• Dutch
  • Frisian
  • Saterfrisian
  • Afrikaans
Show all
Demonstrative adverbs and prepositions
quickinfo

Related to demonstrative pronouns are the locative adverbs hier here and daar there (1a). The term daar took over the function of the older Dutch erthere. Apart from being used as locatives, the components also form compounds with prepositions, such as illustrated in (1b).

1
a. My oupa se pa is daar gebore.
my grandfather PTCL.GEN dad be.AUX.PASS.PST there born.PASS
My grandfather's father was born there.
VivA-KPO
b. Die Taalkomitee kyk hierna.
the Language.committee look PN.at
The Language Committee is looking at this.
VivA-KPO
readmore
[+]Adverbs

The terms hier and daar are used as locatives (2a-b), a function that relates to their use as part of demonstrative pronouns. The adverbial uses also function in compounds with so so, as hierso and daarso (2c), which still indicates the same locative information but is more focused. However, daar has a further function (not shared by hier) as an empty subject of a clause (2d), also in impersonal passive constructions (2e).

2
a. Daarom is ek bly om hier te wees.
therefore be.PRS I happy for.COMP here PTCL.INF be.INF
That is why I am happy to be here.
VivA-KPO, adapted
b. Die gevallebestuurder sal ook daar wees.
the case.manager will.AUX.MOD also there be.INF
The case manager will also be there.
VivA-KPO, adapted
c. 'n Hand hierso, 'n voet daarso...
a hand PN.so a foot PN.so
A hand here, a foot there...
VivA-KPO
d. Ons moet hulle wys dat daar goed in almal van ons is.
we must.AUX.MOD them show that.COMP there good in everyone of us be.PRS
We have to show them that there is good in all of us.
VivA-KPO
e. Daar sal brûe gebou moet word tussen die leerplek en die werkplek.
there will.AUX.MOD bridges build.PASS must.AUX.MOD be.AUX.PASS.PRS between the learn.place and the workplace
Bridges will have to be built between the place of learning and the workplace.
VivA-KPO
[+]Prepositions

Apart from its use as adverbs, hier here and daar there also combine with prepositions to form compounds that function as prepositions (3). The compounds with daar there overlap with the pronoun dit it (see the topic on third person pronouns).

3
a. Daar is nie veel wat hieraan gedoen kan word nie.
there be.PRS not much that.REL PN.on do.PASS can be.AUX.PASS.PRS PTCL.NEG
There is not much that can be done about this.
VivA-KPO, adapted
b. Wat is die geskiedenis hiervan?
what be.PRS the history PN.of
What is the history of this?
VivA-KPO
c. Ons moet daarheen gaan om die saak weer in orde te bring!
we must.AUX.MOD there go for.COMP the matter again in order PTCL.INF bring.INF
We should go there to bring the matter in order again!
VivA-KPO
d. En hulle moet daarvoor boet.
and they must.AUX.MOD therefore pay
And they have to pay for it.
VivA-KPO
e. Alles dui daarop dat ons goed op spoor is.
everything indicate PN.on that.COMP we good on track be.PRS
Everything indicates that we are well on track.
VivA-KPO
References
    printreport errorcite