By Callum 
Learning a new language is exciting, but sometimes a single short word can cause a lot of confusion. If you have studied Dutch or Afrikaans, you’ve probably seen the word soms. At first glance, it looks small and simple, but it carries a wide range of meanings depending on how it’s used. Most often, it translates to “sometimes”, yet learners quickly discover that this little adverb can change tone and emphasis depending on placement in a sentence. Understanding it deeply will not only improve your vocabulary but also give your speech a much more natural rhythm.
In this article, we’ll break down the meaning of it, show how it’s used in both Dutch and Afrikaans, highlight common mistakes, and give you plenty of examples so you can start using it with confidence.
The Meaning of Soms
At its core, it means “sometimes” or “occasionally.” It indicates that something happens now and then, but not regularly. In both Dutch and Afrikaans, this is the most frequent usage.
Dutch: Ik ga soms naar de markt. → “I sometimes go to the market.”
Afrikaans: Ons eet soms pizza. → “We sometimes eat pizza.”
The important thing to remember is that it is not about certainty or probability, but about frequency. It answers the question “how often?”, not “maybe?”
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A Closer Look at Soms’s Origins
It comes from older Dutch, where it was linked to the idea of “some” or “a few.” Over time, it evolved into a time adverb. Afrikaans, which grew out of Dutch, borrowed the word almost unchanged, keeping both spelling and meaning. This shared history is one reason the two languages still sound so familiar to each other.
Pronunciation Guide
Dutch and Afrikaans pronounce it almost the same:
IPA: /sɔms/
Sounds like: “somps,” but without stressing the “p.”
It’s a short, simple word, and once you hear it a few times, it’s easy to recognize in conversations.
Sentence Placement and Grammar
Standard Position
In Dutch and Afrikaans, adverbs like it usually appear after the subject and before the main verb.
Dutch: Ik lees soms boeken. → “I sometimes read books.”
Afrikaans: Ek sing soms in die kerk. → “I sometimes sing in church.”
Beginning of the Sentence
For emphasis, it can also be placed at the start of the sentence. This makes the action sound less predictable, almost surprising.
Dutch: Soms regent het in juni. → “Sometimes it rains in June.”
Afrikaans: Soms is die lewe moeilik. → “Sometimes life is difficult.”
Middle and Flexible Use
You might also see it in the middle of longer sentences, often surrounded by commas for rhythm.
Dutch: Het is, soms, moeilijk om rustig te blijven.
Afrikaans: Sy lag, soms, sonder rede.
This flexible placement allows speakers to adjust tone, just like in English when we move “sometimes” around for emphasis.
Different Shades of Meaning Of Soms
Frequency
The most common usage is frequency — something happens occasionally, but not often.
Dutch: Wij gaan soms naar Parijs. → “We sometimes go to Paris.”
Afrikaans: Ek sien soms my vriende. → “I sometimes see my friends.”
Speculative or Gentle Question
In Dutch especially, it can also soften a question. Instead of asking directly, adding it makes the question polite, curious, or tentative.
Dutch: Heb je soms honger? → “Are you perhaps hungry?”
Dutch: Ben jij soms moe? → “Are you maybe tired?”
This use does not exist as strongly in Afrikaans, though tone can still make it sound possible.
Contrast and Opposition
Speakers often use it to contrast with altijd (always) or nooit (never).
Dutch: Soms ga ik, maar nooit vaak.
Afrikaans: Soms lag ons, maar nooit te lank nie.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
Even though it looks easy, learners frequently trip over it.
Mistake 1: Wrong Word Order
❌ Soms ik ga naar school.
✅ Ik ga soms naar school.
Word order matters in Dutch and Afrikaans, and putting it in the wrong place makes the sentence sound unnatural.
Mistake 2: Confusing soms with misschien
Misschien = maybe, possibly.
Soms = sometimes, occasionally.
Dutch: Misschien komt hij vandaag. → “Maybe he will come today.”
Dutch: Hij komt soms vandaag. → “He sometimes comes today.” (incorrect, sounds odd)
Mistake 3: Overusing It
Learners often throw it everywhere. But if something happens often, use vaak in Dutch or gereeld in Afrikaans. If it rarely happens, use zelden (Dutch) or selde (Afrikaans).
Comparison Of Soms with Other Frequency Words
Dutch Frequency Adverbs
altijd → always
vaak → often
soms → sometimes
zelden → rarely
nooit → never
Afrikaans Frequency Adverbs
altyd → always
gereeld / dikwels → often
soms → sometimes
selde → rarely
nooit → never
Notice how Afrikaans keeps it exactly the same as Dutch. This makes it one of the easiest words to transfer between the two languages.
Practical Examples for Learners
Everyday Dutch Sentences
Soms speel ik piano na school. → “Sometimes I play piano after school.”
Hij belt soms zijn ouders. → “He sometimes calls his parents.”
Wij vergeten soms het huiswerk. → “We sometimes forget the homework.”
Everyday Afrikaans Sentences
Soms ry ons saam na die dorp. → “Sometimes we drive together to town.”
Ek slaap soms laat in die naweek. → “I sometimes sleep late on weekends.”
Hulle eet soms by die restaurant. → “They sometimes eat at the restaurant.”
Cultural and Conversational Nuances Of Soms
In Dutch culture, using it in a question is a way to avoid sounding too direct. Dutch people value straightforwardness, but politeness still matters. Saying Ben jij soms boos? (“Are you perhaps angry?”) softens the question and makes it less confrontational.
Afrikaans speakers, on the other hand, mostly use it in the frequency sense. They may rely on tone, rather than the word itself, to soften a sentence.
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Idiomatic Expressions with Soms
While it is not overloaded with idioms, you’ll hear it in casual expressions:
Dutch: Het is soms niet te geloven. → “It’s sometimes unbelievable.”
Dutch: Soms denk ik: waarom probeer ik nog? → “Sometimes I think: why do I even try?”
Afrikaans: Soms voel ek soos ’n kind weer. → “Sometimes I feel like a child again.”
These idiomatic touches make speech richer and more emotional.
Why Mastering Soms Matters
If you want to sound fluent in Dutch or Afrikaans, knowing how to use it is a must. It makes your speech more nuanced, helps you avoid sounding robotic, and connects you better to native speakers. Since everyday life is full of things that happen only occasionally, you’ll find yourself needing it again and again.
Key Takeaways Of Soms
It means “sometimes,” not “maybe.”
Use it mainly for frequency, but in Dutch it can also soften questions.
Placement in a sentence changes tone and emphasis.
Don’t confuse it with misschien or overuse it when vaak or zelden fits better.
It works almost identically in Dutch and Afrikaans, making it a friendly word for learners of both.
Sometimes the smallest words make the biggest difference in learning a new language. Master it and you’ll unlock a powerful tool for expressing frequency, tone, and even politeness in both Dutch and Afrikaans. Keep practicing, try using it in your own sentences, and notice how natural your speech starts to sound.
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