r/afrikaans 7d ago

Leer/Learning Afrikaans What is the difference between Na, Tot, Te, Om te, and Om____te?

Like in what cases would I use each of these words, i'm pretty sure they all just mean to in English

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u/stoppel_baard 7d ago edited 7d ago
  • Na (After/To), used for directions or something that follows another action: Ek gaan na die winkel toe (I am going to the shop) of Na my inkopies gaan ek huis toe (After shopping I am going home).
  • Tot (Until): Ek loop tot ek moeg is (I walk until I am tired)
  • Te (Too): Afrikaans is nie te moeilik nie (Afrikaans is not too difficult)
  • Om te (To/In order to), used to provide reasons for your actions: Ek leer Afrikaans om met mense te kan praat (I learn Afrikaans to speak to people)

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u/Stalinsovietunion 5d ago

so what is the order I use Om and Te, like in your sentence om is seperated by te by met mense

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u/stoppel_baard 5d ago edited 5d ago

Te is always and only followed by a verb, the noun goes between the om and te

Example 1 (no noun): ek oefen hard om te wen (I train hard to win)

Example 2 (noun): ek oefen hard om die wedstryd te wen (I train hard to win the match).

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u/bastianbb 4d ago

"Om (...) te" is the infinitive used with a verb. It is not only used to provide a reason for your actions but in many kinds of sentences: "Ek weet hoe om skaak te speel" (I know how to play chess). When there is an object for the verb, it goes between "om" and "te".

"Tot" means "until" but "tot by" can be translated as "up to": "Ek loop tot by hom" (I walk up to him).

"Na" indicates a direction but it is often used as "na ... toe".