so
In Afrikaans, the English phrase 'so' is translated as so.
The word so is used to show that something happens as a result of something else, or as an intensifier before adjectives or adverbs to mean 'so much' or 'so many', much like in English.
Which one should you use?
While so can be used as a conjunction meaning 'therefore' or 'consequently', it is often replaced by dus or daarom in formal writing. The phrase Net so is an informal way to say 'just so' or 'exactly like that'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain dialects, the term Hierso is used to mean 'right here' or 'this way'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may use so to mean 'therefore' in a way that sounds too colloquial in Afrikaans. Use daarom instead for formal logic.
Did you know?
- The word so is used in the expression so is dit, which doesn't just mean 'so it is' but often implies 'that is the final word' or 'it is settled'.
- In some local dialects, you might hear Hierso used to mean 'right here' or 'this way', which functions as a localized variation of spatial direction.
- The Afrikaans so shares the exact same Proto-West Germanic ancestor as the English 'so', meaning both words descended from the same linguistic root.
Examples in context
- Dit lyk nie so sleg nie.It doesn't look so bad.This sentence uses so to describe a level of badness.Tatoeba #2783879 by Diablofire, translation #2591016 by CK
- Dit maak nie soveel saak nie.It doesn't matter so much.This sentence uses so to quantify the importance of something.Tatoeba #2783877 by Diablofire, translation #2591017 by CK
- Ek sou nie so seker wees nie.I wouldn't be so sure.This sentence uses so to intensify the level of certainty.Tatoeba #2783937 by Diablofire, translation #2547327 by CK
- Hy was moeg, dus het hy gaan rus.He was tired, so he went to rest.
- Hulle het baie geoefen. Sodoende was hulle goed vir die kompetisie voorbereid.They practiced a lot. Thus, they were well prepared for the competition.
- Ja, jy het dit reg verstaan, net so.Yes, you understood it correctly, just so.
- Die winkel is hierso om die draai.The shop is right here around the corner.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Stefan and Anika are discussing their travel plans.
- StefanDit reën hard, so ons kan nie gaan nie.It is raining hard, so we cannot go.
- AnikaIs daar 'n ander plan?Is there another plan?
- StefanOns kan binne bly, so ons is veilig.We can stay inside, so we are safe.
- AnikaDit is 'n goeie idee, Stefan.That is a good idea, Stefan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries so, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
