Leaving Space in a Crowded Line | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Leaving Space in a Crowded Line to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Het wordt echt druk in deze rij.

heht vawrt EKHT DRUHK in DAY-zuh RYE. This line is getting really crowded.

Laten we aan de zijkant wat ruimte laten.

LAH-tuhn vuh ahn duh ZYE-kahnt vaht RUYM-tuh LAH-tuhn. Let's leave some room on the side.

Zal ik een beetje naar achteren gaan?

zahl ik uhn BAY-chuh nahr AKH-tuh-ruhn khahn? Should I move back a little?

Dan kunnen mensen er makkelijker langs.

dahn KUHN-uhn MEN-suhn uhr MAH-kuh-luh-kur lahngs. That would make it easier for people to pass.

Is dit ver genoeg?

is dit vehr guh-NOOKH? Is this far enough?

Er is nu een vrije doorgang.

uhr is nyoo uhn VRY-uh DOHR-khahng. There is a clear path now.

Ik kan dichter bij de muur gaan staan.

ik kahn DIKH-tur bye duh MYUR khahn STAHN. I can stand closer to the wall.

Zo blijft het looppad vrij.

zoh BLAYFT heht LOHP-paht VRYE. That keeps the walkway open.

Word by Word

Het In "Het wordt echt druk in deze rij", "Het" is the impersonal "it" used to describe the situation becoming crowded; it does not refer to a named object. The pattern "Het wordt ..." is useful for describing a situation that is changing. You can use it when commenting on conditions around you.

wordt "Wordt" means "is getting" or "becomes" in "Het wordt echt druk in deze rij". It is the form of worden used with "Het" here, showing a change into a new situation. The pattern "Het wordt ..." is useful when something is becoming a certain way, such as more crowded.

echt "Echt" means "really" in "Het wordt echt druk in deze rij" and strengthens the description of how crowded the line is. It is placed before "druk" to emphasize that the crowding is noticeable. Use it when you want to emphasize an adjective or description in everyday conversation.

druk "Druk" describes the line as crowded or busy in "Het wordt echt druk in deze rij". Together with "wordt", it describes the line changing into a crowded state. The pattern "het wordt druk" is useful when a place is becoming busy, for example while people are arriving.

in "In" means "in" and marks the place where the situation occurs in "in deze rij". It connects the description of crowding with the line itself. Use "in" before a place or area when saying where something happens.

deze "Deze" means "this" and points to the particular line being discussed in "deze rij". It identifies one specific line rather than speaking about a line in general. The pattern "deze" followed by a noun is useful when selecting something nearby or already known in the conversation.

rij "Rij" means "line" or "queue" in "deze rij". Here it refers to the line in which the two people are waiting. The expression "in deze rij" is useful when identifying which queue someone should join or is already standing in.

Laten At the start of "Laten we aan de zijkant wat ruimte laten", "Laten" introduces a suggestion meaning "let's". The same written form appears later in "wat ruimte laten", where it means "leave" or "make available". Use "Laten we ..." when proposing a shared action to another person.

we "We" means "we" and includes both the speaker and the listener in the suggested action "Laten we aan de zijkant wat ruimte laten". It shows that the speaker is asking the other person to act together with them. The pattern "Laten we ..." is useful for making a joint suggestion.

aan "Aan" means "at" or "on" in "aan de zijkant" and marks the side where the space should be left. It identifies the location of the open area beside the line. Use "aan" with a side or location when indicating where something is positioned.

de "De" is the definite article "the" in "de zijkant" and "de muur". It introduces a specific side and a specific wall that are clear from the situation. The pattern "de" plus a noun is used when referring to a particular thing.

zijkant "Zijkant" means "side" or "side area" in "aan de zijkant". It refers to the edge of the crowded line where people can leave room. The expression "aan de zijkant" is useful when directing someone toward the side of a place or group.

wat "Wat" means "some" in "wat ruimte" and indicates an unspecified amount of space. It helps make the request about leaving a little available room rather than all the space. The pattern "wat" plus an amount or material, as in "wat ruimte", is useful when asking for or describing a small amount.

ruimte "Ruimte" means "room" or "space" in "wat ruimte laten". Here it refers to an open area at the side of the line that other people can use. The expression "ruimte laten" is useful when asking people not to fill an area completely.

Zal "Zal" in "Zal ik een beetje naar achteren gaan?" asks whether the speaker should move back a little. It presents the speaker's possible action as a question for the other person's approval or advice. The pattern "Zal ik ...?" is useful when offering to do something or asking whether an action is appropriate.

ik "Ik" means "I" and identifies the speaker as the person who may move in "Zal ik een beetje naar achteren gaan?". The same word appears as "Ik" at the beginning of "Ik kan dichter bij de muur gaan staan". Use it when describing your own action, ability, or intention.

een "Een" means "a" or "an" in the expression "een beetje". Here it helps form the phrase for a small amount rather than referring to a separate object. The expression "een beetje" is useful for softening a request or describing a small degree.

beetje "Beetje" means "little" or "bit" in "een beetje naar achteren gaan". Together with "een", it shows that the movement should be small. Use "een beetje" when asking someone to change position or do something only slightly.

naar "Naar" means "toward" or marks a direction in "naar achteren". It connects the movement with the direction of the back. Use "naar" before a destination or direction when describing where someone or something moves.

achteren "Achteren" means "backward" or "to the back" in "naar achteren gaan". Together with "naar", it specifies that the movement is away from the front and toward the back. The expression "naar achteren gaan" is useful when asking someone to move back.

gaan "Gaan" means "go" or "move" in "naar achteren gaan". Here it describes changing position rather than travelling to a separate destination. The same form appears in "dichter bij de muur gaan staan", where it introduces moving into a standing position.

Dan "Dan" means "then" or "in that case" in "Dan kunnen mensen er makkelijker langs". It connects the proposed movement back with the helpful result that follows. A sentence-initial "Dan" is useful when explaining what will happen after an action or condition.

kunnen "Kunnen" means "can" or "be able to" in "Dan kunnen mensen er makkelijker langs". It says that the available space will make passing possible or easier for people. The pattern "kunnen" followed by an action is useful when describing what someone is able to do.

mensen "Mensen" means "people" and is the group that can pass in "Dan kunnen mensen er makkelijker langs". It identifies the people who will use the open space. Use it as the subject when talking about people in general rather than one named person.

er "Er" in "er makkelijker langs" refers to the available passage or space through which people can pass. Together with "langs", it helps express getting past or along that route. The pattern "er ... langs" is useful when explaining that someone can pass through or by a place.

makkelijker "Makkelijker" means "more easily" in "Dan kunnen mensen er makkelijker langs". It shows that passing will require less difficulty after the space is opened. Use it when comparing how easy an action is before and after a change.

langs "Langs" means "past" or "by" in "er makkelijker langs". It describes people moving past the line or through the newly available route. The dialogue pattern "er makkelijker langs" is useful when describing how people get past an obstruction.

Is "Is" means "is" in the question "Is dit ver genoeg?" and in "Er is nu een vrije doorgang". It links a subject or situation with its current state or existence. Use "Is dit ...?" to check a condition and "Er is ..." to state that something exists or is present.

dit "Dit" means "this" in "Is dit ver genoeg?" and points to the current position or amount of space. It refers to what the people have just changed or are looking at. The pattern "Is dit ...?" is useful when checking whether a current arrangement is suitable.

ver "Ver" means "far" in "Is dit ver genoeg?" and asks about the distance of the movement. It is combined with "genoeg" to check whether the distance meets the practical need. The expression "ver genoeg" is useful when confirming that someone or something is far enough away.

genoeg "Genoeg" means "enough" in "Is dit ver genoeg?". It asks whether the distance is sufficient to create the needed passage. The pattern adjective or description plus "genoeg", as in "ver genoeg", is useful when checking whether a condition meets a requirement.

nu "Nu" means "now" in "Er is nu een vrije doorgang" and marks the current result after the people have moved. It shows that the clear passage is available at this moment. Use it when reporting a present situation or a change that has just taken effect.

vrije "Vrije" means "clear" or "open" in "een vrije doorgang". It describes the passage as unobstructed so people can use it. The expression "een vrije doorgang" is useful when confirming that a route through a crowded place is available.

doorgang "Doorgang" means "passage" or "way through" in "een vrije doorgang". It refers to the route that people can use to get past the line. Use it when talking about an opening or route that allows people to pass.

kan "Kan" means "can" in "Ik kan dichter bij de muur gaan staan" and expresses the speaker's ability or option to reposition. It is the form used with "Ik" here. The pattern "Ik kan ..." is useful when offering or describing something you are able to do.

dichter "Dichter" means "closer" in "dichter bij de muur". It indicates a shorter distance from the speaker's position to the wall. The pattern "dichter bij" is useful when describing movement toward a person, object, or place.

bij "Bij" means "near" or "to" in "dichter bij de muur" and marks the wall as the reference point for the distance. It completes the expression that describes being closer to something. Use "bij" with a person, object, or place when stating where someone is near or moves nearer.

muur "Muur" means "wall" in "dichter bij de muur". It is the fixed boundary that the speaker can stand closer to in order to keep the passage open. Use it when describing position or movement next to a wall.

staan "Staan" means "stand" or "be standing" in "gaan staan". In this expression, it names the standing position reached after moving closer to the wall. The exact pattern "dichter bij de muur gaan staan" is useful when describing where someone chooses to position themselves.

Zo "Zo" means "this way" or "so" in "Zo blijft het looppad vrij". It links the choice to stand closer to the wall with the result that follows. A sentence-initial "Zo" is useful when explaining how an action produces a practical result.

blijft "Blijft" means "stays" or "remains" in "Zo blijft het looppad vrij". It says that the walkway continues to be clear after the people adjust their positions. The pattern "blijft ... vrij" is useful when describing an open condition that continues.

looppad "Looppad" means "walkway" in "het looppad". It refers to the part of the space intended for people to walk through. The expression "het looppad vrij" is useful when discussing whether a walking route is blocked.

vrij "Vrij" means "clear" or "open" in "blijft het looppad vrij". Here it describes the walkway as unobstructed, so people can continue to use it. Use it with a path or area when saying that the space remains available.

Grammar Points

worden + bijvoeglijk naamwoord

De rij wordt echt druk.

duh RYE vawrt EKHT DRUHK.

The line is becoming really crowded.

Worden + adjective describes a change into a new state. The adjective follows worden.

blijven + bijvoeglijk naamwoord

De doorgang blijft vrij.

duh DOHR-khahng blyft VRYE.

The passage remains clear.

Blijven + adjective describes a state that continues. The adjective follows blijven.

Dutch Vocabulary

beetje noun

BAY-chuh little bit

een beetje

druk adj

druhk crowded; busy

Het wordt echt druk in deze rij.

echt adv

EKHT really

Het wordt echt druk.

langs adv

lahngs past; along; by

er langs

laten verb

LAH-tuhn to leave; to let Laten

Laten we ... ruimte laten.

makkelijker adv

MAH-kuh-luh-kur more easily

mensen er makkelijker langs

mensen noun

MEN-suhn people

kunnen mensen er makkelijker langs

naar achteren adv

nahr AKH-tuh-ruhn backward; toward the back

naar achteren gaan

rij noun

RYE line; queue

deze rij

ruimte noun

RUYM-tuh space; room

wat ruimte laten

worden verb

VAWR-duhn to become; to get wordt

Het wordt echt druk.

zijkant noun

ZYE-kahnt side

aan de zijkant

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

That would make it easier for people to pass.

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Dan kunnen mensen er makkelijker langs.

Is this far enough?

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Is dit ver genoeg?

There is a clear path now.

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Er is nu een vrije doorgang.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

little bit

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beetje

space; room

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ruimte

side

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zijkant

to leave; to let

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Laten