Deciding the next task | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Deciding the next task to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Wat zullen we nu doen?

wuht ZUH-luhn wuh nuh DOON? What should we do now?

Laten we beginnen met de korte lijst.

LAH-tuhn wuh buh-GHIN-uhn met duh KOR-tuh LIEST. Let's start with the short list.

Zullen we die afmaken voordat we het bestand bekijken?

ZUH-luhn wuh dee AHF-mah-kuhn vohr-DAHT wuh uht buh-STA HNT buh-KIE-kuhn? Should we finish it before reviewing the file?

We kunnen de lijst snel afmaken als we het werk verdelen.

wuh KUN-uhn duh LIEST snel AHF-mah-kuhn ahls wuh uht werk vur-DAY-luhn. We can get through it quickly if we split the work.

Dan doe ik het eerste deel.

DAHN DOO ik uht AYRS-tuh DAYL. Then I'll take the first part.

Ik doe de rest.

ik DOO duh REST. I'll handle the rest.

Daarna kunnen we alles bekijken wat niet duidelijk is.

DAHR-nah KUN-uhn wuh AHL-uhs buh-KIE-kuhn wuht neet DOY-luhk iss. After that, we can review anything unclear.

Ik open het bestand als de lijst klaar is.

ik OH-puh-nuhn uht buh-STA HNT ahls duh LIEST KLAHR iss. I'll open the file when the list is done.

Word by Word

Wat “Wat” means “what” in the question “Wat zullen we nu doen?”. It asks for information about the next action. A useful reuse pattern is “Wat ...?” when asking what something is or what someone will do.

zullen “Zullen” expresses a suggestion or question about a joint action in “Wat zullen we nu doen?” and “Zullen we die afmaken...?”. It is used with “we” and a following verb such as “doen” or “afmaken” to ask what the speakers should do.

we “We” means “we” and refers to the two people deciding together. In “Laten we beginnen...” it is part of a suggestion, while in “We kunnen...” it is the subject of what they can do. Use “we” as the subject when referring to yourself and at least one other person.

nu “Nu” means “now” in “Wat zullen we nu doen?”. It places the question in the present moment. It can be used with a question about what should happen now.

doen “Doen” means “do” in “Wat zullen we nu doen?”. It names the action being discussed after “zullen”. A useful pattern from the dialogue is “Wat zullen we ... doen?” when deciding on an action.

Laten “Laten” means “let” as part of the suggestion “Laten we beginnen met de korte lijst.”. Together with “we”, it invites the other person to do something together. Use “Laten we” to make a suggestion to a group that includes yourself.

beginnen “Beginnen” means “start” or “begin” in “Laten we beginnen met de korte lijst.”. Here it introduces the activity that the speakers want to start. The dialogue shows the reuse pattern “beginnen met” followed by what is being started.

met “Met” means “with” in “beginnen met de korte lijst” and introduces what they will start with. It connects “beginnen” to “de korte lijst”. Use “met” after “beginnen” when naming the starting point or activity.

de “De” means “the” in “de korte lijst” and “de lijst”. It is the definite article used with “lijst” in these dialogue phrases. Use it before a specific noun such as the list being discussed.

korte “Korte” means “short” in “de korte lijst” and describes the list. This exact form appears before “lijst”. It can be reused before a noun when describing something as short.

lijst “Lijst” means “list” in “de korte lijst” and “de lijst”. It refers to the short set of tasks the speakers are dividing. Use “lijst” for a written or ordered group of items.

die “Die” refers to “de korte lijst” as the object in “Zullen we die afmaken...?”. In this sentence it means “it” or “that one”, pointing back to the list. It can be used to refer to a previously mentioned object.

afmaken “Afmaken” means “finish” or “complete” in “Zullen we die afmaken voordat we het bestand bekijken?” and “de lijst snel afmaken”. It describes bringing the list to completion. A useful pattern is “iets afmaken”, with the object placed before “afmaken” in the dialogue.

voordat “Voordat” means “before” in “voordat we het bestand bekijken”. It introduces the action that should happen later than finishing the list. Use “voordat” before a clause to set a time order between two actions.

het “Het” means “the” in “het bestand”. It identifies the specific file that the speakers will review or open. Use it before “bestand” in this dialogue phrase when referring to that file.

bestand “Bestand” means “file” in “het bestand”. It is the file that the speakers will first review and later open. Use “bestand” for a computer file or another saved document.

bekijken “Bekijken” means “review” or “look at” in “het bestand bekijken” and “alles bekijken wat niet duidelijk is”. It describes examining something carefully. The dialogue shows “bekijken” followed by the thing being reviewed.

kunnen “Kunnen” means “can” or “be able to” in “We kunnen de lijst snel afmaken”. It expresses that the speakers are able to complete the list. It is followed by another action, such as “afmaken”, to say what they can do.

snel “Snel” means “quickly” in “de lijst snel afmaken”. It describes the speed of completing the list. Place it before the action it describes, as in the dialogue.

als “Als” introduces a condition in “als we het werk verdelen” and a time condition in “als de lijst klaar is”. Depending on the sentence, it means “if” or “when”. Use “als” before a clause that states a condition or the time when something happens.

werk “Werk” means “work” in “het werk verdelen”. It is the work that the speakers will split between them. Use “werk” when referring generally to tasks or duties that need to be done.

verdelen “Verdelen” means “divide” or “split” in “als we het werk verdelen”. It describes assigning the work between the speakers. A useful pattern is “iets verdelen”, with the thing being divided before “verdelen” in the dialogue.

Dan “Dan” means “then” in “Dan doe ik het eerste deel.”. It marks the next step that follows the decision to split the work. Use “Dan” to introduce what someone will do next.

doe “Doe” means “do” or “take care of” in “Dan doe ik het eerste deel.” and “Ik doe de rest.”. It is the form of “doen” used with “ik” here, showing what the speaker will handle. The dialogue provides the reusable pattern “Ik doe ...” for saying which task or part you will take care of.

ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person taking responsibility in “Dan doe ik het eerste deel.” and “Ik doe de rest.”. It is the subject of the action. Use “ik” when stating what you will do or handle.

eerste “Eerste” means “first” in “het eerste deel”. It identifies the part that comes first in the divided work. Use it before a noun when referring to the first item or section.

deel “Deel” means “part” in “het eerste deel”. It refers to one portion of the work after the list has been divided. Use “deel” when talking about one section of a larger task or whole.

rest “Rest” means “the rest” or “remainder” in “Ik doe de rest.”. It refers to everything left after the other person takes the first part. Use “de rest” when taking responsibility for what remains.

Daarna “Daarna” means “after that” in “Daarna kunnen we alles bekijken wat niet duidelijk is.”. It places reviewing the unclear points after the earlier work is finished. Use it to introduce a later step in a sequence.

alles “Alles” means “everything” in “alles bekijken wat niet duidelijk is”. Here it refers to all the things that are not clear, rather than to only one item. Use “alles” when referring generally to the whole set of relevant things.

niet “Niet” means “not” in “wat niet duidelijk is”. It makes “duidelijk” negative and shows that something is unclear. Use “niet” directly with the word or expression being negated.

duidelijk “Duidelijk” means “clear” in “wat niet duidelijk is”. With “niet”, it describes information that is not understandable or certain. Use it to describe whether something has been explained or understood clearly.

is “Is” means “is” in “wat niet duidelijk is” and connects the subject with the description “niet duidelijk”. It is the form of “zijn” used here. Use “is” to state what one thing or situation is like.

open “Open” means “open” as a verb in “Ik open het bestand”. It describes the speaker opening the file after the list is finished. The citation form is “openen”; “open” is the form used with “ik” here.

klaar “Klaar” means “done” or “ready” in “als de lijst klaar is”. It describes the list as completed before the file is opened. Use “klaar zijn” to say that a task or item is finished or ready.

Grammar Points

korte lijst

korte lijst

KOR-tuh LIEST

short list

Before a noun, the adjective kort takes the -e ending: korte.

laten we + infinitief

Laten we beginnen.

LAH-tuhn wuh buh-GHIN-uhn

Let’s start.

Laten we + an infinitive is the standard Dutch way to make a suggestion: “Let’s …”.

Dutch Vocabulary

afmaken verb

AHF-mah-kuhn to finish

Zullen we die afmaken?

als conj

AHLS if; when

als we het werk verdelen

bekijken verb

buh-KIE-kuhn to review; to look at

het bestand bekijken

bestand noun

buh-STA HNT file

het bestand

doen verb

DOON to do

Wat zullen we nu doen?

kort adj

KORT short korte

de korte lijst

laten we beginnen phrase

LAH-tuhn wuh buh-GHIN-uhn let's start

Laten we beginnen met de korte lijst.

lijst noun

LIEST list

de korte lijst

nu adv

nuh now

Wat zullen we nu doen?

snel adv

SNEL quickly

de lijst snel afmaken

voordat conj

vohr-DAHT before

voordat we het bestand bekijken

werk noun

WERK work

het werk

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

What should we do now?

Show Answer

Wat zullen we nu doen?

Then I'll take the first part.

Show Answer

Dan doe ik het eerste deel.

I'll handle the rest.

Show Answer

Ik doe de rest.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

file

Show Answer

bestand

to do

Show Answer

doen

to review; to look at

Show Answer

bekijken

to finish

Show Answer

afmaken