Borrowing a bicycle repair kit | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: In a shared space, one adult borrows bicycle repair tools and asks for guidance while changing a flat tire..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a bicycle repair kit to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Mijn fietsband is lek en ik heb een reparatieset nodig.

mine FEETs-bahnt iss leck uhn ik hep uhn ray-pah-RAHT-see-set NOH-dikh. My bicycle tire is flat, and I need a repair kit.
B

Ik heb een set met bandenlichters en een reservebinnenband.

ik hep uhn set met BAHN-duhn-LIKH-tuhrs uhn uhn ray-ZEHR-vuh-BIN-nuhn-bahnt. I have a kit with tire levers and a spare inner tube.
A

Kun je me laten zien hoe ik het wiel goed kan verwijderen?

kuhn yuh muh LAH-tuhn zeen hoo ik uht veel khoot kahn vur-WEE-duh-run? Could you show me how to remove the wheel correctly?
B

Begin door de fiets voorzichtig ondersteboven te draaien.

buh-KHIN dohr duh FEETs vohr-ZIKH-tikh ON-duhr-stuh-BOH-vuhn tuh DRAH-yuhn. Start by turning the bike upside down carefully.
A

Ik heb nog nooit zelf een binnenband vervangen.

ik hep nokh NOHIT zelf uhn BIN-nuhn-bahnt vur-VAHN-uh(n) vuh-DAIR. I have never changed an inner tube by myself before.
B

Volg de instructies zorgvuldig en forceer geen enkel onderdeel.

volkh duh in-struhk-TSEES ZOR-gh-vuhl-dikh uhn for-SAYR khayn EN-kuhl ON-duhr-DAYL. Follow the instructions carefully, and do not force any part to move.
A

Moet ik de bandenspanning controleren nadat ik hem heb vervangen?

moot ik duh BAHN-duhn-SPAH-ning kon-troh-LAYR-uhn nah-DAHT ik hum hep vur-VAHN-uh(n)? After I replace it, should I check the pressure?
B

De band moet stevig aanvoelen, maar niet te hard.

duh bahnt moot STAY-vikh AHN-voo-luhn, mahr neet tuh hahrt. The tire should feel firm, but not too hard.
A

Kun je in de buurt blijven terwijl ik de eerste stap probeer?

kuhn yuh in duh bayrt BLY-vuhn tur-WILE ik duh AYR-stuh stahp proh-BAYR? Could you stay nearby while I try the first step?
B

Ik kan je door het eerste deel heen begeleiden terwijl je de set gebruikt.

ik kahn yuh dohr uht AYR-stuh dayl hayn buh-GHEH-lie-duhn tur-WILE yuh duh set khuh-BROYT. I can talk you through the first part while you use the kit.

Word by Word

Mijn “Mijn” means “my” and shows that the bicycle tire belongs to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun in “Mijn fietsband”. Use it before a noun when identifying something as yours.
fietsband “Fietsband” means “bicycle tire”, the tire that is flat in this dialogue. It is a compound built from “fiets” and “band”. Use it when talking specifically about a bicycle tire, for example when asking for repair help.
is “Is” says that the bicycle tire has the condition described by “lek”. It links “Mijn fietsband” with “lek” in “Mijn fietsband is lek”. Use it to describe a current state or condition.
lek “Lek” means flat or punctured here, describing a tire that has lost its air. In “Mijn fietsband is lek”, it comes after “is” to describe the tire. Use it when reporting that a tire or other object has a leak.
en “En” means “and” and joins the statement about the flat tire to the speaker’s need for a repair kit. It connects the two parts of “Mijn fietsband is lek en ik heb een reparatieset nodig”. Use it to link related words, phrases, or clauses.
ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person with the flat tire and the need for a kit. It is the subject in “ik heb een reparatieset nodig”. Use it before a verb when talking about yourself.
heb “Heb” means “have” here and forms the expression “ik heb een reparatieset nodig”, meaning that the speaker needs a repair kit. It is used with “nodig” to state a need. Use the pattern “Ik heb ... nodig” when saying that you need something.
een “Een” means “a” or “an” and introduces one unspecified repair kit. It comes before the noun in “een reparatieset”. Use it before a singular noun when referring to one non-specific thing.
reparatieset “Reparatieset” means “repair kit”, the set of tools and supplies needed for the bicycle repair. It is a compound containing “reparatie” and “set”. Use it when asking for or offering a collection of items for a repair.
nodig “Nodig” means “needed” or “necessary” in “ik heb een reparatieset nodig”. The pattern “iets nodig hebben” expresses that someone needs something. Use “Ik heb ... nodig” followed by the object you require.
set “Set” means “kit” or “set” and refers to the collection containing tire levers and a spare inner tube. In “een set met bandenlichters”, it is followed by “met” to describe what the set contains. Use it for a group of items intended to be used together.
met “Met” means “with” and introduces the contents of the kit in “een set met bandenlichters en een reservebinnenband”. It links a thing with the items accompanying or contained in it. Use “met” before the person or thing included with something.
bandenlichters “Bandenlichters” means “tire levers”, the tools used to lift a tire away from the rim. The word appears after “met” as one of the items in the set. Use it when naming these bicycle-repair tools.
reservebinnenband “Reservebinnenband” means “spare inner tube”, an extra inner tube kept for replacement. It is one of the items in “een set met bandenlichters en een reservebinnenband”. Use it when referring to a replacement inner tube carried for a repair.
Kun “Kun” expresses “can” or the polite-sounding “could” in the request “Kun je me laten zien...?” It asks whether the other person is able and willing to demonstrate something. Use “Kun je ...?” to make a direct request to someone.
je “Je” means “you” and identifies the person being asked to demonstrate the repair. It comes after “Kun” in the question “Kun je me laten zien...?” Use it when addressing someone directly in an informal way.
me “Me” means “me” and identifies the person who should receive the demonstration in “me laten zien”. It is the object connected with the request. Use it after a verb when the action is directed toward you.
laten In “laten zien”, “laten” helps form the request to have someone show something. The expression “Kun je me laten zien...” means “Could you show me...?” Use “laten zien” when asking someone to demonstrate or show something.
zien In “laten zien”, “zien” contributes the act of showing, so the complete expression means “to show”. It follows “laten” in this request. Use “laten zien” to ask someone to show you how something works.
hoe “Hoe” means “how” and introduces the explanation or method the speaker wants to learn. It begins the clause “hoe ik het wiel goed kan verwijderen”. Use it before a clause when asking about the way to do something.
het “Het” means “the” here and introduces the specific wheel in “het wiel”. It comes before the noun rather than referring to an unspecified wheel. Use it before a specific noun when the noun takes “het” in this form.
wiel “Wiel” means “wheel”, specifically the bicycle wheel the speaker wants to remove. It appears in “het wiel”. Use it when talking about a wheel as an object to remove, repair, or replace.
goed “Goed” means “properly” or “correctly” here and describes how the wheel should be removed. It modifies the action in “het wiel goed kan verwijderen”. Use it to indicate that an action should be done correctly.
kan “Kan” means “can” and expresses ability or possibility in “hoe ik het wiel goed kan verwijderen”. It is followed by the infinitive “verwijderen”. Use “kan” with an infinitive when describing what someone is able to do.
verwijderen “Verwijderen” means “remove” and refers to taking the wheel off the bicycle. It follows “kan” in “kan verwijderen”. Use it with an object when talking about taking something away or out.
Begin “Begin” means “start” and gives the first instruction in the repair process. It is followed by “door de fiets ... te draaien” to state the first action. Use it at the beginning of instructions telling someone what to do first.
door In “Begin door de fiets voorzichtig ondersteboven te draaien”, “door” means “by” and introduces the method for starting. It is followed by an action ending in “te draaien”. Use “door ... te” to explain how an action is carried out.
de “De” means “the” and introduces the specific bicycle in “de fiets”. It shows that the instruction concerns the bicycle being repaired. Use it before a specific noun when “de” is required.
fiets “Fiets” means “bicycle” and is the object that should be turned upside down. It appears in the instruction “de fiets voorzichtig ondersteboven te draaien”. Use it when referring to a bicycle in repair instructions or everyday conversation.
voorzichtig “Voorzichtig” means “carefully” and tells the person to turn the bicycle with care. It modifies the action in “voorzichtig ... te draaien”. Use it when an action should be done gently to avoid damage or danger.
ondersteboven “Ondersteboven” means “upside down” and describes the bicycle’s position after it is turned. It appears with “draaien” in “de fiets voorzichtig ondersteboven te draaien”. Use it when describing something placed with its normal top facing downward.
te In “ondersteboven te draaien”, “te” marks the infinitive after “door”. Together with “door”, it forms the pattern “door ... te draaien”, meaning “by turning”. Use “te” before an infinitive in this type of construction.
draaien “Draaien” means “turn” and describes changing the bicycle’s position. In “de fiets voorzichtig ondersteboven te draaien”, it follows “te”. Use it for turning an object or changing its orientation.
nog In “nog nooit”, “nog” contributes the idea of “ever up to now” and strengthens the statement about the speaker’s experience. The complete expression “nog nooit” means “never before”. Use it with “nooit” when saying that something has not happened at any time until now.
nooit “Nooit” means “never” and says that the speaker has not changed an inner tube before. It appears with “nog” in “nog nooit”. Use it to deny that an event has happened at any time.
zelf “Zelf” means “by oneself” or “personally” and emphasizes that the speaker has never replaced an inner tube without someone else doing it. It appears in “nog nooit zelf”. Use it to emphasize who personally carries out an action.
binnenband “Binnenband” means “inner tube”, the inflatable tube inside the bicycle tire. It is the object of “vervangen” in “een binnenband vervangen”. Use it when distinguishing the inner tube from the outer tire.
vervangen “Vervangen” means “replace” and refers to taking out the old inner tube and putting in another one. It appears in “een binnenband vervangen”. Use it with an object when one thing is exchanged for another.
Volg “Volg” means “follow” and gives the instruction to follow the instructions. It is used as a direct instruction in “Volg de instructies zorgvuldig”. Use it at the start of directions when telling someone to follow a route, rule, or set of instructions.
instructies “Instructies” means “instructions” and refers to the directions for changing the inner tube. It appears after “de” in “de instructies”. Use it when referring to directions that explain how to complete a task.
zorgvuldig “Zorgvuldig” means “carefully” and describes the way the instructions should be followed. It modifies “Volg” in “Volg de instructies zorgvuldig”. Use it when an action requires attention and precision.
forceer “Forceer” means “force” and gives the instruction not to use excessive strength. It is used in the instruction “forceer geen enkel onderdeel”. Use it when warning someone not to make an object move by applying too much pressure.
geen “Geen” means “no” or “not any” and negates the presence of a component that should be forced. In “geen enkel onderdeel”, it comes before the noun phrase being rejected. Use “geen” before a noun when saying that there is none or not any.
enkel In “geen enkel onderdeel”, “enkel” adds the idea of even one single component. It strengthens the warning so that not one component should be forced. Use it after “geen” when emphasizing that not a single item is included.
onderdeel “Onderdeel” means “part” or “component” and refers to any individual part of the repair equipment or bicycle. It appears in “geen enkel onderdeel”. Use it when talking about one component within a larger object or system.
Moet “Moet” means “must” or “should” and forms the question about whether checking the pressure is necessary. It begins “Moet ik de bandenspanning controleren...?” Use “Moet ik ...?” to ask whether you are expected or advised to do something.
bandenspanning “Bandenspanning” means “tire pressure”, the amount of air pressure in the tire. It is the object of “controleren” in “de bandenspanning controleren”. Use it when discussing whether a tire has the correct pressure.
controleren “Controleren” means “check” and refers to examining the tire pressure after the replacement. It follows “Moet ik” in “Moet ik de bandenspanning controleren”. Use it with an object when verifying its condition, value, or correctness.
nadat “Nadat” means “after” and introduces the action that should happen before checking the pressure. It begins “nadat ik hem heb vervangen”. Use it before a clause to say that one event takes place after another.
hem “Hem” means “it” here and refers back to the tire in “de band”. It is the object of “heb vervangen” in “nadat ik hem heb vervangen”. Use it when referring back to a previously mentioned object in this object position.
band “Band” means “tire” here and refers to the tire whose pressure and firmness are being discussed. It appears in “De band moet stevig aanvoelen”. Use it when talking about a tire without specifying that it is a bicycle tire.
stevig “Stevig” means “firm” and describes how the tire should feel when checked. It comes before “aanvoelen” in “stevig aanvoelen”. Use it to describe something that has a solid, stable feel.
aanvoelen “Aanvoelen” means “feel” in the sense of having a particular physical quality when touched. In “De band moet stevig aanvoelen”, it describes the tire’s firmness. Use it when describing how something feels to the touch.
maar “Maar” means “but” and contrasts the tire being firm with the warning that it should not be too hard. It joins the two descriptions in “stevig aanvoelen, maar niet te hard”. Use it to introduce a limitation or contrasting point.
niet “Niet” means “not” and negates the description “te hard”. In “maar niet te hard”, it says that the tire should avoid that condition. Use it before the part of a sentence that is being negated.
hard “Hard” means “hard” and describes the tire’s physical firmness. In “niet te hard”, it names the condition that should be avoided. Use it to describe an object that feels excessively solid or difficult to press.
in “In” means “in” and forms the expression “in de buurt”. This expression describes being nearby rather than inside a physical object. Use “in” with a place or area when describing location.
buurt “Buurt” means “vicinity” or “nearby area” in “in de buurt”. The full expression “in de buurt blijven” means “stay nearby”. Use “in de buurt” when describing a nearby location or someone remaining close.
blijven “Blijven” means “stay” and refers to remaining nearby while the speaker tries the first step. It follows “Kun je” in “Kun je in de buurt blijven”. Use it with a place or condition when asking someone not to leave.
terwijl “Terwijl” means “while” and introduces an action happening at the same time as the speaker tries the first step. It begins “terwijl ik de eerste stap probeer”. Use it before a clause to connect simultaneous actions.
eerste “Eerste” means “first” and identifies the initial step in the repair process. It comes before “stap” in “de eerste stap”. Use it before a noun when marking the beginning of an ordered series.
stap “Stap” means “step” and refers to one action in the repair procedure. It appears in “de eerste stap”. Use it for one stage of a process or one movement taken while doing something.
probeer “Probeer” means “try” and says that the speaker intends to attempt the first step. It appears in “terwijl ik de eerste stap probeer”. Use it with an action or object when saying that you are attempting something.
deel “Deel” means “part” and refers to the first part of the repair process in “het eerste deel”. It identifies one section of a larger activity. Use it when dividing a task, explanation, or process into sections.
heen In “door het eerste deel heen begeleiden”, “heen” is part of the directional expression “door ... heen”. Together, the expression says that the guidance continues through the first part. Use “door ... heen” when describing movement or guidance through a section or process.
begeleiden “Begeleiden” means “guide” and describes helping the learner through the first part of the repair. It appears after “kan” in “Ik kan je door het eerste deel heen begeleiden”. Use it when guiding someone during an activity or process.
gebruikt “Gebruikt” means “use” here and says that the other person is using the repair kit while being guided. It appears in “terwijl je de set gebruikt”. Use it with an object to say that someone is making practical use of it.

Grammar Points

nadat + bijzin: het werkwoord staat aan het einde

Nadat je de binnenband hebt vervangen, controleer je de bandenspanning.

nah-DAHT yuh duh BIN-nuhn-bahnt hebt vur-VAHN-uh(n), kon-troh-LAYR yuh duh BAHN-duhn-SPAH-ning.

After you have replaced the inner tube, check the tire pressure.

Na nadat komt een bijzin. Het vervoegde werkwoord staat achteraan: je hebt vervangen.

nog nooit + hebben + voltooid deelwoord

Ik heb nog nooit zelf een binnenband vervangen.

ik hep nokh NOHIT zelf uhn BIN-nuhn-bahnt vur-VAHN-uh(n).

I have never replaced an inner tube myself before.

Gebruik hebben met nog nooit om te zeggen dat iets tot nu toe niet is gebeurd.

Dutch Vocabulary

bandenlichter noun
BAHN-duhn-LIKH-tuhr tire lever bandenlichters
begin verb
buh-KHIN start; begin
fietsband noun
FEETs-bahnt bicycle tire
goed adv
khoot correctly; well
laten zien phrase
LAH-tuhn zeen to show
lek adj
leck flat; punctured
nodig adj
NOH-dikh needed
reparatieset noun
ray-pah-RAHT-see-set repair kit
reservebinnenband noun
ray-ZEHR-vuh-BIN-nuhn-bahnt spare inner tube
verwijderen verb
vur-WEE-duh-run to remove
voorzichtig adv
VOHR-zikh-tikh carefully
wiel noun
veel wheel

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to remove

Show Answerverwijderen

repair kit

Show Answerreparatieset

bicycle tire

Show Answerfietsband

needed

Show Answernodig