Learn Hardcore Afrikaans: Indien ons oplettend bly, vermy ons onnodige risiko. - If we stay observant, we avoid unnecessary risk.

Indien means if and is considered more formal or written. In everyday speech you can replace it with as, but in formal writing indien is preferred.

Why does the verb bly appear at the end of the clause Indien ons oplettend bly?

Because it’s a subordinate clause introduced by Indien, Afrikaans grammar requires the finite verb (bly) to move to the very end of that clause.

Why is ons repeated in both clauses?

Afrikaans requires each clause to have its own explicit subject. Even though it’s the same ons, you must repeat it in the subordinate clause (Indien ons…) and again in the main clause (vermy ons…).

Why does onnodige end with an -e?

Attributive adjectives take an -e ending when placed directly before a common noun (unless there’s a definite article like die). Here risiko is a singular common noun without die, so onnodige gets -e.

Do I need an article before onnodige risiko?

No. In this context onnodige risiko is indefinite, so no article is required. If you want to emphasize “a” you could say ’n onnodige risiko, but it isn’t necessary after vermy.

Can I swap the clauses around, for example Verm y ons onnodige risiko indien ons oplettend bly?

Yes. When the conditional clause follows the main clause, you typically omit the comma:
Verm y ons onnodige risiko indien ons oplettend bly.

What part of speech is oplettend in this sentence?

Oplettend is a present participle functioning as an adverb, meaning attentively or alertly, modifying bly.

Could I use wees instead of bly after oplettend?

Yes. Both oplettend bly and oplettend wees are valid. Bly emphasizes remaining in that state, while wees simply states the condition.

How do you pronounce risiko?

The pronunciation is /rɪˈsiːku/ with the stress on the second syllable (sounds like rih-SEE-koo).