Finding another route after a cancelled train | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: At a transport station, a passenger asks staff for another route after a cancelled train threatens a connection..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Finding another route after a cancelled train to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Mijn trein is geannuleerd.

MAYN trayn iss khuh-AHN-yoo-LAYRT. My train has been cancelled.
A

Ik moet binnenkort een aansluitende trein halen.

ik moot bin-uh-KORT uhn AHN-SLOY-tuhn-duh trayn HAH-luhn. I need to catch a connecting train soon.
B

Ik kan je helpen een andere route te vinden.

ik kahn yuh HELL-puhn uhn AHN-duh-ruh ROO-tuh tuh VIN-duhn. I can help you find another route.
A

Op het bord staat dat er een sneltrein van een ander perron vertrekt.

op ut BAWRT staht daht ur uhn SNELL-trayn vahn uhn AHN-dur peh-RON vur-TREKT. The board shows an express train leaving from a different platform.
B

Dat kan werken, maar ik controleer of je kaartje daarvoor geldig is.

daht kahn WAIR-kuhn, mahr ik kon-troh-LAYR off yuh KAHR-chuh dahr-VOHR KHELL-dukh iss. That could work, but I'll check whether your ticket is valid for it.
A

Moet ik dit kaartje houden of een nieuw kaartje kopen?

moot ik diss KAHR-chuh HOW-duhn off uhn NEE-oo KAHR-chuh KOH-puhn? Should I stay with this ticket or get a new one?
B

Je kunt dit kaartje gebruiken omdat je oorspronkelijke trein is geannuleerd.

yuh kuhnt diss KAHR-chuh khuh-BROY-kuhn om-DAHT yuh ohrs-SPRONK-uh-luh-kuh trayn iss khuh-AHN-yoo-LAYRT. You can use this ticket because your original train was cancelled.
A

Haal ik mijn aansluiting op het volgende station nog?

HAHL ik MAYN AHN-SLOY-ting op ut VOLL-khun-duh stah-SHON nokh? Will I still make my connection at the next station?
B

Dat zou moeten lukken, maar ga nu naar het perron en controleer het opnieuw als je aankomt.

daht zow MOO-tuhn LUK-uhn, mahr khah nyoo nahr ut peh-RON un kon-troh-LAYR ut op-NEE-oo ahls yuh AHNG-kohmt. You should, but head to the platform now and check again when you arrive.

Word by Word

Mijn “Mijn” means “my” in “Mijn trein” and identifies the train as belonging to or associated with the speaker. It is placed before the noun it describes, as in “Mijn trein”.
trein “Trein” means “train” in “Mijn trein is geannuleerd.” It can be used with a possessive or article, as in “Mijn trein” or “een aansluitende trein”.
is “Is” means “is” in “Mijn trein is geannuleerd” and helps describe the train’s current cancelled state. It is used with “geannuleerd” in this expression.
geannuleerd “Geannuleerd” means “cancelled” in “is geannuleerd,” describing a train that will not run as planned. The expression “is geannuleerd” is useful when reporting a cancellation.
Ik “Ik” means “I” in “Ik moet binnenkort...” and marks the speaker as the person who needs to act. It is placed before the verb in a regular statement, as in “Ik moet...”.
moet “Moet” expresses necessity in “Ik moet binnenkort een aansluitende trein halen.” It is used before an action, here before “halen,” to say that catching the train is necessary.
binnenkort “Binnenkort” means “soon” in “Ik moet binnenkort...” and places the necessary action in the near future. It can be used with an event or action that is expected soon.
een “Een” means “a” or “an” in “een aansluitende trein.” It introduces one non-specific noun and comes before the noun phrase.
aansluitende “Aansluitende” means “connecting” in “een aansluitende trein,” referring to a train that connects with another part of the journey. It is placed before “trein” to describe that train.
halen “Halen” means “catch” or “make” in “een aansluitende trein halen,” referring to arriving in time for the connecting train. The reusable pattern is “een aansluitende trein halen,” with the train as the object.
kan “Kan” means “can” in “Ik kan je helpen...” and presents help as something the speaker is able or willing to provide. It is followed by an action form, here “helpen”.
je “Je” means “you” in “je helpen” and “your” in “je kaartje,” depending on its position in the phrase. It can refer to the person receiving help or to something associated with that person.
helpen “Helpen” means “help” in “Ik kan je helpen een andere route te vinden.” It is used with the person receiving help, “je,” and with the action that the help supports.
andere “Andere” means “another” or “different” in “een andere route,” showing that the route is not the one originally planned. It comes before the noun it describes.
route “Route” means “route” in “een andere route te vinden,” referring to a possible way to continue the journey. It can be used after “een andere” when selecting an alternative route.
te “Te” marks the infinitive in “te vinden,” which is part of the phrase “helpen een andere route te vinden.” It links the action of finding a route to the help being offered.
vinden “Vinden” means “find” in “een andere route te vinden,” referring to discovering a suitable alternative. The pattern here is “een andere route te vinden” after “helpen”.
Op “Op” means “on” in “Op het bord,” referring to information displayed on a board. It is used before a surface or location, followed here by “het bord”.
het “Het” means “the” in “het bord” and “het volgende station,” introducing a specific noun. It appears directly before the noun phrase it determines.
bord “Bord” means “board” or “display” in “Op het bord,” referring to the station board that gives travel information. It is used with the location phrase “Op het bord”.
staat “Staat” means “says” or “shows” in “Op het bord staat dat...,” describing information displayed on the board. The reusable pattern is “Op het bord staat dat...” when reporting what a board shows.
dat “Dat” means “that” in “staat dat er een sneltrein...” and introduces the information shown on the board. It connects “staat” with the following clause.
er “Er” helps introduce the train that is departing in “dat er een sneltrein ... vertrekt.” It is used before the noun phrase when presenting something that is there or happening.
sneltrein “Sneltrein” means “express train” in “een sneltrein ... vertrekt.” It names the type of train and is used after the article “een”.
van “Van” means “from” in “van een ander perron,” identifying the platform from which the train departs. It is placed before the place of departure.
ander “Ander” means “another” or “different” in “een ander perron,” indicating a platform different from the expected one. It comes before the noun “perron”.
perron “Perron” means “platform” in “een ander perron.” It can be used with a direction or departure phrase, as in “van een ander perron”.
vertrekt “Vertrekt” means “departs” or “leaves” in “een sneltrein ... vertrekt.” It describes the train’s departure from “een ander perron”.
werken “Werken” means “work” or “work out” in “Dat kan werken,” referring to a proposed route or solution being suitable. The pattern “Dat kan werken” is useful when responding positively but cautiously to a suggestion.
maar “Maar” means “but” in “Dat kan werken, maar...” and introduces a qualification or contrasting point. It connects the possible solution with the need to check the ticket.
controleer “Controleer” means “check” in “ik controleer of je kaartje...” and describes verifying information. The pattern “controleer of...” introduces what is being checked.
of “Of” means “whether” in “controleer of je kaartje daarvoor geldig is.” It introduces the question being checked without stating it as a separate question.
kaartje “Kaartje” means “ticket” in “je kaartje daarvoor” and “dit kaartje.” It can be used with verbs such as “houden,” “kopen,” and “gebruiken” in this travel context.
daarvoor “Daarvoor” means “for that” in “je kaartje daarvoor geldig is,” referring to using the ticket for the proposed train. It can refer back to an option or purpose already mentioned.
geldig “Geldig” means “valid” in “je kaartje daarvoor geldig is,” asking whether the ticket can be accepted for that train. It is used with a ticket or other document whose acceptance is being checked.
dit “Dit” means “this” in “dit kaartje,” pointing to the ticket being discussed or held by the speaker. It is placed directly before the noun it identifies.
houden “Houden” means “keep” in “dit kaartje houden,” referring to retaining the current ticket instead of replacing it. It is used after “moet” in the question “Moet ik dit kaartje houden...”.
nieuw “Nieuw” means “new” in “een nieuw kaartje,” describing a replacement ticket. It comes before the noun “kaartje”.
kopen “Kopen” means “buy” in “een nieuw kaartje kopen.” It describes obtaining a replacement ticket and follows “of” as the alternative to keeping the current one.
kunt “Kunt” means “can” in “Je kunt dit kaartje gebruiken,” expressing that the passenger is allowed or able to use the ticket. It is followed by the action “gebruiken.”
gebruiken “Gebruiken” means “use” in “dit kaartje gebruiken,” referring to using the current ticket for the journey. It follows “kunt” in the pattern “Je kunt dit kaartje gebruiken.”
omdat “Omdat” means “because” in “omdat je oorspronkelijke trein is geannuleerd.” It introduces the reason why the ticket can be used.
oorspronkelijke “Oorspronkelijke” means “original” in “je oorspronkelijke trein,” identifying the train that was planned first. It comes before the noun “trein”.
Haal “Haal” means “catch” or “make” in “Haal ik mijn aansluiting ... nog?” and asks whether the speaker will make the connection. The expression “mijn aansluiting halen” is used for successfully making a connecting train.
aansluiting “Aansluiting” means “connection” in “mijn aansluiting,” referring to the connecting train or onward connection. It is used with “halen” when asking whether the connection can still be made.
volgende “Volgende” means “next” in “het volgende station,” identifying the station that comes later in the journey. It is placed before “station”.
station “Station” means “station” in “het volgende station.” It can be specified by a preceding description such as “het volgende”.
nog “Nog” means “still” in “Haal ik mijn aansluiting ... nog?” and asks whether the connection remains possible despite the cancelled train. It is useful when checking whether an earlier possibility continues to exist.
zou “Zou” helps express a tentative expectation in “Dat zou moeten lukken,” meaning that the plan is expected to work. It is used here together with “moeten” and “lukken,” not as a simple certainty.
moeten “Moeten” contributes “should” or “ought to” in “Dat zou moeten lukken,” expressing a qualified expectation. The reusable pattern is “zou moeten” followed by an action or result.
lukken “Lukken” means “work out” or “succeed” in “Dat zou moeten lukken,” referring to the proposed travel plan succeeding. It is used here after “zou moeten.”
ga “Ga” means “go” or “head” in “ga nu naar het perron,” giving the passenger a direct instruction. The pattern “ga naar” is used when directing someone to a place.
nu “Nu” means “now” in “ga nu naar het perron,” making the instruction immediate. It can be placed with an imperative to say when the action should happen.
naar “Naar” means “to” in “naar het perron,” marking the destination of the movement. It is used before the place someone should go to.
en “En” means “and” in “ga nu naar het perron en controleer het opnieuw.” It links two instructions that should be carried out in sequence.
opnieuw “Opnieuw” means “again” in “controleer het opnieuw,” asking the passenger to check the information one more time. It is placed with the action that is repeated.
als “Als” means “when” in “als je aankomt,” introducing the time at which the passenger should check again. It connects the instruction with the arrival event.
aankomt “Aankomt” means “arrives” in “als je aankomt,” referring to reaching the destination or station. It is used with “je” in the time clause introduced by “als.”

Grammar Points

ge- + werkwoord + -d → voltooid deelwoord

De route is geannuleerd.

duh ROO-tuh iss khuh-AHN-yoo-LAYRT.

The route is cancelled.

Dutch often forms a past participle with ge- and -d; with zijn, it can describe a completed or resulting state.

Bijvoeglijk naamwoord vóór een de-woord krijgt -e

De oorspronkelijke route.

duh ohrs-SPRONK-uh-luh-kuh ROO-tuh.

The original route.

Before a noun with de, an adjective normally ends in -e: oorspronkelijke route and volgende route.

Dutch Vocabulary

aansluitende adj
AHN-SLOY-tuhn-duh connecting
andere det
AHN-duh-ruh another; different
binnenkort adv
bin-uh-KORT soon
bord noun
BAWRT board; display
controleren verb
kon-troh-LAYR-uhn to check
geannuleerd verb
khuh-AHN-yoo-LAYRT cancelled
halen verb
HAH-luhn to catch; to make
helpen verb
HELL-puhn to help
perron noun
peh-RON platform
route noun
ROO-tuh route
sneltrein noun
SNELL-trayn express train
vertrekt verb
vur-TREKT leaves; departs

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

My train has been cancelled.

Show AnswerMijn trein is geannuleerd.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

soon

Show Answerbinnenkort

board; display

Show Answerbord

express train

Show Answersneltrein

another; different

Show Answerandere