Dutch Conversation-Grammar 1732 Studios

Dutch · Unit 9

Lessons 34 to 36

Use of the Parts of Speech, and Word-Formation

Van Amsterdam naar Batavia. (Vervolg.); Van Amsterdam naar Batavia. (Vervolg.); Van Amsterdam naar Batavia. (Slot.)

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Lesson 34: The Present Tense: uses and exceptions

The present tense for a future event

Dutch uses the present tense more widely than English. After a word like als or totdat, English needs a future. Dutch keeps the present: Ik vertel hem alles als hij hier is.

The same holds after verbs of hoping and fearing. Ik hoop dat hij spoedig terugkomt means I hope he will soon come back.

Dutch also uses the present for a time that has not ended. Wij wonen al drie jaar in deze straat means we have lived in this street these three years.

  1. 1

    I shall tell him everything when he is here.

    IkI
    verteltell
    hemhim
    alleseverything
    alsif
    hijhe
    hierhere
    is.to be (irregular)
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    We shall wait till the train comes.

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    I hope he will soon come back.

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    I fear he will not be back today.

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    How long have you been in Saxony?

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    We have lived in this street these three years.

The Present Tense: uses and exceptions

The Present Tense as a rule is used in the same way as in English. Exceptions: It is often used, where in English the Future must be used, so in principal sentences followed by adverbial clauses after when, before, till, after, etc.; also after such verbs as to believe, to expect, to fear, to hope. It is used instead of the Engl. Perfect Tense when referring to a time not separated from the present.
The Past Tense with a lingering relation to the present

The Past Tense is sometimes used even when there is some relation to a past time. Hij kwam vanmorgen aan = he arrived this morning. Hij is vanmorgen aangekomen = he has arrived this morning. Hoe lang was je al van huis, toen de brand uitbrak how long had you been from home when the fire broke out? Hoe lang was je vader al dood toen je moeder stierf how long had your father been dead when your mother died? Note. Ik wenste = I wish: ik wenste dat het altijd zomer was I wish it were always summer.
The Dutch Perfect Tense for the English Past

The Dutch Perfect Tense is sometimes used for the English Past. De Fransen hebben veel oorlogen gevoerd the French waged many wars. Ben je gisteren naar de komedie geweest were you at the play last night? Hij is geboren aan het einde van de vorige eeuw he was born at the end of the last century.
The Pluperfect Tense, and 'after' with a Past Infinitive

The Pluperfect Tense is employed as in English; the conjunction after, which in Dutch is usually followed by this tense or a Past Infinitive, may in English precede a Past Tense or the Gerund. Nadat ik alle brieven gelezen had, / Na alle brieven gelezen te hebben, ging ik uit. After reading all the letters, I went out.
The Subjunctive Mood in wishes and unintroduced dependent clauses

The Subjunctive Mood is limited to a handful of fixed exclamations expressing a wish or a grant. Lang leve de Koningin long live the queen! Uw wens zij ingewilligd may your wish be granted! Outside such set phrases, a wish or an uncertainty is expressed with the plain indicative, often helped by a word like misschien or by mogen. Men gelooft het of niet, het is toch waar people may believe it or not, yet it is true. Hoe koud het ook is, ze gaan uit however cold it may be, they go out.
Dependent sentences of wish, fear, purpose or condition

In dependent sentences expressing a wish, a fear or a possibility, the plain indicative is used. Wij hopen dat hij slaagt we hope he may succeed. Sta me toe dat ik u dat zeg permit me to tell you. Het is beter dat hij alleen gaat it is better that he should go alone. In dependent sentences beginning with the conjunctions opdat, dat, ten einde and expressing a purpose, the indicative is likewise used. Hij werkt ijverig, opdat hij je inhaalt he works diligently that he may overtake you. Ik riep de hond, dat hij je niet zou bijten I called the dog that he might not bite you. In conditional sentences, in which the condition is expressed as a wish, the indicative is used as well. Hij kan bij ons blijven als hij zich beter gedraagt he may stay with us if he behaves better.
Past and pluperfect subjunctive for past or present-contrary-to-fact

A supposition contrary to fact, whether about the past or the present, is expressed with the plain past or pluperfect, not a separate subjunctive form. Al kwam hij nu ook, het zou toch te laat zijn even if he came now it would be too late. Al was hij rijk, hij zou je toch niet helpen though he were rich he would not help you. In adverbial comparative sentences, beginning with the conjunctions alsof, als, the same plain past is used. Hij leeft alsof hij een rijk man was he lives as if he were a rich man.
When the conditional zoude is not used

The conditional can be paraphrased with zou, except: in the conditional and comparative sentences just mentioned, where the plain past or pluperfect is used instead. In dependent sentences, when the past tense of the main clause expresses a wish contrary to fact. Ik wou dat hij gekomen was I wish he had come.
Zou(de) obligatory for a strongly expressed doubt

Zou(de) must always be used in dependent sentences, in which a doubt or an uncertainty is strongly expressed. Ik weet niet of hij wel zou toegeven I do not know if he feels inclined to yield. Geloof je dat het lukken zou do you believe it will succeed? Note. Also if the principal sentence is omitted: Zou hij het doen would he do it? Zou hij terugkomen will he return?
Mogen + Infinitive for a wish about the future

To denote a wish or a supposition relating to the future, mogen + infinitive is used. Moge God geven would to God. Hij mag zeggen wat hij wil he may say whatever he likes.
Laten + Infinitive for a wish or supposition

Laten + infinitive is used to express a wish or a supposition. Laat ik niet te veel zeggen. Laat hij komen, als hij kan.
Verbs followed by a Nominative

The following verbs have a predicate (a noun or a pronoun) in the Nominative after them: blijven to remain, heten (= genoemd worden) to be called, schijnen to appear, worden to become, zijn to be. Alexander was een groot veldheer. Hij wordt de meest beroemde letterkundige van Europa he is becoming the most celebrated author in Europe.
Verbs governing a double Accusative

Verbs governing a double Accusative, as: heten, noemen to call, schelden to call names, titureren to title, are used with two Nominatives in the passive voice. Ze noemden (scholden) deze man een bedrieger. Deze man werd een bedrieger genoemd (gescholden).
Benoemen, verkiezen, maken with tot; verklaren, houden with voor

Hij werd bevorderd tot luitenant. Hij werd tot koning gekozen. Note. The verbs: to declare verklaren, to consider or to think houden, require the prep. voor in Dutch: Hij werd voor een dief verklaard he was declared a thief. De minister werd voor een deskundige gehouden the minister was considered an expert. Ik houd dit voor verloren moeite I consider this labour lost.
Verbs that once governed the Genitive

Zich aantrekken van iemand to take care of someone, zich bekommeren om iemand to concern oneself for someone, zich erbarmen/ontfermen over iemand to have mercy on someone, zich iemand herinneren to remember someone, zich schamen over iets to be ashamed of something, iemand gedenken to remember someone.
These verbs today: transitive or with a preposition

Some of the verbs which formerly governed a Genitive have become transitive; but most of them are used, as in English, with a preposition. Ik kan me zijn naam niet herinneren I cannot remember his name. Zich schamen over; zich ontfermen (erbarmen) over; zich beroemen op to boast of etc.
Verbs with a Dative person and an Accusative thing

As in English many transitive verbs require the person in the Dative having an Accusative of the thing. Iemand iets geven, zeggen, tonen, bevelen, verbieden, zenden etc.
Reflexive verbs with the pronoun in the Dative

The following verbs have the reflexive pronoun in the Dative: zich verbeelden to imagine, to fancy, zich voornemen to intend, zich voorstellen to imagine, to think, zich aanmatigen to arrogate to oneself, zich getroosten to put up with, zich herinneren to remember, zich ontzien to fear, to be careful of. Note 1. Zich ontzien has always the pronoun in the Dative, if the object (Acc.) is an Inf. with te: Hij ontziet zich niet iedereen lastig te vallen om geld. Note 2. Zich herinneren must not be confounded with the transitive verb herinneren: Ik herinner me die zaak zeer goed. Herinner hen aan hun belofte remind them of their promise.
The principal verbs which govern a Dative

The principal verbs that take an unmarked dative-like object are: behagen to please, behoren or toebehoren to belong, bekomen to do (good or harm), berouwen to repent, bevallen to please, blijken to be evident, danken to thank, dunken to seem, falen to fail, gehoorzamen to obey, gelukken to succeed, heugen to remember, invallen to occur to (the mind), lusten to like, mankeren to ail, to fail, mishagen to displease, mislukken to miscarry, ontbreken to be wanting, passen to fit, to suit, schaden to damage, to hurt, schelen to care for, schijnen or toeschijnen to appear, to seem, smaken to taste, to like, spijten to grieve, to be sorry, staan to fit, to suit, voegen to suit, voorkomen to appear, walgen to loathe. A good number of these now more usually take a preposition instead: gelijken op to resemble, slachten naar to take after.
Examples for §507: the impersonal verbs, and verbs with ont-, tegen-

Examples. Het behaagt me dit te doen I am pleased to do it. Dit bekomt me goed (slecht) this does me good (harm). Bier bekomt hun slecht beer does not agree with them. Het berouwt hun they repent of it. Het ontbreekt hun aan alles they are in want of everything. Het kan hun niet schelen they don't care for it. Het smaakt hun niet they do not like it. Het smart me in mijn ziel it grieves me to the very heart. Dit eten walgt me this meat turns my stomach. The impersonal verbs, as: ik heb honger I am hungry, ik heb dorst I am thirsty. Many verbs with the prefixes ont, tegen, as: ontgaan to forget, ontlopen to run away, ontvluchten to escape, ontvlieden to flee from, tegenkomen to meet, tegenlopen to miscarry, tegenvallen to disappoint etc.
A dativus commodi in standing phrases

A dativus commodi occurs only in fixed phrases, as: iemand te hulp komen (snellen) to run to the assistance of one. Te pas komen to be of use, to come in handy. Ter ore komen to come to one's ears. Te staan komen to come to, to cost. Ten deel vallen / te beurt vallen to fall to one's share. Ter zijde staan to assist. Te doen staan: wat staat me nu te doen? what am I to do now? Iemand goed (slecht) staan to suit well (ill).
The Dative instead of a possessive, and in figurative phrases

Sometimes the Dative is used with verbs which do not govern the Dative as a rule: instead of a possessive pronoun. Hij sloeg deze man de arm stuk (= zijn arm) he bruised this man's arm. Hij drukte me de hand (= mijn hand) he shook hands with me. In phrases with a figurative sense, as: iemand de pols voelen to sound a man. Iemand aan de tand voelen to put to the test, to examine.
An ethical Dative in colloquial speech

An ethical Dative me and je is often used in conversational language to give a more vivid description to a communication. Dat is me daar een leventje what a pleasant life there! Daar zitten je de bengels, alsof ze geen drie kunnen tellen these naughty boys are looking as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.
Verbs with the Accusative, including the cognate object

As in English all transitive verbs may be followed by an object in the Accusative. In some phrases intransitive verbs or impersonal verbs (used in a figurative sense) may be followed also by an Accusative (a cognate object). De slaap van de rechtvaardige slapen to sleep the sleep of the righteous. Een ellendige dood sterven to die a miserable death. Iemand zijn gang laten gaan to let any one go his own way. Het hagelde pijlen en stenen a shower of arrows and stones fell down.
Verbs with an Accusative and a noun in the same case

The following verbs have besides the object in the Accusative a noun in the same case, cf. Zich (be)tonen to show, to prove oneself, zich tekenen to sign, achten to count, heten or noemen to call, dopen to baptize, aanstellen to appoint, rekenen to count, schatten to esteem, vinden to find. Hij toont zich een grote kenner van muziek he shows himself a judge of music. Deze soldaat heeft zich een flinke vent getoond this soldier has shown himself a gallant man (fellow). Wij vinden, achten, rekenen die jongen een grote gek we think that boy a great fool. Men heet, noemt hem een geleerde he is called a learned man.

Lesson 34: The Past Tense with a lingering relation to the present (and 2 more)

The past tense for an event that bears on now

Dutch sometimes uses the past tense for an event that still has a tie to the present. Hij kwam vanmorgen aan means he arrived this morning.

The perfect tense is also right: Hij is vanmorgen aangekomen, he has arrived this morning.

The past tense also asks how long something had lasted. Hoe lang was je al van huis, toen de brand uitbrak? English says how long had you been.

The perfect tense where English uses the past

Dutch sometimes uses the perfect tense where English uses the simple past. De Fransen hebben veel oorlogen gevoerd means the French waged many wars.

A question about last night can use it too. Ben je gisteren naar de komedie geweest? English asks were you.

Hij is geboren aan het einde van de vorige eeuw. English says he was born.

Two ways to say after

Dutch says after in two ways. Nadat opens a clause, and the verb in that clause is in the pluperfect: Nadat ik alle brieven gelezen had, ging ik uit.

Na takes the participle and te hebben: Na alle brieven gelezen te hebben, ging ik uit.

English often says after reading. Both Dutch forms put the reading before the going out.

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    He arrived this morning.

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    How long had you been from home when the fire broke out?

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    The French waged many wars.

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    Were you at the play last night?

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    He was born at the end of the last century.

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    After I had read all the letters, I went out.

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    After reading all the letters, I went out.

Lesson 34: The Subjunctive Mood in wishes and unintroduced dependent clauses (and 2 more)

Set phrases of wish

The subjunctive survives in a handful of fixed exclamations. Lang leve de Koningin! Uw wens zij ingewilligd! Each one expresses a wish or a grant.

Outside these phrases Dutch uses the ordinary verb. A word like misschien or the verb mogen carries the doubt.

Look at Men gelooft het of niet, het is toch waar. The verb gelooft is a plain present. Nothing in its form marks the possibility.

The plain verb after a wish, a fear or a purpose

In a dependent clause of wish, fear or possibility, Dutch uses the ordinary verb form. Wij hopen dat hij slaagt. The verb slaagt is a plain present.

A clause of purpose opens with opdat, dat or ten einde, and its verb is also plain. Ik riep de hond, dat hij je niet zou bijten.

A condition put as a wish is plain as well. Hij kan bij ons blijven als hij zich beter gedraagt. The verb gedraagt is a present.

The plain past for what is not true

A supposition that is not true is expressed with the plain past or pluperfect. Al kwam hij nu ook, het zou toch te laat zijn.

Dutch has no separate form for this. The verb kwam is an ordinary past.

After alsof or als, Dutch also uses the plain past. Hij leeft alsof hij een rijk man was. The man is not rich.

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    Long live the queen!

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    People may believe it or not, yet it is true.

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    We hope he will succeed.

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    I called the dog so that he would not bite you.

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    He may stay with us if he behaves better.

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    Even if he came now, it would be too late.

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    He lives as if he were a rich man.

Lesson 34: When the conditional zoude is not used (and 3 more)

When zou is left out

The conditional can be said with zou. Two cases do without it. The first is a conditional or comparison clause that uses the plain past.

The second is a dependent clause after a past main verb that wishes for what is not true. Ik wou dat hij gekomen was means I wish he had come.

The pluperfect gekomen was carries the unreal wish. Zou is not used here.

Zou in a strong doubt

A dependent clause that strongly expresses a doubt must use zou. Ik weet niet of hij wel zou toegeven.

The same holds in a question about belief. Geloof je dat het lukken zou?

A question can also begin with zou when the main clause is left out. Zou hij terugkomen? means will he return?

Mogen for a wish about the future

Mogen with an infinitive expresses a wish or a supposition about the future. Moge God geven means would to God.

Hij mag zeggen wat hij wil means he may say whatever he likes.

Laten for a wish

Laten with an infinitive expresses a wish or a supposition. Laat hij komen, als hij kan.

The verb comes first, and the subject follows it. English says let him come.

The same pattern speaks of oneself. Laat ik niet te veel zeggen means let me not say too much.

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    I wish he had come.

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    I do not know if he feels inclined to yield.

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    Will he return?

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    Would to God.

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    He may say whatever he likes.

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    Let me not say too much.

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    Let him come if he can.

Lesson 34: Verbs followed by a Nominative (and 2 more)

Verbs that join two equal nouns

The nominative is the form of a noun or pronoun that does the verb. A noun after zijn is in the same form, because it names the subject again.

Five verbs work this way: blijven, heten, schijnen, worden and zijn. Alexander was een groot veldheer.

The words after the verb describe the subject. They do not receive its action.

Two names in the passive

Some verbs take an object and a second noun that says what the object is. Ze noemden deze man een bedrieger.

In the passive, the object becomes the subject. The second noun stays beside the verb. Deze man werd een bedrieger genoemd.

Both nouns now stand in the nominative. The verbs are heten, noemen and schelden.

Tot and voor before a title

Benoemen, verkiezen and maken give someone a rank or an office. Dutch puts tot before that rank. Hij werd tot koning gekozen means he was elected king.

Verklaren and houden put voor before the second noun. Hij werd voor een dief verklaard means he was declared a thief.

English has no word in either place. Learn each verb with its preposition.

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    Alexander was a great general.

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    He is becoming the most celebrated author in Europe.

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    They called this man a swindler.

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    This man was called a swindler.

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    He was promoted to lieutenant.

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    He was elected king.

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    I consider this labour lost.

Lesson 34: Verbs that once governed the Genitive (and 2 more)

Verbs that once took the genitive

These verbs once took the genitive. They no longer do. Each takes a preposition instead.

The verbs include zich aantrekken, zich bekommeren, zich erbarmen, zich herinneren and zich schamen.

Look at Uit medelijden bekommerde ik me om je. The verb is followed by om, and the person follows.

Transitive or with a preposition

Some of these verbs now take a direct object. Ik kan me zijn naam niet herinneren.

Most still use a preposition, as in English. Zich schamen over, zich ontfermen over, zich beroemen op.

The small word belongs to the verb. Learn the two together.

A person and a thing

Many verbs take two objects: a person who receives, and a thing. The person is in the dative and the thing in the accusative.

Ik geef hem een boek. English does the same: I give him a book.

The verbs of this kind include geven, zeggen, tonen, bevelen, verbieden and zenden.

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    Perhaps they will come back now and then to remember you.

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    Perhaps he still remembered me.

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    Out of pity I took care of you.

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    I cannot remember his name.

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    He boasts of his knowledge.

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    I give him a book.

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    She forbade him to say that.

Lesson 34: Reflexive verbs with the pronoun in the Dative (and 1 more)

Reflexive pronouns in the dative

In these verbs the reflexive pronoun me, je or zich is in the dative. Ik kan me dat niet voorstellen.

The verbs include zich verbeelden, zich voornemen, zich voorstellen and zich herinneren.

Zich herinneren means to remember. Herinneren without zich means to remind. Ik herinner me die zaak zeer goed. Herinner hen aan hun belofte.

A long list of verbs with a dative

Verbs in this list take a person in the dative, with no preposition. Dat bevalt me niet means that does not please me.

Read an entry as the verb, then its English meaning. Bevallen to please. Spijten to grieve.

Several now more usually take a preposition. Gelijken op means to resemble.

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    I cannot imagine that.

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    I remember that matter very well.

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    Remind them of their promise.

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    That does not please me.

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    He resembles his father.

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    I am sorry.

Lesson 34: Examples for §507: the impersonal verbs, and verbs with ont-, tegen- (and 1 more)

The dative with impersonal and prefix verbs

These examples show the dative with the verbs of the list. Many have het as the subject. Het ontbreekt hun aan alles means they are in want of everything.

Ik heb honger and ik heb dorst belong here too. Dutch says I have hunger. English says I am hungry.

Many verbs with ont or tegen also take a dative. Ontgaan, ontlopen and tegenkomen are examples. Dat viel me tegen.

Fixed phrases with a dative

A dative of benefit occurs only in fixed phrases. The person who gains is named without a preposition.

Examples are iemand te hulp komen and te pas komen. Hij kwam mij te hulp means he came to my assistance.

These phrases are learned whole.

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    They are in want of everything.

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    I am hungry.

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    That disappointed me.

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    He came to my assistance.

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    That comes in handy.

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    What am I to do now?

Lesson 34: The Dative instead of a possessive, and in figurative phrases (and 2 more)

A dative in place of a possessive

Some verbs that do not usually take a dative take one in place of a possessive. Hij drukte me de hand.

English says he shook my hand. Dutch says he shook me the hand.

Some figurative phrases do the same. Iemand aan de tand voelen means to put someone to the test.

The dative of feeling

In speech, me and je can be added to make a statement more vivid. Dat is me daar een leventje!

The word me does not name a person who receives anything.

English has no matching form, so the translation leaves it out.

An object that repeats the verb

A transitive verb takes an object in the accusative. In some phrases an intransitive verb takes one too. Hij stierf een ellendige dood.

A cognate object repeats the idea of its verb. English has the same thing: to die a miserable death.

Laat hem zijn gang gaan means let him go his own way.

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    He shook hands with me.

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    To put someone to the test.

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    What a life that is!

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    There sit the rascals, as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.

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    He died a miserable death.

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    Let him go his own way.

Lesson 34: Verbs with an Accusative and a noun in the same case

A second noun in the accusative

Some verbs take an object and a second noun that names it. The two nouns are in the same case.

The verbs include noemen, vinden, achten, rekenen and zich tonen.

Wij vinden die jongen een grote gek. Die jongen is the object, and een grote gek names him.

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    He shows himself a judge of music.

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    We think that boy a great fool.

Van Amsterdam naar Batavia. (Vervolg.)

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    From Amsterdam to Batavia (continued)

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    The next day, the 25th of October, having left Port Said, we sailed along the high, sandy banks of the canal, and then came out into Lake Timsah, into which flows the fresh-water canal that, beginning at Cairo, keeps up the connection between the Nile and the sea canal.

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    We steamed on past the Bitter Lakes, and the boat arrived off Suez on the 26th.

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    A whole crowd of porters and fellahs rushed to the quay.

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    About ten small boats put off from the shore and came out to meet the Hollandia.

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    Since she would only lie at Suez long enough to take on the necessary coal, she had no chance to see the town.

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    Only a short time before a poor hamlet, it has now developed astonishingly, and everything predicts that Suez is heading toward a great future.

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    The steamship left port that same day still, and since the fires had been well stoked, we flew at full speed across the Red Sea to cover the distance between Suez and Aden, namely exactly 1,310 miles, a distance the boat covers in about 150 hours.

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    Most travelers were bound for Batavia; others were going to Samarang, still others to Soerabaja.

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    Among them were counted various civil officials and officers, all highly salaried.

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    So people lived well off it aboard the Hollandia in that circle of officials, which some young Dutchmen also joined, who were on their way to set up trading offices in the East Indies.

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    The steward had arranged everything on a grand scale.

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    In the morning at breakfast, at two o'clock over coffee, at half past five at dinner, and at eight o'clock at supper, the tables groaned under the dishes of fresh meat and the side courses supplied by the butchery and storerooms of the mail boat.

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    The ladies changed their dress twice a day.

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    There was music-making, even dancing, when the sea allowed it.

Lesson 34: conversation

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    Dear friend, where were you yesterday? I did not see you all day.

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    What a pity that I did not know this, I would gladly have come along.

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    Yesterday I went on a pleasure trip to the island of Marken.

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    I am sorry that I had no chance to send you word; the plan occurred to me unexpectedly.

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    And how did you like it on Marken?

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    And the people, then, are they all like the few we see now and then in Amsterdam?

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    As soon as the chance comes again, I will not fail to go and take a look myself.

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    The island looks very remarkable, with its buildings on piles.

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    Yes, almost without exception huge people; the children look very much like little old men and little old women.

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    You have that chance every Sunday in summer; but be sure to be on the boat in good time, there are always many pleasure-trippers on Sundays.

Lesson 34: exercise 84

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    Daniel de Foe was a native of London, a butcher's son in St. Giles, James Foe; Daniel first assuming the prefix de.

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    He was born in 1661 and was intended to be a Presbyterian clergyman; but he entered into trade.

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    He joined the insurrection of the Duke of Monmouth, but succeeded in coming out of it scot-free.

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    He was successively a hosier, a tile-maker and a wool-dealer, but without any success.

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    As an author he made a lucky venture in the year 1699.

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    His "True born Englishman", a poetical satire on the foreigners, and a defence of William III. and the Dutch, had an unparalleled sale.

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    In the year 1719 appeared his novel, "The adventures of Robinson Crusoe", which was already translated into German in 1720 and into many other European languages a few years afterwards.

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    The extraordinary success of this work induced him to write a variety of other fictitious narratives.

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    The troubled life of this highly remarkable man came to a close in April 1731.

Lesson 34: exercise 85

  1. 96

    Did you see my friend William last night?

  2. 97

    How is he?

  3. 98

    I hope he is improving.

  4. 99

    I wrote a very long letter to him some days ago.

  5. 100

    How long had he been travelling, when he became ill?

  6. 101

    Yesterday I forgot to tell you, when and where the representation will come off.

  7. 102

    One of his ships, I forget now which, has gone down with all hands on board.

  1. 103

    If the advice be good, it is no matter who has given it.

  2. 104

    Duchess Louise showed a real and noble friendship for Charles August (of Saxony-Weimar), her consort; and he was worthy of that friendship, however greatly she may have tried his strange nature, opposite to hers in many respects.

  3. 105

    However voluminous the book is, yet several interesting details are sought in it in vain.

  1. 106

    He will find himself disappointed, unless he exert himself to the utmost.

  2. 107

    She avowed, that she would never have done it, if her mother had not insisted upon her doing it.

  3. 108

    As long as we have been at Heidelberg we go out every day, however cold it may be.

  4. 109

    Even if your friend came now it would be too late, for the train starts at half past two.

  5. 110

    He may say whatever he likes, I do not believe that he will be back before that time.

  6. 111

    I wish he had come before the train started.

  7. 112

    Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be lengthened, and that it may go well with thee in the country that the Lord thy God gives to thee.

Lesson 34: exercise 86

  1. 113

    Next week my brothers will come back from Batavia.

  2. 114

    Perhaps you remember them, for I am sure they visited you before their leaving this country.

  3. 115

    They are sorry that they must come back, for this climate does not agree with them.

  4. 116

    Nevertheless they will be very pleased to see their friends and old acquaintances again.

  5. 117

    Are they not afraid of the long voyage?

  6. 118

    No, Sir, not at all, they do not care for it, I suppose they travelled very much when they were in Java.

  7. 119

    The passage will cost them very much, as it lasts six weeks.

  1. 120

    I do not exactly know how much they have to pay for it.

  2. 121

    Are you going with me to Rotterdam to see them arrive?

  3. 122

    I do not know yet if time will allow me.

  4. 123

    When do you expect them?

  5. 124

    I believe on Wednesday next but I cannot tell you exactly the day of their arrival.

  6. 125

    I shall write to my friend at Rotterdam.

  7. 126

    I consider this labour lost, for you will see it very soon in the newspapers.

  1. 127

    Have you written to our friend G. too?

  2. 128

    No, for I am sure he does not remember my brothers, he saw them but once before their departure.

  3. 129

    I thank you very much for your kind invitation and it would grieve me very much if I could not go with you to Rotterdam.

  4. 130

    In this case I beg you to welcome them in my name also and to assure them that I shall come to visit them as soon as possible.

Lesson 34: exercise 87

  1. 131

    Dordrecht, 3rd May, 1912.

  2. 132

    Sir,

  3. 133

    Herewith I fulfil the painful duty of informing you that on the 1st of May my dear husband, Herman Willibrord, was called away by the Lord from his earthly career.

  1. 134

    Whoever was more closely acquainted or in correspondence with the deceased, will be able to appreciate the loss I have sustained; they will honour his memory and participate in my sorrow.

  2. 135

    In order to preserve to my son under age the house of his father, I have resolved on continuing the business as heretofore.

  3. 136

    In this enterprise of mine I shall be aided by Mr. Petrus de Winter, who has been for fourteen years a zealous assistant to my husband, and whom I have entrusted with my procuration.

  1. 137

    In all my actions, I shall go by the principles of my late husband, and I hope, therefore, you will not withdraw from the firm of H. Willibrord the confidence with which you have honoured it hitherto.

  2. 138

    Requesting you to take notice of the signatures noted here below, I am, Sir, with great esteem,

  3. 139

    Yours obediently, Anna Willibrord, née Verveen, who will sign: H. Willibrord.

  4. 140

    Mr. Petrus de Winter will sign: P. Proc. of H. Willibrord, P. de Winter.

Lesson 35: Aan in elliptical sentences (and 1 more)

Aan as a state

Aan often stands alone at the end of a short sentence. It then names a state: on, lit, begun or arrived.

De lamp is al aan. The lamp is on. De deur staat aan. The door stands ajar.

For the post or a train, aan means arrived. Is de trein al aan? Has the train already arrived?

Daar ligt het aan means that is the reason why. Learn it as one phrase.

Achter as behind and slow

Achter means behind. For a watch it means slow.

Hij is ver ten achter. He is far behind. Mijn horloge loopt achter. My watch loses time.

Daar schuilt iets achter means there is more to it than meets the eye. Learn it as one phrase.

  1. 141

    The door stands ajar.

  2. 142

    Has the train already arrived?

  3. 143

    The lamp is on.

  4. 144

    That is the reason why.

  5. 145

    He is far behind.

Aan in elliptical sentences

Aan is often used in elliptical sentences. De deur staat aan the door stands ajar. Is de post (trein) al aan has the post (train) already arrived? De kerk is nog niet aan the service has not yet begun. Mijn sigaar (pijp) is aan my cigar (pipe) is lighted. De lamp is al aan the lamp is on. Is het vuur al aan? is the fire lit? Daar ligt het aan that is the reason why.
Achter: behind, slow

Achter = behind, slow. Hij is ver ten achter he is far behind. Mijn horloge loopt achter my watch loses. Mijn horloge is 5 minuten achter my watch is 5 minutes slow. Daar schuilt iets achter there is a snake in the grass.
Af: from, of, off

Af = from, of, off. Van jongs af aan from childhood. Van meet af aan from the beginning. Hun verloving is af their engagement is broken off. Ik ben er gelukkig van af I have fortunately got rid of it. Hij is er goed aan toe he is in luck. Hij is er slecht aan toe he is down in the world. Ik was doodop I was dead tired. Majoor S. af exit Major S. Het werk is af the work is done. Dat kan er bij mij niet af I can't afford it.
Al: already; al te: too

Al = already; al te = too. Hij is al gekomen he has come already. Hij is al te goed he is too good. Al schreeuwend kwam hij dichterbij he approached crying. Al lezend zag ik het when I was reading I saw it. Al doende leert men practice makes perfect.
Beneden: down, downstairs

Beneden = down, downstairs. Naar beneden vallen to fall down. Naar beneden komen to come downstairs. Beneden wonen to live on the ground floor. Hier beneden in this world.
Bij: to, up

Bij = to, up. Eindelijk kwam ze weer bij at length she came to. Men bracht haar weer bij they brought her to. Ik ben je gelukkig weer bij I have fortunately caught up with you.
Bijna + a negative: hardly

Bijna + a negative adverb or pronoun = hardly. Dit is bijna niet te geloven this is hardly credible. Bijna geen boeken zijn verbrand hardly any books are burnt.
Binnen: inward, within

Binnen = inward, within. Van binnen en van buiten inwardly and outwardly. Van binnen naar buiten from within into the open air. Kom binnen, alstublieft please, come in. Hij is binnen he is well-off. Te binnen komen (schieten) to recur to the mind. Zich te binnen brengen to remember, to recollect.
Boven: upstairs, up

Boven = upstairs, up. Naar boven gaan to go upstairs. Naar boven zien to look up. Als boven as stated above. Te boven komen to overcome. Te boven gaan to surpass, to exceed.
Buiten: abroad, out of town

Buiten = out of town, outdoors. Naar buiten gaan to go outdoors, to go into the country. Wij wonen buiten we live in the country. Deze deur gaat naar buiten open this door opens outward. Te buiten gaan to exceed. Zich te buiten gaan to be intemperate. Van buiten kennen, leren to know, to learn by heart. Laat mij erbuiten, als het kan leave me out of it, if possible.
Door, compare aan

Door, compare aan. De zaak is erdoor the thing is settled. Hij is ervandoor he has bolted. Ik ben geslaagd voor het Frans I have passed my French examination.
Er: here, there

Er = here, there. Is er iemand? is anybody here? Er zijn er velen die dat niet weten there are many who do not know that.
Hoe: what; wat: how or what

Hoe = what; wat = how or what. Hoe noem je dit in het Nederlands? what do you call this in Dutch? Hoe is uw naam? what is your name? Hoe, durf je dat te zeggen! what! dare you say this! Wat regent het! how fast it is raining! Wat is hij toch geleerd how learned he is! Wat belieft u? what do you want? or I beg your pardon, what did you say? Neem wat u belieft take your choice.
Immers, translated in different ways

Immers is translated in different ways. Uw broer is toch uitgegaan? your brother has gone out, has he not? Ik kan het toch niet helpen is it my fault then? Ik zou het toch niet gezegd hebben, als ik er niet zeker van was do you think I should have said it, if I was not sure of it?
Juist: just, very, correctly

Juist = just, very, correctly. Ik was juist een brief aan het schrijven I was just writing a letter. Dit is het juist wat we nodig hebben this is the very thing we want. Als ik me juist herinner dan is dit juist weergegeven if I remember rightly, this is rendered correctly.
Nog: yet, still; nog + a negation: as yet

Nog = yet, still; nog + a negation = as yet. Is je broer nog thuis? is your brother still at home? Is uw oom nog (or nog altijd) in L.? is your uncle still at L.? Hij is nog niet aangekomen he has not yet arrived. Ik heb vooralsnog mijn toestemming niet gegeven I have not given my consent as yet. Nog in het jaar 1870 as late as the year 1870. Is er nog thee? is there any tea left? Ja, er is nog yes, there is some left. Er is nog iemand hier geweest somebody else has been here. Nog heden gebeuren zulke dingen to this very day such things will happen. Geef me nog een kopje, alstublieft give me another cup, please. Note. Nog is not to be confounded with noch: noch de een noch de ander neither the one nor the other.
Om: about, expired, turned

Om = about, expired, turned. Om en bij de twintig about twenty. Om en om round about. Het verlof is om the furlough has expired. De tijd is om time is up. Dit is om, deze weg loopt om this is a roundabout way. Om de andere alternately, by turns.
Onder(en): under, down, downstairs

Onder(en) = under, down, downstairs. De zon gaat onder the sun sets. Onder in de kelder down in the cellar. Is hij boven of onder? is he upstairs or downstairs? Het was erop of eronder it was neck or nothing. Hij komt van onderen he comes from beneath.
Ook: also, too, ever

Ook = also, too, ever. Wij waren daar ook we were also there. De Duitsers en de Engelsen ook the Germans and the English too. Wie ook, wat ook whoever, whatever. Waar ook, wanneer ook wherever, whenever. Al is hij ook nog zo eerlijk, ik vertrouw hem niet may he be ever so honest I do not trust him.
Op: up, upstairs

Op = up, upstairs. Op en neer gaan to go up and down. Ik was op om acht uur I was up at eight. Hij ging de trap op he went upstairs. De zon gaat op the sun rises. Mijn geld is op my money is spent. Ik ben doodop I am quite knocked up. Ze zeggen dat hij op is they say it is all up with him.
Over: over, left

Over = over, left. Het gevaar is over the danger is over. Wanneer is hij voor het laatst over geweest? when did he come over last? Er zijn er drie over there are three left. Mijn kiespijn is over my toothache is better now. Een kamer over hebben to have a room to spare.
Reeds, compare al (§516)

Reeds, compare al. Wij zijn al 6 maanden hier we have been here these six months. Reeds de gedachte doet me ijzen the mere thought makes me shudder. Reeds (al) in de eerste eeuw as early as the first century. Reeds (al) bij de Egyptenaren even among the Egyptians. Reeds (al) bij het begin even at the outset.
Toch: pray, do, still

Toch = pray, do, still. Laat me toch gaan pray, let me go. Wees toch stil do be quiet. Ben je toch niet bang? surely you are not afraid? Waar zit hij toch? where can he be? Wat is het toch jammer! what a pity it is! Het is mogelijk, toch geloof ik het niet it is possible, yet I do not believe it. Ik heb het verboden, toch heeft hij het gedaan I have forbidden it, but he has done it nevertheless.
Toe: shut, to

Toe = shut, to. De deur is toe the door is shut. Hij gooide de deur dicht he flung the door to. Hij trok de deur achter zich dicht he pulled the door to after him. Op de koop toe into the bargain.
Trouwens: besides, for the rest, indeed, nor

Trouwens = besides, for the rest, indeed, nor. Ik heb geen zin om uit te gaan, het is trouwens ook te laat I have no mind to go out, besides it's too late. Het moet trouwens erkend worden dat hij een geleerd man is for the rest it must be confessed that he is a learned man. De koopman had hem trouwens altijd van oneerlijkheid verdacht the merchant, indeed, had always suspected him of dishonesty. N. is failliet gegaan; dit is trouwens niet te verwonderen, als we zijn levenswijze in aanmerking nemen N. has failed; nor is this wonderful, if we consider his manner of living.
Uit: out, over

Uit = out, over. Het vuur is uit the fire is out. Vader is uit father has gone out. De kerk gaat uit people are coming out of church. Is de school al uit? is school over yet? Het is tussen ons uit it's all over between us. Ik heb het boek uit I have finished the book.
Voor: fast, in front

Voor = fast, in front. Mijn horloge loopt 5 minuten voor my watch is 5 minutes fast. Mijn horloge loopt voor my watch gains. Voor in het rijtuig on the front seat. Laten we voor omgaan let us go round in front. Iemand voor zijn to have the start of a person.
Wel, wel? (= is it not so?)

Wel, wel? (= is it not so?). Dat dacht ik wel I thought so. Dat kan wel zijn that may be. Heb je wel gezien hoe hij rondkeek? did you notice how he looked about him? Ik blijf erbij dat ze wel komen I still say they do come. Geduld, de boeken zullen wel komen patience, the books will be brought yet. Daar zijn ze, en wel gauwer dan ik dacht here they are and even sooner than I thought. Ik zal het wel doen I will do it. Er waren wel 20 paarden there were as many as 20 horses. Het regent niet, wel? it does not rain, does it? Dat kan in een paar minuten gedaan worden, niet waar? it may be done in a few minutes, may it not?
Weliswaar: it is true, to be sure

Weliswaar = it is true, to be sure. Hij is weliswaar geen Napoleon geworden, maar hij leefde ook in een andere tijd to be sure, he has not turned out a N., but then he lived in another time. Je vriend heeft weliswaar zijn best gedaan, maar zijn werk is toch zeer onbeduidend it is true that your friend has done his best, but still his work is very insignificant.
Some Dutch adverbs are expressed by verbs in English

Some Dutch adverbs are expressed by verbs in English: Ik zou graag weten I should like to know. We waren toevallig in de stad we happened to be in town. Mocht ik hem toevallig zien if I should happen to see him. Je hebt het zeker (= hoogstwaarschijnlijk) verloren I dare say you have lost it. Het kind valt zeker (= zonder twijfel) in slaap the child is sure to go to sleep. Hij keek ons voortdurend aan he kept looking at us. Je mag de boeken gerust zolang houden als je wilt you are welcome to keep the books as long as you like. Zulke lui (= lieden) worden wel eens nijdig such people are apt to get angry. Hartstochtelijke lieden vervallen licht in overdrijving impassioned people are apt to exaggerate. Ik zou het dolgraag hebben I should like it of all things. Het beste zal zijn dat je naar huis gaat / Ga liever naar huis you had better go home.
Als: as, like, for

Als = as, like, for. Als + a noun denotes the identity of two persons; als + een + a noun denotes the similarity. Hij ging als toneelspeler naar A. he went to A. as an actor. Hij gedroeg zich als een toneelspeler he behaved like an actor. Als sometimes answers to for: Ze werd verbrand als een heks she was burnt for a witch. Hij koos mij als zijn vriend he chose me for his friend. Als = though or however: Rijk als hij was rich though he was; however rich he was. Als is often not used in English: Hij viel als een slachtoffer van zijn wraak he fell a victim to his revenge. Ze stierf als weduwe she died a widow. Compounds: alsdan or alstoen = then, at that time; alsmede = likewise, too, also; alsnog = still, even now; alsnu now; als het ware as it were; als wanneer at which time; alsook = as well as; alsof = as if.
Daar: as; omdat: because

Omdat is the plain word for because; daar in this causal sense is now formal and literary. Daar het regende, ging ik niet uit as it rained I did not go out. Ik ging niet uit, omdat het regende I did not go out because it rained.
Dan: than, but

Dan = than, but. Hij heeft meer dan zijn broer he has more than his brother. Ik heb geen ander woordenboek dan dit I have no other dictionary than this. De zuivere waarheid en niets dan de waarheid the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Dat: that; dat (toen): when; dat (opdat): lest

Dat = that, dat (toen) = when; dat (opdat) = lest. Weet je dat hij het gedaan heeft? do you know that he has done it? Op een ogenblik dat het kind alleen was at a moment when the child was alone. Ik geloof dat hij komen zal I believe he will come.
Dewijl (wijl): because; terwijl: while, whereas

Dewijl (wijl) is a literary word for daar, omdat (because); it is not used in everyday speech. Terwijl = while, whereas, and can answer to whereas as daarentegen does. De ene broer werd rijk, terwijl de andere arm werd one brother grew rich, whereas the other became poor. Ik schreef brieven, terwijl mijn familie uit was I wrote letters while my family had gone out.
Hetzij: either, whether

Hetzij = either, whether. Hetzij vlees hetzij vis either meat or fish. Hetzij je eet hetzij je drinkt whether you eat or drink.
Noch: neither, nor; noch ... noch: neither ... nor

Noch = neither, nor; noch ... noch neither ... nor. Geld noch goed neither money nor goods. Hij noch ik / noch hij noch ik neither he nor I.
Nu (conjunction): now that

Nu (conjunction) = now that. Nu we alleen zijn, zal ik je eens alles vertellen now that we are alone, I'll tell you all about it.
Of, of ... of: different meanings

Of, of ... of may be used in different meanings: Zeg nu maar ja of nee say yes or no only. Vraag hem of hij komt ask him whether he comes. Ze lag of (alsof) ze dood was she was lying as if she were dead. Niemand is zo oud of hij kan nog wat leren nobody is so old but can still learn something. Hij was nauwelijks het huis uit, of het stortte in elkaar he had scarcely left the house, when it tumbled down. Wie weet of hij niet een bedrieger is who knows but he may be an impostor? Er zijn weinig boeken of er zit altijd iets goeds in there are few books but have something good. Het duurde niet lang of ze begonnen te vechten it was not long before they began to fight. Nauwelijks was hij vertrokken, of het huis werd verkocht no sooner had he started than the house was sold.
  1. 146

    My watch loses time.

  2. 147

    There is more to it than meets the eye.

Lesson 35: Af: from, of, off (and 1 more)

Af as off or done

Af means from, of or off. At the end of a sentence it often means finished or removed.

Het werk is af. The work is done. Ik ben er gelukkig van af. I have fortunately got rid of it.

Van jongs af aan means from childhood. Van meet af aan means from the beginning.

Dat kan er bij mij niet af means I cannot afford that. Learn these phrases whole.

Al as already and al te as too

Al means already. Hij is al gekomen. He has already come.

Al te before an adjective means too. Hij is al te goed. He is too good.

Al before a verb in -end tells what happens at the same time. Al lezend zag ik het. When I was reading I saw it.

Al doende leert men means practice makes perfect.

  1. 148

    From childhood.

  2. 149

    I have fortunately got rid of it.

  3. 150

    The work is done.

  4. 151

    I can't afford that.

  5. 152

    He has already come.

  1. 153

    He is too good.

  2. 154

    Practice makes perfect.

Lesson 35: Beneden: down, downstairs (and 2 more)

Beneden as down and downstairs

Beneden marks a lower place. It means down or downstairs.

Naar beneden vallen means to fall down. Beneden wonen means to live on the ground floor.

Hier beneden is a fixed phrase. It means in this world.

Bij as to and up

After a verb, bij can mean to or up.

Eindelijk kwam ze weer bij. At length she came to. Men bracht haar weer bij. They brought her to.

Ik ben je gelukkig weer bij. I have fortunately caught up with you.

Bijna with a negative

Bijna means almost. Before a negative word, bijna makes the sentence mean hardly.

Dit is bijna niet te geloven. This is hardly credible.

Bijna geen boeken zijn verbrand. Hardly any books are burnt.

  1. 155

    To fall down.

  2. 156

    To live on the ground floor.

  3. 157

    At length she came to.

  4. 158

    They brought her to.

  5. 159

    This is hardly credible.

  6. 160

    Hardly any books are burnt.

Lesson 35: Binnen: inward, within (and 2 more)

Binnen as inside

Binnen means inside, within or in.

Kom binnen, alstublieft. Please, come in.

Van binnen en van buiten means inwardly and outwardly. Van binnen naar buiten means from within into the open air.

Te binnen komen means to come back to the mind. Hij is binnen means he is well-off. These two are fixed phrases.

Boven as upstairs

Boven means up or upstairs.

Naar boven gaan means to go upstairs. Naar boven zien means to look up.

Te boven komen means to overcome. Te boven gaan means to surpass or to exceed. Learn these as whole phrases.

Buiten as outside

Buiten means outside. It also means in the country, away from town.

Wij wonen buiten. We live in the country. Naar buiten gaan means to go outdoors.

Van buiten kennen means to know by heart. Te buiten gaan means to exceed. Learn these as whole phrases.

Laat mij erbuiten, als het kan. Leave me out of it, if possible.

  1. 161

    Please, come in.

  2. 162

    That comes back to me.

  3. 163

    To go upstairs.

  4. 164

    That exceeds what I can do.

  5. 165

    We live in the country.

  1. 166

    I know this poem by heart.

  2. 167

    Leave me out of it, if possible.

Lesson 35: Door, compare aan (and 1 more)

Door and ervandoor

Door can end a sentence when it joins with er. The result is one word.

De zaak is erdoor. The matter is settled. Hij is ervandoor. He has bolted.

In both sentences the meaning belongs to the whole word, not to its parts. Learn erdoor and ervandoor as they stand.

Ik ben geslaagd voor het Frans means I have passed my French examination.

Er as here and there

Er means here or there.

Is er iemand? Is anybody here?

Er zijn er velen die dat niet weten. There are many who do not know that.

  1. 168

    The matter is settled.

  2. 169

    He has bolted.

  3. 170

    I have passed my French examination.

  4. 171

    Is anybody here?

  5. 172

    There are many who do not know that.

Lesson 35: Hoe: what; wat: how or what (and 2 more)

Hoe and wat in questions and exclamations

Hoe asks how or what. Hoe is uw naam? What is your name?

Wat can mean what. Wat belieft u? What do you want? It can also be a polite way to ask someone to repeat: I beg your pardon, what did you say?

An exclamation with wat shows how much. Wat regent het! How hard it is raining! Wat is hij toch geleerd! How learned he is!

A word with no single English match

Immers has no single English word. The English depends on the sentence. The sentences here use toch in this way.

Uw broer is toch uitgegaan? Your brother has gone out, has he not?

Ik kan het toch niet helpen. Is it my fault, then?

Juist as just, very and correctly

Juist has three senses: just, very and correctly. The sentence shows which sense is meant.

Ik was juist een brief aan het schrijven. I was just writing a letter.

Juist weergegeven means rendered correctly.

Als ik me juist herinner means if I remember rightly.

  1. 173

    What do you call this in Dutch?

  2. 174

    How hard it is raining!

  3. 175

    I beg your pardon, what did you say?

  4. 176

    Your brother has gone out, has he not?

  5. 177

    Is it my fault, then?

  1. 178

    I was just writing a letter.

  2. 179

    This is the very thing we need.

Lesson 35: Nog: yet, still; nog + a negation: as yet (and 1 more)

Nog as still and yet

Nog means still or yet. Is je broer nog thuis? Is your brother still at home?

With a negative, nog means not yet. Hij is nog niet aangekomen. He has not yet arrived.

Nog can also mean more or left. Is er nog thee? Is there any tea left? Geef me nog een kopje, alstublieft. Give me another cup, please.

Nog is a different word from noch. Noch de een noch de ander means neither the one nor the other.

Om as about and over

Om has several senses: about, expired and turned.

Om en bij de twintig means about twenty.

De tijd is om. Time is up. Het verlof is om means the furlough has expired.

Om de andere dag means every other day.

  1. 180

    Is there any tea left?

  2. 181

    He has not yet arrived.

  3. 182

    Neither the one nor the other.

  4. 183

    About twenty.

  5. 184

    Time is up.

  6. 185

    Every other day.

Lesson 35: Onder(en): under, down, downstairs (and 2 more)

Onder as down and downstairs

Onder means under or down. It is the opposite of boven.

De zon gaat onder. The sun sets. Is hij boven of onder? Is he upstairs or downstairs?

Onder in de kelder means down in the cellar. Hij komt van onderen means he comes from beneath.

Het was erop of eronder means it was neck or nothing. Learn it as one phrase.

Ook as also and ever

Ook means also or too. Wij waren daar ook. We were also there.

After wie, wat, waar or wanneer, ook means ever. Wie ook, wat ook means whoever, whatever.

Waar ook, wanneer ook means wherever, whenever.

Op as up and used up

Op means up or upstairs. It also means used up.

De zon gaat op. The sun rises. Ik was op om acht uur. I was up at eight.

Mijn geld is op. My money is spent.

Op en neer gaan means to go up and down.

  1. 186

    The sun sets.

  2. 187

    Is he upstairs or downstairs?

  3. 188

    Whoever, whatever.

  4. 189

    However honest he may be, I do not trust him.

  5. 190

    The sun rises.

  6. 191

    My money is spent.

Lesson 35: Over: over, left (and 2 more)

Over as over and left

Over means over. It also means left over.

Het gevaar is over. The danger is over.

Er zijn er drie over. There are three left. Een kamer over hebben means to have a room to spare.

Reeds beside al

Reeds is a second word for already, beside al.

In some phrases either word is used. Reeds in de eerste eeuw and al in de eerste eeuw both mean as early as the first century.

Reeds de gedachte doet me ijzen. The mere thought makes me shudder.

Wij zijn al 6 maanden hier. We have been here these six months.

Toch in commands and contrasts

Toch means pray, do or still. The English depends on the sentence.

In a command it asks with force. Wees toch stil. Do be quiet. Laat me toch gaan. Pray, let me go.

In a question or exclamation the English often has no single word for it. Wat is het toch jammer! What a pity it is!

Between two clauses it means yet. Het is mogelijk, toch geloof ik het niet. It is possible, yet I do not believe it.

  1. 192

    The danger is over.

  2. 193

    There are three left.

  3. 194

    The mere thought makes me shudder.

  4. 195

    As early as the first century.

  5. 196

    Do be quiet.

  1. 197

    Wherever can he be?

  2. 198

    What a pity it is!

Lesson 35: Toe: shut, to (and 2 more)

Toe as shut

Toe means shut.

De deur is toe. The door is shut.

Op de koop toe means into the bargain. Learn it as one phrase.

Trouwens as besides

Trouwens adds a further point to what was said. It means besides, for the rest or indeed.

Ik heb geen zin om uit te gaan, het is trouwens ook te laat. I have no mind to go out, besides it is too late.

After a negative, trouwens can mean nor. Dit is trouwens niet te verwonderen. Nor is this to be wondered at.

Uit as out and over

Uit means out. It also means over or finished.

Het vuur is uit. The fire is out. Vader is uit. Father has gone out.

Is de school al uit? Is school over yet? Ik heb het boek uit. I have finished the book.

  1. 199

    The door is shut.

  2. 200

    Into the bargain.

  3. 201

    Besides, it's too late too.

  4. 202

    Nor is this to be wondered at.

  5. 203

    The fire is out.

  6. 204

    I have finished the book.

Lesson 35: Voor: fast, in front (and 2 more)

Voor as fast and in front

Voor means in front. For a clock it means fast. It is the opposite of achter.

Mijn horloge loopt 5 minuten voor. My watch is 5 minutes fast.

Iemand voor zijn means to have the start of a person. Voor in het rijtuig means on the front seat.

Wel and the question wel?

Wel has no single English match. The English depends on the sentence.

Dat dacht ik wel. I thought so. Dat kan wel zijn. That may be.

Wel can mean as many as. Er waren wel 20 paarden. There were as many as 20 horses.

At the end of a negative sentence, wel? asks is it not so. Het regent niet, wel? It does not rain, does it?

Weliswaar as to be sure

Weliswaar grants a point before a but. It means it is true or to be sure.

Hij is weliswaar geen Napoleon geworden, maar hij leefde ook in een andere tijd. To be sure, he has not turned out a Napoleon, but he lived in another time.

The sentence has two halves. The first half concedes something. The half with maar says what still holds.

  1. 205

    My watch is 5 minutes fast.

  2. 206

    To have the start of a person.

  3. 207

    I thought so.

  4. 208

    I still say they will come.

  5. 209

    It is not raining, is it?

  6. 210

    To be sure, he has not turned out a Napoleon.

Lesson 35: Some Dutch adverbs are expressed by verbs in English (and 1 more)

Adverbs that English says with verbs

Some Dutch adverbs carry a meaning that English says with a verb.

Ik zou graag weten. I should like to know. We waren toevallig in de stad. We happened to be in town.

Hij keek ons voortdurend aan. He kept looking at us.

Ga liever naar huis. You had better go home.

Als in several senses

Als before a noun says what someone is. Hij ging als toneelspeler naar A. He went to A. as an actor.

Als een before a noun says what someone is like. Hij gedroeg zich als een toneelspeler. He behaved like an actor.

Als can mean for. Hij koos mij als zijn vriend. He chose me for his friend. English often leaves it out. Ze stierf als weduwe. She died a widow.

Compounds of als

Als joins other words to make longer words. Alsmede means likewise. Alsook means as well as.

Alsof means as if. Als het ware means as it were. Alsdan and alstoen mean then. Learn each as a whole word.

  1. 211

    I should like to know.

  2. 212

    We happened to be in town.

  3. 213

    You had better go home.

  4. 214

    He went to A. as an actor.

  5. 215

    He chose me for his friend.

  6. 216

    She died a widow.

Lesson 35: Daar: as; omdat: because (and 2 more)

Omdat and daar for because

Omdat is the plain word for because. Ik ging niet uit, omdat het regende. I did not go out because it rained.

Daar can also give a reason. It then means as. Daar het regende, ging ik niet uit. As it rained, I did not go out.

This use of daar is now formal and literary. Use omdat in speech.

Dan as than and but

Dan after a comparison means than. Hij heeft meer dan zijn broer. He has more than his brother.

Dan after a negative word means but, in the sense of except. Niets dan de waarheid. Nothing but the truth.

Ik heb geen ander woordenboek dan dit. I have no other dictionary than this.

Dat as that and when

Dat opens a clause and means that. Weet je dat hij het gedaan heeft? Do you know that he has done it?

Dat can stand for toen. It then means when. Op een ogenblik dat het kind alleen was. At a moment when the child was alone.

Dat can also stand for opdat. It then means lest.

  1. 217

    As it rained, I did not go out.

  2. 218

    I did not go out because it rained.

  3. 219

    He has more than his brother.

  4. 220

    Nothing but the truth.

  5. 221

    Do you know that he has done it?

  6. 222

    At a moment when the child was alone.

Lesson 35: Dewijl (wijl): because; terwijl: while, whereas (and 3 more)

Dewijl and terwijl

Dewijl and wijl are literary words for because. They are not used in everyday speech.

Terwijl means while or whereas. Ik schreef brieven, terwijl mijn familie uit was. I wrote letters while my family had gone out.

As whereas, terwijl sets two facts side by side. De ene broer werd rijk, terwijl de andere arm werd. One brother grew rich, whereas the other became poor.

Hetzij as either and whether

Hetzij comes twice in a sentence. It offers a choice between two things.

Hetzij vlees hetzij vis. Either meat or fish.

Before a clause it means whether. Hetzij je eet hetzij je drinkt. Whether you eat or drink.

Noch as neither and nor

Noch is a word for neither or nor. It rejects two things at once.

Geld noch goed. Neither money nor goods.

Noch can also come twice. Noch hij noch ik. Neither he nor I.

Noch is a different word from nog.

Nu as now that

Nu can join two clauses. It then means now that.

Nu we alleen zijn, zal ik je eens alles vertellen. Now that we are alone, I will tell you all about it.

  1. 223

    One brother grew rich, whereas the other became poor.

  2. 224

    I wrote letters while my family was out.

  3. 225

    Either meat or fish.

  4. 226

    Neither money nor goods.

  5. 227

    Neither he nor I.

  6. 228

    Now that we are alone, I will tell you everything.

Lesson 35: Of, of ... of: different meanings

Of in many senses

Of means or. Zeg nu maar ja of nee. Say yes or no only.

Of also means whether. Vraag hem of hij komt. Ask him whether he comes.

Of can mean as if. Ze lag of ze dood was. She was lying as if she were dead.

Of after niemand, weinig or nauwelijks

After words like niemand, weinig or nauwelijks, of joins a second clause. English then says but, when, before or than.

Niemand is zo oud of hij kan nog wat leren. Nobody is so old that he cannot still learn something.

Nauwelijks was hij vertrokken, of het huis werd verkocht. No sooner had he left than the house was sold.

Het duurde niet lang of ze begonnen te vechten. It was not long before they began to fight.

  1. 229

    Ask him whether he is coming.

  2. 230

    Nobody is so old that he cannot still learn something.

  3. 231

    No sooner had he left than the house was sold.

Van Amsterdam naar Batavia. (Vervolg.)

  1. 232

    From Amsterdam to Batavia (continued)

  2. 233

    But the Red Sea is very capricious and can play real tricks, as in all such narrow, long waves.

  3. 234

    When the wind blew, whether from the Asian or from the African coast, the Hollandia, struck from the side, rolled in a dreadful way.

  1. 235

    Then the ladies would vanish, the pianos fell silent, and the singing and dancing stopped at the same time.

  2. 236

    And yet, despite the squall, despite the swell, the mail boat pressed on without delay toward the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb.

  3. 237

    Fortunately seasickness had no grip on me.

  1. 238

    I ate like a hungry wolf, the effect of the sea air, without the rolling or the pitching ever being able to throw my excellently working eating machine off course.

  2. 239

    What I suffered terribly from was the unbearable heat.

  3. 240

    So nothing is less rare than that poor stoker, having fainted before the glowing furnaces of the engine, being carried onto the deck.

  1. 241

    They throw a bucket of water over his body, and gradually he comes to again.

  2. 242

    Meanwhile the boat moved forward quickly.

  3. 243

    On the 30th we sighted Mocha, which rose in the midst of its walls fallen to ruin, above which a few greening date palms stuck out.

  4. 244

    In the distance, extensive coffee gardens stretched out into the mountains.

Lesson 35: conversation

  1. 245

    How can I be of service to you, sir?

  2. 246

    Those are not in stock at the moment, but I can order them for you right away.

  3. 247

    I would like the poems of Vondel and Bilderdijk.

  4. 248

    When can I have them, then? They are meant as a birthday present.

  1. 249

    At most it will take three days. You can get various other works right away.

  2. 250

    Those red volumes are the works of Van Lennep. Here are also the poems of Beets and of De Genestet in a deluxe binding.

  3. 251

    May I take a look at those deluxe-bound volumes there on the left in the corner? Are they novels or poems?

  4. 252

    Please send me a few deluxe-bound volumes on approval; I will make a choice from them tomorrow and send back what is not wanted.

  1. 253

    Have you seen this new work on the East Indies yet?

  2. 254

    I will have a look. May I also send you some historical novels to get acquainted with?

  3. 255

    I already have this one. Do you have any other new editions?

  4. 256

    Thank you, then the choice becomes too difficult; be so kind as to send me these works still today.

Lesson 35: exercise 88

  1. 257

    The officers of Fredrick the Great of Prussia were expected as long as they were in the field to practise abstinence and self-denial.

  2. 258

    However high their birth was, however high their rank in the army, they were not permitted to eat out of anything better than tin.

  3. 259

    It was even a grievous fault in a count and field-marshal to have a single silver spoon among his luggage.

  1. 260

    As late as the seventeenth century only wood was used for melting ore, and the reckless waste of wood began to excite the anxiety of the government.

  2. 261

    Already in the reign of Queen Elisabeth loud complaints had been heard, that whole woods were hewn down for the purpose of feeding the melting-furnaces; and Parliament had interfered and forbidden the manufacturers to burn timber.

  3. 262

    These writings will probably be read, as long as the French language continues to be spoken in any part of the world.

  1. 263

    You had better take a cab, if you can afford it; besides if your own purse will not reach so far, you are welcome to dispose of mine, you know!

  2. 264

    The plan will certainly fall to the ground, if you take no better measures of keeping it a secret; you think very likely, that nobody ever hit on such an idea, and that the world for centuries past has been waiting for you to realise it.

  3. 265

    If I should chance to meet your partner in London, I shall not fail to tell him, how you take your joint interests to heart.

Lesson 35: exercise 89

  1. 266

    I know pretty well, what there is wanted in a family, and I say that it is impossible for them, to live according to their rank without running into debt.

  2. 267

    They do run into debt, I assure you.

  3. 268

    Do you know, how much they owe the milkman?

  1. 269

    Five-and-twenty guilders and forty to the butcher.

  2. 270

    You don't mean to say so! I never knew that those people gave so much credit.

  3. 271

    Why, that depends; though you pay ever so irregularly if only you ride the high horse, some shopkeepers think, that they must try to retain your custom at any price.

  1. 272

    Well, let that be as it is. I was always of opinion and I am so still, that it is one of our first duties to cut our coat according to our cloth, and that we keep up our station only, when we pay our creditors honestly and may look every one boldly in the face.

  2. 273

    For the rest I need not dwell any longer upon this, for I know that you quite agree with me on this point.

  3. 274

    In our days it is difficult to be sure to give every one his due, but that does not exempt us from doing our duty.

  4. 275

    It is your opinion too; is it not?

Lesson 35: exercise 90

  1. 276

    William of Orange, King of England, showed a spirit of indulgence, the more respectable, as it was so rarely found at that time.

  2. 277

    Since the time that literature had become a profession in England, it had never been a less lucrative calling than at the time when Samuel Johnson took up his residence in London.

  3. 278

    During the thirty years which followed, his life was a hard struggle with poverty.

  1. 279

    Some time appears to have elapsed, before he was able to form some literary connection, from which he could expect more than bread for the day that was passing over him.

  2. 280

    David Garrick the celebrated actor and Samuel Johnson remained friends, till they were parted by death.

  3. 281

    It is impossible not to be deeply interested in a man, who was so brave and so generous as Essex; in a man who, while he behaved towards his sovereign with a boldness, as great as was not to be found in any other subject, at the same time behaved towards his dependents with a delicacy as was very seldom met with in any other patron.

  1. 282

    After his return from India, Alexander while drinking at a banquet in Babylon, fell suddenly ill and died.

  2. 283

    The Greeks had entirely lost their love of freedom, as well as the other virtues, which had formerly characterized this heroic people.

  3. 284

    The house of Commons had forced Charles to make peace with the Republic of the United Netherlands, and all but forced him to declare war against France.

Lesson 35: exercise 91

  1. 285

    Philippus, King of Macedon, was ambitious as well as bellicose.

  2. 286

    Scarcely had he marched his army into Greece, when he resolved to make himself ruler of the whole country.

  3. 287

    The man who gave Philippus more trouble than anybody else, was Demosthenes, an Athenian.

  1. 288

    He was one of the greatest orators that ever lived, and he held such fervent orations against Philippus, that the Athenians were incited to resist him arms in hand.

  2. 289

    From these orations against the Macedonian king, violent diatribes have been called Philippicae since that time.

  3. 290

    Tresham, one of the conspirators at the Gunpowder Plot, said that to his certain knowledge, they were all lost men, unless they should save themselves by an immediate flight.

  1. 291

    But these infatuated men would not flee, nor did Tresham flee himself, neither did he seek any shelter.

  2. 292

    My general impression of this translation is very favourable; not but that I could point out a number of minor faults, which however may easily be expunged, should the work at any time be judged worthy of the honour of a reprint.

  3. 293

    Great fears were entertained, that the dykes would prove to be not strong enough to resist the fierce impetus of the boisterous elements.

  4. 294

    He who stands, let him take heed lest he fall.

  5. 295

    When the iron is hot, it is time to strike it.

Lesson 35: exercise 92

  1. 296

    I have come on purpose, my dear, to see the most remarkable buildings in this town.

  2. 297

    Will you kindly be my guide?

  3. 298

    I suppose you will be the very man I want for this.

  4. 299

    Well, I shall be glad to help you, old boy.

  5. 300

    But let me tell you beforehand that there are only few "sights to see" here.

  6. 301

    Previous to my departure I was told that the Town-Hall and the Tribunal were worth seeing above all things.

  7. 302

    You are right. I shall at once take you there.

  1. 303

    Look here! This is our famous Town-Hall.

  2. 304

    First observe the front of the building, from an architectural and historical point of view it is very interesting, it will remind you of the Middle-Ages.

  3. 305

    Come along now to see the inside.

  1. 306

    You will be astonished at the fine pictures and statues.

  2. 307

    Indeed, they are beautiful. I never get tired of looking at such masterpieces.

  3. 308

    They are the delight of my eyes. I heartily concur with you, dear friend.

Lesson 36: Aan: at, by, from, in, near, of, on, to (and 1 more)

Aan has many English meanings

One Dutch preposition can stand for many English ones. Aan can mean at, by, from, in, near, of, on or to.

Aan de deur kloppen means to knock at the door. Ik zie het aan zijn gezicht means I can tell by his face. Aan land gaan means to go ashore.

The English word depends on the phrase. Learn each phrase as one unit.

Achter means behind or after

Achter most often means behind: zijn bediende reed achter hem.

It also means after, when one thing follows another: de een achter de ander.

Some phrases have their own meaning. Achter de waarheid komen means to discover the truth. Learn such phrases whole.

  1. 309

    To knock at the door.

  2. 310

    I can tell by his face.

  3. 311

    To go ashore.

  4. 312

    Addicted to drink.

  5. 313

    One after the other.

  6. 314

    To discover the truth.

Aan: at, by, from, in, near, of, on, to

Aan = at, by, from, in, near, of, on, to. See also Lesson 27. II. Aan de deur kloppen to knock at the door. Aan het hoofd van het leger at the head of the army. Aan zijn zijde by his side. Ik zie het aan zijn gezicht I can tell by his face. Ik herken hem aan zijn gang I recognize him by his gait. Aan hoofdpijn lijden to suffer from headache. Aan het hoofd gewond wounded in the head. Tien gulden aan klein geld ten florins in change. Aan de hemel in the sky. Aan de waterkant at the water's edge. De slag aan de Boyne the battle of the Boyne. Londen ligt aan de Theems London is situated on the Thames. Aan land gaan to go on shore. Aan boord van een schip on board ship. Aan de drank addicted to drink.
Achter: after, behind

Achter = after, behind. De een achter de ander one after the other. Zijn bediende reed achter hem his servant was riding behind him. Achter de waarheid komen to discover the truth. Achter het fijne zijn to know the thing.
Bij: about, at, by, in, near, of, on, to, with

Bij = about, at, by, in, near, of, on, to, with. Geld bij zich hebben to have money about one. Bij deze woorden at these words. Bij het afscheid at parting. Bij zijn dood at his death. Bij nacht in the night. Ik ontmoette hem bij meneer N. I met him at Mr. N's. Ik heb bij mijn oom gegeten I have dined at my uncle's. Dicht bij mijn huis close to my house. Bij wijze van by way of. Bij toeval by chance. Ga bij mij zitten sit down by me. Bij kaarslicht by candlelight. Bij zijn naam noemen to call by one's name. Bij dag, bij nacht in the day-time, in the night. Bij slecht weer in bad weather. Bij zijn leven in his lifetime. Bij iemand staan to stand near a person. Bij de kerk wonen to live near the church. Inlichting vragen bij to inquire of. De slag bij Leipzig the battle of Leipzig. Zijn opwachting maken bij to attend on, wait on (upon). Bij deze gelegenheid on this occasion. Het is bij zessen it is close on six o'clock. Hij is bij de dertig he is close on thirty. Kom eens bij me just come to me. Ik zweer het bij mijn ziel I swear it upon my soul. Ik was bij hem I was with him. Bij iemand wonen to live with one. Bij het baden while bathing. Je bent erbij, mijn jongen you will catch it, my boy!
Buiten: beyond, out of, outside

Buiten = beyond, out of, outside. Dat is buiten ons bereik that is beyond our reach. Buiten de orders gaan to go beyond orders. Buiten kijf beyond all question. Het is buiten twijfel there is no doubt of it. Buiten zichzelf zijn van woede to be beside oneself with rage. Buiten en behalve zijn salaris besides his salary. Buiten adem zijn to be out of breath. Iemand de kamer uit brengen to lead a man out of the room. Buiten de stad outside the town. Buiten de waard rekenen to reckon without one's host. Het gebeurde buiten hem om it was done without him. Buiten mijn weten without my knowing of it. Buitenshuis out of doors.
Door: by, out, through

Door = by, out, through. Door een Engelsman geschreven written by an Englishman. Geruïneerd door de oorlog ruined by the war. Door voortdurend roeien by dint of rowing. Door het venster kijken to look out of the window. Door de stad marcheren to march through the town. Door heel Engeland throughout England. Het hele jaar door throughout the year, all the year round. Ik heb het via de gezant gekregen I have got it through the ambassador. Door ongeluk wijs worden to become wise through misfortune. Zijn hele leven door through life. Dwars door het kreupelhout athwart the thicket. Door de vingers zien to connive, to look through the fingers. Door de bank commonly, generally. Door elkaar one with another, on an average.
In: in, into, at, by, of, to, on

In = in, into, at, by, of, to, on. In de hoop u te zien in the hope of seeing you. In het geheim in secret. In ijs veranderen to turn into ice. In vrede leven to live at peace. In het klein verkopen to sell by retail. Op geen enkele manier by no means. In de veertig zijn to be turned forty. In stukken scheuren to tear to pieces. Integendeel on the contrary. In het groot verkopen to sell wholesale. In de twintig twenty and odd.
Met: with, at, by, in, of, on

Met = with, at, by, in, of, on. Met genoegen, met vreugde with pleasure, with joy. Met een griffel schrijven to write with a slate-pencil. Met het krieken van de dag at early dawn. Met één klap at a blow. Zijn voordeel doen met to profit by. Met de post versturen to send by post. Met de trein gaan to go by train. Met geweld nemen to take by force. Met dat al for all this. Met een schip uitzeilen to sail in a vessel. Met grote troepen in great troops. Bezig zijn met lezen to be engaged in reading. Wij waren met zijn tienen there were ten of us. Met voorbedachten rade / Met opzet on purpose. Geluk wensen met to congratulate on, upon. Zijn middagmaal doen met to dine on, off. Overeenkomst (gelijkenis) met resemblance to. Een aanvang maken met to enter upon. Het is uit met hem he is done for. Hoe gaat het met je broer? how is your brother? Met het zwaard in de hand sword in hand. Laat mij met rust let me alone. Met leien gedekt slated. Hij is goed bekend met het Nederlands the Dutch language is familiar to him.
Na: after (time), and occasionally rank

Na (originally = naar) is generally used now to denote time; in a few expressions it also denotes rank. Na het ontbijt, het middagmaal after breakfast, dinner. Na de paasvakantie after the Easter holidays. Na dezen in future, afterwards. Hij kwam na jou he came after you. De laatste op één na the last but one. Op twee na all but two. Op weinig na within a trifle. Dit uitgezonderd is alles juist this excepted, all is right.
Naar: direction; also = volgens, according to

Naar generally denotes direction; it is often used instead of volgens = according to. Naar de Indiën reizen to go to the Indies. Naar Londen gaan to go to London. Naar bed gaan to go to bed. Naar hartenlust to one's heart's content. Alles werd naar beider genoegen geregeld all was arranged to their mutual satisfaction. Naar oud gebruik according to ancient custom. Naar zijn wil beloond worden to be rewarded according to one's will. Naar verdienste beloond worden to be rewarded according to one's merits. Naar een model gemaakt made after a model. Ze werd Marie genoemd naar haar tante she was called Mary after her aunt. Naar iemands gezondheid vragen to inquire after a person's health. Iemand een steen naar het hoofd gooien to throw a stone at a person's head. Naar roem dorsten to thirst for glory. Vurig verlangen naar to have an ardent desire for. Naar Italië vertrekken to set out for Italy. Naar de schijn oordelen to judge from appearances. Naar het uiterlijk te oordelen judging from his exterior. Naar de natuur schilderen to paint from nature. Naar zijn gevoel in his opinion. Naar buiten gaan to go into the country. Naar deze kant towards this side. Iemand de weg vragen to ask one's way of a person. Dat hangt ervan af that depends.
Naast: place and occasionally rank

Naast denotes place and occasionally rank. Ik zat naast je zus I sat beside your sister. A. woont naast ons A. lives next door to us. Naast God ben ik alles aan mijn ouders verschuldigd next to God, I owe all to my parents. Note. Naast is also an adjective: de naaste bloedverwanten the nearest relations. De naaste prijs the nearest price.
Om: about, at, for, on, round

Om = about, at, for, on, round. De arme vrouw had haar kinderen om zich the poor woman had her children about her. Boos zijn om iets to be angry about (at) a thing. Om Pasen about Easter. Om en bij de zestig about sixty. Om twaalf uur at twelve o'clock. Om iemand lachen to laugh at someone. Iets laten om de moeite to leave a thing because of the trouble. Thuis blijven om het slechte weer to stay at home because of the bad weather. Om iets treuren to mourn for a thing. Om geld spelen to play for money. Voor de lol spelen to play for love. Half om niet for nothing. Om de wille van for the sake of. Om mijnentwil for my sake. Ik doe het alleen om jou I do it for your sake only. Om zijn deugden geacht esteemed for his virtues. Om de dokter sturen to send for the doctor. Ik zou dit souvenir voor geen goud graag verliezen I would not lose this keepsake on any account. Om het grote gewicht on account of the high importance. Om de hoek van deze straat round the corner of this street. Om ons heen round about us. Een doek om het hoofd a wrapper round his head. Een reis om de wereld a voyage round the world. Het gaat om mijn eer my honour is at stake. Ik wed honderd gulden I will bet you a hundred guilders. Eens in de drie weken once in three weeks. Om de andere dag every other day. Elk uur, elke maand every hour, every month. Om het hardst lopen to vie with another in running.
Examples for §562: killing and dying

Om het leven brengen to kill. Om het leven komen to be killed.
Onder: under, amidst, among, between, during, in, on, over

Onder = under, amidst, among, between, during, in, on, over. Hij ging onder een boom zitten he sat down under a tree. Onder dak zijn to be under cover. Onder een zware last under a heavy load. Onder de schijn van under pretence of. Een roos onder brandnetels a rose amidst nettles. Je bent onder vijanden you are amidst enemies. Je bent onder vrienden you are among friends. De grootste onder de levende schrijvers the greatest among living authors. Wij zijn onder andere (o.a.) in het museum geweest amongst other places we visited the museum. Onderaan de brief at the foot of the letter. Onder in de boekenkast at the bottom of the bookcase. Onder het eten at dinner. Onder ons gezegd blijft onder ons this remains between us. Onder de preek during the sermon. Onder de kerktijd during the church-hour. Iets onder handen hebben to have a thing in hand. Iets onder zich hebben to have a thing in one's keeping. Onder de blote hemel slapen to sleep in the open air. Onder het woeden van de storm in the midst of the storm. Onder de regering van Karel V in the reign of Charles V. Onder vier ogen in private. Onder voorwaarde on condition. Onder ede beloven to promise on oath. Het is onderweg it is on the way. De troepen zijn onderweg the troops are on the way. Onder zeil gaan to set sail; to fall asleep. Onder de voet lopen to be trodden down. Alles lag door elkaar all lay pell-mell. Onder de 100 pond sterling short of 100 pounds sterling. Tijdens het lezen van de brief while reading the letter. Wij zitten hier onder ons vieren we are here four together.
Op: after, at, for, in, into, on, to, towards, upon

Op = after, at, for, in, into, on, to, towards, upon. Op zijn Frans after the French fashion. Zijn oom is op zee his uncle is at sea. Op een bal, concert at a ball, concert. Op zijn aanstoken at his instigation. Op zijn verzoek at his request. Op school at school. Het feest staat voor de deur the feast is near at hand. Op deze woorden werd hij boos at these words he grew angry. Er zijn er op zijn best vijf there are five at most. Een blik werpen op to glance at. Op sterven liggen to be on the point of death. Op studie liggen to be at the university. Op vrije voeten at liberty. Op zo'n uur at such an hour. Op het laatst at last. Op eens at once. Op zevenjarige leeftijd at seven years of age. Op mijn horloge by my watch. Op alles voorbereid zijn to be prepared for everything. Op het land wonen to live in the country. Op een eiland wonen to live on an island. Op straat spelen to play in the street. Op het marktplein spelen to play in the market-place. Op zijn kamer zitten to sit in one's room. Op de akker werken to work in the field. Op de duur in the long run. Op zijn Engels in the English way. Op deze manier in this manner (way). Op hoop leven to live in good hope. Op de koop toe into the bargain. Het boek ligt op tafel the book lies on the table. Hij gooide het op tafel he threw it on the table. Alles viel op de grond all things fell on the ground. Zij kampeerden op de vlakte they encamped on the plain. Is hij op weg? is he on his way? Hij is op reis he is on a journey. Hoelang ben je op de been geweest? how long have you been on your legs? Dit dier leeft op het land this animal lives on (the) land. Op een eiland landen to land on an island. Op verzoek on demand. Op het punt staan om te vertrekken to be on the point of departing. Op zijn hoge poten in a fit of indignation. Op zondag on Sunday. Op de proef stellen to put to the test. Een jongen naar school sturen to put a boy to school. Een uitzondering op de regel an exception to the rule. Aanspraak hebben op to be entitled to. Tegen de avond towards the evening. Op zijn laatst towards the end. Hij gooide de bal op het dak he threw the ball upon the roof. De jongens klimmen op het dak the boys climb upon the roof. Hij is op jacht he is out hunting. Een ambacht leren to learn a trade. Op welke dag ga je? what day are you going? Op een zondagavond one Sunday evening. Op een avond one evening. Naar het einde toe lopen to approach the end. Op zijn best hardly, at best. Op zijn mooist the finest.

Lesson 36: Bij: about, at, by, in, near, of, on, to, with (and 1 more)

Bij means near or with

Bij often places a person or thing near another: dicht bij mijn huis, bij de kerk wonen.

It also means at a person's house or with a person. Ik heb bij mijn oom gegeten. Ik was bij hem. It can mark a moment: bij zijn dood.

Many phrases are fixed. Bij toeval means by chance. Bij nacht means in the night. Learn each as one unit.

Buiten means outside

Buiten places something outside a limit: buiten de stad means outside the town.

The limit need not be a place. Dat is buiten ons bereik means that is beyond our reach. Buiten adem zijn means to be out of breath.

Buitenshuis is one word. It means out of doors.

  1. 315

    To have money about one.

  2. 316

    By chance.

  3. 317

    It is close on six o'clock.

  4. 318

    You will catch it, my boy.

  5. 319

    That is beyond our reach.

  1. 320

    To be out of breath.

  2. 321

    Without my knowing it.

Lesson 36: Door: by, out, through (and 1 more)

Door means through or by

Door has two main uses. It means through a space: door de stad marcheren.

It also names who did the action: door een Engelsman geschreven means written by an Englishman.

In het hele jaar door and zijn hele leven door, door comes after the noun. Both phrases mean through a whole span of time.

In and its fixed phrases

In means in or into: in ijs veranderen means to turn into ice.

In many phrases the English word is different. In vrede leven means to live at peace. In stukken scheuren means to tear to pieces.

Learn these phrases whole. The English word does not predict the Dutch.

  1. 322

    To look out of the window.

  2. 323

    All the year round.

  3. 324

    To turn a blind eye.

  4. 325

    In secret.

  5. 326

    To live at peace.

  6. 327

    To tear to pieces.

Lesson 36: Met: with, at, by, in, of, on (and 1 more)

Met means with

Met means with. It also names the means of travel or sending: met de trein gaan, met de post versturen.

It names the feeling that goes with an act: met genoegen means with pleasure.

Some verbs take met where English takes another word. Geluk wensen met means to congratulate on.

Na means after

Na is used for time: na het ontbijt means after breakfast. Hij kwam na jou means he came after you.

In a few phrases it marks rank instead. De laatste op één na means the last but one. Op twee na means all but two.

  1. 328

    With pleasure.

  2. 329

    To go by train.

  3. 330

    How is your brother?

  4. 331

    Leave me alone.

  5. 332

    After breakfast.

  1. 333

    The last but one.

  2. 334

    All but two.

Lesson 36: Naar: direction; also = volgens, according to (and 1 more)

Naar means toward

Naar names a direction or a goal: naar Londen gaan, naar bed gaan.

It is often used in place of volgens, according to: naar oud gebruik means according to ancient custom.

Some phrases use it in other senses. Naar hartenlust means to one's heart's content. Learn each as one unit.

Naast means beside

Naast means beside or next to: ik zat naast je zus.

In a few phrases it marks rank. Naast God means next to God.

Naast is also an adjective. De naaste bloedverwanten means the nearest relations.

  1. 335

    To go to bed.

  2. 336

    To one's heart's content.

  3. 337

    In his opinion.

  4. 338

    That depends.

  5. 339

    A. lives next door to us.

  6. 340

    The nearest relations.

Lesson 36: Om: about, at, for, on, round (and 1 more)

Om means around

Om often means round: om de hoek van deze straat, om ons heen.

It also marks a time and a reason. Om twaalf uur means at twelve o'clock. Thuis blijven om het slechte weer means to stay at home because of the bad weather.

Om de andere dag means every other day. Learn the fixed phrases whole.

Two fixed phrases with om

Om het leven brengen means to kill. Om het leven komen means to be killed.

The two phrases differ only in the verb. With brengen the subject kills another. With komen the subject is the one killed.

  1. 341

    About Easter.

  2. 342

    To play for money.

  3. 343

    Around us.

  4. 344

    Every other day.

  5. 345

    To kill.

  6. 346

    To be killed.

Lesson 36: Onder: under, amidst, among, between, during, in, on, over

Onder means under

Onder means under: hij ging onder een boom zitten.

It also means among a group: onder vrienden. It means during an event: onder de preek.

Some phrases are fixed. Onder vier ogen means in private. Het is onderweg means it is on the way.

  1. 347

    To be under cover.

  2. 348

    In private.

  3. 349

    It is on the way.

  4. 350

    Everything lay pell-mell.

Lesson 36: Op: after, at, for, in, into, on, to, towards, upon

Op means on

Op means on or upon: het boek ligt op tafel.

It is also used for a place where you do something: op school, op straat spelen. English says at or in there.

Time uses op too: op zondag means on Sunday.

Op in fixed phrases

The list for op is the longest. Most items are fixed phrases whose English word cannot be predicted.

Op zijn Frans means after the French fashion. Op eens means at once. Op zijn best means at best.

Learn each phrase as one unit.

  1. 351

    At school.

  2. 352

    At once.

  3. 353

    To play in the street.

  4. 354

    In the English way.

  5. 355

    He is on a journey.

  1. 356

    On Sunday.

  2. 357

    An exception to the rule.

  3. 358

    At best.

Van Amsterdam naar Batavia. (Slot.)

  1. 359

    From Amsterdam to Batavia (concluded)

  2. 360

    The following night the Hollandia steamed through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, whose Arabic name means the Gate of Tears, and the next day, the 31st, we called at Steamer Point, northwest of the Aden roadstead; there she had to take on a new supply of fuel.

  3. 361

    That is a serious and weighty matter, the feeding of the mail boats' furnaces at such distances from the centers of production.

  1. 362

    Depots have had to be set up in various harbors, and in those distant seas coal costs 40 guilders a ton.

  2. 363

    At six in the evening the steamboat lashed the waters of Aden's roadstead with the blades of its propeller and soon after entered the Indian Ocean.

  3. 364

    It was favorable to us; the wind stayed northwest, and the sails came to the aid of the steam.

  1. 365

    The ship, which now lay steadier, rolled less.

  2. 366

    The ladies reappeared on deck in light dresses, and in the evening singing and dancing began again, so that the voyage was completed under the best conditions.

  3. 367

    On the 16th of November we arrived in the Batavia roadstead.

  4. 368

    But here I must end; more in my next letter.

  5. 369

    Give my polite regards to your father and mother, and many compliments to the rest of your household.

  6. 370

    Believe me always your affectionate friend, N.

Lesson 36: conversation

  1. 371

    Haven't you written to our friend N. yet?

  2. 372

    Don't forget to ask him when he is coming to stay, and whether he will stay with us the whole vacation.

  3. 373

    What a pity! I am sorry not to have known that sooner.

  4. 374

    No, I haven't had time yet, but I will do it now.

  5. 375

    He will probably not come to stay with us; I believe he is spending this vacation at his uncle's in X.

  6. 376

    Well, I don't know it for certain either, but I suspect it.

  1. 377

    Ask him then whether he is coming in the summer vacation and whether he wants to bring his youngest little brother along.

  2. 378

    That is a worry for later! Whoever lives then will worry then! Just write!

  3. 379

    I also have a parcel here for N., which you could send at the same time.

  4. 380

    Is there anything more to send to him? I believe everything is packed together here.

  5. 381

    And where do you want to put him up? We already have too little room, since Willem sleeps in the guest room.

  6. 382

    Fine by me, if it's fine by you; later everything will work out.

  7. 383

    I'll just go to the office to get pen and ink, then we'll soon be done.

  8. 384

    Little will be missing; should there be anything else, we'll send it later.

Lesson 36: exercise 93

  1. 385

    One day I was out in the woods, and as I was looking around I saw a large hawk hovering in the air.

  2. 386

    The hawk had seen two little birds hopping about on the ground, and it made ready to pounce on them.

  3. 387

    After some time, I saw it spread its wings, bend down its head, and then dart away through the air.

  1. 388

    Oh, the poor little birds!

  2. 389

    But they had caught sight of it before it reached them.

  3. 390

    Do you see them as they fly screaming away to the woods, to hide themselves?

  4. 391

    I was glad that the hawk did not get them!

  5. 392

    But they must have got a sad fright, and I dare say they did not venture out again that day.

  1. 393

    The hawk is a bird of prey.

  2. 394

    It has a hooked bill and sharp claws, and with these it catches birds and mice in the fields.

  3. 395

    When it is hunting, it flies up in the air, looking about to see if anything is moving on the ground.

  1. 396

    If it sees a little bird, or a mouse, it hovers over the place, till it is ready to dart down and pounce on its prey.

  2. 397

    Can you tell me the name of another bird of prey?

  3. 398

    Yes; the eagle.

  4. 399

    It is king among birds, as the lion is the king of animals.

Lesson 36: exercise 94

  1. 400

    A poor old soldier used to play on the violin every evening in the public gardens of a great city.

  2. 401

    Beside him sat his faithful dog, holding in his mouth his master's cap, for the coppers of the passers-by.

  3. 402

    One evening the poor man, who was bowed down with age, was sadly grieved.

  4. 403

    No one had stopped to listen to his music.

  5. 404

    There was not a single coin in his cap.

  6. 405

    He sat down on a stone and covered his face with his hands.

  1. 406

    Just then a gentleman came up to him, and taking pity on the poor old man, he said: "Let me play on your violin a little while."

  2. 407

    He then tuned it with great care, and added, "While I play, you will take the money."

  3. 408

    And he did play! A crowd of eager listeners soon gathered around the player.

  1. 409

    Not copper only, but silver also was freely dropped into the old soldier's cap.

  2. 410

    Indeed, the dog began to growl at its great weight.

  3. 411

    "Who is he?" was asked by every one.

  4. 412

    He was one of the most famous violin-players in the world, who was thus using his skill to help a poor old soldier.

  1. 413

    When this became known, the crowd cheered the violin-player.

  2. 414

    The old man looked up in wonder, and asked for God's blessing on his kind friend.

  3. 415

    It would be hard to say who was the happier that night, the old soldier, placed for many a day above the reach of want, or the great violin-player, who felt in his heart the joy of having done a good deed.

Lesson 36: exercise 95

  1. 416

    Kampen, 9th April, 1912.

  2. 417

    Mr. P. Wessels, Zaandam.

  3. 418

    Sir,

  1. 419

    I have informed you, by my circular of the 1st inst., of the establishment of my Cigar-Manufactory, and the purpose of the present is to request you once more to favour me with your confidence.

  2. 420

    In my factory I have made arrangements suitable to the newest manufacturing methods, and affording the possibility of meeting all the expectations of my customers.

  3. 421

    Cheap hands and advantageous purchases in raw tobaccoes enable me to supply my customers at very fair prices with first rate merchandise carefully manufactured; and I should be happy if, by a small order on trial, you gave me the opportunity of convincing you of the exact truth of my assertions.

  1. 422

    I should attach a very great value to a connection with your respected house, and for all the orders of some importance, be able to propose you such conditions as none of my competitors will grant you.

  2. 423

    In hopes of being very soon favoured with an order from you, I remain, Sir, with great respect and esteem,

  3. 424

    Yours obediently, B. Loodsman.

The particulars

The course
Valette, Dutch Conversation-Grammar (1913) and its Key (1893); Defense Language Institute, Dutch Refresher Course, Books I to III (1961). Public domain. The teaching pages, the readings' English, the answers to the conversations and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Max Havelaar, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.