Using the shared laundry schedule | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Using the shared laundry schedule to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

De gedeelde wasruimte is vandaag druk.

duh khuh-DAYL-duh VAHS-ROY-mtuh iss vahn-DAHKH DRUHKH. The shared laundry room is busy today.

Zet je naam op het rooster voordat je een was draait.

ZET yuh NAHM ahp ut ROH-stur vər-DAHT yuh un VAHS DRYTT. Put your name on the schedule before starting a load.

Later vanmiddag is er een wasmachine vrij.

LAH-tur vahn-MID-dahkh iss ur un VAHS-mah-SHEE-nuh VRY. There's a washer open later this afternoon.

Stel een timer in.

STEL un TYE-mur IN. Set a timer.

Zodat de volgende persoon niet hoeft te wachten.

zoh-DAHT duh VOL-khuhn-duh pur-SOHN neet HOOVT tuh VAHKH-tun. So the next person is not stuck waiting.

Moet ik mijn kleren verplaatsen zodra het programma klaar is?

MOOT ik MINE KLAY-run vur-PLAHT-sun ZOH-drah ut proh-KHRAHM-mah klahr iss? Should I move my clothes as soon as the cycle ends?

Doe dat alsjeblieft; natte kleren die in de machine blijven, houden iedereen op.

Doo daht ahl-shuh-BLEEFT; NAHT-tuh KLAY-run dee in duh muh-SHEE-nuh BLY-vun, HOO-dun AY-duh-RAYN ahp. Please do; wet clothes left in a machine hold everyone up.

Ik breng mijn mand naar beneden voordat het programma klaar is.

ik BRENG MINE MAHNT nahr buh-NAY-dun vər-DAHT ut proh-KHRAHM-mah klahr iss. I'll bring my basket down before it finishes.

Dan blijft alles soepel lopen.

dahn BLYFT AHL-lus SOO-pul LOH-pun. That should keep things running smoothly.

Word by Word

De “De” means “the” in “De gedeelde wasruimte”. It introduces a specific shared laundry room, as does de in “de machine”. This article is useful when referring to a known place or object.

gedeelde “gedeelde” means “shared” and describes the laundry room in “De gedeelde wasruimte”. Its citation form is gedeeld; gedeelde is the form used before this noun. Use this form when describing a facility or object that people use together.

wasruimte “wasruimte” means “laundry room”, the shared room discussed in the dialogue. It is the place named in “De gedeelde wasruimte”. This word is useful when talking about where washing machines are located.

is “is” means “is” and states the condition of the laundry room today. It is a form of zijn used to connect the room with its description. Use it to describe a current state or situation.

vandaag “vandaag” means “today” and specifies when the laundry room is busy. It places the situation on the current day. Use it with a statement about something happening or being true today.

druk “druk” means “busy” here, describing the laundry room as having many users or activities. In the dialogue, it explains the situation that makes the schedule important. Use it to describe a place, time, or period with a lot of activity.

Zet “Zet” means “put” or “place” in the instruction “Zet je naam op het rooster”. Its citation form is zetten, and this exact form gives a direct instruction. Use it with an object and a location when telling someone where to place something.

je “je” has two roles in this dialogue: it means “your” in “je naam” and “you” in “je een was draait”. The surrounding words show which meaning applies. It is useful for addressing one person informally and referring to that person or their belongings.

naam “naam” means “name” in “je naam”. It is the information that the person is told to put on the schedule. Use it with a possessive such as je when identifying whose name is meant.

op “op” means “on” in “op het rooster”, describing where the name should be placed. It also appears in “houden iedereen op”, where it is part of the expression meaning “hold everyone up” or delay everyone. Its meaning therefore depends on the construction around it.

het “het” means “the” in both “het rooster” and “het programma”. It introduces specific things known from the laundry situation. Use it before these nouns when referring to the particular schedule or cycle.

rooster “rooster” means “schedule” in “op het rooster”. It is the timetable on which people record their laundry use. Use it when organizing turns, appointments, or available time slots.

voordat “voordat” means “before” and introduces the action that must happen first in “voordat je een was draait”. It connects putting a name on the schedule with starting the laundry. Use it to order two actions in time.

een “een” means “a” in “een was”, referring to one non-specific laundry load. It introduces the load that the person is going to run. Use it before a singular, non-specific thing or activity.

was “was” means “a wash” or “laundry load” in “een was draait”. It refers to one machine load rather than to the room or the machine itself. Use it when talking about running or planning a particular load of laundry.

draait “draait” means “is running” or “operates” in “een was draait”. Its citation form is draaien; this exact form describes the laundry load while it is in operation. Use it with a load or machine when explaining that a washing cycle is running.

Later “Later” means “later” and helps identify a time after the present moment. In “Later vanmiddag”, it points to a later part of this afternoon. Use it when offering or discussing a later time.

vanmiddag “vanmiddag” means “this afternoon” in “Later vanmiddag”. Together with Later, it identifies when the washing machine will be available. Use it to refer to the afternoon of the current day.

er “er” is the existential placeholder in “is er een wasmachine vrij”. It helps state that an available washing machine exists at the mentioned time. Use it in Dutch sentences that introduce the existence or availability of something.

wasmachine “wasmachine” means “washing machine”. In the dialogue, it is the machine that will be available later. Use it when referring specifically to the appliance used for washing clothes.

vrij “vrij” means “free” or “available” in “een wasmachine vrij”. It says that the washing machine is not occupied at that time. Use it to describe a machine, place, or time slot that can be used.

Stel “Stel” means “set” in the instruction “Stel een timer in”. Its citation form is stellen. Together with in, it forms the instruction to set or activate a timer; use this expression when reminding someone to arrange a timer.

timer “timer” means “timer” in “Stel een timer in”. It is the device or setting that reminds the person when the laundry cycle should be checked. Use it with a time-based task or reminder.

in “in” has two uses in the dialogue. In “Stel een timer in”, it completes the expression meaning “set a timer”; in “in de machine”, it means “in” or “inside” the machine. The surrounding words determine which function it has.

Zodat “Zodat” means “so that” and introduces the purpose of setting a timer. In “Zodat de volgende persoon niet hoeft te wachten”, it explains the intended result for the next person. Use it to connect an action with its purpose or consequence.

volgende “volgende” means “next” in “de volgende persoon”. It identifies the person whose turn comes after the current user. Use it before a person, turn, or event that comes after another one.

persoon “persoon” means “person” in “de volgende persoon”. It refers to the next user of the washing machine. Use it when speaking about an individual without naming or otherwise identifying them.

niet “niet” means “not” and makes the waiting action negative in “niet hoeft te wachten”. It shows that the next person should not need to wait. Use it to negate an action, state, or requirement.

hoeft “hoeft” means “has to” or “needs to” in the negative expression “niet hoeft te wachten”. Its citation form is hoeven; with niet, the sentence says that the next person does not have to wait. Use this form when explaining that an action is unnecessary.

wachten “wachten” means “wait” in “te wachten”. It is the action that the next person should not need to perform. Use it after hoeft te when describing whether someone needs to wait.

Moet “Moet” means “must” or “should” in the question “Moet ik mijn kleren verplaatsen”. Its citation form is moeten. The question asks whether moving the clothes is required, so use this form to ask about an obligation or necessary action.

ik “ik” means “I” in “Moet ik”. It identifies the speaker as the person who may need to move the clothes. Use it as the subject when asking what the speaker should do.

mijn “mijn” means “my” in “mijn kleren”. It shows that the clothes belong to or are being used by the speaker. Use it before a noun when referring to something connected with yourself.

kleren “kleren” means “clothes” in “mijn kleren”. These are the clothes that the speaker plans to move after the cycle. Use it when referring to garments as a group.

verplaatsen “verplaatsen” means “move” in “mijn kleren verplaatsen”. It refers to taking the clothes out of their current position in the machine. Use it with an object when saying that something should be moved to another place.

zodra “zodra” means “as soon as” and introduces the event that triggers the next action. In “zodra het programma klaar is”, the clothes should be moved immediately after the cycle is finished. Use it when one action follows another without intentional delay.

programma “programma” means “program” or “cycle” in “het programma klaar is”. Here it refers to the selected washing-machine cycle. Use it when talking about the machine setting or cycle that is running.

klaar “klaar” means “finished” or “ready” in “het programma klaar is”. It says that the washing cycle has ended. Use it to describe a task, process, or program that has reached its end.

Doe “Doe” means “do” in the response “Doe dat”. Its citation form is doen, and this exact form gives a direct instruction to carry out the action just discussed. Use it when telling someone to perform a previously mentioned action.

dat “dat” means “that” or “it” in “Doe dat”. It refers back to moving the clothes rather than naming the whole action again. Use it to point back to an action or thing already understood from the conversation.

alsjeblieft “alsjeblieft” means “please” and makes the instruction “Doe dat alsjeblieft” more polite. It is used when asking someone to follow the requested action. Place it with a request or instruction when you want to soften it.

natte “natte” means “wet” in “natte kleren”. Its base form is nat; this form describes the clothes that remain in the machine. Use it before a noun when describing something as wet.

die “die” introduces extra information about the clothes in “natte kleren die in de machine blijven”. It refers back to the plural noun kleren and connects it to the clause explaining where they remain. Use it after a noun when adding a description or identifying clause.

machine “machine” means “machine” in “in de machine”. Here it refers to the washing machine containing the wet clothes. Use it when the appliance is understood from the situation or has already been identified.

blijven “blijven” means “remain” or “stay” in “in de machine blijven”. It describes the clothes staying inside the machine instead of being moved. Use it with a place or situation when something continues to be there.

houden “houden” means “hold” or “keep”, and with op in “houden iedereen op” the full expression means “hold everyone up” or delay everyone. The clothes cause the other people to lose time. Use this construction when something prevents people from continuing promptly.

iedereen “iedereen” means “everyone” in “houden iedereen op”. It refers to all the other people using or waiting for the shared laundry room. Use it when the statement applies to every person in a group.

breng “breng” means “bring” in “Ik breng mijn mand naar beneden”. Its citation form is brengen; in this context, the present form describes the speaker’s planned action. Use it with an object and a destination when saying that you will take something somewhere.

mand “mand” means “basket” in “mijn mand”. It is the basket the speaker will bring to the laundry room. Use it when referring to a container for carrying clothes or other items.

naar “naar” means “to” or “toward” in “naar beneden”. It marks the direction of the basket’s movement. Use it before a destination or direction when describing where someone or something is going.

beneden “beneden” means “downstairs” or “downward” in “naar beneden”. It identifies the direction in which the basket will be brought. Use it when referring to a lower floor or a downward movement.

Dan “Dan” means “then” or “in that case” in “Dan blijft alles soepel lopen”. It presents the smooth result of bringing the basket before the cycle finishes. Use it to introduce a result that follows from what was just said.

blijft “blijft” means “remains” or “continues” in “blijft alles soepel lopen”. Its citation form is blijven. Here it says that the smooth operation continues, so use it when describing an ongoing state or process.

alles “alles” means “everything” in “alles soepel lopen”. It refers broadly to the shared laundry process and its practical arrangements. Use it when a statement applies to all relevant things in a situation.

soepel “soepel” means “smoothly” in “alles soepel lopen”. It describes the way the laundry arrangements continue, without delays or problems. Use it to describe an activity or process that works without difficulty.

lopen “lopen” means “run” or “function” in “soepel lopen”; it does not mean physically walking here. After blijft, it describes everything continuing to work smoothly. Use it for a process, system, or arrangement that is functioning well.

Grammar Points

voordat + werkwoord achteraan

Voordat ik een was draai, zet ik de timer.

vər-DAHT ik un VAHS DRY, ZET ik duh TYE-mur.

Before I run a load of laundry, I set the timer.

Na voordat komt het werkwoord aan het einde van de bijzin.

scheidbaar werkwoord: instellen

Zodra het programma klaar is, stel ik de timer in.

ZOH-drah ut proh-KHRAHM-mah klahr iss, STEL ik duh TYE-mur IN.

As soon as the cycle is finished, I set the timer.

Bij een hoofdzin staat in voorvoegsel aan het einde: stel ... in.

Dutch Vocabulary

druk adj

DRUHKH busy

een was draaien phrase

un VAHS DRY-un to run a load of laundry

gedeeld adj

khuh-DAYLT shared gedeelde

instellen verb

IN-stel-un to set stel ... in

rooster noun

ROH-stur schedule

timer noun

TYE-mur timer

vanmiddag adv

vahn-MID-dahkh this afternoon

voordat conj

vər-DAHT before

vrij adj

VRY free; available

wasmachine noun

VAHS-mah-SHEE-nuh washing machine

wasruimte noun

VAHS-ROY-mtuh laundry room

zetten verb

ZET-un to put zet

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The shared laundry room is busy today.

Show Answer

De gedeelde wasruimte is vandaag druk.

Set a timer.

Show Answer

Stel een timer in.

That should keep things running smoothly.

Show Answer

Dan blijft alles soepel lopen.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

busy

Show Answer

druk

washing machine

Show Answer

wasmachine

schedule

Show Answer

rooster

free; available

Show Answer

vrij