Resolving a Small Work Disagreement | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Resolving a Small Work Disagreement to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik denk dat we het oneens zijn omdat we van verschillende aannames uitgingen.

ik DENGK daht vuh ut oh-NAINS zain OHM-daht vuh vahn ver-SKHILL-un-duh AHN-nah-muhs OWT-khee-ngun. I think we disagree because we made different assumptions.

Ik dacht dat de klant eerst een eenvoudige versie wilde.

ik DAHKHT daht duh KLAHNT ayrst ayn EYN-vow-duh-guh VAIR-see WILL-duh. I thought the client wanted a simple version first.

Ik dacht dat de klant een complete versie met elke functie verwachtte.

ik DAHKHT daht duh KLAHNT ayn kum-PLEH-tuh VAIR-see met EL-kuh FOONK-see ver-WAHKH-tuh. I thought they expected a complete version with every feature.

Laten we de notities erbij pakken in plaats van op basis van ons geheugen te discussiëren.

LAH-tun vuh duh noh-TEE-sees er-BYE PAH-kun in PLAHTS vahn op BAH-sis vahn ons guh-HUR-khun tuh dis-koo-SEER-un. Let's check the notes instead of arguing from memory.

In de notities staat dat snelheid het belangrijkst is, maar dat één geavanceerde functie nog steeds nodig is.

in duh noh-TEE-sees staht daht SNAIL-hite ut buh-LAHNG-rike is, mahr daht ayn guh-AHD-vahn-SAIR-duh FOONK-see nokh STAYTS NOH-dikh is. The notes say speed matters most, but one advanced feature is still required.

Een eenvoudigere versie met die functie klinkt als het juiste compromis.

ayn EYN-vow-duh-guh-ruh VAIR-see met dee FOONK-see KLINKT als ut YOW-stuh kum-proh-MEES. A simpler version that includes that feature sounds like the right compromise.

Ik kan dat accepteren als we de afweging duidelijk uitleggen.

ik kahn daht ak-sep-TAIR-un als vuh duh AHF-vay-khing DOW-duh-luk OW-tlay-khun. I can accept that if we explain the trade-off clearly.

We kunnen het koppelen aan de prioriteiten van de klant.

vuh KUN-un ut KOH-puh-lun ahn duh pree-yoh-ree-TY-tun vahn duh KLAHNT. We can frame it around the client's priorities.

Ik pas de taakomschrijving aan zodat die bij de beslissing past.

ik PAHS duh TAHK-om-SKHRYV-ing ahn soh-DAHT dee BAY duh buh-SLISS-ing pahst. I'll update the task description to match the decision.

Dan zou het meningsverschil het project niet moeten vertragen.

dahn zow ut MAY-nings-ver-SKHILL ut proh-YEKT neet MOO-tun ver-TRAH-khun. Then the disagreement should not slow the project down.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means I and refers to the speaker. In “Ik denk”, it is the subject expressing a personal view; use it when stating your own opinion.

denk “Denk” means think in “Ik denk dat”, introducing the speaker’s view. It is the form of denken used with ik; reuse the pattern “Ik denk dat” before a clause.

dat “Dat” introduces the clause containing what the speaker thinks in “Ik denk dat we het oneens zijn”. It commonly connects a thought, opinion, or statement to its content.

we “We” means we and refers to the two teammates together. It is the subject in “we het oneens zijn”; use it when including yourself and at least one other person.

het In “het oneens zijn”, “het” is a fixed element used with “oneens”; the whole expression means to be in disagreement. Learn it as part of that expression rather than translating “het” alone here.

oneens “Oneens” describes being in disagreement in “het oneens zijn”. The complete expression means to disagree; use it when people do not share the same view.

zijn “Zijn” supplies the be or are part of “het oneens zijn”, meaning to be in disagreement. The pattern is used with a person or group as its subject, as in “we het oneens zijn”.

omdat “Omdat” means because and introduces the reason in “omdat we van verschillende aannames uitgingen”. Reuse “omdat” before a clause that explains why something happens.

van In “van verschillende aannames uitgingen”, “van” links “uitgaan” to what the reasoning was based on. The reusable pattern “uitgaan van” takes an assumption, fact, or starting point.

verschillende “Verschillende” means different and contrasts the teammates’ assumptions in “verschillende aannames”. It is used before a noun when the items are not the same.

aannames “Aannames” means assumptions, the ideas the teammates started from. It is the plural form used in “verschillende aannames”; use it when a conclusion is based on something taken as true.

uitgingen “Uitgingen” means proceeded from or assumed in “van verschillende aannames uitgingen”. It is the past plural form of uitgaan, and “uitgaan van” expresses basing reasoning on something.

dacht “Dacht” means thought in “Ik dacht dat de klant...”. It is the past form of denken; use “Ik dacht dat” to report a previous belief or assumption.

de “De” means the before “klant”, referring to the particular client in the discussion. It is used here as the definite article before that noun.

klant “Klant” means client, the person whose requirements the teammates are discussing. Reuse it for the customer or client connected with a task, product, or service.

eerst “Eerst” means first in “eerst een eenvoudige versie”, marking the initial stage or priority. Use it to describe what should happen before something else.

een “Een” means a or an in “een eenvoudige versie”. It introduces one non-specific version; the same form appears before “functie” when referring to one feature.

eenvoudige “Eenvoudige” means simple and describes “versie” in “een eenvoudige versie”. It is placed before the noun to describe a version with less complexity.

versie “Versie” means version, here a form of the client’s requested product. Reuse it when distinguishing different forms or stages of a document, product, or task.

wilde “Wilde” means wanted in “de klant eerst een eenvoudige versie wilde”. It is the past form of willen; use it to report what someone wanted at that time.

complete “Complete” means complete or fully equipped in “een complete versie”. It describes a version that contains everything expected in the discussion.

met “Met” means with in “met elke functie”, adding what the complete version contains. Reuse “met” before a person, thing, or feature included with something else.

elke “Elke” means every or each in “elke functie”, referring to all features one by one. It is used before a singular noun when considering every member of a group.

functie “Functie” means feature or function, here a capability included in the version. Reuse it when discussing a capability of software, a product, or a system.

verwachtte “Verwachtte” means expected in “de klant een complete versie ... verwachtte”. It is the past form of verwachten; use it to report what someone considered necessary or likely at that time.

Laten In “Laten we de notities erbij pakken”, “Laten” opens a suggestion to do something together. The construction “Laten we ...” is used when proposing joint action.

notities “Notities” means notes, the written project information the teammates want to consult. Use it for written points or records made during a meeting or task.

erbij In “de notities erbij pakken”, “erbij” adds the idea of bringing the notes at hand for use. The whole phrase means to get or take out the notes; reuse “erbij pakken” with an object needed in the current situation.

pakken “Pakken” means take or get in “de notities erbij pakken”. Here it describes taking the notes for reference, and it can be reused with an object that someone takes or gets.

in “In” means in in “In de notities staat dat...”, locating the information within the notes. Reuse it before a place, document, or source that contains something.

plaats In “in plaats van”, “plaats” is part of the fixed expression meaning instead of. The complete expression introduces an alternative that is not chosen.

op In “op basis van”, “op” helps form the phrase meaning based on rather than physical on. Reuse “op basis van” before information, evidence, or a reason for a decision.

basis In “op basis van ons geheugen”, “basis” refers to the foundation for the discussion. The fixed pattern “op basis van” states what reasoning or action is founded on.

ons “Ons” means our in “ons geheugen”, referring to the memory shared by the speakers. It appears directly before the noun that belongs to or concerns the speaker group.

geheugen “Geheugen” means memory, here the teammates’ recollection of what was previously understood. Reuse it when referring to remembering information or relying on recollection.

te “Te” marks the infinitive in “te discussiëren” after “in plaats van”. The pattern “in plaats van te” introduces an action that is being avoided or replaced.

discussiëren “Discussiëren” means discuss or argue, here describing a disagreement based only on memory. Reuse it for talking through a subject, commonly with a stated topic or issue.

staat In “In de notities staat dat...”, “staat” means says or is written, not physically stands. It is the form of staan used with written information; the pattern reports what notes or a document says.

snelheid “Snelheid” means speed, the project quality given the highest priority in the notes. Reuse it when discussing how fast a process, product, or system operates.

belangrijkst “Belangrijkst” means most important in “het belangrijkst”, identifying the highest priority. It is the superlative form of belangrijk and is used when ranking one thing above others.

is “Is” means is in “snelheid het belangrijkst is”, linking speed to its stated priority. It is the form of zijn used with the singular subject “snelheid” in this clause.

maar “Maar” means but and introduces the requirement that limits the first point. Use it to contrast two statements, priorities, or conditions.

geavanceerde “Geavanceerde” means advanced and describes “functie” in “één geavanceerde functie”. It identifies the feature as more developed or technically complex than a basic one.

nog In “nog steeds nodig”, “nog” contributes the idea that the situation continues up to this point. Together with “steeds”, it means still; reuse the phrase when a requirement remains.

steeds In “nog steeds nodig”, “steeds” reinforces that the requirement continues over time. Together with “nog”, it expresses that something remains true.

nodig “Nodig” means needed or necessary in “nog steeds nodig”. The pattern “nodig zijn” describes something that must be present or done.

eenvoudigere “Eenvoudigere” means simpler in “een eenvoudigere versie”, comparing this version with the more complete option. It is the comparative form used before “versie” to describe reduced complexity.

die “Die” means that in “die functie”, pointing back to the advanced feature just mentioned. Use it before a noun when referring to a specific item already identified.

klinkt “Klinkt” means sounds in “klinkt als het juiste compromis”, expressing an assessment rather than a literal sound. Reuse the pattern “X klinkt als Y” when something appears to be a certain option or result.

als In “klinkt als het juiste compromis”, “als” means like or as, linking the assessment to what it resembles. The pattern “klinken als” is used to say that something seems to be a particular thing.

juiste “Juiste” means right or suitable in “het juiste compromis”. It identifies the compromise that fits the situation; reuse it before a noun when selecting the appropriate option.

compromis “Compromis” means compromise, here an agreement that balances simplicity with the required feature. Use it when people resolve differing preferences by accepting a middle solution.

kan “Kan” means can in “Ik kan dat accepteren”, expressing ability or willingness to accept the proposal. It is followed here by the infinitive “accepteren”; reuse “kan” with an infinitive for what someone can do.

accepteren “Accepteren” means accept in “kan dat accepteren”. It describes agreeing to a proposal or condition; reuse it with the thing or decision being accepted.

afweging “Afweging” means trade-off or consideration, here the balance between speed and including the advanced feature. Use it when explaining how competing priorities were weighed before a decision.

duidelijk “Duidelijk” means clearly in “duidelijk uitleggen”, describing an explanation that is easy to understand. Reuse it with “uitleggen” when the listener needs the reasoning or trade-off to be understandable.

uitleggen “Uitleggen” means explain, here describing how the trade-off should be made understandable. Reuse it with the topic being explained, as in “de afweging uitleggen”.

kunnen “Kunnen” means can or be able to in “We kunnen het koppelen”, expressing the team’s ability or option to connect the idea to priorities. It is followed by an infinitive; reuse it for what a person or group can do.

koppelen “Koppelen” means link or connect in “het koppelen aan de prioriteiten”. It describes relating the decision to a reference point; reuse the pattern “koppelen aan” plus what something is connected to.

aan In “koppelen aan de prioriteiten”, “aan” links the decision to the priorities it is related to. The pattern “koppelen aan” is used for connecting one idea, item, or action to another.

prioriteiten “Prioriteiten” means priorities, here the client’s main concerns that guide the compromise. Use it with “van” to specify whose priorities are being considered.

pas “Pas” means adjust or update as part of the split verb in “Ik pas de taakomschrijving aan”. Here “pas” carries the finite verb while “aan” appears later; use the complete pattern “pas ... aan” for changing something.

taakomschrijving “Taakomschrijving” means task description, the written description being changed after the decision. Reuse it for text that defines what a task involves.

zodat “Zodat” means so that and introduces the intended result in “zodat die bij de beslissing past”. Reuse it before a clause explaining the result or purpose of an action.

bij In “bij de beslissing past”, “bij” forms the pattern “bij iets passen”, meaning to fit or match something. Reuse it when an item corresponds to a decision, plan, or requirement.

beslissing “Beslissing” means decision, here the agreed choice about the version and feature. Use it when referring to a conclusion reached after considering options.

past “Past” means fits or matches in “die bij de beslissing past”. It is the form of passen used with “die”; the pattern “bij iets passen” expresses correspondence with something.

Dan “Dan” means then and marks the consequence after the team reaches agreement. Use it to connect a prior decision or event with what follows.

zou In “zou ... niet moeten vertragen”, “zou” helps present the result as expected or intended rather than as a direct fact. Together with “moeten”, it frames the disagreement as not expected to slow the project.

meningsverschil “Meningsverschil” means disagreement, the difference of opinion discussed by the teammates. Reuse it for a situation in which people hold different views about a matter.

project “Project” means project, here the work that could be affected by the disagreement. Use it for an organized piece of work with a defined goal or task.

niet “Niet” means not and negates the idea that the disagreement will slow the project. Place it before the remaining verb phrase in “het project niet moeten vertragen”.

moeten In “zou ... niet moeten vertragen”, “moeten” adds the meaning should or ought to, indicating what is expected not to happen. It is followed by the infinitive “vertragen”; reuse “moeten” with an infinitive for obligation or expectation.

vertragen “Vertragen” means slow down or delay, with “het project” as the object in the dialogue. Reuse it with a project, task, or process when something causes progress to become slower.

Grammar Points

uitgaan van

We gingen uit van een aanname.

vuh KHIN-gun OWT vahn uhn AHN-nah-muh.

We based our thinking on an assumption.

In Dutch, the separable verb uitgaan van splits in a main clause: gingen ... uit van.

in plaats van + te + infinitief

In plaats van notities erbij te pakken, gingen we uit van een aanname.

in PLAHTS vahn noh-TEE-sees er-BYE tuh PAH-kun, KHIN-gun vuh OWT vahn uhn AHN-nah-muh.

Instead of consulting notes, we based our thinking on an assumption.

After in plaats van, use te before the infinitive when contrasting an action.

Dutch Vocabulary

aanname noun

AHN-nah-muh assumption aannames

complete adj

kum-PLEH-tuh complete

dacht verb

DAHKHT thought

eenvoudige adj

EYN-vow-duh-guh simple

erbij pakken verb

er-BYE PAH-kun to take out; to consult

functie noun

FOONK-see feature; function

het oneens zijn phrase

ut oh-NAINS zain to disagree

klant noun

KLAHNT client; customer

uitgaan van verb

OWT-khahn vahn to assume; to base an assumption on uitgingen

versie noun

VAIR-see version

verwachtte verb

ver-WAHKH-tuh expected

wilde verb

WILL-duh wanted

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to assume; to base an assumption on

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uitgingen

assumption

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aannames

version

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versie

thought

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dacht