Using a Computer and Printer in a Quiet Library | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: In a library, one person asks to use a computer and printer while keeping the room quiet..

EN → NL / Level: A1

About This Lesson

Use Using a Computer and Printer in a Quiet Library to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Kan ik deze computer gebruiken?

kahn ik DAY-zuh kuhm-pyoo-TAIR guh-BROY-kuhn? Can I use this computer?
B

Die computer is vrij.

dee kuhm-pyoo-TAIR iss VRY. That computer is free.
A

Het scherm is erg helder.

hut SKHERM iss ERKH HEL-duhr. The screen is very bright.
B

Je kunt de helderheid hier lager zetten.

yuh kunt duh HEL-duhr-hite heer LAH-ghuhr ZET-uhn. You can lower the brightness here.
A

Kan ik de printer ook gebruiken?

kahn ik duh PRIN-tuhr ohk guh-BROY-kuhn? Can I use the printer too?
B

Je kunt de printer bij het bureau gebruiken.

yuh kunt duh PRIN-tuhr bay hut byoo-ROH guh-BROY-kuhn. You can use the printer near the desk.
A

Ik gebruik een koptelefoon als ik geluid afspeel.

ik guh-BROYK uhn KOP-tuh-FOHN ahls ik guh-LOYT AHF-spayl. I'll use headphones if I play any audio.
B

Zo blijft het stil in de ruimte.

zoh BLYFT ut stil in duh ROYM-tuh. That will keep the room quiet.

Word by Word

Kan “Kan” means “can” in the permission question “Kan ik deze computer gebruiken?”. It is used at the beginning of a question with “ik” and an action such as “gebruiken”. You can use this pattern when politely asking whether you may do something.
ik “ik” means “I” and refers to the person asking to use the computer. In “Kan ik deze computer gebruiken?”, it comes after “Kan” in the question. Use “ik” when talking about yourself.
deze “deze” means “this” and points to the computer near or being indicated by the speaker. It comes directly before “computer” in “deze computer”. Use “deze” before a specific nearby object when identifying it.
computer “computer” means “computer” in “deze computer”. It is the object that the speaker wants to use. A reusable pattern is “een computer gebruiken” for using a computer.
gebruiken “gebruiken” means “to use” in “deze computer gebruiken”. It follows “Kan ik” in the permission question and names the requested action. Use “gebruiken” with an object, such as “een computer gebruiken”.
Die “Die” means “that” and points to the computer being identified by the other speaker in “Die computer is vrij.” It comes before “computer” to refer to a particular computer. Use “die” when pointing out a specific object that is not presented as “this”.
is “is” means “is” in “Die computer is vrij.” It connects “Die computer” with the description “vrij”. This form is used when describing what something is or what condition it is in.
vrij “vrij” means “free” or “available” here, so “Die computer is vrij” says that the computer is available to use. It follows “is” in this description. Use “vrij” with an object when saying that it is not occupied or is available.
Het “Het” means “the” in “Het scherm is erg helder.” It is the article used here before “scherm”. Use “Het” before this noun when referring to the specific screen.
scherm “scherm” means “screen” in “Het scherm is erg helder.” It is the part of the computer whose brightness is being described. A reusable pattern is “het scherm is ...” when describing a screen.
erg “erg” means “very” in “erg helder” and strengthens the description of the screen. It comes before the adjective “helder”. Use “erg” before an adjective when emphasizing its degree.
helder “helder” means “bright” here and describes the screen in “Het scherm is erg helder.” It follows “is” and is intensified by “erg”. Use “helder” to describe a screen or another source of light that has a strong brightness.
Je “Je” means “you” in “Je kunt de helderheid hier lager zetten.” It refers to the person being told how to adjust the screen. It comes before “kunt” in this statement and is used when addressing someone directly.
kunt “kunt” means “can” in “Je kunt de helderheid hier lager zetten.” Together with “Je”, it says that the person is able or permitted to make the adjustment. Use “Je kunt” before an action to tell someone what they can do.
de “de” means “the” in “de helderheid”. It introduces the specific brightness setting that can be adjusted. Use “de” before this noun when referring to that setting.
helderheid “helderheid” means “brightness” in “de helderheid hier lager zetten.” It is the setting that the listener is told to lower. A reusable pattern is “de helderheid lager zetten” when reducing a screen’s brightness.
hier “hier” means “here” and indicates the place or control where the brightness can be adjusted. In “de helderheid hier lager zetten”, it comes before the adjustment phrase. Use “hier” to point to the relevant place or control.
lager “lager” means “lower” in “de helderheid hier lager zetten.” It describes the new, reduced level of the brightness. With “zetten”, the reusable pattern is “iets lager zetten”, meaning to set something to a lower level.
zetten “zetten” means “set” or “put” in the expression “de helderheid hier lager zetten.” Here it combines with “lager” to mean setting the brightness lower, rather than simply placing an object somewhere. Use “iets lager zetten” when adjusting a level downward.
printer “printer” means “printer” in “de printer ook gebruiken” and “de printer bij het bureau gebruiken.” It is the second device the speaker asks to use. A reusable pattern is “de printer gebruiken” for using the printer.
ook “ook” means “too” or “also” in “Kan ik de printer ook gebruiken?” It shows that the speaker is asking about the printer in addition to the computer. Put “ook” near the action or object that is being added to the request.
bij “bij” means “near” or “by” in “bij het bureau”. It places the printer close to the desk. Use “bij” followed by a place or object when indicating that something is nearby.
bureau “bureau” means “desk” in “bij het bureau”. It is the location used to identify where the printer can be found. A reusable pattern is “bij het bureau” for something near the desk.
een “een” means “a” in “een koptelefoon”. It introduces one unspecified pair or item of headphones. Use “een” before a singular noun when referring to a non-specific item.
koptelefoon “koptelefoon” means “headphones” in “Ik gebruik een koptelefoon”. It is the device the speaker will use to listen privately. A reusable pattern is “een koptelefoon gebruiken” when using headphones.
als “als” means “if” in “als ik geluid afspeel.” It introduces the condition under which the speaker will use headphones. Use “als” before a clause describing a condition or situation.
geluid “geluid” means “sound” or “audio” in “geluid afspeel.” It is what the speaker may play through the headphones. A reusable pattern is “geluid afspelen” for playing audio.
afspeel “afspeel” means “play” in “als ik geluid afspeel.” It describes the speaker playing audio, and the object “geluid” comes before it in this clause. Use the pattern “iets afspelen” when referring to playing a sound or another recording.
Zo “Zo” means “in this way” or “so” in “Zo blijft het stil in de ruimte.” It refers to using headphones instead of playing audio aloud. Use “zo” to show that the result follows from the action just described.
blijft “blijft” means “stays” or “remains” in “blijft het stil.” It describes the room continuing to be quiet as a result of using headphones. Use “blijft” with a description such as “stil” when saying that a condition continues.
stil “stil” means “quiet” in “blijft het stil in de ruimte.” It describes the condition of the room when audio is kept in the headphones. Use “het blijft stil” when saying that a place remains quiet.
in “in” means “in” and introduces the place “de ruimte” in “in de ruimte.” It shows where the quiet condition applies. Use “in” before a place or area when describing something located or happening there.
ruimte “ruimte” means “room” or “space” in “in de ruimte.” It refers to the library room where the quiet should be maintained. A reusable pattern is “in de ruimte” when referring to something happening inside the room.

Grammar Points

erg + bijvoeglijk naamwoord

erg helder

ERKH HEL-duhr

very bright/clear

erg modifies an adjective, like “very” in English. Here, erg is an adverb and helder is an adjective.

deze/die + zelfstandig naamwoord

deze computer / die printer

DAY-zuh kuhm-pyoo-TAIR / dee PRIN-tuhr

this computer / that printer

Use deze for “this” and die for “that” before a noun; both function as demonstrative determiners.

Dutch Vocabulary

computer noun
kuhm-pyoo-TAIR computer
deze det
DAY-zuh this
die det
dee that Die
erg adv
ERKH very
gebruiken verb
guh-BROY-kuhn to use
helder adj
HEL-duhr bright; clear
helderheid noun
HEL-duhr-hite brightness
hier adv
heer here
ik pron
ik I
lager adj
LAH-ghuhr lower
scherm noun
SKHERM screen
vrij adj
vry free; available

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Can I use this computer?

Show AnswerKan ik deze computer gebruiken?

That computer is free.

Show AnswerDie computer is vrij.

The screen is very bright.

Show AnswerHet scherm is erg helder.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

free; available

Show Answervrij

bright; clear

Show Answerhelder

computer

Show Answercomputer

to use

Show Answergebruiken