Cleaning Up a Common Room | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Cleaning Up a Common Room to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

We hebben de gemeenschappelijke ruimte een tijdje gebruikt.

wuh HEB-uhn duh guh-MAYN-skhah-puh-luh ROYMT-uh uhn TYT-yuh khuh-BROYKT. We used the common room for a while.

Laten we de ruimte opruimen voordat we weggaan.

LAH-tuhn wuh duh ROYMT-uh OH-proy-muhn VOOR-daht wuh WEKH-gahn. Let's clean it up before we head out.

Ik zet de stoelen terug waar ze stonden.

ik ZET duh STOOL-uhn tuh-ROYK vahr zuh STON-duhn. I'll put the chairs back where they were.

Ik ruim het afval van de tafels op.

ik ROYM uht AHF-vahl vahn duh TAH-fuhls ohp. I'll clear the trash from the tables.

Zullen we de lichten ook uitdoen?

ZUL-uhn wuh duh LIKH-tuhn ohk OYT-doon? Should we turn off the lights too?

Doe de lichten uit.

DOO duh LIKH-tuhn OYT. Turn off the lights.

Doe de ramen dicht voordat we afsluiten.

DOO duh RAH-muhn DIKHT VOOR-daht wuh AHF-SLOYT-uhn. Close the windows before we lock up.

De ruimte lijkt klaar voor de volgende groep.

duh ROYMT-uh LYKT KLAHR voor duh VOL-ghuhn-duh KHROOP. The room looks ready for the next group.

Dan kunnen we de deur op slot doen en weggaan.

DAHN KUN-uhn wuh duh DUR ohp SLOHT doon uhn WEKH-gahn. Then we can lock the door and leave.

Word by Word

We “We” means “we” here: the speakers refer to themselves together. It is the subject in “We hebben de gemeenschappelijke ruimte een tijdje gebruikt.” A new example is “We gaan nu naar huis” for referring to a group including the speaker.

hebben “hebben” means “have” here and helps form the past-use expression “hebben gebruikt.” It is placed after “We” in “We hebben ... gebruikt.” A new example is “We hebben de deur gesloten” when describing something already done.

de “de” means “the” in “de gemeenschappelijke ruimte.” It introduces this specific room. A reliable reuse pattern is “de” followed by a noun, as in “de volgende groep.”

gemeenschappelijke “gemeenschappelijke” means “common” or “shared” here and describes the room used by more than one group. It comes before “ruimte” in “de gemeenschappelijke ruimte.” A new example is “een gemeenschappelijke keuken” for a shared kitchen.

ruimte “ruimte” means “room” or “space” here, specifically the common room. It is the noun in “de gemeenschappelijke ruimte.” A new example is “Deze ruimte is groot” when talking about a room or area.

een “een” means “a” or “an” in “een tijdje,” introducing a non-specific short period. It comes directly before “tijdje” in this expression. A new example is “een uur” when referring to one non-specific hour.

tijdje “tijdje” means “a while” or “a short period” in “een tijdje.” Together, “een tijdje” says that the room was used for some time, without stating exactly how long. A new example is “Wacht een tijdje” when asking someone to wait for a short period.

gebruikt “gebruikt” means “used” here in “hebben ... gebruikt.” It is the form of gebruiken used for something that has already happened. A new example is “Ik heb deze tafel gebruikt” when saying that you used this table.

Laten “Laten” introduces the suggestion “Laten we de ruimte opruimen,” meaning “Let’s tidy the room.” The pattern “Laten we” is used to suggest a shared action. A new example is “Laten we beginnen” when suggesting that both people start.

opruimen “opruimen” means “to tidy up” or “to clean up” here. It follows “Laten we” in “Laten we de ruimte opruimen,” so the speakers suggest doing this together. A new example is “We moeten de keuken opruimen” when saying that the kitchen needs tidying.

voordat “voordat” means “before” and connects the clean-up action with leaving in “voordat we weggaan.” It introduces the action that must happen first. A new example is “Bel me voordat je vertrekt” when one action should happen before another.

weggaan “weggaan” means “to leave” or “to head out” here in “voordat we weggaan.” It is the action the speakers plan to do after cleaning up. A new example is “We gaan om vijf uur weg” when saying when a group will leave.

Ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person doing the action. It begins “Ik zet de stoelen terug waar ze stonden.” A new example is “Ik sluit de deur” when the speaker says what they will do.

zet “zet” means “put” or “set” here in “Ik zet de stoelen terug.” It describes placing the chairs back in position. A useful reuse pattern is “Ik zet” followed by an object and a place or direction. A new example is “Ik zet de tas op de tafel” when putting a bag on a table.

stoelen “stoelen” means “chairs” here, the objects being put back. It is the object after “zet” in “Ik zet de stoelen terug.” A new example is “De stoelen staan bij de tafel” when describing where chairs are.

terug “terug” means “back” here and shows that the chairs are returned to their earlier position. It follows “de stoelen” in “Ik zet de stoelen terug.” A new example is “Breng het boek terug” when asking someone to return a book.

waar “waar” means “where” here and introduces the place in “waar ze stonden.” It links the chairs’ new position to their earlier position. A new example is “Zet het waar je het vond” when telling someone to put something where they found it.

ze “ze” means “they” here and refers to the chairs in “waar ze stonden.” It is the subject of the clause describing where the chairs had been. A new example is “Ze staan bij het raam” when referring to several objects or people.

stonden “stonden” means “stood” or “were standing” here in “waar ze stonden.” It describes the chairs’ earlier position. A new example is “De fietsen stonden buiten” when saying where bicycles were.

ruim “ruim” contributes the meaning “clear” or “tidy up” in “Ik ruim het afval ... op.” Together with “op,” it describes removing the trash from the tables. A useful reuse pattern is “ruim” with an object and the separated particle “op,” as in this sentence.

het “het” means “the” in “het afval,” referring to the specific trash in the room. It comes directly before “afval.” A new example is “Ik zie het probleem” when referring to a specific problem.

afval “afval” means “trash” or “waste” here, the material being removed from the tables. It is the object in “Ik ruim het afval van de tafels op.” A new example is “Gooi het afval weg” when telling someone to throw trash away.

van “van” means “from” here and shows that the trash is being removed from the tables. It connects “het afval” with “de tafels” in “het afval van de tafels.” A new example is “Haal het boek van de tafel” when removing a book from a table.

tafels “tafels” means “tables” here, the surfaces from which the trash is cleared. It follows “van” in “van de tafels.” A new example is “De tafels zijn schoon” when describing clean tables.

op “op” is the separable particle used with “ruim” in “Ik ruim het afval van de tafels op.” Together, “ruim ... op” means to clear away or tidy up; “op” is separated from the verb because of the sentence structure. A useful reuse pattern is an object between the verb and “op,” as in this dialogue form.

Zullen “Zullen” helps introduce the suggestion “Zullen we de lichten ook uitdoen?” meaning “Shall we” or “Should we” do this together? The pattern “Zullen we” is used to ask about a shared action. A new example is “Zullen we wachten?” when suggesting that both people wait.

lichten “lichten” means “lights” here, the things the speakers consider turning off. It is the object in “de lichten ... uitdoen.” A new example is “De lichten zijn aan” when saying that the lights are on.

ook “ook” means “also” or “too” here, adding the lights to the other clean-up tasks. It appears in “de lichten ook uitdoen.” A new example is “Ik neem ook een stoel” when adding another item or action.

uitdoen “uitdoen” means “to turn off” here, specifically the lights in “de lichten ... uitdoen.” In “Doe de lichten uit,” the same verb appears with its particle separated. A useful reuse pattern is “iets uitdoen” when turning off a device or light.

Doe “Doe” gives a direct instruction in “Doe de lichten uit” and “Doe de ramen dicht.” It is the form of doen used to tell someone to carry out the action. A useful pattern is “Doe” followed by an object and the action result, as in these dialogue forms.

uit “uit” means “off” here and completes “Doe de lichten uit,” meaning turn the lights off. It comes after the object in this direct instruction. A new example is “Doe de computer uit” when telling someone to turn off a computer.

ramen “ramen” means “windows” here, the things that must be closed before the room is locked up. It is the object in “Doe de ramen dicht.” A new example is “De ramen zijn open” when describing open windows.

dicht “dicht” means “closed” or “shut” here in “Doe de ramen dicht.” It states the result expected for the windows. A new example is “De deur is dicht” when saying that a door is closed.

afsluiten “afsluiten” means “to lock up” or “to close up” here in “voordat we afsluiten.” It describes finishing the room’s closing procedure before leaving. A common reuse pattern is “voordat we afsluiten” when talking about the final action at the end of using a place.

lijkt “lijkt” means “looks” or “seems” here in “De ruimte lijkt klaar.” It presents readiness as an impression about the room. A useful reuse pattern is “lijkt” followed by a description, such as “lijkt klaar.”

klaar “klaar” means “ready” here in “lijkt klaar voor de volgende groep.” It says that the room is prepared for the people who will use it next. A new example is “Alles is klaar” when saying that preparations are finished.

voor “voor” means “for” here and introduces the group the room is ready for in “klaar voor de volgende groep.” It connects readiness with its intended users. A new example is “Dit cadeau is voor jou” when identifying who a gift is for.

volgende “volgende” means “next” or “following” here in “de volgende groep.” It identifies the group that will use the room after the current speakers leave. A new example is “de volgende les” when referring to the lesson after this one.

groep “groep” means “group” here, referring to the people who will use the room next. It is the noun in “de volgende groep.” A new example is “Een groep wacht buiten” when describing several people together.

Dan “Dan” means “then” here and marks the next step after the room is ready: “Dan kunnen we ...” It connects the completed preparation with leaving. A new example is “Dan gaan we naar huis” when stating what happens next.

kunnen “kunnen” means “can” here in “kunnen we de deur op slot doen en weggaan.” It expresses that the speakers are now able to perform the next actions. A useful reuse pattern is “kunnen we” followed by an action, as in this dialogue.

deur “deur” means “door” here, the object that the speakers will lock in “de deur op slot doen.” It refers to the room’s entrance. A new example is “De deur is open” when describing the door’s state.

op slot doen “op slot doen” is the complete expression for locking something, as in “de deur op slot doen.” Within it, “op” contributes the locked-state direction, “slot” names the lock or locked state, and “doen” expresses putting the door into that state. A useful reuse pattern is “de deur op slot doen” when leaving a place and securing it.

en “en” means “and” here and joins the two actions in “de deur op slot doen en weggaan.” It shows that locking the door and leaving are part of the same next step. A new example is “Ik sluit het raam en ga weg” when connecting two actions.

Grammar Points

voordat + bijzin met werkwoord achteraan

Voordat we weggaan, ruimen we op.

VOOR-daht wuh WEKH-gahn, ROY-muhn wuh ohp.

Before we leave, we clean up.

After “voordat,” the conjugated verb comes at the end of the subordinate clause.

Dan + werkwoord + onderwerp

Dan doen we ook de lichten uit.

DAHN doon wuh ohk duh LIKH-tuhn OYT.

Then we also turn off the lights.

When “Dan” starts the sentence, the verb comes before the subject.

Dutch Vocabulary

afval noun

AHF-vahl trash; waste het afval

Ik ruim het afval van de tafels op.

een tijdje phrase

uhn TYT-yuh for a while

We hebben de gemeenschappelijke ruimte een tijdje gebruikt.

gebruiken verb

khuh-BROY-kuhn to use gebruikt

We hebben de gemeenschappelijke ruimte een tijdje gebruikt.

gemeenschappelijke ruimte phrase

guh-MAYN-skhah-puh-luh ROYMT-uh common room de gemeenschappelijke ruimte

We hebben de gemeenschappelijke ruimte een tijdje gebruikt.

opruimen verb

OH-proy-muhn to clean up

Laten we de ruimte opruimen voordat we weggaan.

staan verb

STAHN to stand; to be standing stonden

Ik zet de stoelen terug waar ze stonden.

stoel noun

STOOL chair de stoelen

Ik zet de stoelen terug waar ze stonden.

tafel noun

TAH-fuhl table de tafels

Ik ruim het afval van de tafels op.

terug adv

tuh-ROYK back

Ik zet de stoelen terug waar ze stonden.

voordat conj

VOOR-daht before

Laten we de ruimte opruimen voordat we weggaan.

weggaan verb

WEKH-gahn to leave

Laten we de ruimte opruimen voordat we weggaan.

zetten verb

ZET-uhn to put; to place zet

Ik zet de stoelen terug waar ze stonden.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Should we turn off the lights too?

Show Answer

Zullen we de lichten ook uitdoen?

Turn off the lights.

Show Answer

Doe de lichten uit.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to clean up

Show Answer

opruimen

to leave

Show Answer

weggaan

before

Show Answer

voordat

to use

Show Answer

gebruikt