Explaining damage to a borrowed bag | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Explaining damage to a borrowed bag to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik moet je iets vertellen over de tas die ik heb geleend.

ik moot yuh eetss fer-TEL-luhn OH-vur duh tahs dee ik hep khuh-LAYNT. I need to tell you something about the bag I borrowed.

Is er tijdens je reis iets mee gebeurd?

iss ur TIGH-duhns yuh rays eetss may khuh-BURT? Did something happen to it during your trip?

De rits liep vast en een deel ervan raakte los.

duh RITS leep vahst uhn ayn dayl ur-VAHN RAHK-tuh loss. The zipper got stuck, and part of it came loose.

Was de rits al beschadigd?

wuhs duh RITS ahl buh-SKHAH-dikht? Was the zipper already damaged?

Of ging hij kapot toen je hem gebruikte?

off khing hay kuh-POT toon yuh hem khuh-BROYK-tuh? Or did it break while you were using it?

De rits leek eerder in orde, dus ik wil verantwoordelijkheid nemen.

duh RITS lake AYR-dur in OR-duh, dooss ik vil vur-ant-WOR-duh-lik-HAYT NAY-muhn. It seemed fine before, so I want to take responsibility.

Ik waardeer je eerlijkheid. Misschien is de rits nog te repareren.

ik vahr-DAYR yuh AYR-luhk-HAYT. muh-SKHAYN iss duh RITS nokh tuh ray-puh-RAY-run. I appreciate your honesty. It may still be repairable.

Ik kan de reparatie regelen of de tas vervangen als dat nodig is.

ik kahn duh ray-puh-RAH-tsee RAY-khuh-luhn off duh tahs fur-VAHN-khuhn ahls daht NOH-dikh iss. I can arrange the repair or replace the bag if needed.

Laten we hem eerst naar een reparatiewinkel brengen voordat we beslissen.

LAH-tuhn wuh hem ayrst nawr uhn ray-puh-RAH-tsee-VIN-kuhl BRENG-uhn vur-DAHT wuh buh-SLISS-uhn. Let's take it to a repair shop before deciding.

Het spijt me dat ik het je niet meteen heb verteld toen het gebeurde.

het SPITE may daht ik ut yuh neet muh-TAYN hep fer-TELT toon ut khuh-BUR-duh. I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as it happened.

Je hebt het nu ter sprake gebracht en dat helpt. We zullen zien wat ze zeggen.

yuh haypt ut noo tur SPRAH-kuh khuh-BRAHKHT uhn daht helpt. wuh ZHUL-uhn zayn waht zuh ZAY-khun. You brought it up now, and that helps. We'll see what they say.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” is the speaker who needs to tell the other person something. It is the subject in “Ik moet je iets vertellen”. Use it when referring to yourself as the subject of a sentence.

moet “moet” expresses that the speaker needs to do something in “Ik moet je iets vertellen”. It is followed by the action “vertellen”; this is a reusable way to express an obligation or necessity.

je “je” refers to the person being told something in “je iets vertellen” and shows possession in “je reis”. The same form can therefore refer to the other person as an object or as the owner of something in a direct conversation.

iets “iets” means something indefinite in “Ik moet je iets vertellen”. The reusable pattern “iets vertellen” is used when telling someone some unspecified information.

vertellen “vertellen” means to tell in “je iets vertellen”. It follows “moet” here, and “iets vertellen” is a common pattern for telling someone something.

over “over” introduces the topic of the information in “iets vertellen over de tas”. Use it before the subject or matter that someone is talking about.

de “de” is the definite article before “tas” and “rits” in this dialogue. Reuse it before these already identified objects in expressions such as “de tas” and “de rits”.

tas “tas” means bag, the item that was borrowed and may need replacing. It appears in “de tas die ik heb geleend” and “de tas vervangen”; use it when discussing this kind of object.

die “die” introduces the information “ik heb geleend” that identifies the bag in “de tas die ik heb geleend”. It is used after the noun to add a relative clause describing it.

heb “heb” is the auxiliary in “die ik heb geleend”, referring to the completed act of borrowing. The reusable pattern “heb” plus a completed action describes something that has happened or been done.

geleend “geleend” describes the bag as something the speaker borrowed in “die ik heb geleend”. Together with “heb”, it forms the completed action of borrowing and can be used when explaining how an item came into your possession.

Is “Is” begins the question “Is er tijdens je reis iets mee gebeurd?” and asks whether an event occurred. The pattern “Is er” is useful for asking whether something exists or has happened.

er “er” helps form the existential question in “Is er tijdens je reis iets mee gebeurd?”. It presents an event or situation as something that may have occurred, as in the reusable opening “Is er”.

tijdens “tijdens” means during and places the event within “je reis”. It comes before a time period or activity when saying when something happened.

reis “reis” means trip or journey in “tijdens je reis”. Use it after “tijdens” when describing an event that occurred during someone’s travel.

mee “mee” refers back to the bag in “iets mee gebeurd”, meaning that something happened to it. The pattern “er iets mee gebeurd” is useful when asking or saying what happened to an already mentioned object.

gebeurd “gebeurd” reports the event that may have happened to the bag in “iets mee gebeurd”. Together with “is”, it describes a completed event and is useful when asking what happened.

rits “rits” means zipper, the part of the bag that was damaged. It appears in “de rits” and can be used when describing a problem with that fastening part.

liep “liep” describes how the zipper stopped moving normally in “De rits liep vast”. With “vast”, it forms the expression “liep vast”, meaning that the zipper got stuck.

vast “vast” means stuck in “De rits liep vast”. It completes the expression “liep vast”, which describes a moving part becoming unable to move normally.

en “en” joins the two damage details in “De rits liep vast en een deel ervan raakte los”. Use it to connect two related actions, facts, or clauses.

een “een” introduces “deel” as one nonspecific part in “een deel ervan”. It is used before a singular noun when the specific item is not identified individually.

deel “deel” means part in “een deel ervan”, referring to part of the zipper. The pattern “een deel ervan” is useful for identifying a portion of something already mentioned.

ervan “ervan” means of it in “een deel ervan”, referring back to the zipper. Use it after a noun such as “deel” when expressing that the part belongs to or comes from an already mentioned thing.

raakte “raakte” describes the change that happened to the zipper in “een deel ervan raakte los”. Together with “los”, “raakte los” means became detached or came loose.

los “los” means loose or detached in “raakte los”. It is used with “raakte” here to describe a part separating from the zipper.

Was “Was” begins the question “Was de rits al beschadigd?” and asks about the zipper’s earlier condition. This pattern is useful for asking whether something already had a certain condition.

al “al” means already in “Was de rits al beschadigd?”. It places the damaged condition before the later use of the zipper.

beschadigd “beschadigd” describes the zipper as damaged in “Was de rits al beschadigd?”. It is used after “was” to ask about the condition of an object.

Of “Of” introduces the alternative question “Of ging hij kapot toen je hem gebruikte?”. Use it to present another possible explanation or choice.

ging “ging” describes the change into a broken state in “ging hij kapot”. Together with “kapot”, it means that the zipper broke rather than merely being damaged already.

hij “hij” refers to the zipper as the subject in “ging hij kapot”. It appears before the rest of the verb expression in this question and identifies what may have broken.

kapot “kapot” means broken in “ging hij kapot”. The expression “ging hij kapot” describes an object becoming broken during use.

toen “toen” introduces the time clause “toen je hem gebruikte”. It connects the breaking with the time when the zipper was being used.

hem “hem” refers to the zipper as the object being used in “je hem gebruikte”. It is placed before the verb in this clause and replaces the already mentioned object.

gebruikte “gebruikte” describes the action of using the zipper in “toen je hem gebruikte”. It tells what was happening when the possible break occurred and is used with an object such as “hem”.

leek “leek” gives the speaker’s earlier assessment in “De rits leek eerder in orde”. It presents something as appearing a certain way rather than stating that appearance as absolute fact.

eerder “eerder” means earlier or before in “De rits leek eerder in orde”. It places the zipper’s good condition before the problem occurred.

in “in” is part of the expression “in orde”, which describes the zipper as fine or functioning properly. Use it together with “orde” in this expression rather than interpreting it alone as a location.

orde “orde” contributes to the fixed expression “in orde”, meaning fine or in good condition here. In “De rits leek eerder in orde”, it describes the zipper’s earlier state.

dus “dus” links the earlier good condition with the speaker’s conclusion in “dus ik wil verantwoordelijkheid nemen”. It is used to introduce a result or consequence.

wil “wil” expresses the speaker’s intention in “ik wil verantwoordelijkheid nemen”. It is followed by the action “nemen”; this is a reusable way to say what someone wants to do.

verantwoordelijkheid “verantwoordelijkheid” means responsibility in “verantwoordelijkheid nemen”. The full expression is used when someone accepts responsibility for a problem or action.

nemen “nemen” contributes the action of accepting in “verantwoordelijkheid nemen”. This fixed combination is useful when acknowledging responsibility for damage or a mistake.

waardeer “waardeer” means appreciate in “Ik waardeer je eerlijkheid”. It expresses positive recognition of the other person’s honesty and can be used with something that is appreciated.

eerlijkheid “eerlijkheid” means honesty in “je eerlijkheid”. It is the quality that the speaker appreciates, and it can be used when responding positively to someone who has told the truth.

Misschien “Misschien” means maybe or perhaps and introduces uncertainty in “Misschien is de rits nog te repareren”. It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence when offering a possibility.

nog “nog” means still in “de rits nog te repareren”. It shows that repair remains a possible option despite the damage.

te “te” appears before “repareren” in “te repareren”. Here it is part of the construction describing what can still be done to the zipper.

repareren “repareren” means to repair in “de rits nog te repareren”. It names the possible action that could restore the damaged zipper.

kan “kan” expresses ability or an available option in “Ik kan de reparatie regelen”. It is followed by an action such as “regelen” or “vervangen” when saying what someone is able or willing to do.

reparatie “reparatie” means repair in “de reparatie regelen”. It names the repair work that the speaker offers to arrange.

regelen “regelen” means arrange in “de reparatie regelen”. The pattern is used when someone takes care of organizing a service or practical solution.

vervangen “vervangen” means replace in “de tas vervangen”. It describes exchanging the damaged bag for another one and is used with the object being replaced.

als “als” introduces the condition “als dat nodig is”. It means if here and connects an action with the circumstance under which it will be taken.

dat “dat” refers to the possible action or solution in “als dat nodig is”. Together with “nodig is”, it expresses the condition that this action is necessary.

nodig “nodig” means necessary or needed in “als dat nodig is”. It describes whether the repair or replacement will be required.

Laten “Laten” begins the suggestion “Laten we hem eerst naar een reparatiewinkel brengen”. With “we”, it means let’s and proposes a joint action.

we “we” refers to the two people acting together in “Laten we hem eerst naar een reparatiewinkel brengen” and “We zullen zien”. Use it as the subject for a shared action or plan.

eerst “eerst” means first in “hem eerst naar een reparatiewinkel brengen”. It sets the order by saying this action should happen before deciding.

naar “naar” marks the destination in “naar een reparatiewinkel”. It is used before the place someone or something is taken to.

reparatiewinkel “reparatiewinkel” means repair shop in “naar een reparatiewinkel”. It is the destination where the bag or zipper can be inspected and repaired.

brengen “brengen” means take or bring in “hem eerst naar een reparatiewinkel brengen”. It describes moving the bag to a destination and is used with the object “hem” and destination “naar een reparatiewinkel”.

voordat “voordat” means before and introduces “voordat we beslissen”. It places one action before another and is useful when explaining the order of a plan.

beslissen “beslissen” means decide in “voordat we beslissen”. It names the choice that will be made after the repair shop has been consulted.

Het “Het” is part of the fixed apology “Het spijt me”. In this expression it does not mean the as a separate description; use the whole expression when apologizing.

spijt “spijt” contributes the idea of regret in “Het spijt me”. The fixed expression “Het spijt me” is used to apologize for something.

me “me” identifies the person who feels regret in “Het spijt me”. It appears in the common apology “Het spijt me dat...” before the reason for the apology.

niet “niet” negates the telling in “ik het je niet meteen heb verteld”. It shows that the speaker did not tell the other person immediately.

meteen “meteen” means immediately or right away in “niet meteen”. It describes when the speaker should have told the other person and is useful for specifying prompt timing.

verteld “verteld” means told in “ik het je niet meteen heb verteld”. Together with “heb”, it describes the completed act of giving the information to someone.

gebeurde “gebeurde” means happened in “toen het gebeurde”. It refers back to the moment when the zipper problem occurred and is used after “toen” to identify that event.

nu “nu” means now in “Je hebt het nu ter sprake gebracht”. It contrasts the present moment with the earlier time when the damage happened.

ter sprake gebracht The whole expression “ter sprake gebracht” means brought up or mentioned. Within it, “ter sprake” marks something as entering the discussion, while “gebracht” contributes the idea of bringing it; use the expression when raising an issue in conversation.

helpt “helpt” means helps in “dat helpt”. It says that mentioning the problem has a useful effect, and the pattern can be used to comment on something that makes a situation easier.

zullen “zullen” expresses what will happen in “We zullen zien”. It is followed by “zien” and is used to talk about a future action or expected result.

zien “zien” means see in “We zullen zien”. The whole expression means that the speakers will find out the result later.

wat “wat” introduces the content of the future statement in “wat ze zeggen”. It means what and opens a clause describing the information they will give.

ze “ze” refers to the people at the repair shop in “wat ze zeggen”. It is the subject of “zeggen” and is used before the verb when referring to those people.

zeggen “zeggen” means say in “wat ze zeggen”. It describes the information the repair-shop staff will provide, and the pattern “wat ze zeggen” refers to what someone says.

Grammar Points

Scheidbare werkwoorden in de verleden tijd: vastlopen → liep vast; losraken → raakte los

De rits liep vast.

duh RITS leep vahst.

The zipper got stuck.

Bij sommige Nederlandse werkwoorden komt het voorvoegsel in de verleden tijd achteraan: liep vast en raakte los.

Dutch Vocabulary

beschadigd adj

buh-SKHAH-dikht damaged

de rits al beschadigd

deel noun

dayl part

een deel ervan

gebeuren verb

khuh-BUR-uhn to happen gebeurd

iets mee gebeurd

gebruiken verb

khuh-BROY-kuhn to use gebruikte

toen je hem gebruikte

kapot adj

kuh-POT broken

ging hij kapot

lenen verb

LAY-nuhn to borrow geleend

de tas die ik heb geleend

lijken verb

LIGH-kuhn to seem leek

De rits leek eerder in orde

losraken verb

LOSS-rah-kuhn to come loose raakte los

een deel ervan raakte los

reis noun

rays trip; journey

tijdens je reis

rits noun

rits zipper

de rits

tas noun

tahs bag

de tas

vastlopen verb

VAST-loh-puhn to get stuck liep vast

De rits liep vast

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Was the zipper already damaged?

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Was de rits al beschadigd?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

zipper

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rits

damaged

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beschadigd

to borrow

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geleend

trip; journey

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reis