Discussing a repair with the landlord | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: At home, two adults plan a clear message to the landlord about a leaking tap and possible repair visit..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Discussing a repair with the landlord to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

De kraan in de badkamer lekt weer, ook al heb ik hem gisteren aangedraaid.

duh KRAHN in duh BAH-tur-kah-mur LEKT vayr, ohk ahl hayp ik HEM KHEE-stur-un AHN-duh-rieT The bathroom tap is leaking again, even after I tightened it yesterday.
B

Omdat dit steeds weer gebeurt, kunnen we waarschijnlijk beter contact opnemen met de verhuurder.

ohm-DAHT dit stayts vayr khuh-BURT, KUN-nun vuh vwar-SHINE-lik BAY-tur KOHN-takt OH-pnay-mun met duh vur-HUR-dur Since it keeps happening, we should probably contact the landlord.
A

Ik kan een foto sturen en uitleggen dat een tijdelijke reparatie niet heeft gewerkt.

ik kun un FOH-toh STUR-un en OYT-LAY-khun daht un TIE-duh-luh-kuh ray-pah-RAHT-see neet hayft khuh-WURKT I can send a photo and explain that a temporary repair did not work.
B

Vermeld dat er water wordt verspild en dat het aanrecht nat wordt.

vur-MELT daht ur WAH-tur wordt vur-SPEELT en daht ut AHN-rekht naht wordt Mention that water is being wasted and the counter is getting wet.
A

Zullen we zeggen dat we het probleem niet zelf hebben veroorzaakt?

ZUH-lun vuh ZEG-un daht vuh ut proh-BLAYM neet zelf HAY-bun vur-OOR-zaakt Should we say that we did not cause the problem ourselves?
B

Zet dat duidelijk in het bericht, maar houd de toon rustig.

zet daht DOW-duh-lik in ut buh-RIKHT, mahr howt duh tohn ROOS-tukh Include that clearly, but keep the tone calm.
A

Het bericht moet beleefd maar concreet zijn, zodat er geen verwarring ontstaat.

ut buh-RIKHT moot buh-LAYFT mahr kon-KRAYT zine, zoh-DAHT ur khayn vur-WAHR-ing ohnt-STAHT The message should be polite but specific, so there is no confusion.
B

Vraag wanneer een loodgieter langs kan komen, want doordeweekse ochtenden zijn voor ons lastig.

FRAHK wan-NAYR un LOHT-khee-tur lahngs kun KOH-mun, want DOHR-duh-wayk-suh OKH-tun-dun zine vor ons LAH-stukh Ask when a plumber could visit, because weekday mornings are difficult for us.
A

We kunnen een flexibele periode voorstellen waarin iemand thuis kan zijn.

vuh KUN-nun un fleks-EE-buh-luh pay-ree-OH-duh VOHR-stel-un wah-RIN EEM-unt touse kun zine We can suggest a flexible time window when someone can be home.
B

Dat zou het voor de verhuurder makkelijker moeten maken om de reparatie te regelen.

daht zow ut vor duh vur-HUR-dur MAH-kur-lik-ur MOO-tun MAH-kun om duh ray-pah-RAHT-see tuh RAY-khuh-lun That should make it easier for the landlord to arrange the repair.

Word by Word

De “De” means “the” here and introduces the noun “kraan”. It is used before this noun in the phrase “De kraan” when referring to the specific tap.
kraan “kraan” means a tap or faucet, specifically the bathroom tap being discussed. You can reuse it for a water tap by combining it with a place, such as “kraan in de keuken” in a new example.
in “in” shows that the tap is located inside or associated with the bathroom in “in de badkamer”. It commonly introduces a place, as in “in het huis” in a new example.
badkamer “badkamer” means “bathroom” here. It is used after “in de” to identify the place where the tap is located; the same noun can name a room in descriptions of a home.
lekt “lekt” means “is leaking” here, describing water escaping from the tap. It is the form of “lekken” used with the tap as the thing that leaks, and it can be reused for another leaking object.
weer “weer” means “again”, showing that the tap is leaking once more. It commonly follows the verb or appears near the repeated event, as in “het gebeurt weer” in a new example.
ook al “ook al” introduces a fact that does not change the result, meaning “even though” or, here, “even after”. In “ook al heb ik hem gisteren aangedraaid”, “ook” adds the sense of “even” and “al” contributes the sense of something already having happened; this construction is useful when acknowledging an opposing fact.
heb “heb” means “have” in “heb ik hem gisteren aangedraaid” and helps describe the completed tightening action. It is used with “ik” here; a common reuse pattern is to use it with a completed action when reporting what you have done.
ik “ik” means “I” and identifies the person who tightened the tap and can send a photo. It is the subject form used when the speaker talks about their own action.
hem “hem” refers to the tap as the object that was tightened in this dialogue. It is used after the action in “heb ik hem gisteren aangedraaid”; you can reuse it for a previously mentioned masculine-person or object reference when the context makes the referent clear.
gisteren “gisteren” means “yesterday” and places the tightening action on the previous day. It commonly appears with an action that happened on the day before today.
aangedraaid “aangedraaid” means “tightened” here, referring to turning the tap so it was tighter. It is the completed-action form of “aandraaien” and can describe tightening another fitting or object in a new example.
Omdat “Omdat” means “because” or “since” and gives the reason for contacting the landlord. It introduces the reason clause “Omdat dit steeds weer gebeurt”, a useful pattern when explaining why an action is needed.
dit “dit” means “this” and points to the recurring leaking problem just mentioned. It can be reused to refer to a nearby situation or event that both speakers understand.
steeds “steeds” means “continually” or “repeatedly” here, emphasizing that the problem keeps occurring. It commonly describes an action or event that happens again and again.
gebeurt “gebeurt” means “happens” in “dit steeds weer gebeurt”. It is the form of “gebeuren” used for the ongoing recurring event, and it can be reused when reporting that something is taking place.
kunnen “kunnen” means “can” in “kunnen we waarschijnlijk beter contact opnemen”. It expresses what the speakers are able or advised to do and appears with the subject “we” in this suggestion.
we “we” means “we” and refers to the two adults acting together. It is used as the subject of a shared plan, such as contacting the landlord or suggesting a time.
waarschijnlijk “waarschijnlijk” means “probably” and makes the suggestion less absolute in “kunnen we waarschijnlijk beter”. It is useful when giving a likely recommendation rather than presenting it as certain.
beter “beter” means “better” here, expressing that contacting the landlord is the preferable action. In “waarschijnlijk beter”, it commonly helps make a recommendation about what should be done.
contact opnemen “contact opnemen” means “to contact” or “to get in touch with” someone. In this expression, “contact” names the contact and “opnemen” supplies the verb used with it; the full expression is commonly followed by “met” and the person or organization contacted.
met “met” means “with” in “contact opnemen met de verhuurder”. It introduces the person or organization with whom contact is made, and this use can be reused with another contact.
verhuurder “verhuurder” means “landlord”, the person responsible for the rented property in this dialogue. It can be used after “met” when describing contact with that landlord.
kan “kan” means “can” in “kan een foto sturen” and expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility to send a photo. It is the form used with “ik” and is followed here by an infinitive.
een “een” means “a” or “an” and introduces one unspecified photo in “een foto”. It is used before a singular countable noun when the specific item has not yet been identified.
foto “foto” means “photo” here, referring to an image that can show the leaking tap. It can be used with actions such as sending or taking a photo in a repair report.
sturen “sturen” means “send” in “kan een foto sturen”. It follows “kan” as the action the speaker is able to perform and can be reused for sending a message, image, or document.
en “en” means “and” and joins the two actions “sturen” and “uitleggen”. It is used to connect related actions or pieces of information in one sentence.
uitleggen “uitleggen” means “explain” here, referring to explaining what happened with the temporary repair. It commonly introduces the information being explained, as in “uitleggen dat” in this dialogue.
dat “dat” means “that” and introduces the content of the explanation: the temporary repair did not work. It commonly connects a reporting or explaining verb with a following statement.
tijdelijke “tijdelijke” means “temporary” and describes the repair as intended only for a limited period. It appears directly before “reparatie” and can similarly describe another short-term measure.
reparatie “reparatie” means “repair”, here referring to the earlier temporary attempt to fix the problem. It can be used with an adjective such as “tijdelijke” or with a verb describing whether the repair worked.
niet “niet” means “not” and negates the statement that the temporary repair worked. It is placed before the completed action in “niet heeft gewerkt” to show that the result did not occur.
heeft “heeft” means “has” in “heeft gewerkt” and helps describe the result of the temporary repair. It is used with the repair as the subject and with the completed-action form “gewerkt”.
gewerkt “gewerkt” means “worked” here, meaning that the temporary repair was successful or effective. It is the completed-action form used after “heeft” and can describe whether a solution was effective.
Vermeld “Vermeld” means “mention” or “state” and gives a direct instruction about what to include in the message. It is the command form of “vermelden” and is useful when telling someone to include a specific fact in written communication.
er “er” helps introduce the situation in “er water wordt verspild”, rather than referring to a particular place. It is commonly used in Dutch constructions that present or describe something happening, such as “er is...” in a new example.
water “water” means “water” and is the thing being wasted in this sentence. It can be used as the subject or object when describing a leak, use, or supply of water.
wordt “wordt” contributes the meaning “is being” in “wordt verspild”, showing that the water is undergoing the action of being wasted. It is the form of “worden” used here in a passive construction and can introduce another ongoing passive event.
verspild “verspild” means “wasted”, referring to water escaping without being usefully used. It is used after “wordt” in “wordt verspild” and can describe other resources that are being wasted.
het “het” has two roles in this dialogue: it means “the” before “aanrecht” in “het aanrecht”, and it refers back to the situation in “Dat zou het voor de verhuurder makkelijker moeten maken”. Its exact meaning therefore depends on whether it introduces a noun or refers to an already mentioned matter.
aanrecht “aanrecht” means “countertop” or “kitchen counter” here, the surface that is becoming wet. It can be used when describing the condition or location of objects in a kitchen.
nat “nat” means “wet” and describes the condition of the counter in “het aanrecht nat wordt”. It is useful for reporting that a surface or object has water on it.
Zullen “Zullen” means “shall” or “should” in the question “Zullen we zeggen...”, where it proposes a possible action for the two speakers. It is commonly used at the start of a suggestion addressed to another person.
zeggen “zeggen” means “say” and refers to stating that the speakers did not cause the problem. It follows “Zullen we” in a suggestion and can introduce information with “dat”.
probleem “probleem” means “problem”, here referring to the leaking-tap issue. It is used with “het” in “het probleem” when identifying that specific issue.
zelf “zelf” emphasizes that the speakers did not cause the problem personally in “niet zelf hebben veroorzaakt”. It commonly adds emphasis to the subject or person responsible for an action.
hebben “hebben” means “have” in “hebben veroorzaakt” and helps describe the speakers’ past responsibility for causing the problem. It is used with “we” and the completed-action form “veroorzaakt”.
veroorzaakt “veroorzaakt” means “caused” and refers to bringing about the problem. It is used after “hebben” in “hebben veroorzaakt” and can describe responsibility for an event or condition.
Zet “Zet” means “put” or, here, “include” and gives an instruction to place the information in the message. It is the command form used in “Zet dat duidelijk in het bericht” and is useful when telling someone to add content to a text.
duidelijk “duidelijk” means “clearly” and describes how the information should be included. It can modify an action when the speaker wants the meaning or presentation to be easy to understand.
bericht “bericht” means “message”, referring to the written communication for the landlord. It appears after “in het” to identify where the information should be included.
maar “maar” means “but” and contrasts including the information clearly with keeping the tone calm. It commonly joins two instructions or qualities that need to be balanced.
houd “houd” means “keep” and instructs the speakers to maintain a calm tone. It is the command form used in “houd de toon rustig” and can be used with something that should remain in a particular condition.
toon “toon” means “tone”, meaning the attitude or manner conveyed by the message. It is used with “rustig” when discussing how the written communication should sound.
rustig “rustig” means “calm” and describes the tone that should be maintained. It can also describe a calm manner or situation, but here it specifically describes “de toon”.
moet “moet” means “must” or “should” in “moet beleefd maar concreet zijn”, expressing a requirement for the message. It is followed by qualities that the message is required to have.
beleefd “beleefd” means “polite” and describes the required manner of the message. It is paired with “concreet” to require both a respectful tone and specific information.
concreet “concreet” means “specific” or “concrete” and says that the message should give clear, definite information. It is used alongside “beleefd” to describe the desired qualities of the message.
zijn “zijn” means “be” in “moet beleefd maar concreet zijn”. It links the message to the qualities “beleefd” and “concreet” after “moet”.
zodat “zodat” means “so that” and introduces the intended result: no confusion should arise. It commonly connects an action or quality with the result it is meant to produce.
geen “geen” means “no” or “none” and negates the existence of confusion in “geen verwarring”. It is used directly before the noun when saying that there is not any of something.
verwarring “verwarring” means “confusion”, the problem the clear and specific message is intended to avoid. It can be used after “geen” when stating that no confusion should occur.
ontstaat “ontstaat” means “arises” or “occurs” in “er geen verwarring ontstaat”. It is the form of “ontstaan” used for confusion coming about, and it can describe another situation or problem beginning to exist.
Vraag “Vraag” means “ask” and gives an instruction to ask about a possible visit time. It is the command form used before the question clause “wanneer een loodgieter langs kan komen”.
wanneer “wanneer” means “when” and introduces the time information being requested. It commonly begins an indirect question about the timing of an event or visit.
loodgieter “loodgieter” means “plumber”, the professional who might visit to repair the leaking tap. It is the subject of the possible visit in this sentence.
langs “langs” contributes the idea of coming by or visiting in “langs kan komen”. It is commonly used with “komen” when someone visits a place, especially for a short practical visit.
komen “komen” means “come” in “langs kan komen”, describing the plumber’s possible visit. It follows “kan” as the action that may take place.
want “want” means “because” and gives the reason that weekday mornings are difficult. It joins the main request to a supporting explanation in the same sentence.
doordeweekse “doordeweekse” means “weekday” and describes mornings that occur during the working week. It appears before “ochtenden” and can similarly describe other weekday activities or times.
ochtenden “ochtenden” means “mornings” and refers to the weekday morning periods that are inconvenient for the speakers. The plural form is used because the statement concerns weekday mornings generally.
voor “voor” means “for” in “voor ons”, identifying the people for whom the mornings are difficult. It commonly introduces the person or group affected by a condition or judgment.
ons “ons” means “us” in “voor ons”, referring to the two speakers as the people affected. It follows “voor” to show whose schedule is difficult.
lastig “lastig” means “difficult” or “inconvenient” here, describing the weekday mornings from the speakers’ point of view. It is used after “zijn” and can describe a time, task, or situation that is hard to manage.
flexibele “flexibele” means “flexible” and describes a time period that can accommodate different visit times. It appears before “periode” and can describe an arrangement that is easy to adjust.
periode “periode” means “period” and here refers to a time window when someone can be at home. It is used with “flexibele” to describe an adjustable period for arranging the visit.
voorstellen “voorstellen” means “suggest” in “een flexibele periode voorstellen”. It is used after “kunnen” and takes the proposed period as its object; it is useful when offering a possible time or arrangement.
waarin “waarin” means “in which” and links the time period to the condition that someone can be at home. It refers back to “periode” and introduces information about what can happen during that period.
iemand “iemand” means “someone” and refers to an unspecified person who can be at home. It is useful when the identity of the person is not important or has not yet been decided.
thuis “thuis” means “at home” and describes where someone can be during the suggested period. It commonly appears with verbs such as being, staying, or coming home.
zou “zou” means “would” or, in this context, contributes to the idea that something should make the arrangement easier. It presents the expected effect in “Dat zou het ... makkelijker moeten maken” rather than stating it as a direct fact.
makkelijker “makkelijker” means “easier” and describes the expected improvement for the landlord. It is the comparative form used before “maken” in the construction that means to make something easier.
maken “maken” means “make” in “makkelijker moeten maken”, describing the effect of the proposed time window. It is used after “moeten” and takes “het” as the thing being made easier.
om “om” helps introduce the purpose or action that the landlord can carry out in “om de reparatie te regelen”. It is used together with “te” before the infinitive when explaining what someone is able or expected to do.
te “te” appears before the infinitive “regelen” in “om de reparatie te regelen”. Together with “om”, it introduces the purpose of making the arrangement easier; this pattern is used before an infinitive describing the intended action.
regelen “regelen” means “arrange” or “organize” here, referring to arranging the repair. It follows “om ... te” and takes “de reparatie” as the thing being arranged.

Grammar Points

Bijvoeglijk naamwoord vóór een de-woord krijgt -e

tijdelijke reparatie

TIE-duh-luh-kuh ray-pah-RAHT-see

temporary repair

Before a common-gender noun with de, the adjective usually ends in -e.

omdat + bijzin: het werkwoord staat achteraan

Omdat de kraan lekt, ontstaat verwarring.

ohm-DAHT duh KRAHN LEKT, ohnt-STAHT vur-WAHR-ing

Because the tap leaks, confusion arises.

In a clause beginning with omdat, the conjugated verb moves to the end.

Dutch Vocabulary

aandraaien verb
AHN-duh-rie-un to tighten aangedraaid
badkamer noun
BAH-tur-kah-mur bathroom
contact opnemen phrase
KOHN-takt OH-pnay-mun to contact
gebeuren verb
khuh-BUR-un to happen gebeurt
kraan noun
KRAHN tap
lekken verb
LEK-un to leak lekt
omdat conj
ohm-DAHT because
steeds weer phrase
stayts vayr again and again
sturen verb
STUR-un to send
uitleggen verb
OYT-LAY-khun to explain
verhuurder noun
vur-HUR-dur landlord
weer adv
vayr again

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

again

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bathroom

Show Answerbadkamer

to happen

Show Answergebeurt

tap

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