Packing a carry-on for a business trip | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: Before a business trip, two adults decide how to pack a carry-on with meeting clothes, documents, chargers, and quick-access items..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Packing a carry-on for a business trip to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ik wil alleen een handbagagetas meenemen voor de zakenreis.

ik vil ah-LAYN uhn HAHNT-bah-ghuh-TAHS MAY-nay-muhn fohr duh ZAH-kuhn-rays. I want to take only a carry-on bag for the business trip.
B

Plan dan rond de kleding voor de vergadering en neem zo weinig mogelijk extra spullen mee.

plahn dahn rohnd duh KLAY-ding fohr duh vur-GHAH-duh-ring uhn NAYM zoh VAY-nikh MOH-ghuh-likh EK-strah SPUH-luhn may. Then plan around the meeting outfit and keep extras to a minimum.
A

Op mijn reisplan staan één vergadering en één informeel diner.

op mayn RAYS-plahn stahn ayn vur-GHAH-duh-ring uhn ayn in-for-MAYL dee-NAYR. I have one meeting and one casual dinner on the itinerary.
B

Pak kleding die je voor allebei kunt gebruiken.

pahk KLAY-ding dee yuh fohr AHL-uh-BAY kuhnt ghuh-BROY-kuhn. Pack pieces that can work for both.
B

Anders zit de tas snel vol.

AHN-ders zit duh tahs snel vohl. Or the bag will fill up fast.
A

Ik ben bang dat mijn overhemd voor de vergadering kreukt.

ik ben bahng daht mayn OH-vur-hemt fohr duh vur-GHAH-duh-ring KROHKT. I'm worried my shirt will wrinkle before the meeting.
B

Rol het voorzichtig op en haal het uit de tas zodra je bij het hotel aankomt.

rohl ut vohr-ZIKH-tikh op uhn hahl ut owt duh tahs zoh-DRAH yuh bay ut hoh-TELL AHN-kohmt. Roll it carefully, then unpack it as soon as you reach the hotel.
A

Moeten opladers en documenten in het voorvak?

MOO-tuhn OH-plah-ders uhn doh-kyoo-MEN-tuhn in ut VOHR-vahk? Should chargers and documents go in the front pocket?
B

Bewaar daar spullen die je snel nodig hebt, samen met een extra exemplaar van de agenda.

buh-VAHR dahr SPUH-luhn dee yuh snel NOH-dikh hept, SAH-muhn met uhn EK-strah eg-zem-PLAHR vahn duh uh-ZHEN-dah. Keep quick-access items there, along with a backup copy of the agenda.
A

Dan hoef ik op het vliegveld niet de hele tas open te maken.

dahn hooff ik op ut VLEEKH-velt neet duh HAY-luh tahs OH-puhn tuh MAH-kuhn. Then I won't have to open the whole bag at the airport.
B

De veiligheidscontrole gaat makkelijker als die spullen binnen handbereik zijn.

duh VAY-likh-hayts-kohn-TROH-luh ghaht MAH-kuh-luh-kur ahls dee SPUH-luhn BIN-nuhn HAHNT-buh-RAYK zayn. Security will be easier when those things are close at hand.

Word by Word

Ik ‘Ik’ means I and identifies the speaker in ‘Ik wil alleen een handbagagetas meenemen’. It is used when stating your own wish or plan, such as deciding what to take on a trip.
wil ‘wil’ expresses want in ‘Ik wil alleen een handbagagetas meenemen’. It is used with an action in the infinitive, here ‘meenemen’, to state a personal intention.
alleen ‘alleen’ means only in ‘Ik wil alleen een handbagagetas meenemen’. It limits the choice to one carry-on bag, and it is useful when emphasizing that nothing else is intended.
een ‘een’ introduces one non-specific item in ‘een handbagagetas’. It is used before a singular countable item when the listener does not need a specific bag identified.
handbagagetas ‘handbagagetas’ means carry-on bag in the travel context. It names the bag the speaker wants to take for the business trip, so it is useful when discussing luggage for air travel.
meenemen ‘meenemen’ means take along in ‘een handbagagetas meenemen’. It describes bringing an item with you on a journey and is used with the thing being brought.
voor In ‘voor de zakenreis’, ‘voor’ marks the purpose or occasion of the trip; in ‘voor de vergadering’, it refers to the time before the meeting. Use it with a noun to connect something to an event or time.
de ‘de’ is the definite article in ‘de zakenreis’. It points to a specific business trip that is known from the conversation, and it appears directly before the noun.
zakenreis ‘zakenreis’ means business trip in ‘voor de zakenreis’. It refers to travel connected with work and is useful when explaining the reason for a trip.
Plan ‘Plan’ gives the direct instruction to plan in ‘Plan dan rond de kleding voor de vergadering’. It is used when telling someone to organize an action around a particular priority.
dan ‘dan’ means then in ‘Plan dan rond de kleding...’ and ‘Dan hoef ik...’. It connects the next decision or consequence to what was just said, so it is useful in step-by-step advice.
rond ‘rond’ means around or with a focus on in ‘Plan dan rond de kleding voor de vergadering’. Here it tells the listener to organize the packing around the meeting clothes, not around a physical circle.
kleding ‘kleding’ means clothing in ‘de kleding voor de vergadering’. It refers to the clothes needed for the meeting and is useful when discussing what clothes to pack.
vergadering ‘vergadering’ means meeting in ‘de vergadering’ and ‘voor de vergadering’. It identifies the work event that determines the clothing and timing in this conversation.
en ‘en’ means and and joins items or ideas, such as ‘één vergadering en één informeel diner’. Use it to connect two parts that belong together in the same statement.
neem ‘neem’ is used in the instruction ‘neem zo weinig mogelijk extra spullen mee’ to tell someone to take something along. It works together with ‘mee’ when the object is being brought on a trip.
zo In ‘zo weinig mogelijk extra spullen’, ‘zo’ sets the degree for the amount being discussed. Together with ‘weinig mogelijk’, it expresses the aim of taking the smallest practical amount.
weinig In ‘zo weinig mogelijk extra spullen’, ‘weinig’ refers to a small amount of additional items. This quantity expression is useful when advising someone to reduce what they pack.
mogelijk In ‘zo weinig mogelijk extra spullen’, ‘mogelijk’ completes the idea of the smallest amount that can be achieved. The phrase is useful for expressing a practical minimum.
extra ‘extra’ means additional in ‘extra spullen’. It refers to items beyond the basic things needed for the trip and is useful when deciding what can be left out.
spullen ‘spullen’ means things or items in the packing context. In ‘extra spullen’, it refers broadly to additional belongings rather than one particular object.
mee ‘mee’ contributes the meaning along in ‘neem ... mee’. Together with ‘neem’, it forms the expression for taking something with you, especially when packing for a journey.
Op In ‘Op mijn reisplan staan één vergadering en één informeel diner’, ‘Op’ means on and places the information on the itinerary. The same preposition is used when referring to something recorded on a plan or list.
mijn ‘mijn’ means my in ‘mijn reisplan’. It shows that the itinerary belongs to or concerns the speaker, and it is placed before the noun it describes.
reisplan ‘reisplan’ means itinerary or travel plan in ‘Op mijn reisplan’. It is the plan that lists the meeting and dinner, so it is useful when discussing scheduled travel activities.
staan In ‘Op mijn reisplan staan...’, ‘staan’ means are listed or appear rather than physically stand. It is used here to say what information is recorded on the travel plan.
informeel ‘informeel’ means casual or informal in ‘één informeel diner’. It describes the dinner as less formal than the meeting and is useful when choosing clothing for different occasions.
diner ‘diner’ means dinner in ‘één informeel diner’. It identifies the evening event on the itinerary and helps distinguish it from the business meeting.
Pak ‘Pak’ gives the direct instruction to pack in ‘Pak kleding die je voor allebei kunt gebruiken’. It is useful when telling someone what to put into luggage.
die ‘die’ means which or that in ‘kleding die je voor allebei kunt gebruiken’. It connects the clothing to the information about using it for both events and refers back to ‘kleding’.
je ‘je’ means you in ‘die je voor allebei kunt gebruiken’. It addresses the person who is packing and is used in direct advice about what that person can do.
allebei ‘allebei’ means both in ‘voor allebei’. It refers to the meeting and the casual dinner together, and it is useful when one item or choice applies to two previously mentioned options.
kunt ‘kunt’ expresses can in ‘je ... kunt gebruiken’. It indicates that the clothing is suitable or usable for both occasions and is used with an infinitive such as ‘gebruiken’.
gebruiken ‘gebruiken’ means use in ‘kleding die je voor allebei kunt gebruiken’. It describes using the same clothing for both events and takes the thing being used as its object.
Anders ‘Anders’ means otherwise or or else in ‘Anders zit de tas snel vol’. It introduces the negative consequence that will follow if the packing advice is not followed.
zit In ‘zit de tas snel vol’, ‘zit’ is used with ‘vol’ to describe the state of the bag. This construction is useful for saying that a container becomes or is full.
tas ‘tas’ means bag in ‘de tas snel vol’. It refers to the carry-on bag being packed and is useful when discussing its available space.
snel ‘snel’ means quickly or fast in ‘zit de tas snel vol’. It emphasizes that the bag will become full after only a short amount of packing.
vol ‘vol’ means full in ‘zit de tas snel vol’. Together with ‘zit’, it describes the bag having no practical space left, which is useful when discussing luggage capacity.
ben ‘ben’ means am in ‘Ik ben bang’. It links the speaker with the feeling described by ‘bang’ and is used when stating a current personal condition.
bang ‘bang’ expresses worry or fear in ‘Ik ben bang dat mijn overhemd...’. With ‘dat’, it introduces the situation the speaker is concerned about, here a shirt becoming wrinkled.
dat ‘dat’ means that in ‘bang dat mijn overhemd voor de vergadering kreukt’. It introduces the clause containing the feared or expected situation and connects it to the speaker’s concern.
overhemd ‘overhemd’ means shirt or dress shirt in ‘mijn overhemd’. It refers to the meeting shirt whose condition matters before the meeting.
kreukt ‘kreukt’ means wrinkles or becomes wrinkled in ‘mijn overhemd ... kreukt’. It describes the unwanted change to the shirt and is useful when talking about clothing after it has been packed.
Rol ‘Rol’ gives the instruction to roll in ‘Rol het voorzichtig op’. Together with ‘op’, it tells the listener how to pack the shirt to reduce wrinkling.
het In ‘Rol het voorzichtig op’, ‘het’ means it and refers to the shirt. In ‘het hotel’, ‘het’ is the article before the noun, so the same form appears here both as a pronoun and as an article.
voorzichtig ‘voorzichtig’ means carefully in ‘Rol het voorzichtig op’. It describes how the shirt should be rolled and is useful when an action must be done gently to avoid damage or problems.
haal ‘haal’ gives the instruction to take out in ‘haal het uit de tas’. It is used with ‘uit’ and the object being removed from inside the bag.
uit ‘uit’ means out of in ‘haal het uit de tas’. It marks movement from inside the bag to outside it and is useful with actions involving removal.
zodra ‘zodra’ means as soon as in ‘zodra je bij het hotel aankomt’. It introduces the moment when the shirt should be taken out and is useful for linking one action to the immediate completion of another.
bij ‘bij’ means at or near in ‘bij het hotel aankomt’. It identifies the place reached by the traveler and is useful when describing arrival at a location.
hotel ‘hotel’ means hotel in ‘bij het hotel’. It identifies the place where the traveler arrives and unpacks the shirt.
aankomt ‘aankomt’ means arrives or reaches in ‘bij het hotel aankomt’. It describes reaching the hotel and is useful in the pattern ‘zodra je bij het hotel aankomt’ for timing an action after arrival.
Moeten ‘Moeten’ asks whether something should or must go somewhere in ‘Moeten opladers en documenten in het voorvak?’. It is useful for asking about the required or recommended place for several items.
opladers ‘opladers’ means chargers in ‘opladers en documenten’. It refers to the charging devices that may be needed during the trip and should be easy to access.
documenten ‘documenten’ means documents in ‘opladers en documenten’. It refers to travel or meeting papers and is grouped with chargers as an item to keep accessible.
in ‘in’ means in in ‘in het voorvak’. It marks the location inside the front pocket and is used to say where an object should be placed.
voorvak ‘voorvak’ means front pocket in ‘in het voorvak’. It identifies the accessible compartment at the front of the bag and is useful when organizing small travel items.
Bewaar ‘Bewaar’ gives the instruction to keep or store in ‘Bewaar daar spullen die je snel nodig hebt’. It tells the listener to leave useful items in a particular place for later access.
daar ‘daar’ means there in ‘Bewaar daar spullen...’. It refers back to the front pocket and avoids repeating that location, which is useful when giving connected instructions.
nodig ‘nodig’ expresses need in ‘spullen die je snel nodig hebt’. It identifies the items the traveler will need quickly and is used with the person who needs them.
hebt ‘hebt’ means have in the phrase ‘die je snel nodig hebt’. Together with ‘nodig’, it completes the expression for needing something and appears at the end of this clause.
samen ‘samen’ means together in ‘samen met een extra exemplaar van de agenda’. It shows that the backup agenda copy should be kept in the same place as the quick-access items.
met ‘met’ means with in ‘samen met een extra exemplaar van de agenda’. It connects the items being stored with the additional agenda copy.
exemplaar ‘exemplaar’ means copy in ‘een extra exemplaar van de agenda’. It refers to one additional version of the agenda and is useful when distinguishing a backup copy from the original.
van ‘van’ means of in ‘een extra exemplaar van de agenda’. It connects the copy to the document it reproduces and is used to specify what kind of copy something is.
agenda ‘agenda’ means agenda in ‘de agenda’. In this dialogue it refers to the meeting schedule or plan, specifically the document for which an extra copy is packed.
hoef In ‘hoef ik op het vliegveld niet de hele tas open te maken’, ‘hoef’ expresses that an action is not necessary. The full construction is useful when explaining that someone does not have to perform a particular action.
vliegveld ‘vliegveld’ means airport in ‘op het vliegveld’. It identifies the place where the bag may be inspected and is useful when discussing air travel.
niet ‘niet’ means not in ‘niet de hele tas open te maken’. It negates the need to open the entire bag and is used here inside the construction expressing that an action is unnecessary.
hele ‘hele’ means whole or entire in ‘de hele tas’. It emphasizes that the complete bag is meant, not just one section or pocket.
open In ‘de hele tas open te maken’, ‘open’ describes the result of the action: the bag is opened. Together with ‘maken’, it forms the expression for opening the bag.
te ‘te’ marks the infinitive in ‘open te maken’. It links the action ‘maken’ to the construction with ‘hoef’ and is not translated as a separate action here.
maken In ‘open te maken’, ‘maken’ completes the expression meaning to open the bag. It is used with ‘open’ and the object ‘de hele tas’ in the phrase describing the unnecessary action.
veiligheidscontrole ‘veiligheidscontrole’ means security check in ‘De veiligheidscontrole’. It refers to the airport inspection process and is useful when discussing what makes passing through the airport easier.
gaat In ‘De veiligheidscontrole gaat makkelijker’, ‘gaat’ means goes or proceeds. It describes how the security check proceeds and is used with ‘makkelijker’ to evaluate the process.
makkelijker ‘makkelijker’ means more easily or easier in ‘gaat makkelijker’. It compares the security process with a less convenient alternative and is useful when describing an improvement in how something proceeds.
als ‘als’ means when or if in ‘als die spullen binnen handbereik zijn’. It introduces the condition under which the security check will be easier and connects that condition to the result.
binnen handbereik The whole expression ‘binnen handbereik’ means within reach. ‘binnen’ contributes the idea of being within or inside a range, while ‘handbereik’ refers to the reach of a hand; together they describe items that can be reached easily.
zijn ‘zijn’ means are in ‘die spullen binnen handbereik zijn’. It links the plural items to their location or state of being within reach and completes the condition introduced by ‘als’.

Grammar Points

zodra + bijzin: het werkwoord staat achteraan

Zodra ik aankom, haal ik het document uit de tas.

ZOH-drah ik AHN-kohm, hahl ik ut doh-kyoo-MENT owt duh tahs.

As soon as I arrive, I take the document out of the bag.

Na zodra komt een bijzin. Daar staat het vervoegde werkwoord achteraan: zodra ik aankom.

om ... te + infinitief

Ik gebruik het voorvak om het document te bewaren.

ik ghuh-BROYK ut VOHR-vahk om ut doh-kyoo-MENT tuh buh-VAHR-uhn.

I use the front pocket to store the document.

Gebruik om ... te + infinitief om het doel van een handeling uit te leggen.

Dutch Vocabulary

allebei pron
AHL-uh-BAY both
diner noun
dee-NAYR dinner
extra spullen phrase
EK-strah SPUH-luhn extra things
handbagagetas noun
HAHNT-bah-ghuh-TAHS carry-on bag
informeel adj
in-for-MAYL casual; informal
kleding noun
KLAY-ding clothing
meenemen verb
MAY-nay-muhn to take along
plannen verb
PLAH-nuhn to plan Plan
reisplan noun
RAYS-plahn itinerary
vergadering noun
vur-GHAH-duh-ring meeting
zakenreis noun
ZAH-kuhn-rays business trip
zo weinig mogelijk phrase
zoh VAY-nikh MOH-ghuh-likh as little as possible

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Or the bag will fill up fast.

Show AnswerAnders zit de tas snel vol.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

itinerary

Show Answerreisplan

business trip

Show Answerzakenreis

to take along

Show Answermeenemen

meeting

Show Answervergadering