Borrowing cleaning supplies | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing cleaning supplies to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Kan ik wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken?

kahn ik vaht SKHOHN-mahk-spray ghuh-BROY-kuh(n)? Can I use some cleaning spray?

Het staat onder de gootsteen. Is er iets gemorst?

uht staht ON-duhr duh GHOHT-stayn. iss air its khuh-MORST? It is under the sink. Did something spill?

Er is sap op de keukenvloer gemorst.

uhr iss sahp op duh KUR-kuhn-vloor khuh-MORST. Juice spilled on the kitchen floor.

Neem ook de kleine emmer mee, zodat je de mop kunt uitspoelen.

NAYM ohk duh KLY-nuh EM-uhr may, soh-DAHT yuh duh mop kunt OYT-spoo-luh(n). Take the small bucket too, so you can rinse the mop.

Dat helpt. Ik breng ze allebei terug als ik klaar ben.

daht helpt. ik breng zuh ahl-luh-BAY truh-RUK ahls ik klahr ben. That helps. I will bring both back when I finish.

Laat ze bij mijn deur staan als alles droog is.

laht zuh buy mine DUR stahn ahls AL-uhs drohkh iss. Leave them by my door once everything is dry.

Ik waardeer je hulp bij deze rommel.

ik vahr-DAYR yuh hulp buy DAY-zuh ROM-uhl. I appreciate your help with this mess.

Zorg er gewoon voor dat de vloer daarna niet glad is.

zorkh uhr khuh-VOHN voor daht duh vloor DAHR-nah neet ghlaht iss. Just make sure the floor is not slippery afterward.

Word by Word

Kan In “Kan ik wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken?” it asks whether the speaker may or can use something. It comes before the subject in this question pattern. Use “Kan ik wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken?” when asking for permission to use an item.

ik “ik” means “I” and refers to the person speaking. In “Kan ik” it is the subject of the request, and in “Ik breng ze allebei terug” it is the person who will return the items. Use it as the subject when talking about your own action.

wat In “wat schoonmaakspray,” “wat” means “some” and indicates an unspecified amount. It comes before the substance being requested. This is useful when asking for or referring to some of a substance.

schoonmaakspray “schoonmaakspray” means cleaning spray, the product the speaker wants to use on the spill. It is the object of “gebruiken” in “wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken.” Use it when referring to spray used for cleaning.

gebruiken “gebruiken” means “use” in “Kan ik wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken?” It follows “Kan ik” and describes the requested action. The reusable pattern is “Kan ik ... gebruiken?” for asking whether you may use something.

Het “Het” means “it” in “Het staat onder de gootsteen.” Here it refers to the cleaning spray just mentioned. It is used as the subject when locating that item.

staat In “Het staat onder de gootsteen,” “staat” says where the item is located. It helps describe the position of the cleaning spray, not necessarily that it is literally standing. Use this location pattern when telling someone where an item is.

onder “onder” means “under” in “onder de gootsteen.” It shows that the item is below the sink. Use “onder” before a place or object to describe this kind of position.

de “de” is the definite article in “de gootsteen,” referring to the specific sink in the shared space. It comes directly before “gootsteen” in this noun phrase. Keep it with the noun when referring to that sink.

gootsteen “gootsteen” means sink in “onder de gootsteen.” It identifies the place where the cleaning spray is stored. Use it when talking about the sink area in a kitchen.

Is In “Is er iets gemorst?” “Is” begins a question about whether something has happened. Here the question checks for a spill. Use the pattern “Is er iets gemorst?” when checking whether something was spilled.

er In “Is er iets gemorst?” “er” helps frame the question about whether something has happened. It works with “iets” in this question rather than naming a specific thing. Use the pattern “Is er iets ...?” when asking whether something is present or has occurred.

iets “iets” means “something” in “Is er iets gemorst?” It leaves the thing unspecified because the speaker does not yet know what spilled. Use it before a description of an unknown thing or event.

gemorst “gemorst” means “spilled” in “Is er iets gemorst?” and in “Er is sap op de keukenvloer gemorst.” The same form is used both to ask about the spill and to report it. Use it when describing liquid that has spilled.

sap “sap” means juice in “Er is sap op de keukenvloer gemorst.” It identifies what was spilled. Use it when talking about juice, including when describing where it has spilled.

op “op” means “on” in “op de keukenvloer.” It shows that the juice is on the surface of the kitchen floor. Use “op” before a surface or place where something is located.

keukenvloer “keukenvloer” means kitchen floor in “op de keukenvloer.” It identifies the surface affected by the spilled juice. Use it when referring specifically to the floor in a kitchen.

Neem “Neem” gives the instruction to take something in “Neem ook de kleine emmer mee.” It is directed at the person who should take the bucket. Use “Neem ... mee” when telling someone to take an item along.

ook “ook” means “also” or “too” in “Neem ook de kleine emmer mee.” It adds the small bucket to the items already being used. Put it after the instruction word in this sentence pattern when adding another item.

kleine “kleine” means “small” in “de kleine emmer.” It distinguishes this bucket from other possible buckets. It comes before the noun it describes in this noun phrase.

emmer “emmer” means bucket in “de kleine emmer.” It is the item the speaker is told to take for rinsing the mop. Use it when referring to a bucket used to hold or carry water.

mee In “Neem ook de kleine emmer mee,” “mee” contributes the idea of taking the bucket along with you. The whole expression means to take the item with you. Use “Neem ... mee” when an item should accompany someone.

zodat “zodat” means “so that” in “zodat je de mop kunt uitspoelen.” It introduces the purpose of taking the bucket. Use it to connect an action with the result or purpose it makes possible.

je “je” means “you” in “zodat je de mop kunt uitspoelen.” It is the person who can rinse the mop. Use it as the subject when addressing the person carrying out the action.

mop “mop” means mop in “de mop uitspoelen.” It is the cleaning tool that needs to be rinsed. Use it when referring to the tool used to clean the floor.

kunt “kunt” means “can” or “are able to” in “je de mop kunt uitspoelen.” It says that rinsing the mop is possible for the person addressed. Use it with an action such as “uitspoelen” to describe ability or possibility.

uitspoelen “uitspoelen” means rinse in “de mop kunt uitspoelen.” It describes washing the mop through with water. Use it with an object such as “de mop” when talking about rinsing a tool.

Dat In “Dat helpt,” “Dat” means “that” and points back to the help or items just offered. It refers to something already mentioned rather than introducing a new object. Use “Dat helpt” to acknowledge that someone’s help is useful.

helpt “helpt” means “helps” in “Dat helpt.” Together with “Dat,” it expresses that the offered assistance is useful. Use “Dat helpt” as a short response when someone has made a situation easier.

breng “breng” describes bringing something in “Ik breng ze allebei terug.” With “terug,” it expresses returning the borrowed items. Use the complete pattern “Ik breng ze allebei terug” when promising to return both items.

ze “ze” means “them” in “Ik breng ze allebei terug” and “Laat ze bij mijn deur staan.” Here it refers to the cleaning items already mentioned. Use it to refer back to those items instead of repeating their names.

allebei “allebei” means “both” in “Ik breng ze allebei terug.” It shows that the speaker means two items, not just one. Use it with a reference to two previously mentioned things.

terug “terug” means “back” in “Ik breng ze allebei terug.” It completes the idea that the borrowed items will be returned. Use it with “breng” when taking something back to its owner or original place.

als “als” means “when” or “once” in “als ik klaar ben.” It introduces the condition or time for returning the items. Use it to say that one action will happen after another condition is met.

klaar “klaar” means “finished” or “ready” in “als ik klaar ben.” Here it refers to being finished with the cleaning task. Use the pattern “als ik klaar ben” when saying you will do something after you finish.

ben “ben” means “am” in “als ik klaar ben.” Together with “klaar,” it describes the speaker’s state of being finished. Use it in the pattern “ik klaar ben” after “als” for this condition.

Laat “Laat” gives the instruction to leave the items in “Laat ze bij mijn deur staan.” With “staan,” it tells the other person where to leave them. Use this expression when giving instructions about leaving something in a particular place.

bij “bij” means “by” or “at” in “bij mijn deur.” It identifies the location next to the speaker’s door. Use “bij” before a place when saying where something should be left or located.

mijn “mijn” means “my” in “mijn deur.” It shows that the door belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It comes before the noun it identifies.

deur “deur” means door in “bij mijn deur.” It gives the specific place where the cleaning items should be left. Use it when referring to a door or doorway.

staan In “Laat ze bij mijn deur staan,” “staan” describes the items being left there in place. Together with “Laat,” it gives the meaning “leave them standing there” or “leave them there.” Use this pattern when telling someone to leave an item at a location.

alles “alles” means “everything” in “als alles droog is.” Here it refers to everything relevant to the cleanup being dry. Use it as the subject when referring to the whole set of things in a situation.

droog “droog” means “dry” in “als alles droog is.” It describes the condition that must be reached before the items are left by the door. Use it to describe a surface or object without moisture.

waardeer “waardeer” means “appreciate” in “Ik waardeer je hulp bij deze rommel.” The speaker uses it to express gratitude for the neighbor’s assistance. Use this expression when directly thanking someone for help.

hulp “hulp” means help in “je hulp bij deze rommel.” It refers to the assistance given with cleaning up the spill. Use it after a possessive, as in “je hulp,” when referring to someone’s assistance.

deze “deze” means “this” in “deze rommel.” It points to the mess currently being discussed and cleaned up. Use it before a noun when referring to a specific nearby or current situation.

rommel “rommel” means mess in “deze rommel.” Here it refers to the disorder caused by the spilled juice. Use it when talking about a messy situation that needs cleaning.

Zorg “Zorg” starts the instruction in “Zorg er gewoon voor dat de vloer daarna niet glad is.” It tells the listener to make sure a particular result is achieved. Use the complete expression “Zorg ervoor dat ...” when giving an instruction to ensure something.

gewoon “gewoon” means “just” or “simply” in “Zorg er gewoon voor dat de vloer daarna niet glad is.” It presents the instruction as a straightforward reminder. Use it in a simple request or reminder when no extra explanation is needed.

voor In “Zorg er gewoon voor dat de vloer daarna niet glad is,” “voor” is part of the expression that means “make sure that.” It connects “Zorg ervoor” with the result introduced by “dat.” Use the complete pattern “Zorg ervoor dat ...” rather than treating “voor” as a separate meaning here.

vloer “vloer” means floor in “de vloer daarna niet glad is.” It identifies the surface that must be checked after cleaning. Use it when referring to a floor in a room or building.

daarna “daarna” means “afterward” in “de vloer daarna niet glad is.” It places the floor check after the cleaning action. Use it to show that something happens later in the sequence.

niet “niet” means “not” in “daarna niet glad is.” It negates the condition that the floor is slippery. Use it directly before the quality or description being denied here.

glad “glad” means “slippery” in “de vloer daarna niet glad is.” The speaker warns that the floor should not remain slippery after cleaning. Use it when describing a surface that may be difficult or unsafe to walk on.

Grammar Points

kleine + zelfstandig naamwoord

een kleine emmer

uhn KLY-nuh EM-uhr

a small bucket

Before a noun, klein often becomes kleine, especially after een.

ervoor zorgen dat + bijzin

Zorg ervoor dat alles droog is.

zorkh uhr-VOOR daht AL-uhs drohkh iss

Make sure everything is dry.

ervoor zorgen dat introduces a clause expressing what you make sure about.

Dutch Vocabulary

emmer noun

EM-uhr bucket

de kleine emmer

gebruiken verb

ghuh-BROY-kuh(n) use

Kan ik wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken?

gootsteen noun

GHOHT-stayn sink

Het staat onder de gootsteen.

iets pron

eets something

Is er iets gemorst?

keukenvloer noun

KUR-kuhn-vloor kitchen floor

sap op de keukenvloer

klein adj

KLINE small kleine

de kleine emmer

mop noun

mop mop

de mop uitspoelen

morsen verb

MOR-suhn spill gemorst

Is er iets gemorst?

onder prep

ON-duhr under

onder de gootsteen

sap noun

sahp juice

Er is sap op de keukenvloer gemorst.

schoonmaakspray noun

SKHOHN-mahk-spray cleaning spray

wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken

staan verb

stahn stand; be located staat

Het staat onder de gootsteen.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Can I use some cleaning spray?

Show Answer

Kan ik wat schoonmaakspray gebruiken?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

use

Show Answer

gebruiken

stand; be located

Show Answer

staat

kitchen floor

Show Answer

keukenvloer

spill

Show Answer

gemorst