was your day today?
- Ek wil weet, hoe was jou dag?I want to know, how was your day?
Example conversation
Stefan and Nicola are meeting at home after work.
- StefanHallo Nicola, hoe was jou dag?Hello Nicola, how was your day?
- NicolaDit was baie lank, maar goed.It was very long, but good.
- StefanEk is bly om dit te hoor.I am glad to hear that.
- NicolaDankie, Stefan. En joune?Thanks, Stefan. And yours?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dag, hoe, jou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
