sê
/sɛː/
The English phrase 'say' is translated into Afrikaans as sê.
The verb sê is used to communicate information either verbally or in writing.
Meaning: to communicate verbally or in writing (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cape Town, the term seg is used as an informal variation of sê.
How does it change in a sentence?
sê is an irregular verb. Its past tense is also sê, and its past participle is gesê. When forming the past tense in a sentence, sê is used with the auxiliary verb het to form gesê het.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of sê is /sɛː/.
Did you know?
- The Afrikaans word sê shares a common ancestor with the English word 'say', tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *sekʷ-, which also gave rise to the Latin 'sequi', meaning 'to follow'.
- If someone says Dit is gesê, they are not just reporting a past statement, but are often implying that a decision is final and not up for discussion.
- In Afrikaans, sê is used in the common expression sê maar, which acts as a conversational filler to encourage the other person to keep talking.
Examples in context
- Tom sal nee sê.Tom will say no.This example shows how to use sê to express a simple refusal.Tatoeba #6456508 by Dewald, translation #6440610 by CK
- Daar is niks meer om te sê nie!There is nothing left to say!This example demonstrates the use of sê when expressing that nothing remains to be communicated.Tatoeba #13370575 by Pietpetoors, translation #4066585 by Asynja
- Kan jy verstaan wat hy probeer sê?Can you make out what he is trying to say?This example illustrates the use of sê when trying to understand someone's intended meaning.Tatoeba #2364221 by siener, translation #283427 by CK
- Hoor ek reg wat jy sê?Do I hear you correctly?
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Johan and Liezel are talking on the phone about a message.
- JohanWat het die dokter gesê?What did the doctor say?
- LiezelHy sê ek moet rus.He says I must rest.
- JohanEk is bly om dit te hoor.I am glad to hear that.
- LiezelDankie, Johan.Thank you, Johan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sê, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sê, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
