A focused break before your focus fades | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: At work, two adults pause spreadsheet work to take a short focused break and return with a clearer plan..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use A focused break before your focus fades to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ik staar al bijna twee uur naar dit spreadsheet.

Ihk STAHR uhl BAY-nah tvay ewr nahr dit SPRED-sheet. I have been staring at this spreadsheet for almost two hours.
B

Je concentratie neemt waarschijnlijk af, ook als je blijft doorwerken.

Yuh kon-sen-TRAH-tsi naymt vahr-SKHAIN-luhk af, ohk uhls yuh BLYFT DOHR-wer-kuh. Your focus is probably fading, even if you keep pushing.
A

Mijn ogen zijn moe, maar ik wilde voor de lunch klaar zijn.

Mine OH-ghun zayn moo, mahr ihk WILL-duh vohr duh lunch klahr zayn. My eyes feel tired, but I wanted to finish before lunch.
B

Een korte pauze kan je helpen om daarna sneller klaar te zijn.

Uhn KOR-tuh POW-zuh kuhn yuh HEL-pun um DAHR-nah SNEL-ur klahr tuh zayn. A short break might help you finish faster afterward.
A

Misschien moet ik me uitrekken en water halen in plaats van op mijn telefoon te kijken.

Mih-SKHEE-nuh moot ihk muh OWT-rek-kuh en WAH-tur HAH-lun in PLAHTS vahn op mine tay-luh-FOHN tuh KAI-kuh. Maybe I should stretch and get water instead of checking my phone.
B

Dat zou je ogen en lichaam helpen om goed uit te rusten.

Daht zow yuh OH-ghun en LEE-ghahm HEL-pun um khoot OWT tuh RUS-tun. That would help your eyes and body rest properly.
A

Laten we een korte pauze nemen en terugkomen met een duidelijker plan.

LAH-tun wuh uhn KOR-tuh POW-zuh NAY-mun en tuh-RUK-koh-mun met uhn DOW-duh-luh-kur plahn. Let's take a short break and come back with a clearer plan.
B

Als we terugkomen, kunnen we alleen de rijen met problemen bekijken.

Uhlz wuh tuh-RUK-koh-mun, KUN-nun wuh ah-LEEN duh RAY-un met proh-BLAY-mun buh-KAI-kuh. When we return, we can review only the problem rows.
A

Dat klinkt doelgerichter dan mezelf te dwingen om alles af te maken.

Daht klinkt DOOL-ghuh-RIKH-tur dan muh-ZELF tuh DWING-un um AHL-lus af tuh MAH-kuh. That sounds more focused than forcing myself through everything.
B

Dan zetten we een timer en beginnen we eerst met die rijen.

Dahn ZET-tun wuh uhn TAI-mur en buh-GHIN-nun wuh ayrst met dee RAY-un. Then let's set a timer and start with those rows first.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means I here and identifies speaker A. It is the subject before “staar”, used to report the speaker’s own activity. In a work conversation, use it when describing what you are doing.
staar “Staar” means stare in “Ik staar naar dit spreadsheet”. It describes looking at something continuously, with “naar” introducing what is being watched. Use the pattern staren naar when describing prolonged attention to a screen or object.
al “Al” shows that the action has already been continuing for a period. In “al bijna twee uur”, it combines with a duration to emphasize elapsed time. Use it when reporting that an activity has continued up to now.
bijna “Bijna” means almost and shows that the duration is close to, but not yet, two hours. It comes before “twee uur” in the time expression. Use it with numbers or amounts that have nearly been reached.
uur “Uur” means hour as the unit of time in “bijna twee uur”. It measures how long the speaker has been staring. Use it with a number when describing a duration.
naar “Naar” marks what the speaker is looking at in “naar dit spreadsheet”. With staren, it introduces the target of the gaze. Use staren naar or kijken naar when describing looking at something.
dit “Dit” means this and points to the specific spreadsheet being viewed. It comes directly before the noun “spreadsheet”. Use it to identify one particular item in the immediate situation.
spreadsheet “Spreadsheet” means spreadsheet and names the document on the screen. In “dit spreadsheet”, it is the object of the speaker’s prolonged attention. Use it when discussing spreadsheet work or a particular spreadsheet file.
Je “Je” means your in “Je concentratie”; here it identifies the listener’s concentration. It comes before the noun it describes. Use it to refer to something belonging to or associated with the person you are addressing.
concentratie “Concentratie” means concentration or focus. In “Je concentratie neemt waarschijnlijk af”, it is the thing that is becoming weaker. Use it with neemt af when talking about focus fading.
neemt In “neemt ... af”, “neemt” is the verb part of the expression describing a decrease. It appears before the particle “af” in this clause. Use the pattern iets neemt af when something becomes less strong or intense.
waarschijnlijk “Waarschijnlijk” means probably and shows that the fading focus is an expectation rather than a certainty. It appears inside the verb phrase “neemt waarschijnlijk af”. Use it when making a likely but not definite statement.
af In “neemt ... af”, “af” helps express that something is decreasing. In “af te maken”, it instead helps express completion, as in finishing a task. Its meaning depends on the expression it forms with the verb.
ook “Ook” contributes the meaning even in “ook als je blijft doorwerken”. It emphasizes that the focus may fade despite the continued work. Use “ook als” before a condition to express this kind of concession.
als “Als” introduces a subordinate clause. In “ook als je blijft doorwerken” it means if, while in “Als we terugkomen” it means when. Use it before a condition or a future time clause.
blijft In “blijft doorwerken”, “blijft” means continues or keeps. It combines with the following verb to show that the activity goes on. Use blijven plus an infinitive when someone continues an action.
doorwerken “Doorwerken” means keep working or continue working. Together with “blijft”, it describes continuing to work even while concentration fades. Use it when someone carries on with work instead of stopping.
Mijn “Mijn” means my in “Mijn ogen”. It identifies the eyes as belonging to the speaker. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to yourself.
ogen “Ogen” means eyes and is the subject of “zijn moe”. It names the body part whose condition is being described. Use it with zijn and an adjective when reporting how the eyes feel.
zijn In “Mijn ogen zijn moe”, “zijn” means are and links the subject with the description “moe”. It describes the current state of the eyes. Use a noun plus zijn plus an adjective to describe a condition.
moe “Moe” means tired in “Mijn ogen zijn moe”. It describes the condition of the eyes after prolonged screen work. Use it after zijn when reporting tiredness or another current state.
maar “Maar” means but and contrasts the tired eyes with the wish to finish before lunch. It connects two opposing ideas in the sentence. Use it between statements when the second idea limits or contrasts with the first.
wilde “Wilde” means wanted in the past context of wanting to finish before lunch. It expresses the speaker’s earlier intention. Use it to describe something you wanted to do or achieve.
voor “Voor” means before in “voor de lunch”. It sets the time limit by which the work should be finished. Use it before a time or event when describing a deadline.
de “De” is the article in “de lunch”. It introduces the specific lunch being used as the time reference. Learn it here as part of the noun phrase “de lunch”.
lunch “Lunch” means lunch in “voor de lunch”. It is the event that sets the deadline for finishing. Use it after a time expression such as voor when referring to work completed before lunch.
klaar “Klaar” means finished in “klaar zijn”. Here it describes the work as completed before lunch. Use “klaar zijn” to say that a task or activity is complete.
Een “Een” means a or an and introduces “een korte pauze” as one possible break. It does not identify a specific break already known to both speakers. Use it before a singular noun when introducing an option or new item.
korte “Korte” means short and describes the limited duration of the break. It comes before “pauze” in the noun phrase. Use it when proposing a brief activity or interruption.
pauze “Pauze” means break, here a short interruption of spreadsheet work. It appears in “een korte pauze” and later in “een korte pauze nemen”. Use it when suggesting time away from an activity.
kan “Kan” expresses possibility in “kan je helpen”; the break might help, but the result is not certain. It is followed by “helpen”. Use kan plus an infinitive to suggest what may happen or what may be possible.
helpen “Helpen” means help in “kan je helpen om daarna sneller klaar te zijn”. It takes the person being helped and an “om ... te” clause describing the intended result. Use the pattern iemand helpen om iets te doen.
om “Om” introduces the purpose or result in “om daarna sneller klaar te zijn”. It connects the help with what the person may achieve afterward. Use om plus te and an infinitive to express an intended result or purpose.
daarna “Daarna” means afterward and places finishing after the break. It shows the order between the break and the later result. Use it when describing the next action after an earlier event.
sneller “Sneller” means faster and compares the expected completion with the earlier pace. It describes finishing after the break. Use it when comparing how quickly an activity is completed.
te “Te” marks an infinitive in expressions such as “te zijn” and “te kijken”. Here it helps connect an action or result to another verb or construction. Use it with an infinitive in an “om ... te” purpose or result clause.
Misschien “Misschien” means maybe and introduces a tentative suggestion in “Misschien moet ik”. It makes the speaker’s proposal less definite. Use it at the beginning of a sentence when considering a possible action.
moet “Moet” means must or should; here it expresses the speaker’s self-advice. It is followed by the actions “me uitrekken en water halen”. Use moet ik when stating something you feel you should do.
me “Me” means myself in “me uitrekken”. It refers back to the speaker as the person affected by the action. Use this form when the subject performs the action on themself.
uitrekken “Uittrekken” means stretch in “me uitrekken”, or stretch oneself. It is one of the actions proposed for the break. Use it when describing physical stretching during a pause.
en “En” means and and links the two break activities “me uitrekken” and “water halen”. It joins actions that are both part of the suggestion. Use it to connect related actions or ideas.
water “Water” means water and is the object of “halen”. In “water halen”, it refers to getting a drink during the break. Use it with halen when describing going to get water.
halen “Halen” means get or fetch in “water halen”. It describes obtaining water as one of the break activities. Use the pattern water halen when going to get water.
in “In” is part of the fixed expression “in plaats van”, meaning instead of. Here it introduces the alternative activity of checking the phone. Use the complete expression before the action or thing that is being replaced.
plaats In “in plaats van”, “plaats” is part of the expression meaning instead of; it does not mean a physical place here. The expression contrasts the chosen break activity with checking the phone. Use “in plaats van” to present an alternative.
van In “in plaats van”, “van” completes the expression meaning instead of. It introduces the action that is not being chosen. Use the complete expression before a noun or action phrase.
op In “op mijn telefoon te kijken”, “op” marks the phone as the device being looked at. It is used here with kijken for checking a phone. Use the pattern op je telefoon kijken when referring to phone use.
telefoon “Telefoon” means phone in “op mijn telefoon”. It identifies the device the speaker is considering checking. Use it with op and kijken when discussing looking at a phone.
kijken “Kijken” means look or check in “op mijn telefoon te kijken”. It describes checking the phone as the alternative to stretching and getting water. Use the pattern op je telefoon kijken for checking a phone.
Dat “Dat” means that and refers back to the suggestion of stretching and getting water. It is the subject of “zou ... helpen”. Use it to refer to a preceding idea or proposed action.
zou “Zou” means would and presents the expected benefit as a hypothetical result. In “Dat zou ... helpen”, it responds to the previous suggestion. Use it after an idea or proposal when describing what the result would be.
lichaam “Lichaam” means body in “je ogen en lichaam”. It identifies another part of the person that would benefit from resting. Use it when discussing physical rest or recovery.
goed “Goed” means well or properly in “goed uit te rusten”. It describes the quality of the rest. Use it with an action when saying that something is done adequately or properly.
uit “Uit” is the particle in “uitrusten” and “uit te rusten”. Together with rusten, it contributes to the meaning of resting or recovering fully. Keep it with the verb when using this expression.
rusten “Rusten” means rest in “uit te rusten”. Together with “uit”, it describes recovering during the break. Use it when talking about resting the body or eyes.
Laten “Laten” is the first component of the proposal “Laten we een korte pauze nemen”, which means let’s take a short break. The construction invites the other person to act together. Use “Laten we” to suggest a joint action.
we “We” means we and refers to both speakers in the proposed break. It is the group subject of the joint actions. Use it when including yourself and another person in an action.
nemen “Nemen” means take in “een korte pauze nemen”. Together with pauze, it forms the common expression take a break. Use “een pauze nemen” when proposing or describing a break.
terugkomen “Terugkomen” means come back or return. Here it refers to returning to the work after the break, with a clearer plan. Use it when describing a return to a place, activity, or task.
met “Met” means with in “met een duidelijker plan”. It describes what the speakers have when they return. Use met plus a noun for something accompanying an action or result.
duidelijker “Duidelijker” means clearer and describes the improved plan the speakers hope to have after the break. It compares the new plan with the earlier, less clear approach. Use it when describing an increased level of clarity.
plan “Plan” means plan in “met een duidelijker plan”. It refers to the way the speakers will organize the remaining spreadsheet work. Use it with met when describing what someone returns or continues with.
kunnen “Kunnen” means can or be able to in “kunnen we ... bekijken”. It expresses what the speakers are able or prepared to do after returning. Use kunnen plus an infinitive to describe a possible or available action.
alleen “Alleen” means only and limits the review to the problem rows. It excludes the other rows from the planned review. Use it before the selected item or action when restricting what will be done.
rijen “Rijen” means rows, specifically the rows in the spreadsheet. In “de rijen met problemen”, it identifies the spreadsheet items to review. Use it when discussing selected spreadsheet rows.
problemen “Problemen” means problems in “rijen met problemen”. It specifies which rows need attention. Use “met problemen” after a noun to describe something that contains or has problems.
bekijken “Bekijken” means review or look at in “de rijen ... bekijken”. It describes inspecting the selected rows after the break. Use iets bekijken when examining a document, screen, or selected items.
klinkt “Klinkt” means sounds or seems in “Dat klinkt doelgerichter”. It evaluates how the proposed approach comes across. Use “dat klinkt” followed by a description when responding to an idea.
doelgerichter “Doelgerichter” means more focused or more goal-directed. It describes the targeted review as a better-directed approach than forcing through everything. Use it after klinkt when evaluating a method or plan.
dan “Dan” means than and introduces the other side of the comparison after “doelgerichter”. It contrasts reviewing selected rows with forcing through everything. Use it after a comparative description to introduce what it is compared with.
mezelf “Mezelf” means myself and is the person being forced in “mezelf te dwingen”. It refers back to the speaker as the object of the action. Use it when the speaker acts on themself.
dwingen “Dwingen” means force in “mezelf te dwingen om alles af te maken”. It describes making oneself continue despite reluctance. Use the pattern iemand dwingen om iets te doen when someone is forced to carry out an action.
alles “Alles” means everything and refers to the complete set of spreadsheet work. It is the object of “af te maken”. Use it when referring to the whole set of tasks or items rather than only selected ones.
maken In “af te maken”, “maken” contributes to the meaning of completing or finishing. The particle “af” changes the expression from simply making something to completing it. Use “iets afmaken” when finishing a task.
zetten “Zetten” means set in “een timer zetten”. It takes “een timer” as its object and describes preparing a timed work period. Use this expression when starting a task with a time limit.
timer “Timer” means timer and names the device or function used to measure the focused work period. It is the object of “zetten”. Use it when organizing a short, timed activity.
beginnen “Beginnen” means start or begin in “beginnen ... met die rijen”. It introduces the first task after the timer is set. Use beginnen met plus an item when choosing what to start with.
eerst “Eerst” means first and shows the order of priority. Here it indicates that the problem rows should be reviewed before other rows. Use it when specifying which task comes before the others.
die “Die” means those in “die rijen”. It points back to the previously mentioned problem rows rather than introducing new rows. Use it before a plural noun for items that have already been identified.

Grammar Points

afnemen → neemt ... af

De concentratie neemt af.

duh kon-sen-TRAH-tsi naymt AF.

The concentration decreases.

In a main clause, the prefix of a separable verb moves to the end: afnemen becomes neemt ... af.

blijven + infinitief

blijft doorwerken

BLYFT DOHR-wer-kuh(n)

keeps working

Na blijven staat het volgende werkwoord in de infinitief: blijft doorwerken betekent ‘keeps working’.

Dutch Vocabulary

afnemen verb
AF-NAY-mun to decrease; to fade neemt af
bijna adv
BAY-nah almost
blijven verb
BLY-vun to keep; to continue blijft
concentratie noun
kon-sen-TRAH-tsi concentration; focus
doorwerken verb
DOHR-WER-kuh(n) to keep working; to continue working
lunch noun
lunch lunch
moe adj
MOO tired
ogen noun
OH-ghun eyes
spreadsheet noun
SPRED-sheet spreadsheet
staren verb
STAH-run to stare staar
waarschijnlijk adv
vahr-SKHAIN-luhk probably
willen verb
WILL-un to want wilde

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

eyes

Show Answerogen

to stare

Show Answerstaar

almost

Show Answerbijna

spreadsheet

Show Answerspreadsheet