A short walk to reset your thinking | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use A short walk to reset your thinking to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik kan niet beslissen welke versie van het ontwerp beter werkt.

IK kahn neet buh-SLISS-un WEL-kuh VEHR-see vahn ut ont-WERP BAY-tur werkt. I can't decide which version of the design works better.

Laten we een paar minuten naar buiten gaan en het samen bespreken.

LAH-tun wuh uhn pahr mee-NOO-tun nah BOW-tun khahn en ut SAH-mun buh-SPRAY-kun. Let's step out for a few minutes and talk it through.

Frisse lucht kan helpen, maar ik wil niet te veel tijd verliezen.

FRISS-uh lukht kahn HEL-pun, mahr ik wil neet tuh VAYL vur-LEE-zun. Fresh air might help, but I don't want to lose too much time.

We kunnen gewoon een rondje om het blok lopen en ons op de belangrijkste beslissing richten.

Wuh KUN-nun khuh-WOHN uhn RONT-yuh om ut blok LOH-pun en ons op duh buh-LAHNG-rike-stuh buh-SLISS-ing RIKH-tun. We can just circle the block and focus on the main decision.

Dat zou me een pauze geven zonder het probleem helemaal los te laten.

Daht zow muh uhn POW-zuh KHAY-vun ZON-dur ut proh-BLAYM hah-LAY-mahl loss tuh LAH-tun. That would give me a break without dropping the problem completely.

Soms voelt de beslissing makkelijker als je wat rondloopt.

SOMS FOOLT duh buh-SLISS-ing MAH-kuh-luh-kur ahls yuh waht RONT-lohpt. Sometimes moving around makes the decision feel easier.

Ik neem mijn telefoon mee voor het geval we het ontwerpmodel moeten bekijken.

IK naym mine tay-luh-FOHN may vohr ut khuh-VAHL wuh ut ont-WERP-moh-del MOO-tun buh-KAY-kun. I'll bring my phone in case we need to check the mockup.

Houd het tempo rustig, zodat het niet weer een taak wordt.

HOWT ut TEM-poh RUS-tikh, zoh-DAHT ut neet wayr uhn tahk wort. Keep the pace relaxed so it doesn't turn into another task.

Na een korte wandeling kunnen we terugkomen en één richting kiezen.

Nah uhn KOR-tuh WAHN-duh-ling KUN-nun wuh tuh-RUK-koh-mun en ayn RIKH-ting KHAI-zun. After a short walk, we can come back and choose one direction.

Een korte reset kan ons misschien nog een uur onnodig nadenken besparen.

Uhn KOR-tuh REE-set kahn ons mis-SKHEEN nokh uhn ewr on-NOH-dikh NAH-dung-kun buh-SPAH-run. A short reset might save us from another hour of overthinking.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” here: the person speaking. It appears at the start of “Ik kan niet beslissen...” and “Ik neem mijn telefoon mee”. Use it before a verb when talking about yourself.

kan “kan” means “can” or “is able to” in “Ik kan niet beslissen”. It expresses ability, and “niet” makes the statement negative. It is useful before an infinitive such as “beslissen”.

niet “niet” makes “Ik kan niet beslissen” negative: the speaker is not able to decide. It comes after “kan” in this sentence. Use it to negate an action or statement.

beslissen “beslissen” means “to decide” in “Ik kan niet beslissen”. It follows “kan” as the action the speaker is unable to complete. Use it when choosing between options or reaching a decision.

welke “welke” means “which” in “welke versie van het ontwerp”. It introduces the choice between possible versions. Use it before the noun for the option you are asking about.

versie “versie” means “version” in “welke versie van het ontwerp”. It identifies one form of the design among several possible forms. It can be followed by “van” to specify what the version belongs to.

van “van” connects “versie” with “het ontwerp” in “versie van het ontwerp”, meaning “version of the design”. It introduces the thing that the version is associated with. Use it in this kind of noun relationship.

het “het” has two functions in the dialogue. In “het ontwerp” it means “the”, while in “het samen bespreken” it refers to the matter being discussed. Its meaning depends on the exact construction around it.

ontwerp “ontwerp” means “design” in “het ontwerp”. Here it is the work whose version the speaker is evaluating. Use it after “het” when referring to this design.

beter “beter” means “better” in “beter werkt”. It compares how well the design versions work. It appears before “werkt” in the question about which version is more effective.

werkt “werkt” means “works” in “welke versie van het ontwerp beter werkt”. It describes whether the design functions effectively. In this sentence it follows the subject phrase “welke versie van het ontwerp”.

Laten “Laten” begins the suggestion “Laten we een paar minuten naar buiten gaan”. Together with “we”, it means “let’s”. Use this form to suggest doing something together.

we “we” means “we” in “Laten we...” and “We kunnen...”. It refers to the two speakers together. It appears before the verb in a statement and after “Laten” in the suggestion.

een “een” means “a” or “an” in “een paar minuten”, “een rondje”, and other phrases in the dialogue. It introduces one non-specific item or amount. Its meaning is understood from the noun that follows.

paar “paar” means “few” in “een paar minuten”. It indicates a small number of minutes, without giving an exact number. It commonly follows “een” when referring to a small quantity.

minuten “minuten” means “minutes” in “een paar minuten”. It measures the short length of the proposed walk and discussion. It follows the quantity phrase “een paar”.

naar “naar” expresses movement toward a place in “naar buiten gaan”. It links “gaan” with the destination “buiten”. Use it before a destination when describing movement.

buiten “buiten” means “outside” in “naar buiten gaan”. It is the destination of the proposed short break. Together with “naar”, it forms the movement phrase “naar buiten gaan”.

gaan “gaan” means “to go” in “naar buiten gaan”. It follows “laten we” and describes the action being suggested. Use it after a movement destination such as “naar buiten”.

en “en” means “and” in “naar buiten gaan en het samen bespreken”. It joins two actions in the same suggestion. It connects “gaan” with “bespreken”.

samen “samen” means “together” in “het samen bespreken”. It shows that the two speakers will discuss the matter jointly. It can be placed with an action to emphasize shared participation.

bespreken “bespreken” means “to discuss” in “het samen bespreken”. The object “het” refers to the design decision or problem under discussion. Use it with the thing or topic that people discuss.

Frisse “Frisse” means “fresh” in “Frisse lucht”. It describes the air that might help the speaker think. It comes directly before the noun “lucht” in this phrase.

lucht “lucht” means “air” in “Frisse lucht”. Here it refers to outdoor air as a possible help during the break. It forms the noun phrase “Frisse lucht” with the adjective before it.

helpen “helpen” means “to help” in “Frisse lucht kan helpen”. It describes a possible beneficial effect of fresh air. It follows “kan” as the action that may happen.

maar “maar” means “but” in “kan helpen, maar ik wil niet...”. It introduces a concern that contrasts with the possible benefit. Use it to connect an idea with an opposing qualification.

wil “wil” means “want” in “ik wil niet te veel tijd verliezen”. It expresses the speaker’s intention or preference. It is followed by “niet” and the action “verliezen”.

te “te” contributes the meaning “too” in “te veel tijd”. Together, “te veel” means more time than the speaker considers acceptable. Use it directly before “veel” in this quantity phrase.

veel “veel” means “much” in “te veel tijd”. With “te”, it expresses an excessive amount. It comes before the noun being measured, here “tijd”.

tijd “tijd” means “time” in “te veel tijd verliezen”. It is the resource the speaker does not want to waste. It follows the quantity phrase “te veel”.

verliezen “verliezen” means “to lose” in “te veel tijd verliezen”. It describes wasting or no longer having the time. It follows “wil” as the action the speaker does not want to perform.

kunnen “kunnen” means “can” or “are able to” in “We kunnen gewoon...”. It presents the walk as a possible action. It is followed by the infinitive “lopen” later in the sentence.

gewoon “gewoon” means “just” or “simply” in “We kunnen gewoon een rondje...”. It makes the proposed action sound uncomplicated and limited. It comes before the action phrase being suggested.

rondje “rondje” means “a short round” in “een rondje om het blok lopen”. It describes a brief circuit rather than an unspecified walk. It follows “een” and is followed by the route phrase “om het blok”.

om “om” means “around” in “om het blok”. It introduces the route of the short round. Use it before the place or object that the route goes around.

blok “blok” means “block” in “om het blok”. It is the area around which the speakers plan to walk. Together with “om”, it specifies the walking route.

lopen “lopen” means “to walk” in “een rondje om het blok lopen”. It describes the physical activity proposed by the speakers. It follows “kunnen” as an infinitive.

ons “ons” refers to the two speakers in “ons op de belangrijkste beslissing richten”. It is part of the expression for directing their attention. The following phrase specifies what their attention is directed toward.

op “op” introduces the focus in “ons op de belangrijkste beslissing richten”. It links the act of focusing with the decision receiving attention. Keep the object after “op” when reusing this construction.

de “de” means “the” in “de belangrijkste beslissing”. It introduces the specific decision the speakers want to focus on. It comes directly before the adjective and noun phrase.

belangrijkste “belangrijkste” means “main” or “most important” in “de belangrijkste beslissing”. It identifies the decision that should receive priority. It comes before “beslissing” in the noun phrase.

beslissing “beslissing” means “decision” in “de belangrijkste beslissing”. It is the central choice the speakers are trying to make. It is the object of the focus expressed in “ons op ... richten”.

richten “richten” means “to direct” in “ons op de belangrijkste beslissing richten”. Here it describes directing attention toward a particular decision. The reusable construction keeps the focus object after “op”.

Dat “Dat” means “that” in “Dat zou me een pauze geven”. It refers back to the proposed short walk. It places the earlier suggestion in the subject position of the next statement.

zou “zou” expresses “would” in “Dat zou me een pauze geven”. It presents the break as a possible result of taking the walk. It is followed by the infinitive “geven”.

me “me” means “me” in “Dat zou me een pauze geven”. It identifies the person who would receive the break. It comes before the thing being given, “een pauze”.

pauze “pauze” means “break” in “me een pauze geven”. It refers to a short pause from the decision-making task. It is the thing that the walk would give the speaker.

geven “geven” means “to give” in “Dat zou me een pauze geven”. The construction says that the walk would give the speaker a break. It follows “zou” as an infinitive and is used with the recipient “me”.

zonder “zonder” means “without” in “zonder het probleem helemaal los te laten”. It introduces something that does not happen during the break. It is followed by the action phrase “het probleem helemaal los te laten”.

probleem “probleem” means “problem” in “het probleem helemaal los te laten”. It is the issue the speakers continue to keep in mind. It follows “het” and is the object of “los te laten”.

helemaal “helemaal” means “completely” in “het probleem helemaal los te laten”. It emphasizes that the problem is not being released completely. It comes before the phrase describing what happens to the problem.

los “los” contributes the idea of letting go in “het probleem helemaal los te laten”. It is part of the expression “loslaten”, used here with the problem as its object. Keep the object and the rest of this expression when reusing the meaning.

Soms “Soms” means “sometimes” in “Soms voelt de beslissing makkelijker”. It presents the statement as an occasional experience rather than a rule. It appears at the beginning of the sentence to set the time or frequency.

voelt “voelt” means “feels” in “Soms voelt de beslissing makkelijker”. It describes how the decision seems to the person after moving around. It is followed by the subject “de beslissing” and the description “makkelijker”.

makkelijker “makkelijker” means “easier” in “de beslissing makkelijker”. It describes the decision as requiring less difficulty. It follows “voelt” as the description of how the decision seems.

als “als” means “when” in “als je wat rondloopt”. It introduces the condition or situation in which the decision may feel easier. It connects the main statement with the action of walking around.

je “je” means “you” in “als je wat rondloopt”. It refers generally to the person who is walking around, including the listener or speaker. It appears before the verb in this subordinate clause.

wat “wat” means “a little” or “some” in “wat rondloopt”. It makes the amount of walking sound limited and informal. It comes before the walking expression.

rondloopt “rondloopt” means “walks around” in “als je wat rondloopt”. It describes moving around without naming a detailed route. It appears at the end of the clause after “je” and “wat”.

neem “neem” means “take” in “Ik neem mijn telefoon mee”. Together with “mee”, it means taking the phone along. It is the verb form used when the speaker says what they will bring.

mijn “mijn” means “my” in “mijn telefoon”. It shows that the phone belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It comes directly before the noun “telefoon”.

telefoon “telefoon” means “phone” in “mijn telefoon”. It is the item the speaker plans to take along on the walk. It follows the possessive “mijn” and comes before “mee”.

mee “mee” adds the meaning “along” in “Ik neem mijn telefoon mee”. It shows that the phone accompanies the speaker during the walk. It is separated from “neem” by the object “mijn telefoon” in this sentence.

voor “voor” is part of the fixed phrase “voor het geval”. In this dialogue, the phrase means “in case” and introduces a possible need to check the mockup. Keep “voor” together with “het geval” for this meaning.

geval “geval” means “case” or “situation” in “voor het geval we het ontwerpmodel moeten bekijken”. Together with “voor”, it introduces a possible situation. The situation is that the speakers may need to look at the mockup.

ontwerpmodel “ontwerpmodel” means “mockup” or “design model” in “het ontwerpmodel”. It is the item the speakers may need to inspect. It follows “het” and is the object of “bekijken”.

moeten “moeten” means “need to” in “we het ontwerpmodel moeten bekijken”. It expresses a possible necessity to check the mockup. It is followed by the infinitive “bekijken”.

bekijken “bekijken” means “to look at” or “to check” in “het ontwerpmodel moeten bekijken”. It describes inspecting the design model. It follows “moeten” as the action that may be necessary.

Houd “Houd” means “keep” in the instruction “Houd het tempo rustig”. It asks the listener to maintain a calm pace. It is used at the beginning of this direct instruction.

tempo “tempo” means “pace” in “het tempo rustig”. It refers to the speed of the walk. It is the thing that should remain calm or relaxed.

rustig “rustig” means “calm” or “relaxed” in “Houd het tempo rustig”. It describes the desired pace of the walk. It comes after “tempo” as its description.

zodat “zodat” means “so that” in “zodat het niet weer een taak wordt”. It introduces the intended result of keeping the pace relaxed. The following clause explains what the speakers want to avoid.

weer “weer” means “again” in “het niet weer een taak wordt”. It shows that becoming a task would be a repeated or additional burden. It comes before “een taak” in the result clause.

taak “taak” means “task” in “het niet weer een taak wordt”. The speakers do not want the relaxing walk to become another work obligation. It follows “een” after the verb “wordt”.

wordt “wordt” means “becomes” in “het niet weer een taak wordt”. It describes the walk changing into another task, which the speakers want to prevent. It follows the subject “het” in the subordinate clause.

Na “Na” means “after” in “Na een korte wandeling”. It places the next action after the walk has finished. It comes before the time phrase that names the event.

korte “korte” means “short” in “een korte wandeling”. It describes the limited length of the walk. It appears before the noun “wandeling”.

wandeling “wandeling” means “walk” in “Na een korte wandeling”. It names the activity that happens before the speakers return and choose a direction. It follows the adjective “korte”.

terugkomen “terugkomen” means “to come back” in “kunnen we terugkomen”. It describes returning to the work after the walk. It follows “kunnen” as an infinitive.

richting “richting” means “direction” in “één richting kiezen”. It refers to the course or option the speakers will select after discussing the design. It follows the quantity word “één”.

kiezen “kiezen” means “to choose” in “één richting kiezen”. It describes making the final selection after the walk. It is coordinated with “terugkomen” after “kunnen we”.

reset “reset” means a short mental reset or break in “Een korte reset”. Here it refers to stepping away briefly so the speakers can think more clearly. It is used as a noun after “een korte”.

misschien “misschien” means “maybe” in “kan ons misschien ... besparen”. It expresses uncertainty about whether the reset will have the proposed benefit. It appears inside the statement about saving time.

nog “nog” means “another” in “nog een uur onnodig nadenken”. It adds an additional hour to the time being discussed. It comes before “een uur” in this quantity phrase.

uur “uur” means “hour” in “nog een uur”. It measures the extra time that might otherwise be spent overthinking. It follows “een” and is part of the object of “besparen”.

onnodig “onnodig” means “unnecessarily” in “onnodig nadenken”. It shows that the extra thinking would not be useful or needed. It directly describes the type of thinking in this phrase.

nadenken “nadenken” means “to think something through” or “to reflect” in “onnodig nadenken”. Here it refers to prolonged thinking about the decision. It is the activity from which the speakers hope to save an hour.

besparen “besparen” means “to save” or “to spare” in “ons misschien nog een uur onnodig nadenken besparen”. The reset may spare the speakers an additional hour of unnecessary thinking. This construction places the people being spared before the time or effort being saved.

Grammar Points

frisse + zelfstandig naamwoord

frisse lucht

FRISS-uh lukht

fresh air

The adjective fris becomes frisse when it comes before a noun in this expression.

zich richten op + zelfstandig naamwoord

zich richten op de taak

zikh RIKH-tun op duh tahk

to focus on the task

Zich is part of the reflexive verb zich richten op; the preposition op introduces the focus.

Dutch Vocabulary

beslissen verb

buh-SLISS-un to decide

bespreken verb

buh-SPRAY-kun to discuss

beter adv

BAY-tur better

blok noun

blok block

fris adj

friss fresh frisse

helpen verb

HEL-pun to help

lucht noun

lukht air

naar buiten gaan phrase

nah BOW-tun khahn to go outside

ontwerp noun

ont-WERP design

rondje noun

RONT-yuh short walk around

verliezen verb

vur-LEE-zun to lose

versie noun

VEHR-see version

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to help

Show Answer

helpen

to discuss

Show Answer

bespreken

fresh

Show Answer

frisse

design

Show Answer

ontwerp