About This Lesson
Use Borrowing a Drill Safely to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Mag ik je boormachine lenen om een kleine plank op te hangen?
MAKH ik yuh BOHR-mah-shee-nuh LAY-nun om un KLY-nuh plahngk op tuh HAHNG-un? Could I borrow your drill to put up a small shelf?
B
Dat kan. Heb je al eens met een boormachine gewerkt?
DAHT kahn. HEP yuh ahl AYNS met un BOHR-mah-shee-nuh khuh-WERKT? You can. Have you used a drill before?
A
Een keer, dus wat basisinstructies zouden helpen.
un KAYR, dooss vaht BAH-sis-in-STRIK-sees ZOW-dun HELP-un. Only once, so basic instructions would help.
B
Controleer eerst wat voor soort muur het is en draag een veiligheidsbril.
kon-troh-LAYR AYRST vaht fohr SOHRT MEWR ut is un DRAH-kh un BOHR-mah-shee-nuh VAY-likh-hites-bril. Check what kind of wall it is first, and wear safety glasses.
A
Ik ben ook bang dat ik elektrische draden raak.
ik ben ohk BAHNG daht ik ay-LEK-tri-suh DRAH-dun RAHKH. I'm also worried about hitting electrical wires.
B
Gebruik deze detector voordat je ergens gaat boren.
khuh-BROWK DAY-zuh deh-TEK-tor fohr-DAHT yuh AIR-khuns KHAHT BOHR-un. Use this detector before you drill anywhere.
A
Ik scan de plek voordat ik de gaten afteken.
ik skahn duh plek fohr-DAHT ik duh KHAH-tun AHF-tay-kun. I'll scan the spot before I mark the holes.
B
Breng de boormachine alsjeblieft terug met de oplader en de boortjes erbij.
breng duh BOHR-mah-shee-nuh ahl-shuh-BLEEFT tuh-RUKH met duh OH-plah-der un duh BOHR-chus er-BAY. Please bring the drill back with the charger and bits together.
A
Ik veeg het stof eraf voordat ik hem terugbreng.
ik VAYKH ut stof er-AHF fohr-DAHT ik hem tuh-RUKH-breng. I'll clean off the dust before I return it.
B
Doe rustig aan; veiligheid is belangrijker dan snelheid.
doo RUS-tikh ahn; VAY-likh-hite is buh-LAHNG-rike-ur dahn SNAYL-hite. Take your time with it; safety matters more than speed.Word by Word
Mag
"Mag" means may or can when asking for permission. In "Mag ik je boormachine lenen", the speaker asks whether borrowing the drill is allowed. Use "Mag ik ...?" for a polite permission request.
ik
"ik" means I and refers to the person speaking. It is the subject in "Mag ik..." and in later statements such as "Ik scan de plek". Use it as the subject when talking about your own action or state.
je
"je" means your before "boormachine" and you before "ergens gaat boren". It is the informal form used when addressing the other person in this dialogue. Use it before something belonging to that person or as the subject of an informal instruction.
boormachine
"boormachine" means drill, the tool being borrowed and used in this dialogue. It names the machine used for drilling. Use "een boormachine" when referring to a drill as an object.
lenen
"lenen" means to borrow in "boormachine lenen". It is the infinitive used after "Mag ik" to describe the requested action. Use the object being borrowed before "lenen", as in this question.
om
"om" introduces the purpose of the borrowing in "om een kleine plank op te hangen". It links the action of borrowing to what the speaker wants to do. A common reuse pattern is om followed by te and an infinitive to express in order to.
een
In "een kleine plank", "een" means a or an and introduces one nonspecific shelf. In "Een keer", it means one. Use it before a singular noun when referring to one item without identifying a particular one.
kleine
"kleine" means small in "een kleine plank". It describes the size of the shelf and comes before the noun it describes. Use this word before a noun when describing something as small.
plank
"plank" means shelf here: the board that the speaker wants to put up. The same word can refer to a board depending on context. Use it with a verb such as putting up or attaching when talking about a shelf.
op
In "op te hangen", "op" contributes the idea of putting something up. Its meaning belongs to the full expression with "hangen", rather than standing alone as the complete meaning of the action. Use the full verb expression when describing putting an object on a wall.
te
"te" appears before "hangen" in the purpose phrase "om een kleine plank op te hangen". It helps form the infinitive phrase after "om". Use this construction when explaining the purpose of an action.
hangen
In "op te hangen", "hangen" means to hang or put up the shelf. It is the infinitive at the end of the purpose phrase. Use the full verb expression when talking about putting something on a wall.
Dat
"Dat" means that or that is possible in the reply "Dat kan". Here it refers to the possibility of lending the drill. Use "Dat kan" when confirming that a request or proposed action is possible.
kan
"kan" means can or is possible in "Dat kan". Together with "Dat", it confirms that the borrowing is allowed or possible. Use it with a subject to express ability or possibility.
Heb
"Heb" means have at the beginning of the question "Heb je al eens met een boormachine gewerkt?". It helps ask about the other person's previous experience. Use a question beginning with "Heb je" when asking whether someone has done something before.
al
"al" means already in "al eens". Here it helps ask whether the experience has occurred before. Use "al eens" when asking about something that may have happened at an earlier time.
eens
"eens" means once or ever in "al eens". In this question, it refers to any previous occasion of working with a drill. Use "al eens" to ask whether someone has ever done an activity.
met
"met" means with in "met een boormachine gewerkt". It introduces the tool used for the activity. Use met with a tool or object when describing working with it.
gewerkt
"gewerkt" means worked or used in "met een boormachine gewerkt". Here it describes previous experience using a drill, not a job. It appears with "Heb" to ask about that experience.
keer
"keer" means time or occasion in "Een keer". It counts how many occasions the speaker has used a drill. Use it with a number or quantity when referring to an occurrence.
dus
"dus" means so or therefore. It connects the speaker's limited experience with the conclusion that basic instructions would help. Use it to introduce a conclusion that follows from what was just said.
wat
"wat" means some in "wat basisinstructies", not what in a question. It makes the request for instructions less specific in quantity. Use wat before a plural or uncountable noun when referring to some amount of it.
basisinstructies
"basisinstructies" means basic instructions, the beginner guidance requested for using the drill. It is practical language for asking how to carry out a task safely. Use it when requesting basic guidance about an unfamiliar activity.
zouden
"zouden" means would in "zouden helpen". It presents the instructions as something that would be helpful rather than stating an absolute result. Use "zouden" with an infinitive to describe a possible or expected result.
helpen
"helpen" means help in "zouden helpen". It identifies the benefit the speaker expects from receiving basic instructions. Use an infinitive after "zouden" to say what would help.
Controleer
"Controleer" means check and gives the listener a direct instruction about the wall. It is the first safety step before drilling. Use "Controleer eerst" when telling someone to inspect something before continuing.
eerst
"eerst" means first and places the wall check before the other action. It marks the order of steps in the safety advice. Use it to identify the action that should happen at the beginning of a sequence.
voor
In "wat voor soort muur", "voor" is part of the question pattern asking what kind of wall it is. Here it does not mean for. Use this pattern when asking which type or kind of something is meant.
soort
"soort" means kind or type in "wat voor soort muur". It asks the listener to identify the category of wall before drilling. Use it when asking about the kind of an object or material.
muur
"muur" means wall, specifically the wall that will be drilled. It is the object whose type must be checked first. Use it when referring to a wall in a building or room.
het
In "wat voor soort muur het is", "het" means it and refers to the wall as it is being described. It is part of the clause that identifies the wall's type. Use it in a clause that describes what something is like or what kind it is.
is
"is" means is in "het is". It links the wall to the description of its type. Use it with a subject when stating what something is or how it is described.
en
"en" means and. It connects the instruction to check the wall with the instruction to wear safety glasses. Use it to join two related actions or pieces of advice.
draag
"draag" means wear in the instruction "draag een veiligheidsbril". It tells the listener to have protective eyewear on while working. Use it with clothing or protective equipment in direct instructions.
veiligheidsbril
"veiligheidsbril" means safety glasses, the protective item recommended for drilling. It is the object of the instruction "draag een veiligheidsbril". Use it when discussing protective eyewear for a practical task.
ben
"ben" means am in "Ik ben ook bang". It links the speaker to a current feeling of worry. Use "Ik ben" to describe your present state or feeling.
ook
"ook" means also and adds this worry to the other concerns in the conversation. It shows that the speaker has an additional concern about the wires. Use it when adding another person, thing, or fact to what has already been mentioned.
bang
"bang" means afraid or worried in "bang dat ik elektrische draden raak". It introduces the speaker's concern about a possible accident. Use "bang dat" to express fear or worry about a possible event.
elektrische
"elektrische" means electrical in "elektrische draden". It describes what kind of wires the speaker is worried about hitting. Use it before a noun when identifying something as related to electricity.
draden
"draden" means wires, specifically the electrical wires inside or behind the wall. They are the objects the speaker might accidentally hit. Use "elektrische draden" when referring to wires connected with electricity.
raak
"raak" means hit or touch in "dat ik elektrische draden raak". It describes possible contact between the drilling action and the wires. Use a construction with an object after this verb when saying that someone hits or touches something.
Gebruik
"Gebruik" means use and gives a direct instruction to use the detector. It tells the listener what tool to use before drilling. Use "Gebruik deze" when directing someone to use a specific nearby item.
deze
"deze" means this in "deze detector". It points to the particular detector that the speaker is offering. Use it before a noun when identifying one specific item near the speaker or listener.
detector
"detector" means detector, the tool used to scan for possible wires before drilling. It is the object of "Gebruik". Use it when referring to a device that detects something.
voordat
"voordat" means before and introduces the action that must happen before drilling. In "voordat je ergens gaat boren", it places the detector check first. Use "voordat" followed by a clause to order two actions in time.
ergens
"ergens" means somewhere or anywhere in "ergens gaat boren". It refers to an unspecified place where drilling might happen. Use it when the exact location is not identified.
gaat
"gaat" means is going to in "gaat boren". Together with the infinitive, it describes an action that is about to happen or is planned. Use this construction to talk about what someone is going to do.
boren
"boren" means to drill in "gaat boren". It names the action that should be preceded by the detector check. Use it when describing making holes with a drill.
scan
"scan" means scan in "Ik scan de plek". It describes checking the selected spot with the detector before marking holes. It takes the area being checked as its object.
de
"de" is the definite article in "de plek". It marks the particular spot that the speaker has selected. Use it before a noun when referring to a specific known item or place.
plek
"plek" means spot or place in "de plek". Here it is the exact area that will be scanned and then marked. Use it when referring to a particular location for an action.
gaten
"gaten" means holes, the holes whose positions will be marked before drilling. They are the intended results of the drilling task. Use it with a verb about marking or making holes when discussing this kind of work.
afteken
"afteken" means mark or outline in "de gaten afteken". Here it means marking the positions where the holes should go. Use it with an object when marking its outline or location before doing the task.
Breng
"Breng" means bring in the instruction "Breng de boormachine alsjeblieft terug". Together with "terug", it tells the listener to return the drill. Use it in a direct request to bring an item to a person or place.
alsjeblieft
"alsjeblieft" means please and makes the request to return the drill more polite. It appears inside the instruction "Breng de boormachine alsjeblieft terug". Use it when making a polite request or command.
terug
"terug" means back in the instruction to bring the drill back. It contributes the idea of returning to the original owner or place, together with the verb. Use it with a verb of movement when something must return.
oplader
"oplader" means charger, which must be returned with the drill. It is one of the items included in the return request. Use it when referring to the device used to recharge a tool or other battery-powered item.
boortjes
"boortjes" means drill bits, the small accessories that go with the drill. The speaker asks for them to be returned together with the main tool. Use it when referring to the bits used with a drill.
erbij
"erbij" means along with it or included in "de boortjes erbij". It says that the charger and bits should accompany the drill when it is returned. Use it when asking for an additional item to be included with something.
veeg
"veeg" means wipe in "veeg het stof eraf". It describes removing dust from the drill before returning it. Use the expression with an object and "eraf" when wiping something off a surface.
stof
"stof" means dust, the residue that the speaker plans to remove from the drill. It is the object of the wiping action. Use it for fine dirt that can be wiped away.
eraf
"eraf" means off or from it in "het stof eraf". It indicates that the dust is removed from the drill's surface, together with the wiping action. Use it with a verb such as wiping when describing removal from a surface.
hem
"hem" means it here and refers back to the drill in "hem terugbreng". It is the object being returned after the dust has been removed. Use it to refer back to a previously mentioned object in an object position.
terugbreng
"terugbreng" means bring back or return in "hem terugbreng". It describes returning the drill to its owner after cleaning it. Use this verb when taking a borrowed or previously received item back to its owner or place.
Doe rustig aan
"Doe rustig aan" means take it easy or do not rush. In this whole expression, "Doe" gives the instruction to act, "rustig" adds the idea of calmness, and "aan" completes the expression; the meaning belongs to all three components together. Use it when telling someone to work calmly, especially when carefulness matters more than speed.
veiligheid
"veiligheid" means safety, which is being prioritized in the final advice. It is the thing described as more important than speed. Use it when discussing safe behavior or safe conditions during a task.
belangrijker
"belangrijker" means more important in the comparison "belangrijker dan". It says that safety has greater importance than speed. Use the pattern "X is belangrijker dan Y" when comparing priorities.
dan
"dan" means than and introduces the second side of the comparison in "belangrijker dan snelheid". It connects the priority of safety with the lower priority of speed. Use it after a comparative form when stating what it is being compared with.
snelheid
"snelheid" means speed, the pace of the drilling task. It is the quality being compared with safety in the final advice. Use it when discussing how fast an action is performed.
Grammar Points
ophangen → hang ... op
Hang de plank op.
HAHNG duh plahngk op.Hang the shelf up.
In Dutch, some verbs split in a sentence: the prefix moves to the end.
belangrijker dan
Veiligheid is belangrijker dan snelheid.
VAY-likh-hite is buh-LAHNG-rike-ur dahn SNAYL-hite.Safety is more important than speed.
Use -er to form a comparative adjective, followed by dan (“than”).
Dutch Vocabulary
basisinstructie
noun
BAH-sis-in-STRIK-see
basic instruction
basisinstructies
wat basisinstructies
boormachine
noun
BOHR-mah-shee-nuh
drill
je boormachine
controleren
verb
kon-troh-LAY-run
to check
Controleer eerst
dragen
verb
DRAH-khun
to wear
draag
draag een veiligheidsbril
eerst
adv
AYRST
first
Controleer eerst
helpen
verb
HELP-un
to help
zouden helpen
lenen
verb
LAY-nun
to borrow
een boormachine lenen
muur
noun
MEWR
wall
soort muur
ophangen
verb
OP-hahng-un
to put up; to hang
een kleine plank op te hangen
plank
noun
plahngk
shelf
een kleine plank
soort
noun
SOHRT
kind; type
wat voor soort muur
werken
verb
WER-kun
to work; to use
met een boormachine gewerkt
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to put up; to hang
Show Answer
ophangenshelf
Show Answer
plankfirst
Show Answer
eerstdrill