Pick a language and start learning!

Adjective agreement in gender Grammar Exercises for Afrikaans Language

Classmates illustrating language concepts using drawings and diagrams.

Adjective agreement in gender is a fundamental aspect of mastering Afrikaans, a language known for its straightforward grammar yet nuanced details. In Afrikaans, adjectives must align with the gender of the nouns they describe, ensuring that the sentence structure remains coherent and grammatically sound. This alignment is crucial for clear communication, as it helps convey precise meanings and maintains the natural flow of the language. Whether you're describing people, objects, or abstract concepts, understanding how to correctly match adjectives with both masculine and feminine nouns is essential for anyone aiming to achieve fluency in Afrikaans. The rules governing adjective agreement in Afrikaans are relatively simple but require consistent practice to internalize. Unlike some languages with multiple gender forms, Afrikaans primarily distinguishes between masculine and feminine nouns, and the adjectives must reflect this distinction. For example, the adjective "mooi" (beautiful) changes based on the gender of the noun it describes: "mooi man" (handsome man) and "mooie vrou" (beautiful woman). This exercise section is designed to provide you with ample opportunities to practice and reinforce your understanding of these rules through a variety of engaging activities. By working through these exercises, you'll develop a more intuitive grasp of adjective agreement, enhancing both your written and spoken Afrikaans.

Exercise 1

1. Die *groot* boom staan in die tuin. (The tree is masculine) 2. Sy dra 'n *blou* rok na die partytjie. (The dress is feminine) 3. Die kat het 'n *sagte* pels. (The cat is masculine) 4. Hulle het 'n *nuwe* motor gekoop. (The car is masculine) 5. Die *mooi* vrou lag hardop. (The woman is feminine) 6. Sy het 'n *rooi* hoed op haar kop. (The hat is feminine) 7. Die *klein* hondjie slaap op die mat. (The puppy is masculine) 8. Hulle het 'n *skoon* kombuis. (The kitchen is feminine) 9. Die *ou* man lees 'n boek. (The man is masculine) 10. Sy het 'n *goue* ring aan haar vinger. (The ring is feminine)

Exercise 2

1. Die *groen* boom het baie blare (color describing a tree). 2. Sy dra 'n *rooi* rok na die partytjie (color describing a dress). 3. Die *klein* katjie slaap in die mandjie (size describing a kitten). 4. Hy het die *groot* hond vir 'n wandeling geneem (size describing a dog). 5. Die *ou* man het 'n lang baard (age describing a man). 6. Sy het 'n *pragtige* tuin vol blomme (beauty describing a garden). 7. Die *skoon* kombuis was blink (cleanliness describing a kitchen). 8. Die *warm* son skyn helder (temperature describing the sun). 9. Hulle het die *nuwe* huis gekoop (newness describing a house). 10. Die *vriendelike* vrou het ons gegroet (friendliness describing a woman).

Exercise 3

1. Die *klein* katjie is baie oulik (adjective for small, feminine). 2. Die *groot* hond blaf hard (adjective for big, masculine). 3. Sy dra 'n *rooi* rok na die partytjie (adjective for red, feminine). 4. Die *jong* seun speel sokker (adjective for young, masculine). 5. Die *ou* vrou sit in die park (adjective for old, feminine). 6. Die *nuwe* motor is blou (adjective for new, masculine). 7. Die *pragtige* meisie lag baie (adjective for beautiful, feminine). 8. Die *sterk* man dra 'n swaar boks (adjective for strong, masculine). 9. Die *gelukkige* kind speel in die tuin (adjective for happy, feminine). 10. Die *dapper* soldaat is 'n held (adjective for brave, masculine).