Ons betaal vir die akkommodasie.

we

Breakdown of Ons betaal vir die akkommodasie.

• vir: for
• betaal: to pay
• die akkommodasie: the accommodation

Questions & Answers about Ons betaal vir die akkommodasie.

What does ons mean here?

Here ons means we because it is the subject of the sentence.

Afrikaans ons can correspond to English we or us, depending on its role in the sentence:

• Ons betaal vir die akkommodasie. = We pay for the accommodation.
• Hulle sien ons. = They see us.

So in this sentence, it is specifically we.

Why is vir used after betaal?

In Afrikaans, betaal vir is the normal way to say pay for something.

• Ons betaal vir die akkommodasie. = We pay for the accommodation.

This is very similar to English, where you also usually say pay for something.

A useful contrast:

• betaal vir iets = pay for something
• betaal iemand = pay someone

For example:

• Ek betaal vir die kos. = I pay for the food.
• Ek betaal die werker. = I pay the worker.

So in your sentence, vir is there because the object is the thing being paid for: the accommodation.

Can I leave out vir and say Ons betaal die akkommodasie?