Ek vra vir inligting.

I ask for information.

Breakdown of Ek vra vir inligting.

• ek: I
• die inligting: the information
• vra vir: to ask for

Questions & Answers about Ek vra vir inligting.

What does Ek vra vir inligting mean word-for-word?

Breakdown:

• Ek = I
• vra = ask
• vir = for
• inligting = information

Altogether it literally means I ask for information.

Why is the verb vra not conjugated differently for “I”?

In Afrikaans the present-tense form of most verbs stays the same regardless of person or number. The infinitive of this verb is vra, and in the present tense you simply use vra for ek, jy, hy/sy, ons, etc.

What role does vir play in this sentence?

vir is a preposition meaning for. When you “ask for” something in Afrikaans you need vra vir + noun. Without vir the sentence would sound unfinished or unnatural.

Can I drop vir and say Ek vra inligting?

That construction is technically understandable (“I ask information”), but native speakers almost always include vir when requesting something. So you should say Ek vra vir inligting to be idiomatic.

Why is there no article ('n or die) before inligting?

inligting (“information”) is an uncountable noun in Afrikaans. Uncountable nouns are usually used without any article when speaking generally, just like in English you don’t say “some information” every time.

How do you pronounce vra and inligting?

A simple guide:

• vra sounds like “frah” (the v is voiceless, like an English f, and a as in “father”).
• inligting sounds roughly like “in-LIK-ting,” where g in -ting is a guttural sound (like clearing your throat softly).

How would I make Ek vra vir inligting more polite or formal?

You have two easy options:
• Insert asseblief (please): Ek vra asseblief vir inligting.
• Use a more formal verb versoek (request): Ek versoek inligting (you can drop vir with versoek).

Are there alternative verbs to express “request” in Afrikaans?

Yes. Besides vra you can use:

• versoek (formal “request”)
• aanvra (apply for/request, often used with forms: aanvra vir ’n permit)
  Each has a slightly different nuance or context.