Die here means the.
Afrikaans uses die as the definite article for:
So unlike some other languages, you do not need to learn different forms such as masculine/feminine/neuter articles.
Examples:
In this sentence, die navorsing means the research.
Navorsing means research.
It comes from the verb navors or navorsing doen in the general sense of investigating or carrying out research. In many contexts, navorsing works like the English uncountable noun research.
So:
It usually refers to research as an activity, field, or body of work, rather than one single experiment.
This is the normal basic word order for a simple main clause in Afrikaans:
Subject + Verb + Object
So:
That makes the sentence straightforward and neutral.
Afrikaans often follows verb-second rules in main clauses, but in a simple statement where the subject comes first, that naturally gives you:
Ons gebruik die navorsing.
Afrikaans often uses the simple present where English might use either the simple present or the present continuous.
So Ons gebruik die navorsing can mean:
The exact meaning depends on context.
Afrikaans does have ways to emphasize ongoing action, but very often the simple present is enough.
In a yes/no question, Afrikaans typically puts the verb first:
This is similar to English inversion, although English usually needs do.
Compare:
A rough guide for English speakers:
A few helpful notes:
So gebruik may sound a bit closer to geh-BRAYK with a throaty first sound.