Planning a group dinner | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Planning a group dinner to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

We moeten voor zaterdag een restaurant voor onze groep kiezen.

WUH MOO-tuhn fohr ZAH-ter-dakh uhn res-tow-RAHNT fohr OWN-zuh khroop KEE-zuhn. We need to choose a restaurant for our group on Saturday.

Dan moeten we ieders eetvoorkeuren controleren voordat we een reservering maken.

Dahn MOO-tuhn wuh EE-ders AYT-fohr-kur-uhn kon-troh-LAY-run fohr-DAHT wuh uhn reh-zer-VAY-ring MAH-kuhn. Then we should check everyone's food preferences before making a reservation.

Sommige mensen willen sushi, maar anderen willen liever een warme maaltijd.

SOM-uh-guh MEN-suhn WILL-uhn SOO-shee, mahr AHN-duh-run WILL-uhn LEE-vuhr uhn VAR-muh MAHL-tite. Some people want sushi, but others prefer a hot meal.

Een plek met een gevarieerd menu zou flexibeler zijn.

Uhn plek met uhn khuh-vah-ree-AYRT may-NOO zow flek-see-BAY-lur zine. A place with a varied menu would be more flexible.

Ik heb een informeel restaurant gevonden met vegetarische opties en grote tafels.

Ik hep uhn in-for-MAYL res-tow-RAHNT khuh-FOON-duhn met vay-guh-TAH-ris-kuh OP-tseez en KHROH-tuh TAH-fuhls. I found a casual restaurant with vegetarian options and big tables.

Dat klinkt als een veiligere keuze voor een gemengde groep.

Daht klinkt ahls uhn VAY-lih-khuh-ruh KUR-zuh fohr uhn khuh-MENG-duh khroop. That sounds like a safer choice for a mixed group.

Zal ik het aan de groep vragen voordat ik reserveer, of zal ik het nu kiezen?

Zahl ik uhn ahn duh khroop VRAH-khun fohr-DAHT ik reh-zer-VAYR, off zahl ik ut noo KEE-zuhn? Should I ask the group before booking, or choose it now?

Geef ze twee opties en vraag om een snelle reactie.

Khayf zuh tway OP-tseez en VRAH-khun om uhn SNEL-uh ree-AHK-see. Give them two options and ask for a quick response.

Ik stuur een korte peiling, zodat we vanavond kunnen beslissen.

Ik STYOOR uhn KOR-tuh PAY-ling, zoh-DAHT wuh vah-nah-FOHNT KUN-uhn buh-SLISS-uhn. I will send a short poll so we can decide tonight.

Dat zou het plan vooruit moeten helpen zonder te veel mensen om hun mening te vragen.

Daht zow ut plan fohr-OWT MOO-tuhn HEL-puhn ZON-duhr tuh vayl MEN-suhn om hun MAY-ning tuh VRAH-khun. That should keep the plan moving without asking too many people for opinions.

Word by Word

We “We” means “we” and is the subject of the sentence about choosing a restaurant. It is used before a verb, as in “We moeten”; a reusable pattern is “We moeten” when saying that a group needs to do something.

moeten “moeten” expresses necessity: the group needs to choose a restaurant and check preferences. It is followed by an infinitive, as in “moeten ... kiezen” and “moeten ... controleren”; use it when something is required or necessary.

voor “voor” means “for” in “voor zaterdag” and “voor onze groep”. It introduces the intended time or recipient, so use “voor” before a day or group that something is intended for.

zaterdag “zaterdag” means Saturday and identifies the day connected with the restaurant plan. It follows “voor” in “voor zaterdag”; use it when specifying that something is planned for Saturday.

een “een” is the indefinite article meaning “a” or “an” in “een restaurant”. In “Een plek” it appears at the start of the sentence but has the same indefinite function; use it before a singular, non-specific noun.

restaurant “restaurant” means restaurant, the place the group must choose. It appears after “een” in “een restaurant”; use it when talking about a place where people eat.

onze “onze” means “our” and shows that the group belongs to or is associated with the speakers. It comes before “groep” in “onze groep”; use it before a noun when referring to something shared by the speaker and others.

groep “groep” means group, here the people who will eat together. It appears in “onze groep” and “de groep”; use it for several people considered together.

kiezen “kiezen” means “to choose” and is the action the group needs to take. It follows “moeten” in “moeten ... kiezen”; use this infinitive after a modal verb when describing a choice that needs to be made.

Dan “Dan” means “then” and connects this suggestion to the previous need to choose a restaurant. It introduces the next step in “Dan moeten we ...”; use it to move from one action or situation to the next.

ieders “ieders” means “everyone’s” and refers to the individual food preferences of all the people in the group. It comes directly before “eetvoorkeuren” in “ieders eetvoorkeuren”; use it before a noun when something belongs to each person in a group.

eetvoorkeuren “eetvoorkeuren” means food preferences, specifically the foods people prefer to eat. It follows “ieders” in “ieders eetvoorkeuren”; use it when comparing or checking people’s choices of food.

controleren “controleren” means “to check” or “to verify” the group’s food preferences. It follows “moeten” in “moeten ... controleren”; use this infinitive after a modal verb for an action that needs to be checked.

voordat “voordat” means “before” and introduces the action that must happen earlier: making a reservation. It introduces a clause in “voordat we een reservering maken”; use it before a clause to set an earlier time.

reservering “reservering” means reservation, the booking being made for the restaurant. It appears in “een reservering maken”; use it with “maken” when arranging a place or service in advance.

maken “maken” means “to make” in the fixed expression “een reservering maken”, meaning to make a reservation. It follows “we” in the clause after “voordat”; use this expression when booking a place.

Sommige “Sommige” means “some” and introduces only part of the group in “Sommige mensen”. It comes before a plural noun; use it when referring to an unspecified part of a group.

mensen “mensen” means people and identifies the diners whose preferences differ. It follows “Sommige” in “Sommige mensen”; use it when referring to people in general or to several people.

willen “willen” means “want” in “willen sushi” and expresses what some people would like to eat. It is followed here by the desired food, as in “willen sushi”; use it to state a person’s wish or preference.

sushi “sushi” refers to sushi, one of the food choices being considered. It is the direct object after “willen” in “willen sushi”; use it when naming sushi as a desired meal or option.

maar “maar” means “but” and contrasts the people who want sushi with those who prefer a hot meal. It links the two contrasting parts of the sentence; use it to introduce an opposing idea.

anderen “anderen” means “others” and refers to the remaining people in contrast with “Sommige mensen”. It can stand on its own for the other people in a group; use it when contrasting one part of a group with the rest.

liever “liever” means “rather” or “preferably” and shows that the other people would prefer a hot meal. It appears in “willen liever een warme maaltijd”; use it to express a preference between possible choices.

warme “warme” means “hot” or “warm” and describes the meal the other people prefer. It comes directly before “maaltijd” in “een warme maaltijd”; use this adjective form before the noun in this phrase.

maaltijd “maaltijd” means meal, here a hot meal rather than sushi. It appears in “een warme maaltijd”; use it when referring to an occasion or serving of food.

plek “plek” means place, here a restaurant that could suit different preferences. It is followed by “met” in “Een plek met een gevarieerd menu”; use it for a location or venue.

met “met” means “with” and introduces the features that the place has: a varied menu. It links “plek” to “een gevarieerd menu” in “plek met ...”; use it before something or someone included or present.

gevarieerd “gevarieerd” means varied and describes a menu with different kinds of choices. It comes before “menu” in “een gevarieerd menu”; use it to describe something containing a range of different options.

menu “menu” means menu, the list of food choices offered by the restaurant. It appears in “een gevarieerd menu”; use it when discussing what a restaurant offers to eat.

zou “zou” means “would” and presents the varied-menu place as a possible, not certain, better choice. It appears with “zijn” in “zou flexibeler zijn”; use it when describing a hypothetical or expected result.

flexibeler “flexibeler” means “more flexible” and compares the suggested place with other possible restaurants. It follows “zou” in “zou flexibeler zijn”; use this comparative form when saying that one option can accommodate more variation.

zijn “zijn” means “to be” and completes the phrase “zou flexibeler zijn”. It follows “zou” as the infinitive; use it after this modal form to describe the possible quality of something.

Ik “Ik” means “I” and is the speaker who found the restaurant and later sends the poll. It is the subject in “Ik heb ... gevonden” and “Ik stuur ...”; use it before a verb when speaking about yourself.

heb “heb” means “have” and works with “gevonden” in “Ik heb een informeel restaurant gevonden” to describe the completed finding. It is the form used after “Ik” in this construction; use it with a past participle for a completed action.

informeel “informeel” means casual or informal and describes the restaurant’s atmosphere or style. It comes before “restaurant” in “een informeel restaurant”; use it to describe a relaxed, non-formal setting.

gevonden “gevonden” means “found” in “Ik heb een informeel restaurant gevonden”. Together with “heb” it reports that the speaker has located a suitable restaurant; use it in this completed-action construction when saying that you have found something.

vegetarische “vegetarische” means vegetarian and describes the options available at the restaurant. It comes before “opties” in “vegetarische opties”; use it before a food-related noun to identify choices without meat.

opties “opties” means options, here the vegetarian choices offered by the restaurant. It appears in “vegetarische opties”; use it when presenting several possible choices.

en “en” means “and” and joins the restaurant’s vegetarian options with its big tables. It connects words or phrases of equal importance, as in “opties en grote tafels”; use it to add another item.

grote “grote” means big or large and describes the tables at the restaurant. It comes before “tafels” in “grote tafels”; use this adjective form before the plural noun in this phrase.

tafels “tafels” means tables, here tables large enough to suit a group. It appears in “grote tafels”; use it when referring to more than one table.

Dat “Dat” means “that” and refers to the restaurant suggestion just described. It is the subject of “Dat klinkt als ...”; use it to point back to a previously mentioned idea or situation.

klinkt “klinkt” means “sounds” and describes the impression the suggestion gives. It appears in “Dat klinkt als een veiligere keuze”; use it when evaluating how an idea or situation seems.

als “als” means “like” in “klinkt als een veiligere keuze”. It introduces the comparison or characterization that follows; use it after “klinkt” when saying what something seems like.

veiligere “veiligere” means “safer” and presents this restaurant as a lower-risk choice for a group with different preferences. It comes before “keuze” in “een veiligere keuze”; use this comparative form when comparing possible choices.

keuze “keuze” means choice, here the restaurant selected as a suitable option. It appears in “een veiligere keuze”; use it when referring to an option that someone selects or recommends.

gemengde “gemengde” means mixed and describes a group whose members have different food preferences. It comes before “groep” in “een gemengde groep”; use it when people or things in one group are not all alike.

Zal “Zal” begins “Zal ik ...?”, asking whether the speaker should take an action. It appears before “ik” in the question; use this pattern when asking for guidance about what you should do.

het “het” means “it” here and refers to the restaurant that has just been discussed. It is the object in “het ... kiezen”; use it to refer back to a specific previously mentioned thing.

aan “aan” is part of the expression “het aan de groep vragen”, meaning to ask the group. It comes before the person or group being asked; use this construction when directing a question to someone.

de “de” is the definite article meaning “the” in “de groep”. It identifies the specific group already involved in the dinner plan; use it before a known noun in this expression.

vragen “vragen” means “to ask” in “het aan de groep vragen”. It is the infinitive after “Zal ik”; use it with “aan” when asking a person or group something.

reserveer “reserveer” means “book” or “reserve” in “voordat ik reserveer”, where the speaker says they may make the booking. It follows “ik” in the clause introduced by “voordat”; use it when referring to reserving the restaurant.

of “of” means “or” and introduces the alternative between asking the group first and choosing immediately. It connects two possible actions; use it when presenting alternatives.

nu “nu” means “now” and contrasts immediate choice with asking the group first. It appears in “het nu kiezen”; use it to specify that an action happens at the present time.

Geef “Geef” means “give” and is a direct instruction to provide two choices to the group. It begins the imperative “Geef ze twee opties”; use it when telling someone to give something.

ze “ze” means “them” and refers to the group members who should receive the two options. It appears after “Geef” in “Geef ze twee opties”; use it as the object when giving something to several people.

vraag “vraag” means “ask” and is an instruction to request a response. It appears in “vraag om een snelle reactie”; use it as an imperative when telling someone to ask for something.

om “om” is part of “vraag om een snelle reactie”, meaning “ask for a quick response”. It introduces what is being requested; use “vragen om” when requesting a response or other thing.

snelle “snelle” means quick and describes the response the group should send. It comes before “reactie” in “een snelle reactie”; use this adjective form before the noun in this phrase.

reactie “reactie” means response, here the group’s reply to the two options. It appears in “om een snelle reactie”; use it when asking someone to reply or react.

stuur “stuur” means “send” in “Ik stuur een korte peiling”. With “Ik”, it states the speaker’s planned action; use it when saying that you will send something to other people.

korte “korte” means short and describes the poll as brief or limited. It comes before “peiling” in “een korte peiling”; use this adjective form before the noun in this phrase.

peiling “peiling” means poll, here a short survey used to collect the group’s preferences. It appears in “een korte peiling”; use it when asking several people to choose or give an opinion.

zodat “zodat” means “so that” and introduces the purpose of sending the poll: deciding that evening. It connects the action with its intended result in “zodat we vanavond kunnen beslissen”; use it before a purpose or consequence clause.

vanavond “vanavond” means tonight and specifies when the group should make its decision. It appears in “vanavond kunnen beslissen”; use it for an action planned for the evening of the current day.

kunnen “kunnen” means “can” and expresses that the group will be able to decide after receiving the poll. It is followed by the infinitive “beslissen”; use it before an infinitive to express ability or possibility.

beslissen “beslissen” means “to decide”, the result the group wants to reach tonight. It follows “kunnen” in “kunnen beslissen”; use this infinitive after a modal verb when describing the decision-making action.

plan “plan” means plan, here the arrangement for the group dinner. It is the object in “het plan vooruit helpen”; use it when referring to an intended course of action.

vooruit “vooruit” means “forward” in “het plan vooruit helpen”, describing progress rather than physical movement. Together with “helpen” it means helping the plan move forward; use this expression when an action advances a plan.

helpen “helpen” means “to help” in “het plan vooruit helpen”, meaning to move the plan forward. It follows “moeten” in “vooruit moeten helpen”; use it with an object when describing assistance that benefits a person or plan.

zonder “zonder” means “without” and introduces an action that is avoided: asking too many people for their opinions. It is followed here by “te vragen”; use it to say that something happens without another action happening.

te “te” marks the infinitive in “zonder ... te vragen”. It links “zonder” to the action being avoided; use it before an infinitive in this construction.

veel “veel” means “many” in “te veel mensen”, where it refers to an excessive number of people. With “te”, the phrase means “too many”; use it before a plural noun when describing an excessive quantity.

hun “hun” means “their” and refers to the opinions belonging to the people being asked. It comes before “mening” in “hun mening”; use it before a noun when something belongs to or is associated with them.

mening “mening” means opinion, here the view each person might give about the restaurant choice. It appears in “om hun mening te vragen”; use this expression when asking someone what they think.

Grammar Points

sommige … anderen …

Sommige kiezen een vegetarische optie, anderen liever een gemengde optie.

SOM-uh-guh KEE-zuhn uhn vay-guh-TAH-ris-kuh OP-tsee, AHN-duh-run LEE-vuhr uhn khuh-MENG-duh OP-tsee.

Some choose a vegetarian option, while others prefer a mixed option.

Gebruik sommige en anderen om twee groepen tegenover elkaar te zetten. Anderen staat zelfstandig en krijgt geen zelfstandig naamwoord erachter.

ieders + zelfstandig naamwoord

Ieders eetvoorkeuren controleren.

EE-ders AYT-fohr-kur-uhn kon-troh-LAY-run.

To check everyone's food preferences.

Ieders betekent ‘van iedereen’ en staat direct vóór het zelfstandig naamwoord, vergelijkbaar met English everyone’s.

Dutch Vocabulary

anderen pron

AHN-duh-run others

controleren verb

kon-troh-LAY-run to check

eetvoorkeuren noun

AYT-fohr-kur-uhn food preferences

groep noun

khroop group

ieders det

EE-ders everyone's; each person's

kiezen verb

KEE-zuhn to choose

liever adv

LEE-vuhr preferably; rather

maaltijd noun

MAHL-tite meal

plek noun

plek place

reservering noun

reh-zer-VAY-ring reservation

restaurant noun

res-tow-RAHNT restaurant

sommige det

SOM-uh-guh some Sommige

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

some

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Sommige

everyone's; each person's

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ieders

group

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groep

to choose

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kiezen