Restarting Work After Lunch | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: After lunch at work, two adults discuss how to regain focus by reviewing notes, choosing the next priority, and reducing distractions..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Restarting Work After Lunch to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Na de lunch ben ik helemaal de draad van de taak kwijt.

nah duh luhnts ben ik hay-luh-MAHL duh draht vahn duh tahk KWHYt. After lunch, I feel completely disconnected from the task.
B

Begin met een korte herhaling in plaats van meteen aan het moeilijkste deel te beginnen.

beh-GHIN met un KOR-tuh huh-HAH-ling in PLAHTS vahn muh-TAYN ahn ut MOOY-lik-stuh dayl tuh beh-GHIN-nen. Start with a small review instead of jumping into the hardest part.
A

Ik ben mijn ritme kwijtgeraakt omdat we midden in de analyse zijn gestopt.

ik ben mine RIT-muh KWHY-tuh-rahkt OM-daht wuh MID-den in duh ah-nah-LEE-zuh zine ghuh-STOPT. I lost momentum because we paused in the middle of the analysis.
B

Bekijk de laatste notitie en kies de volgende prioriteit.

beh-VIKE duh LAHT-stuh noh-TEE-tsee en kees duh VOL-ghen-duh pree-oh-ree-TITE. Look at the last note and pick the next priority.
A

De volgende stap is controleren of de cijfers overeenkomen met het bronbestand.

duh VOL-ghen-duh stahp is kon-troh-LAY-run of duh SIGH-furs oh-vur-AYN-koh-mun met ut BRON-buh-stahnt. The next step is checking whether the numbers match the source file.
B

Daarmee heb je een duidelijk punt om het werk weer op te pakken.

DAHR-may hep yuh un DOW-lik pount om ut verk vair op tuh PAH-kun. That gives you a clear point to resume from.
A

Ik moet ook chatapps sluiten, omdat ik steeds word afgeleid.

ik MOOT ohk chat-ehps SLOW-tun, OM-daht ik STAYTS vort ahf-ghuh-LITE. I also need to close chat apps because I keep getting distracted.
B

Houd ze gesloten terwijl je zonder afleiding werkt en bekijk daarna je berichten.

HOWT zuh ghuh-SLOH-tun tur-WILE yuh ZON-dur ahf-LY-ding verkt en beh-VIKE DAHR-nah yuh buh-RIKH-tun. Keep them closed while you work without distractions, then check your messages.
A

Dat voelt haalbaar. Ik kan mijn focus geleidelijk weer opbouwen.

daht foolt HAHL-bahr. ik kahn mine FOH-kus ghuh-LAY-duh-lik vair OP-bow-un. That feels manageable. I can rebuild focus gradually.
B

Begin daar, dan zou de rest minder zwaar moeten aanvoelen.

beh-GHIN DAHR, dahn zow duh rest MIN-dur zwahr MOO-tun AHN-foo-lun. Start there, and the rest should feel less heavy.

Word by Word

Na “Na” means “after” here and places the action after lunch in “Na de lunch”. It commonly comes before a time or event, as in “Na het werk” in a new example.
de “de” means “the” in “de lunch” and “de draad van de taak”. It is the definite article placed before the noun it specifies.
lunch “lunch” means the midday meal in “Na de lunch”. It can be used after a time word or preposition, as in the new example “tijdens de lunch”.
ben “ben” means “am” in “ben ik helemaal de draad van de taak kwijt”. It is the form of “zijn” used with “ik”; after an opening phrase such as “Na de lunch”, it comes before “ik”.
ik “ik” means “I” and refers to the speaker in “ben ik helemaal de draad van de taak kwijt”. It is the subject pronoun used for the speaker’s own state or action.
helemaal “helemaal” means “completely” and strengthens the idea that the speaker has fully lost track of the task. It commonly comes before the phrase it intensifies, as in “helemaal klaar” in a new example.
draad “draad” literally means “thread”, but in “de draad van de taak kwijt” it refers to the thread or line of thought in the task. The full expression “de draad kwijt zijn” is used when someone no longer knows where they are in an activity.
van “van” links “de draad” to “de taak” in “de draad van de taak”, meaning the thread of the task. It commonly shows a relationship such as what something belongs to or concerns.
taak “taak” means “task” in “de draad van de taak”. It can be used after a definite article or possessive, as in “mijn taak” in a new example.
kwijt “kwijt” means that something is lost or no longer available in “de draad van de taak kwijt”. With “zijn”, the expression “de draad ... kwijt zijn” describes losing track of an activity.
Begin “Begin” tells someone to start in “Begin met een korte herhaling”. It is the command form of “beginnen” and is followed here by “met” plus the activity to start with.
met “met” means “with” in “Begin met een korte herhaling”, showing what the person should start with. It also appears in “overeenkomen met het bronbestand”, where it marks what something matches.
een “een” means “a” in “een korte herhaling”, introducing one unspecified review. It is placed before the noun phrase it introduces.
korte “korte” means “short” in “een korte herhaling”, describing the limited length of the review. It comes directly before the noun “herhaling”.
herhaling “herhaling” means a review or repetition in “een korte herhaling”. It is useful for referring to an activity that goes over information again.
in plaats van “in plaats van” means “instead of” and contrasts a short review with immediately starting the hardest part. The components are “in” (“in”), “plaats” (“place”), and “van” (“of/from”), but together they form the replacement expression; it is followed here by “meteen aan het moeilijkste deel te beginnen”.
meteen “meteen” means “immediately” or “right away” in “meteen aan het moeilijkste deel te beginnen”. It emphasizes that the harder activity would start without an intermediate review.
aan “aan” is part of “aan het moeilijkste deel te beginnen”, meaning to start on or with the hardest part. The reusable pattern is “aan iets beginnen”, with the activity or task after “aan”.
het “het” means “the” in “het moeilijkste deel”. It introduces the specific part being discussed.
moeilijkste “moeilijkste” means “hardest” or “most difficult” in “het moeilijkste deel”. It identifies the part with the greatest difficulty in the situation.
deel “deel” means “part” in “het moeilijkste deel”. It can identify one section of a larger task, text, or activity.
te “te” marks the infinitive in “te beginnen” after “in plaats van”. It links the expression “in plaats van” to the action that is being avoided or replaced.
beginnen “beginnen” means “to begin” in “te beginnen”. It is used with “aan” when the activity being started is expressed, as in “aan het werk beginnen” in a new example.
mijn “mijn” means “my” in “mijn ritme kwijtgeraakt”, showing that the lost momentum belongs to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun it determines.
ritme “ritme” means “rhythm” and refers to work momentum in “mijn ritme kwijtgeraakt”. In this context, losing the rhythm means no longer working with the same flow.
kwijtgeraakt “kwijtgeraakt” means “lost” in “Ik ben mijn ritme kwijtgeraakt”. Together with “ben”, it expresses that the speaker has lost their momentum; the related citation form is “kwijtraken”.
omdat “omdat” means “because” and introduces the reason in “omdat we midden in de analyse zijn gestopt”. In a clause beginning with “omdat”, the verb phrase comes at the end here.
we “we” means “we” and refers to the speaker together with another person in “we midden in de analyse zijn gestopt”. It is the subject of the clause.
midden “midden” means “middle” in “midden in de analyse”. Together with “in”, it locates the stopping point inside the analysis rather than at its beginning or end.
in “in” means “in” in “midden in de analyse”, showing that the pause happened inside the analysis. It commonly comes before the place, period, or activity containing something.
analyse “analyse” means “analysis” in “midden in de analyse”. It names the activity that had been interrupted.
zijn “zijn” is used with “gestopt” in “we midden in de analyse zijn gestopt” to form the expression meaning “we stopped”. It is placed before the completed action in this subordinate clause.
gestopt “gestopt” means “stopped” in “zijn gestopt”. Together with “zijn”, it describes the completed stopping of the analysis.
Bekijk “Bekijk” tells someone to look at or inspect something in “Bekijk de laatste notitie”. It is the command form used with the direct object “de laatste notitie”.
laatste “laatste” means “last” in “de laatste notitie”, identifying the most recent note in the sequence. It comes before the noun it describes.
notitie “notitie” means “note” in “de laatste notitie”. It refers to a written record that can be checked when resuming work.
en “en” means “and” and connects the two instructions “Bekijk de laatste notitie” and “kies de volgende prioriteit”. It joins actions or pieces of information of equal importance.
kies “kies” means “choose” or “pick” in “kies de volgende prioriteit”. It is a command telling the listener to select the next priority.
volgende “volgende” means “next” in “de volgende prioriteit”. It identifies the priority that comes after the current one.
prioriteit “prioriteit” means “priority” in “de volgende prioriteit”. It refers to the task or concern that should receive attention next.
stap “stap” means “step” in “De volgende stap”. It identifies one action in an ordered process.
is “is” means “is” in “De volgende stap is controleren”. It links the subject “De volgende stap” to the action that defines it.
controleren “controleren” means “to check” in “is controleren of de cijfers overeenkomen”. It names the next action and is followed by the question clause introduced by “of”.
of “of” means “whether” in “of de cijfers overeenkomen met het bronbestand”. It introduces the point that needs to be checked.
cijfers “cijfers” means “numbers” or “figures” in “de cijfers overeenkomen met het bronbestand”. It refers to the numerical information being compared.
overeenkomen “overeenkomen” means “match” or “correspond” in “de cijfers overeenkomen met het bronbestand”. The reusable pattern is “iets komt overeen met iets”, meaning that one thing matches another.
bronbestand “bronbestand” means “source file” in “het bronbestand”. It is the original file used as the reference for checking the numbers.
Daarmee “Daarmee” means “with that” or “by doing so” in “Daarmee heb je een duidelijk punt”. It refers to checking the numbers and presents that action as the way to create a clear restart point.
heb “heb” means “have” in “heb je een duidelijk punt”. It expresses that the listener now has a clear point from which to continue.
je “je” means “you” in “heb je een duidelijk punt”. It refers to the person receiving the advice and is the subject of “heb”.
duidelijk “duidelijk” means “clear” or “clearly defined” in “een duidelijk punt”. It describes a point that makes the next place to continue easy to identify.
punt “punt” means “point” in “een duidelijk punt om het werk weer op te pakken”. Here it is a specific place in the work from which the listener can resume.
om “om” introduces the purpose in “om het werk weer op te pakken”, meaning “to resume the work”. The pattern “om ... te” commonly introduces an intended action.
werk “werk” means “work” in “het werk weer op te pakken”. It refers to the task or activity that was interrupted and will be resumed.
weer “weer” means “again” or “back” in “het werk weer op te pakken”. It shows that the work had already started and will be taken up once more.
op “op” forms the separable verb “oppakken” with “pakken” in “het werk weer op te pakken”. Together, “het werk weer op te pakken” means to resume the work, not simply to pick something up physically.
pakken “pakken” means “to pick up” here as part of “op te pakken”. With “op”, the expression “iets weer oppakken” is used for resuming an activity or task.
moet “moet” means “need to” in “Ik moet ook chatapps sluiten”. It expresses that closing the chat apps is necessary for the speaker.
ook “ook” means “also” in “Ik moet ook chatapps sluiten”. It adds this action to the other steps already discussed.
chatapps “chatapps” means “chat apps” in “chatapps sluiten”. It refers to the applications that are causing interruptions in the work situation.
sluiten “sluiten” means “to close” in “chatapps sluiten”. It is the action required after “moet” and takes “chatapps” as its object.
steeds “steeds” means “repeatedly” or “continually” in “steeds word afgeleid”. It shows that the distraction keeps happening rather than occurring only once.
word “word” helps form the passive expression “word afgeleid”, meaning “get distracted” or “am being distracted”. The subject is affected by the distraction instead of doing the distracting action.
afgeleid “afgeleid” means “distracted” in “word afgeleid”. Together with “word”, it describes repeatedly being pulled away from the task.
Houd “Houd” tells someone to keep something in a particular state in “Houd ze gesloten”. It is the command form used with “ze” and the adjective-like form “gesloten”.
ze “ze” means “them” in “Houd ze gesloten” and refers to the chat apps. It is the object of “Houd”.
gesloten “gesloten” means “closed” in “Houd ze gesloten”. It describes the state the chat apps should remain in while the person works.
terwijl “terwijl” means “while” and introduces the simultaneous activity in “terwijl je zonder afleiding werkt”. It connects the period of focused work with the instruction to keep the apps closed.
zonder “zonder” means “without” in “zonder afleiding”. It shows that the work should happen in the absence of distraction.
afleiding “afleiding” means “distraction” in “zonder afleiding werkt”. It refers to anything that pulls attention away from the work.
werkt “werkt” means “work” in “terwijl je zonder afleiding werkt”. It describes the listener’s activity during the time the chat apps remain closed.
daarna “daarna” means “after that” or “then” in “bekijk daarna je berichten”. It orders checking the messages after the focused work.
berichten “berichten” means “messages” in “bekijk daarna je berichten”. It refers to the chat or written messages that can be checked later.
Dat “Dat” means “that” in “Dat voelt haalbaar” and refers to the suggested work method as a whole. It is the subject of “voelt”.
voelt “voelt” means “feels” in “Dat voelt haalbaar”. It describes the speaker’s impression that the plan is manageable.
haalbaar “haalbaar” means “manageable” or “achievable” in “Dat voelt haalbaar”. It says that the proposed plan seems possible to carry out.
kan “kan” means “can” or “be able to” in “Ik kan mijn focus geleidelijk weer opbouwen”. It expresses the speaker’s ability to rebuild focus.
focus “focus” means “focus” in “mijn focus geleidelijk weer opbouwen”. It refers to the ability to concentrate on the work.
geleidelijk “geleidelijk” means “gradually” in “geleidelijk weer opbouwen”. It shows that the focus will return step by step rather than all at once.
opbouwen “opbouwen” means “to build up” or “rebuild” in “mijn focus geleidelijk weer opbouwen”. With “weer”, it describes restoring something that was present before.
daar “daar” means “there” in “Begin daar”. It refers back to the clear restart point or action just mentioned.
dan “dan” means “then” in “dan zou de rest minder zwaar moeten aanvoelen”. It introduces the expected result of starting at that point.
zou “zou” helps express an expected or conditional result in “zou de rest minder zwaar moeten aanvoelen”. Together with “moeten”, it gives the advice the sense that the rest should feel less burdensome.
rest “rest” means “the rest” or “remainder” in “de rest”. It refers to the parts of the work that remain after the next step.
minder “minder” means “less” in “minder zwaar”. It reduces the degree of the burden described by “zwaar”.
zwaar “zwaar” means “heavy” and describes the work as burdensome in “minder zwaar aanvoelen”. The phrase means that the remaining work should feel easier to handle.
moeten “moeten” means “should” in “zou de rest minder zwaar moeten aanvoelen”. With “zou”, it expresses an expected result rather than a direct command.
aanvoelen “aanvoelen” means “to feel” or “to seem” in “minder zwaar moeten aanvoelen”. It describes how the remaining work is experienced, specifically as less burdensome.

Grammar Points

in plaats van + te + infinitief

In plaats van meteen te beginnen, bekijk ik de laatste notitie.

in PLAHTS vahn muh-TAYN tuh beh-GHIN-nen, beh-VIKE ik duh LAHT-stuh noh-TEE-tsee.

Instead of starting immediately, I look at the last note.

Use in plaats van te + infinitive to say that one action happens instead of another.

Dutch Vocabulary

analyse noun
ah-nah-LEE-zuh analysis
beginnen verb
beh-GHIN-nen to begin; to start
de draad van de taak kwijt phrase
duh draht vahn duh tahk KWHYt to lose track of the task
de lunch noun
duh luhnts lunch
helemaal adv
hay-luh-MAHL completely
herhaling noun
huh-HAH-ling review; repetition
in plaats van prep
in PLAHTS vahn instead of
kwijtgeraakt verb
KWHY-tuh-rahkt lost
meteen adv
muh-TAYN immediately; right away
midden noun
MID-den middle
moeilijkste adj
MOOY-lik-stuh hardest; most difficult
ritme noun
RIT-muh rhythm; momentum

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

immediately; right away

Show Answermeteen

completely

Show Answerhelemaal

to begin; to start

Show Answerbeginnen

review; repetition

Show Answerherhaling