Moving Forward in a Shop Line | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Moving Forward in a Shop Line to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

De rij schuift op.

duh RYE skhoyft AWP. The line is moving forward.

We moeten nu naar voren gaan.

vuh MOOT-uhn NYOO nar VOH-run khahn. We should step up now.

Zijn wij aan de beurt?

zine vay ahn duh BURT? Are we next?

Bijna, er staat nog één persoon voor ons.

BYE-nah, ur staht nokh ayn pur-SOHN vohr awns. Almost, there is one person ahead of us.

Ik heb mijn kaart bij de hand.

ik HEP mine kahrt buy duh HAHNT. I have my card ready.

Houd hem in je hand.

HOWT hem in yuh HAHNT. Keep it in your hand.

Ik ben klaar om te bestellen.

ik ben KLAHR um tuh buh-STEL-un. I am ready to order.

Ze kunnen daarna onze bestelling opnemen.

zuh KUN-nun dar-NAH AWN-zuh buh-STEL-ling AWP-nay-mun. They can take our order next.

Word by Word

De “De” means “the” here and is the definite article before “rij”. It identifies the line as a specific line, as in “De rij”. Use it before a noun when referring to a known or specific thing.

rij “rij” means “line” or “queue” here. In “De rij” it names the line that is moving forward. Use it for a line of people waiting at a counter, shop, or other place.

schuift “schuift” means “moves” or “shifts” here, describing the line moving forward. It is a present-tense form of “schuiven”; the subject “De rij” explains the singular form. Use it with “op” in “schuift op” when a line moves forward.

op “op” contributes the idea of forward movement in “schuift op”. Together with “schuift”, the expression describes the line moving forward. Use “op” after this verb in the reusable pattern “schuift op” for a line or group moving forward.

We “We” means “we” here and refers to the speakers together. It is the subject of “We moeten nu naar voren gaan”. Use it at the start of a sentence when the speaker includes themselves and at least one other person.

moeten “moeten” means “must” or “should” here, expressing that moving forward is necessary or advisable. It is the same form as the citation form “moeten” and is followed by the infinitive phrase “naar voren gaan”. Use it before an action when saying what someone has to or should do.

nu “nu” means “now” here and places the suggested action in the present moment. In “We moeten nu naar voren gaan”, it tells the listeners when to move. Use it with an instruction or suggestion about something that should happen immediately.

naar “naar” indicates direction toward a place or position here. In “naar voren gaan”, it helps express movement toward the front. Use it before a destination or direction when describing where someone is going.

voren “voren” means “forward” or “toward the front” here. Together with “naar”, it forms “naar voren”, the direction in “naar voren gaan”. Use “naar voren” when telling someone to move toward the front of a line or space.

gaan “gaan” means “go” here and completes the action in “naar voren gaan”. It is the infinitive after “moeten”, so the modal expression says that the speakers should go forward. Use it after a modal verb when describing the action someone must or should take.

Zijn “Zijn” means “are” here and begins the question “Zijn wij aan de beurt?”. It is a form of the citation verb “zijn” and comes before the subject because this is a question. Use it at the beginning of a question asking whether someone has a particular status or turn.

wij “wij” means “we” here and refers to the speakers as the people whose turn is being asked about. In “Zijn wij aan de beurt?”, it follows the verb in the question. Use it when clearly referring to the group that includes the speaker.

aan de beurt “aan de beurt” means “next” or “whose turn it is” in “Zijn wij aan de beurt?”. The full expression refers to being the person or group served next; “aan” introduces the expression, “de” is the definite article, and “beurt” names the turn. Use “aan de beurt” when asking or saying whose turn it is in a queue or activity.

Bijna “Bijna” means “almost” here and shows that the speakers are nearly next, but not yet. It stands at the beginning of the reply “Bijna, er staat nog één persoon voor ons.” Use it as a short answer when something is close to happening but has not happened yet.

er “er” introduces the existence of something in “er staat nog één persoon voor ons”. It does not point to a specific place here; it helps present the person who is still ahead. Use it in a sentence that introduces someone or something that is present or exists.

staat “staat” means “is standing” here and describes the one person still ahead in the line. It is a form of the citation verb “staan”, used with the singular subject “één persoon”. Use it when describing a person or object as standing in a particular position.

nog “nog” means “still” here and shows that one person remains ahead of the speakers. In “er staat nog één persoon voor ons”, it indicates that this situation continues at that moment. Use it before the person or thing that remains.

persoon “persoon” means “person” here and identifies the individual ahead in the line. It is counted by “één” in “één persoon”. Use it when referring to an individual without specifying their name or role.

voor “voor” means “in front of” or “ahead of” here. In “voor ons”, it places the person ahead relative to the speakers. Use it before a person or group when describing something located in front of them or ahead of them.

ons “ons” means “us” here and refers to the speakers as the people behind the one person. In “voor ons”, it follows the preposition “voor”. Use it after a preposition when referring to the speaker and others as the object of the preposition.

Ik “Ik” means “I” here and identifies the speaker. It is the subject of “Ik heb mijn kaart bij de hand.” Use it at the beginning of a sentence when talking about yourself.

heb “heb” means “have” here, expressing that the speaker has the card ready and available. It is a form of the citation verb “hebben”, used with “Ik”. Use it before something that you possess or have with you.

mijn “mijn” means “my” here and shows that the card belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It comes directly before “kaart” in “mijn kaart”. Use it before a noun when identifying something as connected to yourself.

kaart “kaart” means “card” here, specifically the card the speaker has ready for the counter. It follows the possessive word “mijn” in “mijn kaart”. Use it for a card used in a transaction or other practical situation.

bij de hand “bij de hand” means “ready” or “close at hand” in “Ik heb mijn kaart bij de hand.” The whole expression says that the card is readily available; “bij” contributes closeness, “de” is the definite article, and “hand” refers to the hand. Use “bij de hand” when something is kept nearby and ready to use.

Houd “Houd” means “keep” or “hold” here and gives the instruction to keep the card in the hand. It is the imperative form of the citation verb “houden” and begins “Houd hem in je hand”. Use it when telling someone to keep or hold something in a particular place.

hem “hem” means “it” here and refers back to the card. In “Houd hem in je hand”, it is the object of “Houd”. Use it to refer back to a masculine noun or a male person when that noun is the object of the action.

in “in” means “in” here and indicates the location of the card inside the speaker’s hand. It appears in “in je hand”. Use it before a place or container to describe where something is located.

je “je” means “your” here and identifies the hand as belonging to the person being addressed. It comes before “hand” in “je hand”. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to or associated with the person you are addressing.

hand “hand” means “hand” here and names the place where the card should be held. In “in je hand”, it follows the possessive word “je”. Use it when describing holding, giving, or placing something in a person’s hand.

ben “ben” means “am” here and describes the speaker’s state of being ready. It is a form of the citation verb “zijn”, used with “Ik” in “Ik ben klaar”. Use it with “Ik” to describe your current state or condition.

klaar “klaar” means “ready” here and says that the speaker is prepared to order. It follows “Ik ben” in “Ik ben klaar om te bestellen”. Use it after a form of “zijn” when saying that someone or something is ready.

om “om” introduces the action connected to being ready in “om te bestellen”. Together with “te”, it introduces the infinitive phrase that explains what the speaker is ready to do. Use “om te” before an infinitive when linking a state or purpose to an action.

te “te” marks the infinitive in “te bestellen”. Together with “om”, it introduces the action that the speaker is ready to do. Use “te” in the pattern “om te” before an infinitive when expressing the relevant action or purpose.

bestellen “bestellen” means “order” here and names the action the speaker is ready to perform. It is the infinitive after “om te” in “om te bestellen”. Use it when ordering food, drinks, products, or services.

Ze “Ze” means “they” here and refers to the people at the counter who can take the order. It is the subject of “Ze kunnen daarna onze bestelling opnemen”. Use it when referring to more than one person without naming them.

kunnen “kunnen” means “can” here and expresses that the counter staff are able or available to take the order. It is followed by the infinitive “opnemen” in “kunnen ... opnemen”. Use it before an infinitive when describing ability or possibility.

daarna “daarna” means “after that” or “next” here and places taking the order after the current step in the line. In “Ze kunnen daarna onze bestelling opnemen”, it indicates what will happen next. Use it to connect a later action to something that has just happened or is understood.

onze “onze” means “our” here and shows that the order belongs to the speakers together. It comes before “bestelling” in “onze bestelling”. Use it before a noun when identifying something as belonging to or involving the speaker and others.

bestelling “bestelling” means “order” here and refers to the request the speakers will give to the counter staff. It follows “onze” in “onze bestelling”. Use it for an order placed for food, drinks, products, or services.

opnemen “opnemen” means “take” here, specifically take or record an order. It is the infinitive after “kunnen” in “onze bestelling opnemen”. Use it with “bestelling” when staff receive and record a customer’s order.

Grammar Points

aan de beurt zijn

Wij zijn bijna aan de beurt.

vay zine BYE-nah ahn duh BURT.

We are almost next in line.

The fixed expression aan de beurt zijn means that it is someone’s turn or that they are next in line.

Houd + object + bij de hand

Houd hem bij de hand.

HOWT hem buy duh HAHNT.

Keep it at hand.

Houd is the imperative of houden. Dutch places the object directly after the imperative verb.

Dutch Vocabulary

aan de beurt phrase

ahn duh BURT next in line; one's turn

Zijn wij aan de beurt?

bijna adv

BYE-nah almost

Bijna, er staat nog één persoon voor ons.

één num

ayn one

Er staat nog één persoon voor ons.

gaan verb

khan go

We moeten nu naar voren gaan.

naar voren adv

nar VOH-run forward

We moeten nu naar voren gaan.

nog adv

nokh still; yet

Er staat nog één persoon voor ons.

nu adv

NYOO now

We moeten nu naar voren gaan.

rij noun

RYE line

De rij schuift op.

schuift op verb

skhoyft AWP moves forward

De rij schuift op.

staat verb

staht stands; is standing

Er staat nog één persoon voor ons.

wij pron

vay we

Zijn wij aan de beurt?

zijn verb

zine are

Zijn wij aan de beurt?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The line is moving forward.

Show Answer

De rij schuift op.

We should step up now.

Show Answer

We moeten nu naar voren gaan.

Are we next?

Show Answer

Zijn wij aan de beurt?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

are

Show Answer

zijn

Show Answer

gaan

almost

Show Answer

bijna

stands; is standing

Show Answer

staat