Making a private call during a work break | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Making a private call during a work break to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik moet tijdens de pauze een privégesprek voeren.

ik moot TIE-dens duh POW-zuh uh pree-VAY-khuh-SPREK VOO-run. I need to make a private call during the break.

Gebruik de rustige gang als het onderwerp gevoelig is.

khuh-BRICK duh ROOS-tuh-khuh khahng als ut ON-der-werp khuh-VOO-likh is. Use the quiet hallway if the topic is sensitive.

Ik wil mensen die nog aan het werk zijn niet storen.

ik vil MEN-sun dee nokh ahn ut VAIRK zine nit STOR-un. I don't want to interrupt people who are still working.

De vergadering gaat zo weer verder, dus houd het kort als dat kan.

duh fur-KHAH-duh-ring khaht zoh vair DUR-der, dooz howt ut kort als dat kan. The meeting restarts soon, so keep it brief if you can.

Als ik niet precies op tijd terug ben, zou je dan kunnen bijhouden wat ik mis?

als ik neet pruh-SEES op TITE trookh ben, zow yuh dan KUN-nun BYE-how-den vaht ik mis? If I'm not back exactly on time, could you keep track of anything I miss?

Dat kan ik doen, maar stuur me een bericht als het gesprek langer duurt.

daht kan ik doon, mar stoor muh uh buh-RIKHT als ut khuh-SPREK LAHNG-ur doort. I can do that, but message me if the call takes longer.

Dat doe ik. Ik zou vóór het volgende agendapunt terug moeten zijn.

daht doo ik. ik zow vohr ut VOL-khun-duh ah-KHEN-dah-poont tuh-RUKH MOH-tun zine. I will. I should be back before the next agenda item.

Het eerste deel na de pauze is alleen een korte update.

ut AIR-stuh dayl nah duh POW-zuh is uh-LEEN uh KOR-tuh UP-dayt. The first part after the break is just a quick update.

Dat helpt. Ik ga nu even naar buiten.

daht helpt. ik khah noo AY-vun nar BOW-tun. That helps. I'll step outside now.

Neem de tijd die je nodig hebt, maar houd de klok in de gaten.

naym duh tite dee yuh NOH-dikh hebt, mar howt duh klokh in duh KHAH-tun. Take the time you need, but keep an eye on the clock.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Ik moet tijdens de pauze een privégesprek voeren.” It is used before a verb when talking about yourself. A reusable pattern is “Ik wil ...” for expressing what you want.

moet “moet” expresses that the speaker needs to or has to do something in “Ik moet tijdens de pauze een privégesprek voeren.” It combines with an infinitive such as “voeren” to state the required action. The same pattern can express an obligation before another action.

tijdens “tijdens” means “during” and places “een privégesprek voeren” within the break in “tijdens de pauze.” It is followed by the period or event that contains the action. It is useful for describing something happening during a meeting, break, or other event.

de In “de pauze,” “de” is the definite article meaning “the.” It introduces the specific break being discussed. The same form also appears in “de rustige gang” and “de klok,” before a specific noun.

pauze “pauze” means “break” in “tijdens de pauze,” the time when the speaker plans to make the call. It commonly follows “de” when referring to a particular break. The dialogue also uses “na de pauze” for the time after the break.

een “een” means “a” in “een privégesprek,” introducing one private conversation that has not been specified before. It comes directly before the noun phrase here. The same article can introduce another nonspecific person, object, or activity.

privégesprek “privégesprek” means “private conversation” or “private call” in “een privégesprek voeren.” The word identifies the purpose of the conversation as private, which explains why the speaker wants to move away from others. It combines naturally with “voeren” in this dialogue expression.

voeren “voeren” means “to conduct” or “to have” in “een privégesprek voeren.” Here it describes carrying out the conversation rather than physically moving anything. A reusable pattern is “een gesprek voeren”; as a new example, “We voeren een gesprek” means “We are having a conversation.”

Gebruik “Gebruik” is an instruction meaning “Use” in “Gebruik de rustige gang.” It tells the other person to choose the quiet hallway. This form can begin a direct instruction about using a place, object, or method.

rustige “rustige” describes the hallway as quiet in “de rustige gang.” It appears directly before the noun it describes. A reusable pattern is an adjective followed by a place noun, such as “een rustige plek” in a new example.

gang “gang” means “hallway” in “de rustige gang,” the suggested place for a sensitive call. It follows the descriptive word “rustige” in this noun phrase. It can be used when identifying a corridor or passage inside a building.

als “als” means “if” in “als het onderwerp gevoelig is,” introducing a condition for using the quiet hallway. It connects a condition with the action or advice that follows. The same conditional pattern can be reused with “als” before a complete clause.

het In “het onderwerp,” “het” is the definite article meaning “the.” It introduces the specific topic under discussion. The same form appears at the start of “Het eerste deel na de pauze,” where it introduces another specific noun phrase.

onderwerp “onderwerp” means “topic” or “subject” in “het onderwerp gevoelig is.” It refers to what the private conversation is about. It commonly appears with verbs or adjectives that describe the topic, as in the dialogue expression “het onderwerp ... is.”

gevoelig “gevoelig” means “sensitive” when describing “het onderwerp.” It explains why the speaker may need a private place for the call. It is used after “is” here to describe the subject directly.

is “is” links “het onderwerp” with the description “gevoelig” in “het onderwerp gevoelig is.” It states what the topic is like in the condition introduced by “als.” The same linking use appears in “De vergadering ...” only with a different continuation; here the exact pattern is subject plus “is” plus a description.

wil “wil” expresses want or intention in “Ik wil mensen ... niet storen.” It introduces the speaker’s preference about not disturbing people. A reusable pattern is “Ik wil ...” followed by the action the speaker wants or does not want to do.

mensen “mensen” means “people” in “mensen die nog aan het werk zijn.” It is the group the speaker does not want to disturb. It can be followed by “die” and a clause that describes which people are meant.

die “die” means “who” or “that” in “mensen die nog aan het werk zijn.” It introduces information describing the people. This is a reusable way to connect a noun with a clause that identifies or describes it.

nog “nog” means “still” in “nog aan het werk zijn,” showing that the people continue working at that moment. It emphasizes an ongoing situation. It commonly appears before the activity or state that is continuing.

aan “aan” contributes to the expression “aan het werk zijn,” meaning to be engaged in work. In this phrase it is not best understood by translating it alone; together with “het werk” and “zijn,” it describes people who are working. This construction can be used to describe someone being occupied with work.

werk “werk” means “work” in the expression “aan het werk zijn.” Together with “aan” and “zijn,” it describes the activity the people are engaged in. It can also refer generally to someone’s work or employment.

zijn “zijn” completes “aan het werk zijn,” meaning “to be working” in this dialogue. It links the people with the state of being at work. The infinitive form can follow another verb when the full phrase is placed after a modal or auxiliary.

niet “niet” makes the action negative in “niet storen,” so the speaker does not want to interrupt people. It appears with the action being rejected or denied. A reusable pattern is “niet” before the relevant action or description.

storen “storen” means “to interrupt” or “to disturb” in “mensen ... niet storen.” It describes the unwanted effect the speaker wants to avoid while making the call. It can be used with people as the ones being disturbed.

vergadering “vergadering” means “meeting” in “De vergadering gaat zo weer verder.” It identifies the work meeting that will resume shortly. It can be used as the subject of a sentence describing what the meeting does or how it continues.

gaat “gaat” helps express continuation in “De vergadering gaat zo weer verder.” With “verder,” it says that the meeting will go on again soon. A new example is “De vergadering gaat verder,” meaning “The meeting continues.”

zo “zo” means “soon” or “shortly” in “gaat zo weer verder.” It places the meeting’s continuation in the near future. It is useful before an action that is expected to happen shortly.

weer “weer” means “again” in “gaat zo weer verder,” showing that the meeting will resume after the break. It marks a return to an earlier activity. It can be used with an action that starts or happens again.

verder “verder” means “on” or “further” in “gaat zo weer verder.” Together with “gaat,” it describes the meeting continuing rather than ending. It is useful when an activity resumes or proceeds.

dus “dus” means “so” or “therefore” in “dus houd het kort.” It introduces the consequence of the meeting restarting soon. It commonly connects a reason with the advice or result that follows.

houd “houd” gives the instruction “keep” in “houd het kort.” Together with “het kort,” it asks the listener to limit the length of the call. This is a reusable direct instruction for keeping something brief.

kort “kort” means “brief” or “short” in “houd het kort.” It describes the desired length of the call. The expression “houd het kort” is used to ask someone to be concise or finish quickly.

dat In “als dat kan,” “dat” refers to the suggested action of keeping the call brief, giving the meaning “if that is possible.” It also refers to the proposed help in “Dat kan ik doen.” This form can point back to an action or situation already understood from the conversation.

kan “kan” expresses possibility or ability in “als dat kan” and “Dat kan ik doen.” In the first expression, it means that keeping the call brief may be possible; in the second, it says the speaker is able to help. It commonly combines with an action or with “doen.”

precies “precies” means “exactly” in “precies op tijd terug ben.” It emphasizes that the return should happen at the exact expected time. It can be placed before the time expression it makes precise.

op “op” is part of the fixed expression “op tijd,” meaning “on time.” Here it helps describe returning at the scheduled or expected time. The same expression can be used for arriving or finishing punctually.

tijd “tijd” means “time” in “op tijd” and “de tijd die je nodig hebt.” In “op tijd,” it refers to the expected time for returning; in “de tijd die je nodig hebt,” it refers to the amount of time needed. Its meaning depends on the surrounding expression.

terug “terug” means “back” in “terug ben” and “terug moeten zijn.” It shows that the speaker returns to the meeting or current place. A reusable pattern is “terug zijn” for being back somewhere.

ben “ben” expresses being in “niet precies op tijd terug ben,” meaning “am back” in the condition. It appears with “ik” in the subordinate clause. The phrase “terug ben” describes the speaker’s return status.

zou “zou” softens the request in “zou je dan kunnen bijhouden” and expresses an expected return in “Ik zou vóór het volgende agendapunt terug moeten zijn.” Its exact meaning depends on the following construction. Here it helps make the request polite and the return expectation less absolute.

je “je” means “you” in “zou je dan kunnen bijhouden.” It identifies the person being asked to track anything the speaker misses. It commonly appears with a verb when addressing one person directly.

dan “dan” means “then” in “zou je dan kunnen bijhouden.” It marks the action that should follow if the condition about returning on time is not met. It is useful for linking a condition with its consequence.

kunnen “kunnen” expresses ability or a polite possibility in “zou je dan kunnen bijhouden.” Together with “zou je,” it forms a request asking whether the listener could keep track of the missed information. It is followed here by the infinitive “bijhouden.”

bijhouden “bijhouden” means “to keep track of” in “bijhouden wat ik mis.” It describes recording or monitoring information so the speaker can catch up later. A reusable pattern is “bijhouden” followed by what is being tracked.

wat “wat” means “what” or “anything that” in “wat ik mis.” It introduces the information the speaker may miss while away. It can introduce a clause that identifies the content being referred to.

mis “mis” means “miss” in “wat ik mis,” referring to information or parts of the meeting that the speaker does not hear or attend. It completes the clause introduced by “wat.” It can be used when someone is absent from an event or does not receive information.

doen “doen” means “to do” in “Dat kan ik doen.” It refers back to the offer to keep track of anything missed. As an infinitive, it follows “kan” here; it can also refer back to an agreed action in a short reply.

maar “maar” means “but” in “Dat kan ik doen, maar stuur me een bericht.” It introduces a condition or limitation after the speaker agrees to help. It commonly connects an agreement with an additional request.

stuur “stuur” gives the instruction “send” in “stuur me een bericht.” It asks the other person to send a message if the call lasts longer. This form can begin a direct request involving a message or another object.

me “me” means “me” in “stuur me een bericht.” It identifies the person who should receive the message. It appears between the instruction and the thing being sent in this sentence.

bericht “bericht” means “message” in “stuur me een bericht.” It is the communication the speaker asks to receive if the call takes longer. It can be used as the object of an instruction to send something.

gesprek “gesprek” means “conversation” or “call” in “het gesprek langer duurt.” It refers to the private call mentioned earlier. The definite article “het” shows that this is the specific conversation already under discussion.

langer “langer” means “longer” in “als het gesprek langer duurt.” It indicates that the call lasts beyond the expected amount of time. It is useful when comparing the duration of an activity with what was planned or expected.

duurt “duurt” means “lasts” or “takes” in “het gesprek langer duurt.” It describes the duration of the conversation. It commonly appears with a time expression or with a word such as “langer” describing the duration.

doe “doe” means “do” in “Dat doe ik.” In this short reply, it confirms that the speaker will carry out the agreed action. The exact pattern “Dat doe ik” can be used to confirm an action already mentioned.

vóór “vóór” means “before” in “vóór het volgende agendapunt.” It sets the deadline for the speaker’s return. It is followed by the event that should happen later than the return.

volgende “volgende” means “next” or “following” in “het volgende agendapunt.” It identifies the agenda item that comes after the current one. It appears directly before the noun it specifies.

moeten “moeten” contributes the meaning “should need to” or “have to” in “terug moeten zijn.” With “zou,” the phrase expresses an expected return before the next agenda item. It follows another modal form here and comes before “zijn.”

agendapunt “agendapunt” means “agenda item” in “het volgende agendapunt.” It refers to one scheduled topic or section of the meeting. It is useful when discussing the order or timing of a meeting.

eerste “eerste” means “first” in “Het eerste deel na de pauze.” It identifies the part that comes immediately after the break. It appears before the noun it orders.

deel “deel” means “part” in “Het eerste deel na de pauze.” It refers to one section of the meeting after the break. It can be combined with an ordering word such as “eerste” to identify a section.

na “na” means “after” in “na de pauze.” It places the first part of the meeting later than the break. It is followed by the event or time that comes first.

alleen “alleen” means “only” or “just” in “is alleen een korte update.” It limits the description of the first part, indicating that it consists merely of a brief update. It can introduce a restriction or qualification.

korte “korte” describes the update as short or brief in “een korte update.” It appears before the noun it describes. The phrase shows how an adjective can characterize the length of an activity or piece of information.

update “update” means “update” in “een korte update.” It refers to a short piece of new information in the meeting. It commonly follows a word describing its length or content, as in the dialogue expression.

helpt “helpt” means “helps” in “Dat helpt.” It says that the information about the quick update makes the situation easier for the speaker. The short expression can be used as a response when information or assistance is useful.

ga “ga” means “go” in “Ik ga nu even naar buiten.” It expresses the speaker’s immediate movement outside. It can also introduce a planned action when followed by another verb, but here it is followed by a destination.

nu “nu” means “now” in “Ik ga nu even naar buiten.” It places the action at the present moment. It commonly appears near the verb or before the destination phrase when announcing an immediate action.

even “even” means “briefly” or “for a moment” in “Ik ga nu even naar buiten.” It makes the planned time outside sound short or limited. It is useful when describing a temporary action or a quick movement.

naar “naar” means “to” or “toward” in “naar buiten.” It marks the direction of movement. In this expression it is followed by “buiten,” indicating movement to the outside.

buiten “buiten” means “outside” in “naar buiten.” Together with “naar,” it identifies the destination of the speaker’s movement. This expression is useful when someone leaves an indoor place for a short time.

Neem “Neem” gives the instruction “Take” in “Neem de tijd die je nodig hebt.” It tells the listener to allow or use the amount of time they need. The expression is advice to take enough time for an action.

nodig “nodig” means “needed” in “de tijd die je nodig hebt.” It describes the amount of time required by the listener. It appears with “nodig hebben” to express needing something.

hebt “hebt” means “have” in “die je nodig hebt.” Together with “nodig,” it forms the expression “nodig hebben,” meaning “need.” It appears in the clause describing the time the listener requires.

klok “klok” means “clock” in “houd de klok in de gaten.” It is the thing the listener should monitor to avoid losing track of time. It appears as the object between “houd” and the expression “in de gaten.”

in de gaten The whole expression “in de gaten” contributes the meaning “under observation” or “being monitored” in “houd de klok in de gaten.” “in” and “de” form the fixed phrase with “gaten”; “gaten” is the noun used in that expression, so the words should be learned together rather than translated separately. With “houd,” the reusable pattern is “iets in de gaten houden,” meaning to keep an eye on something.

Grammar Points

aan het werk zijn

Mensen zijn nog aan het werk.

MEN-sun zine nokh ahn ut VAIRK.

People are still working.

Dutch uses aan het werk zijn to express an ongoing activity, similar to “to be working” in English.

Dutch Vocabulary

aan het werk zijn phrase

ahn ut VAIRK zine to be working

Ik wil mensen die nog aan het werk zijn niet storen.

gang noun

khahng hallway

Gebruik de rustige gang als het onderwerp gevoelig is.

Gebruik verb

khuh-BRICK use

Gebruik de rustige gang als het onderwerp gevoelig is.

gevoelig adj

khuh-VOO-likh sensitive

Gebruik de rustige gang als het onderwerp gevoelig is.

mensen noun

MEN-sun people

Ik wil mensen die nog aan het werk zijn niet storen.

nog adv

nოკh still; yet

Ik wil mensen die nog aan het werk zijn niet storen.

onderwerp noun

ON-der-werp topic; subject

Gebruik de rustige gang als het onderwerp gevoelig is.

pauze noun

POW-zuh break

Ik moet tijdens de pauze een privégesprek voeren.

privégesprek noun

pree-VAY-khuh-SPREK private conversation; private call

Ik moet tijdens de pauze een privégesprek voeren.

rustige adj

ROOS-tuh-khuh quiet

Gebruik de rustige gang als het onderwerp gevoelig is.

tijdens prep

TIE-dens during

Ik moet tijdens de pauze een privégesprek voeren.

voeren verb

VOO-run to conduct; to have

Ik moet tijdens de pauze een privégesprek voeren.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

topic; subject

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onderwerp

hallway

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gang

private conversation; private call

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privégesprek

use

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Gebruik