Asking about a close deadline | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Asking about a close deadline to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Komt de deadline snel dichterbij?

KOMT duh DEHT-line snel DIKH-ter-bye? Is the deadline coming up soon?

De deadline is dichtbij.

duh DEHT-line iss DIKH-bye. The deadline is close.

Laten we dus met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.

LAH-tun wuh doos met ut buh-LANG-rike-stuh dayl buh-GHIN-un. So let's start with the main part.

Wil je dat nu doen?

vihl yuh daht noo doon? Do you want to take that on now?

Ik kan beginnen terwijl jij het bestand controleert.

ick kahn buh-GHIN-un ter-VILE yyei ut buh-STAHNT kon-troh-LAYRT. I can start while you check the file.

Waar moet ik eerst naar kijken?

vahr moot ick AYRST nahr KYE-kun? What should I look for first?

Zorg dat de notities bij het verzoek passen.

zorkh daht duh noh-TEE-tsees bye ut ver-ZOOKH PAH-sun. Make sure the notes match the request.

Dan schrijf ik een korte update.

dahn SKHRYFE ick un KOR-tuh UP-dayt. Then I'll write a short update.

Als het klaar is, kunnen we het delen.

ahls ut KLAHR iss, KUN-un wuh ut DAY-lun. When it's ready, we can share it.

Word by Word

Komt “Komt” asks whether something is coming closer in “Komt de deadline snel dichterbij?”. Here it refers to the deadline approaching, and it is useful in questions about whether an event is getting nearer. In workplace planning, use it when checking how soon an important date is approaching.

de “De” is the definite article before “deadline” in “de deadline”. It presents the specific deadline that both speakers already have in mind. The same form is used before specific nouns such as “de notities” in this lesson.

deadline “Deadline” means the fixed time by which the work should be finished. In “de deadline” it names the workplace date being discussed. It is useful when asking about, checking, or organizing work around a due date.

snel “Snel” means soon in “snel dichterbij”, describing the deadline as approaching in a short time. Here it modifies how quickly the deadline is getting nearer. Use it when asking whether an event will happen soon.

dichterbij “Dichterbij” means closer in “snel dichterbij”, describing the deadline as approaching. It contributes the idea of becoming nearer, while the whole phrase describes the deadline’s timing. A useful pattern is to use it when an event or object is getting closer.

is “Is” links the deadline with its condition in “De deadline is dichtbij.” It states that the deadline is near. Use the same form to describe what something is like or where it stands now.

dichtbij “Dichtbij” means near or close in “De deadline is dichtbij.” It describes the deadline as not far away in time. Use it after a form of “is” when saying that something is near.

Laten “Laten” helps make the suggestion “Laten we dus met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.” Here it introduces a joint action for the speaker and listener. The reusable pattern is “Laten we” followed by an action when proposing that both people do something.

we “We” refers to the speaker and the listener together in “Laten we dus met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.” It also includes both people in “kunnen we het delen”. Use it when describing a shared action or decision.

dus “Dus” means so or therefore in “Laten we dus met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.” It connects the close deadline with the suggested next step. Use it to introduce a conclusion or action that follows from what was just said.

met “Met” means with or starting with in “met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.” It introduces the part that the speakers choose as their starting point. With “beginnen”, it is useful for saying what work or topic is started first.

het “Het” is the definite article in “het belangrijkste deel”. It introduces the specific main part that the speakers have identified. The same form appears before other specific nouns such as “het bestand” and “het verzoek” in this dialogue.

belangrijkste “Belangrijkste” means most important in “het belangrijkste deel”. It identifies the part that should receive priority. Use it before a noun when choosing the highest-priority item in a task or list.

deel “Deel” means part in “het belangrijkste deel”. It refers to one section of the work rather than the whole task. It is useful when dividing a task into sections or assigning one section to someone.

beginnen “Beginnen” means to start in “met het belangrijkste deel beginnen”. It names the first action in the work plan. After “Laten we”, it is useful for proposing where a joint activity should start.

Wil “Wil” expresses wanting in “Wil je dat nu doen?”. It asks whether the listener wants to take responsibility for the previously mentioned task. Use it at the beginning of a question when asking someone whether they want to do something.

je “Je” refers to the listener in “Wil je dat nu doen?”. It identifies the person being asked to do the task. Use it when addressing the other person directly in a question or instruction.

dat “Dat” points back to the task already being discussed in “Wil je dat nu doen?”. It avoids repeating the name of that task. Use it to refer to something previously mentioned when asking or saying whether someone will do it.

nu “Nu” means now in “Wil je dat nu doen?”. It places the proposed action at the present moment. Use it with an action when deciding whether something should happen immediately.

doen “Doen” means do in “Wil je dat nu doen?”. It supplies the action for the task referred to by “dat”. Use it after a person or modal expression when referring generally to carrying out an activity.

Ik “Ik” means I and identifies the speaker in “Ik kan beginnen terwijl jij het bestand controleert.” It shows that this speaker will start one part of the work. Use it to introduce your own ability, action, or responsibility.

kan “Kan” means can or is able to in “Ik kan beginnen”. It says that the speaker is able or ready to start. A useful pattern is “Ik kan” followed by an action when offering or describing what you are able to do.

terwijl “Terwijl” means while in “terwijl jij het bestand controleert”. It introduces an action happening at the same time as the speaker’s starting. Use it to coordinate two simultaneous activities.

jij “Jij” refers to the listener as the person who checks the file in “terwijl jij het bestand controleert”. It identifies the person responsible for that simultaneous action. Use it when clearly naming the person who performs an action.

bestand “Bestand” means file in “het bestand”. It refers to the digital work item that the listener must check. It is useful in workplace conversations about opening, checking, or updating a specific file.

controleert “Controleert” means checks in “jij het bestand controleert”. It describes the listener examining the file while the other speaker starts. Use it with a person and an object when describing a checking task.

Waar “Waar” begins the question “Waar moet ik eerst naar kijken?”. In this context, it asks which item or point should be inspected first. Use it to ask where to direct your attention when you need guidance about the next check.

moet “Moet” expresses what the speaker should or needs to do in “Waar moet ik eerst naar kijken?”. It asks for the required next action. Use it before an action when asking about an obligation or instruction.

eerst “Eerst” means first in “Waar moet ik eerst naar kijken?”. It sets the priority for the sequence of checks. Use it when asking or saying which action should happen before the others.

naar “Naar” works with “kijken” in “naar kijken” to mark what the speaker looks at. Here it introduces the target of the inspection. Use it with “kijken” when naming the thing or point receiving attention.

kijken “Kijken” means look in “Waar moet ik eerst naar kijken?”. In this workplace context, it means inspect or examine something. Use it with “naar” when asking what should receive visual or careful attention.

Zorg “Zorg” gives the instruction “Zorg dat de notities bij het verzoek passen.” It tells the listener to make sure that a required result is achieved. Use it to introduce a practical instruction about checking or ensuring something.

notities “Notities” means notes in “de notities bij het verzoek passen”. It refers to the written information that must correspond to the request. Use it when discussing notes that need to be checked against a task or instruction.

bij “Bij” links the notes to the request in “bij het verzoek passen”. It shows the reference point against which the notes are being matched. With “passen”, it is useful for expressing that one thing corresponds to or fits another.

verzoek “Verzoek” means request in “het verzoek”. It names the instructions or need that the notes should correspond to. It is useful in workplace communication when checking whether information fits a stated request.

passen “Passen” means fit or match in “bij het verzoek passen”. It says that the notes should correspond to the request. Use it when checking whether information, plans, or details are suitable for a particular requirement.

Dan “Dan” means then in “Dan schrijf ik een korte update.” It marks the next step after the notes have been checked. Use it to introduce an action that follows an earlier step in a plan.

schrijf “Schrijf” means write in “Dan schrijf ik een korte update.” It describes the speaker’s planned action of producing an update. Use it with “ik” when stating that you will write a message or document.

een “Een” introduces one unspecified update in “een korte update”. It presents the update as a new item rather than a previously identified document. Use it before a noun when introducing a new or nonspecific thing.

korte “Korte” means short in “een korte update”. It describes the update as limited in length. Use it before a noun when giving a brief description of a message, document, or other item.

update “Update” means an update or brief progress report in “een korte update”. It refers to the information the speaker will write after checking the notes. It is useful in workplace communication when reporting the current status of work.

Als “Als” introduces the time or condition in “Als het klaar is, kunnen we het delen.” Here it means when the item is ready, and it connects readiness with the next action. Use it to introduce a situation that must occur before another action.

klaar “Klaar” means ready or finished in “Als het klaar is”. It describes the update as complete enough to share. Use it after a form of “is” when saying that a task or item is ready.

kunnen “Kunnen” means can or be able to in “kunnen we het delen”. It expresses that sharing becomes possible once the update is ready. Use it before an action when describing what people are able or permitted to do.

delen “Delen” means share in “kunnen we het delen”. It names the next workplace action for the completed update. Use it after “kunnen” when saying that people can share a document, message, or other item.

Grammar Points

Laten we + infinitief

Laten we eerst het bestand controleren.

LAH-tun wuh AYRST ut buh-STAHNT kon-troh-LAY-run.

Let's check the file first.

Use “laten we” followed by the infinitive to make a suggestion for doing something together.

wil + infinitief

Ik wil eerst het bestand controleren.

ick vihl AYRST ut buh-STAHNT kon-troh-LAY-run.

I want to check the file first.

The verb “willen” becomes “wil” with ik; the following verb stays in the infinitive.

Dutch Vocabulary

beginnen verb

buh-GHIN-un to start; to begin

Laten we dus met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.

belangrijkste adj

buh-LANG-rike-stuh most important; main

het belangrijkste deel

bestand noun

buh-STAHNT file

het bestand

controleren verb

kon-troh-LAY-run to check controleert

terwijl jij het bestand controleert

deadline noun

DEHT-line deadline

De deadline is dichtbij.

deel noun

dayl part

het belangrijkste deel

dichtbij adv

DIKH-bye near; close

De deadline is dichtbij.

dichterbij adv

DIKH-ter-bye closer

Komt de deadline snel dichterbij?

dus adv

doos so; therefore

Laten we dus met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.

eerst adv

AYRST first

Waar moet ik eerst naar kijken?

laten we phrase

LAH-tun wuh let's

Laten we dus met het belangrijkste deel beginnen.

willen verb

VIHL-un to want wil

Wil je dat nu doen?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Is the deadline coming up soon?

Show Answer

Komt de deadline snel dichterbij?

The deadline is close.

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De deadline is dichtbij.

Do you want to take that on now?

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Wil je dat nu doen?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to start; to begin

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beginnen

part

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deel

deadline

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deadline

closer

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dichterbij