Photography

1. Mag ek 'n foto neem?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Politely asking permission before photographing a person or place

   Grammar Note

   "Mag" is a modal verb for permission. Afrikaans modals are followed by infinitives

2. Kan jy 'n foto van my neem?

   Can you take a photo of me?

   Usage

   Asking someone to photograph you

   Grammar Note

   "Van" corresponds to English "of". "Foto van my" = a photo of me

3. Waar kan ek 'n kamera koop?

   Where can I buy a camera?

   Usage

   Used when looking for a shop to buy a camera

   Grammar Note

   "Waar kan ek..." follows the standard Afrikaans question word order

4. Die lig is pragtig hier

   The light here is beautiful

   Usage

   Commenting on the beautiful light for photography

   Grammar Note

   "Pragtig" corresponds to Dutch "prachtig". Dutch "ch" is spelled "g" in Afrikaans (the sound is the same [x])

5. Is fotografie hier toegelaat?

   Is photography allowed here?

   Usage

   Checking if photography is permitted in a museum, temple, or private area

   Grammar Note

   "Toegelaat" is the past participle of "toelaat" (to allow), used in passive constructions

6. My battery is pap

   My battery is dead

   Usage

   Saying your camera or phone battery is dead

   Grammar Note

   "Pap" is colloquial for flat or dead, used for batteries and tyres in South African English too

7. Kan jy glimlag?

   Can you smile?

   Usage

   Asking a photography subject to smile

   Grammar Note

   "Glimlag" is a compound verb: glim (gleam) + lag (laugh). Literally "gleam-laugh"

8. Die foto het pragtig uitgedraai

   The photo turned out beautifully

   Usage

   Complimenting how well a photo came out

   Grammar Note

   "Uitdraai" is a separable verb. In perfect tense, ge- appears after the prefix: uitge-draai

9. Ek soek 'n goeie agtergrond

   I am looking for a good background

   Usage

   Used when scouting for a good photography background

   Grammar Note

   "Agtergrond" = agter (behind/back) + grond (ground). Same structure as English "background"

10. Kan ek die foto met jou deel?

    Can I share the photo with you?

    Usage

    Asking to share a photo with the person you photographed

    Grammar Note

    "Deel" as a verb means "to share". As a noun it means "part" — a common polysemy in Afrikaans

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