Preparing for Heavy Rain | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Preparing for Heavy Rain to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

De weersvoorspelling zegt dat het binnenkort hard gaat regenen.

duh VAYRS-fohr-SPELL-ing zekht daht hut bih-nuh-KOHRt khahd khaht RAY-khuh-nuhn The forecast says heavy rain will start soon.

Draag dan vandaag waterdichte schoenen.

DRAHkh dahn vahn-DAHKH WAH-ter-dikh-tuh SKHOO-nuhn Then wear waterproof shoes today.

Er zijn altijd plassen bij het station.

ur zayn AHL-tayt PLAH-suhn bay hut stah-SHYON There are always puddles near the station.

Je hebt misschien ook extra tijd nodig door vertragingen.

yuh hehpt mis-SKHEEN ohk EK-struh tayt NOH-dikh dohr ver-TRAH-khing-un You may also need extra time for delays.

Moet ik mijn laptop in een waterdichte hoes doen?

MOOT ik mayn LAP-top in uhn WAH-ter-dikh-tuh HOOS doon Should I put my laptop in a waterproof sleeve?

Houd hem in je tas, zodat hij droog blijft.

Howt hum in yuh tahs, soh-DAHT hay drohkh blayft Keep it inside your bag where it stays dry.

Dan moet ik eerder vertrekken dan normaal.

Dahn MOOT ik AYR-der ver-TREK-kun dahn nor-MAHL Then I should leave earlier than usual.

Dat zou de reis minder stressvol moeten maken.

Daht zow duh rays MIN-der STRESS-fohl MOOT-un MAH-kun That should make the trip less stressful.

Word by Word

De In “De weersvoorspelling” this exact form means “the” before “weather forecast.” It is used at the beginning of a sentence before the noun phrase; reuse the pattern “De + noun” when referring to a specific thing in context. You might use it when introducing information about a specific forecast.

weersvoorspelling “weersvoorspelling” means “weather forecast,” the source of the information in this dialogue. It is used in “De weersvoorspelling zegt dat” to introduce what the forecast predicts; reuse that expression when reporting forecast information. You might use it when discussing the expected weather before making plans.

zegt “zegt” means “says” in “De weersvoorspelling zegt dat.” It introduces information that follows after “dat,” so the reusable pattern is “X zegt dat ...”. You might use it to report what a person, sign, or forecast communicates.

dat Here “dat” means “that” and links “De weersvoorspelling zegt” to the information being reported. It introduces the clause “dat het binnenkort hard gaat regenen”; reuse “zegt dat ...” when reporting a statement. You might use it when passing on information from another source.

het In “dat het binnenkort hard gaat regenen,” “het” is the impersonal “it” used with the weather event. It appears as part of the weather expression rather than referring to a particular object; reuse “het ... gaat regenen” for a rain forecast. You might use it when talking about coming rain.

binnenkort “binnenkort” means “soon,” referring to a time in the near future. In “het binnenkort hard gaat regenen,” it places the expected rain close to the present; reuse it with an upcoming event. You might use it when warning someone about weather that will begin soon.

hard Here “hard” means “heavily” or “intensely,” describing how the rain will fall in “hard gaat regenen.” The expression “hard regenen” is used for heavy rain; reuse it when describing strong rainfall. You might use it in a weather warning.

gaat In “gaat regenen,” “gaat” helps express that the rain is expected to happen soon. It combines with the infinitive “regenen” in “hard gaat regenen”; reuse “gaat + infinitive” for an expected upcoming action. You might use it when forecasting what will happen shortly.

regenen “regenen” means “to rain” and names the weather event in “gaat regenen.” It follows “gaat” in this dialogue to describe expected rain; reuse “het gaat regenen” when saying that rain is coming. You might use it when discussing whether to take rain protection.

Draag “Draag” means “wear” in the direct advice “Draag dan vandaag waterdichte schoenen.” It is used to tell someone to put on or wear the named item; reuse “Draag ...” when giving practical clothing advice. You might use it when advising someone what to wear in bad weather.

dan Here “dan” means “then,” linking the forecast to the advice that follows. In “Draag dan vandaag ...,” it means that the advice applies because of the preceding information; reuse “dan” to connect a situation with a resulting action. You might use it when responding to a new fact with a recommendation.

vandaag “vandaag” means “today,” identifying the day on which the shoes should be worn. It appears in “Draag dan vandaag ...”; reuse it with an action that applies on the current day. You might use it when making a plan for today.

waterdichte “waterdichte” means “waterproof” and describes the shoes in “waterdichte schoenen.” The adjective identifies footwear intended to keep water out; reuse the exact expression “waterdichte schoenen” when discussing rain protection. You might use it when choosing shoes for wet conditions.

schoenen “schoenen” means “shoes,” the item that should be worn in “waterdichte schoenen.” It is used after the describing word “waterdichte”; reuse that phrase when talking about footwear for rain. You might use it when preparing to walk outside in wet weather.

Er At the beginning of “Er zijn altijd plassen,” “Er” introduces the fact that something exists or is present. The reusable pattern is “Er zijn ...” followed by what is present; you might use it when pointing out puddles or another feature of a place.

zijn In “Er zijn altijd plassen,” “zijn” presents the puddles as being present. It works with the introductory pattern “Er zijn ...”; reuse that pattern to say that something can be found in a location. You might use it when describing what is near a station or another place.

altijd “altijd” means “always,” expressing that the puddles are present regularly in “Er zijn altijd plassen.” It marks a repeated or consistent situation; reuse it before the situation being described. You might use it when warning someone about a place that regularly has a problem.

plassen “plassen” means “puddles,” the water found near the station in this dialogue. It appears in “plassen bij het station,” which is a reusable way to describe puddles at a location. You might use it when warning someone about wet ground after rain.

bij Here “bij” means “near” or “at,” locating the puddles in relation to the station. It appears in “bij het station”; reuse “bij + place” to give a nearby location. You might use it when explaining where a person will encounter a problem.

station “station” means “station,” the place near which the puddles are located. It appears in “bij het station” after the location word “bij”; reuse that phrase when describing something near the station. You might use it when discussing a journey or route.

Je “Je” means “you” at the beginning of “Je hebt misschien ook extra tijd nodig.” The same word appears lowercase in “je tas,” where it means “your”; reuse the form according to its position and meaning in the phrase. You might use it when giving advice directly to another person.

hebt “hebt” contributes the meaning “have” in the need expression “Je hebt misschien ook extra tijd nodig.” The reusable pattern is “Je hebt ... nodig” for saying that someone needs something. You might use it when discussing what time, equipment, or preparation a person requires.

misschien “misschien” means “perhaps” and makes the need for extra time less certain. It appears before “ook extra tijd nodig” in “Je hebt misschien ook extra tijd nodig”; reuse it when presenting a possibility rather than a definite fact. You might use it when giving cautious travel advice.

ook “ook” means “also,” adding extra time to the other preparations already discussed. In “misschien ook extra tijd nodig,” it shows that this is an additional need; reuse it when adding another item or action. You might use it when expanding a plan with one more precaution.

extra “extra” means “additional,” describing time beyond the usual amount in “extra tijd.” It is placed directly before the noun it describes; reuse “extra + noun” when more of something is needed. You might use it when allowing additional time for a delay.

tijd “tijd” means “time,” specifically time needed because of possible delays in this dialogue. It appears in the reusable expression “extra tijd nodig”; you might use that expression when planning enough time for an uncertain journey.

nodig “nodig” means “needed” in the construction “Je hebt ... tijd nodig,” which expresses needing something. The reusable pattern is “hebben ... nodig,” with the needed item in the middle; you might use it when explaining what preparation or resource someone requires.

door Here “door” means “because of” or “due to,” giving the reason for needing extra time in “door vertragingen.” It introduces the cause of a situation; reuse “door + cause” when explaining why something happens. You might use it when connecting travel plans to delays.

vertragingen “vertragingen” means “delays,” the possible reason for needing extra travel time. It appears after “door” in “door vertragingen”; reuse that expression when explaining a delay-related cause. You might use it when discussing an uncertain journey or disrupted transport.

Moet “Moet” means “must” or “should” in the question “Moet ik ... doen?”, which asks whether an action is necessary or advisable. The reusable pattern is “Moet ik ...?” when asking for guidance about your own action. You might use it when checking how to protect something from the rain.

ik “ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person asking about the laptop. It appears in “Moet ik mijn laptop ... doen?”; reuse it when stating or asking about your own action. You might use it when asking someone for personal advice.

mijn “mijn” means “my” and shows that the laptop belongs to or is associated with the speaker in “mijn laptop.” It comes before the noun it identifies; reuse “mijn + noun” when referring to something connected with yourself. You might use it when discussing how to protect your own belongings.

laptop “laptop” means “laptop,” the item that may be put in a waterproof sleeve. It appears in “mijn laptop” and is the object of the protection question; reuse that phrase when discussing your computer. You might use it when planning how to keep electronic equipment dry.

in Here “in” means “in” or “inside,” showing the destination of the laptop in “in een waterdichte hoes doen.” It is used before the container that will hold something; reuse “in + container” when describing where an object is placed. You might use it when packing an item for wet weather.

een “een” means “a” and introduces the unspecified waterproof sleeve in “een waterdichte hoes.” It comes before the noun phrase being mentioned; reuse “een + noun” when referring to one non-specific item. You might use it when suggesting a suitable container or covering.

hoes “hoes” means “sleeve” or “cover,” the protective covering for the laptop in “een waterdichte hoes.” It appears after “waterdichte” to identify the type of cover; reuse “waterdichte hoes” when discussing protection from water. You might use it when packing an electronic device for rain.

doen In “in een waterdichte hoes doen,” “doen” means “put” or “place,” describing moving the laptop into the sleeve. The reusable expression is “iets in ... doen,” with the object and container kept in their positions; you might use it when describing how to put an item into a bag or cover.

Houd “Houd” means “keep” in the instruction “Houd hem in je tas.” It tells someone to leave the item in a particular place; reuse “Houd ... in ...” when giving advice about where something should remain. You might use it when telling someone how to protect an object.

hem “hem” refers to “it” in “Houd hem in je tas,” with the laptop as its clear antecedent. It identifies the item being kept in the bag; reuse it when referring back to that item in the instruction. You might use it when giving a follow-up instruction about the laptop.

tas “tas” means “bag,” the place where the laptop should stay in “in je tas.” It follows the location word “in”; reuse “in je tas” when saying that something is inside your bag. You might use it when explaining how to carry and protect an item.

zodat “zodat” means “so that” and introduces the intended result in “zodat hij droog blijft.” It links keeping the laptop in the bag with the result that it stays dry; reuse “..., zodat ...” to state a purpose or consequence. You might use it when explaining why an action is recommended.

hij Here “hij” refers to the laptop and means “it” as the subject of “droog blijft.” It connects the item already mentioned with the result clause “zodat hij droog blijft”; reuse it when referring back to that item. You might use it when explaining what should remain protected.

droog “droog” means “dry,” describing the desired condition of the laptop in “droog blijft.” It is used with “blijft” to express that the item remains free from water; reuse “droog blijven” for an object that stays dry. You might use it when discussing protection from rain.

blijft “blijft” means “stays” or “remains” in “droog blijft,” expressing that the laptop continues to be dry. The reusable expression is “droog blijven”; you might use it when describing a condition that should continue after an action.

eerder “eerder” means “earlier,” comparing the planned departure with the usual departure time in “eerder dan normaal.” It appears before “dan normaal” to make that comparison; reuse the full expression when leaving before the usual time. You might use it when allowing extra time for travel.

vertrekken “vertrekken” means “leave” or “depart” in “moet ik eerder vertrekken.” It describes starting the journey and follows the advice about leaving earlier; reuse “eerder vertrekken” when planning an earlier departure. You might use it before a trip that may take longer than expected.

normaal “normaal” means “usual” or “normal” in the comparison “eerder dan normaal.” It provides the ordinary departure time as the reference point; reuse “dan normaal” when comparing a plan with the usual routine. You might use it when explaining a change to a regular schedule.

zou In “Dat zou de reis minder stressvol moeten maken,” “zou” frames the result as expected or conditional rather than stating it as a certainty. It works with “moeten maken” in this construction; reuse the full pattern when describing what an action is expected to achieve. You might use it when giving a reassuring prediction.

reis “reis” means “trip” or “journey,” referring to the travel being planned in “de reis.” It is the thing expected to become less stressful; reuse “de reis” when discussing a particular journey. You might use it when preparing for travel in difficult weather.

minder “minder” means “less,” showing a reduction in the stress associated with the journey in “minder stressvol.” It comes before the quality being reduced; reuse “minder + adjective” when describing a lower degree of a quality. You might use it when explaining how preparation improves a situation.

stressvol “stressvol” means “stressful,” describing the journey in “de reis minder stressvol.” With “minder,” it means that the journey will have less stress; reuse the exact expression when discussing the effect of better preparation. You might use it when reassuring someone about a difficult trip.

moeten In “zou ... moeten maken,” “moeten” means “should” or “ought to,” expressing the expected effect of leaving earlier. It combines with “maken” to form the result construction “Dat zou de reis minder stressvol moeten maken”; reuse that complete pattern when predicting an outcome. You might use it when saying that an action is expected to improve a situation.

maken “maken” means “make” in “de reis minder stressvol moeten maken,” describing the action that causes the trip to become less stressful. The word works with the result “minder stressvol,” so the reusable pattern is “iets minder ... maken”; you might use it when describing how a preparation changes an experience.

Grammar Points

waterdichte + zelfstandig naamwoord

waterdichte schoenen

WAH-ter-DIKH-tuh SKHOO-nuhn

waterproof shoes

Before a plural noun, the adjective takes -e: waterdicht becomes waterdichte before schoenen.

Dutch Vocabulary

binnenkort adv

bih-nuh-KOHRt soon

dragen verb

DRAH-khun to wear draag

extra adj

EK-struh extra

misschien adv

mis-SKHEEN maybe

nodig adj

NOH-dikh needed

plassen noun

PLAH-suhn puddles

regenen verb

RAY-khuh-nuhn to rain

schoenen noun

SKHOO-nuhn shoes

station noun

stah-SHYON station

tijd noun

tayt time

waterdicht adj

WAH-ter-dikht waterproof waterdichte

weersvoorspelling noun

VAYRS-fohr-SPELL-ing forecast

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Then wear waterproof shoes today.

Show Answer

Draag dan vandaag waterdichte schoenen.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to rain

Show Answer

regenen

waterproof

Show Answer

waterdichte

soon

Show Answer

binnenkort

puddles

Show Answer

plassen