Die aansoekdoel is duidelik.

The purpose of the application is clear.

Breakdown of Die aansoekdoel is duidelik.

• wees: to be
• duidelik: clear
• die aansoekdoel: purpose of an application

Questions & Answers about Die aansoekdoel is duidelik.

What does die mean here, and is it the same word as English die?

In this sentence, die is the Afrikaans definite article, meaning the.

So:

• die aansoekdoel = the application purpose / the purpose of the application

It is not the English verb die. It is also pronounced differently in Afrikaans, more like dee.

A useful thing to know: Afrikaans does not use different words like the for different genders. Die is used very broadly for the.

Why is aansoekdoel written as one word?

Afrikaans, like Dutch and German, very often forms compound nouns by writing them as one word.

So:

• aansoek = application / request
• doel = purpose / aim
• aansoekdoel = application-purpose / purpose of the application

This is completely normal in Afrikaans. Where English often uses of or separate words, Afrikaans frequently prefers a compound.

Compare:

• aansoekdoel = the application’s purpose
• skoolboek = school book
• huisdeur = house door / front door

Could I also say die doel van die aansoek instead of die aansoekdoel?