Kies: The Act of Choosing
The word kies is the Afrikaans verb for “to choose.” It is used when someone is making a selection from various options.
Kies – to choose
Ek moet ‘n rok kies vir die partytjie.
In the above example, the speaker is saying, “I need to choose a dress for the party.”
Related Words and Phrases
Kieskeurig – choosy or picky
Sy is baie kieskeurig oor wat sy eet.
She is very picky about what she eats.
Kieslys – menu or list of choices
Die restaurant het ‘n uitgebreide kieslys.
The restaurant has an extensive menu.
Kiesreg – the right to choose, often used in a political context
Stemreg is ‘n belangrike kiesreg.
Voting is an important right to choose.
Keer: The Act of Preventing
On the other hand, keer is the Afrikaans verb for “to prevent” or “to stop.” It implies taking action to stop something from happening.
Keer – to prevent or to stop
Ons moet die kat keer om by die voëls uit te kom.
In this sentence, the speaker is saying, “We need to prevent the cat from getting to the birds.”
Related Words and Phrases
Verkeer – traffic
Die verkeer is vanoggend baie druk.
The traffic is very heavy this morning.
Teëkeer – to counteract or resist
Jy moet teëkeer teen enige vorm van onreg.
You must resist any form of injustice.
Oorkeer – to intercept or block
Die verdediger het die bal oorkeer.
The defender intercepted the ball.
Usage in Sentences
Understanding how to use kies and keer in sentences can significantly improve your Afrikaans proficiency. Here are some additional examples:
Kies in different contexts:
Sy moet tussen twee werke kies.
She has to choose between two jobs.
Ek het besluit om die rooi motor te kies.
I decided to choose the red car.
Keer in different contexts:
Ons moet die water keer om die tuin te oorstroom.
We need to stop the water from flooding the garden.
Hulle het probeer om die kind te keer om in die straat te hardloop.
They tried to prevent the child from running into the street.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Given the different meanings and uses of kies and keer, it’s easy for language learners to mix them up. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
Mistake: Using kies when you mean to prevent something.
*Incorrect:* Ons moet die deur kies.
*Correct:* Ons moet die deur keer.
We need to stop the door.
Mistake: Using keer when you mean to choose something.
*Incorrect:* Ek wil die blou een keer.
*Correct:* Ek wil die blou een kies.
I want to choose the blue one.
Tip: Remember that kies is associated with making a selection, while keer is associated with stopping an action.
Practice Makes Perfect
To master the use of kies and keer, practice by creating your own sentences. Try to incorporate both words into your daily conversations. Here are some exercises to get you started:
1. Write three sentences using kies to describe choices you make in your daily life.
2. Write three sentences using keer to describe actions you take to prevent something.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between kies and keer is essential for mastering Afrikaans. By recognizing that kies involves choosing and keer involves preventing, you can use these words accurately and effectively. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Happy learning!
