Dealing with a cracked phone screen | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Dealing with a cracked phone screen to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik heb mijn telefoon laten vallen en het scherm is gebarsten, maar het werkt nog.

ik heb mine tay-luh-FOHN lah-tuhn VAH-luhn uhn ut SKHEHRM iz khuh-BAR-stuhn, mahr ut vehrkt nokh. I dropped my phone, and the screen is cracked but still works.

Maak een back-up van je gegevens voordat de schade erger wordt.

mahk uhn BEHK-uhp vahn yuh khuh-KHAY-vuhns vohr-DAHT duh SKHAH-duh EHR-khur vohrt. Back up your data before the damage gets worse.

Dat ga ik nu doen. Door het gebroken glas word ik nerveus.

daht khah ik nyoo doon. dohr ut khuh-BROH-kuhn khlahs vohrt ik nehr-VOOS. I will do that now. The broken glass is making me nervous.

Doe er tijdelijk een screenprotector op en druk er niet hard op.

doo uhr TIE-duh-lik uhn SKREEN-pruh-TEHK-tuhr op uhn druhk uhr neet hart op. Put on a temporary screen protector and avoid pressing hard on it.

Moet ik hem blijven gebruiken totdat een reparatieservice hem nakijkt?

moot ik um BLY-vuhn khuh-BROIK-uhn toht-DAHT uhn ray-pah-RAHT-see-SEHR-vih-suh um NAH-kaykt? Should I keep using it until a repair service checks it?

Gebruik hem alleen voor eenvoudige taken, want loszittend glas kan in je vinger snijden.

khuh-BROIK um uh-LEEN vohr AYN-vow-duh-khuh TAH-kuhn, vahnt LOSS-zit-unt khlahs kan in yuh VING-uhr SNYE-duhn. Use it only for simple tasks, because loose glass can cut your finger.

Ik kan hem in een hoesje bewaren en voorzichtig meenemen.

ik kan um in uhn HOO-shuh buh-VAH-ruh uhn VOHR-zikh-tukh MAY-nay-muhn. I can keep it in a case and carry it carefully.

Dat zou het risico moeten verlagen terwijl je de reparatie regelt.

daht zow ut ree-ZEE-koh MOO-tuhn vuhr-LAH-khuhn tehr-WYLE yuh duh ray-pah-RAHT-see RAY-khelt. That should lower the risk while you arrange the repair.

Ik maak een afspraak voor reparatie in plaats van te wachten.

ik mahk uhn AHF-sprahk vohr ray-pah-RAHT-see im PLAHTS vahn tuh VAKH-tuhn. I will book a repair instead of waiting.

Kleine barsten kunnen groter worden als je de telefoon blijft gebruiken.

KLY-nuh BAR-stuhn KUN-uhn KHROH-tuhr VOHR-duhn ahls yuh duh tay-luh-FOHN BLY-vuhn khuh-BROIK-uhn. Small cracks can spread if you keep using the phone.

Word by Word

Ik Ik means “I” here and identifies the speaker as the person who dropped the phone. It is used as the subject in Ik heb mijn telefoon laten vallen. You use it when talking about yourself.

heb Heb means “have” here and helps form the completed action in Ik heb mijn telefoon laten vallen. It is the form of hebben used with ik. This pattern places the object before the action phrase.

mijn Mijn means “my” and shows that the telefoon belongs to the speaker. It comes directly before the noun mijn telefoon. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to you.

telefoon Telefoon means “phone” and is the object that was dropped. In mijn telefoon, mijn specifies whose phone it is. Use it for a phone in everyday conversations about calls, messages, or damage.

laten Laten means “let” or “have something happen” in Ik heb mijn telefoon laten vallen. Together with vallen, it expresses that the phone was allowed or caused to fall. The pattern laten plus an infinitive describes making or allowing an action to happen.

vallen Vallen means “fall” in Ik heb mijn telefoon laten vallen. After laten, it stays in this infinitive form and completes the action phrase. Use it for something moving downward unintentionally or naturally.

en En means “and” and connects the statement about dropping the phone with the statement about the screen. It joins words, phrases, or complete clauses. Here it links two related facts about the same incident.

het Het is the definite article in het scherm and the pronoun “it” in het werkt nog. The exact meaning depends on the noun or clause around it. Use het before a noun such as scherm or as a reference to a previously mentioned object.

scherm Scherm means “screen” and refers to the phone’s display. It appears with the article in het scherm. Use it when discussing a phone, computer, or other device display.

is Is means “is” and states the condition of the screen in het scherm is gebarsten. It is the form of zijn used with het scherm. Use it to describe a current state or condition.

gebarsten Gebarsten means “cracked” and describes the screen’s damaged condition. In het scherm is gebarsten, it follows is to state what has happened to the screen. Use it for a surface that has developed cracks.

maar Maar means “but” and introduces the contrast that the screen is cracked while it still works. It connects two statements with opposing or unexpected information. Here it limits the seriousness of the damage.

werkt Werkt means “works” in het werkt nog, referring back to the screen. The form agrees with the singular subject het. Use it to say that a device or part is still functioning.

nog Nog means “still” and shows that the screen continues to work despite being cracked. It is placed with the verb phrase in het werkt nog. Use it when a situation continues up to the present.

Maak Maak is the imperative form meaning “make” or “do” in Maak een back-up van je gegevens. The whole expression tells someone to create a backup. Use this direct form when giving practical advice or an instruction.

een Een means “a” or “an” and introduces one back-up in een back-up. It comes before the noun. Use it when referring to a non-specific item or action of this kind.

back-up Back-up means “backup,” a saved copy of data. In Maak een back-up van je gegevens, it names the copy that should be created. The pattern maken plus een back-up plus van identifies what is being backed up.

van Van means “of” in van je gegevens and identifies the material included in the backup. It connects the back-up with the data being copied. Use it after expressions such as a copy or backup when specifying what it contains.

je Je means “your” in je gegevens and refers to the listener’s data. It comes before the noun it specifies. Use it for informal possession or when addressing someone directly in an everyday way.

gegevens Gegevens means “data” or “information” and refers to the contents stored on the phone. It is the thing included in the backup. Use it for stored personal, digital, or factual information.

voordat Voordat means “before” and introduces the event that should happen first: backing up the data. It connects the instruction with the later possibility of more damage. In its clause, the verb appears at the end, as in de schade erger wordt.

de De means “the” before schade in de schade. It marks the noun as a specific kind of damage already relevant to the conversation. Use it before nouns that take de.

schade Schade means “damage” and refers to the harm to the phone or screen. In de schade erger wordt, it is the thing that may become worse. Use it when describing harm to an object, person, or situation.

erger Erger means “worse” and describes an increase in the damage. It appears after schade in de schade erger wordt. Use it to compare a situation with its current or earlier condition.

wordt Wordt means “gets” or “becomes” in de schade erger wordt. It expresses a change into a worse condition and agrees with the singular subject de schade. Use it when something changes state or condition.

Dat Dat means “that” in Dat ga ik nu doen and refers to the suggested backup. It points back to an action just mentioned. Use it to refer to a preceding statement or task.

ga Ga means “go” in Dat ga ik nu doen, where it helps express an intention to do something now. The subject ik follows it because of the sentence structure. Use gaan plus an infinitive to talk about a planned or imminent action.

nu Nu means “now” and places the intended action in the present moment. In Dat ga ik nu doen, it emphasizes that the speaker will act immediately. Use it when timing is current or urgent.

doen Doen means “do” in Dat ga ik nu doen and refers to carrying out the backup. It follows ga in the intention pattern. Use it when the specific action has already been identified from the context.

Door Door means “because of” in Door het gebroken glas word ik nerveus. It introduces the cause of the speaker’s nervousness. Use it before a noun phrase when explaining what causes a result or feeling.

gebroken Gebroken means “broken” and describes the glass in het gebroken glas. It specifies the condition of the glass that is causing concern. Use it before a noun when describing something that has been damaged or broken.

glas Glas means “glass” and refers to the broken material on the phone. In het gebroken glas, it is described as broken. Use it for glass as a material or for a piece of glass, depending on context.

word Word means “become” in word ik nerveus and describes the speaker becoming nervous. The order word ik results from placing Door het gebroken glas first. Use it with an adjective when someone or something changes into a new condition.

nerveus Nerveus means “nervous” and describes the speaker’s emotional state. In word ik nerveus, it completes the idea of becoming nervous because of the broken glass. Use it to describe worry or tension.

Doe Doe is the imperative form of doen and means “put” in Doe er tijdelijk een screenprotector op. The whole expression means to put a screen protector onto the phone. Use this direct form when giving someone a practical instruction.

er Er refers to the phone or screen in Doe er tijdelijk een screenprotector op and can be understood as “on it” in this construction. It allows the object’s location or destination to be referred to without repeating it. The pattern er iets op doen means putting something onto it.

tijdelijk Tijdelijk means “temporarily” and shows that the screen protector is only an interim measure. It modifies the action in Doe er tijdelijk een screenprotector op. Use it when something is intended to last only until a later solution.

screenprotector Screenprotector means “screen protector” and names the protective layer placed over the damaged screen. In Doe er tijdelijk een screenprotector op, it is the object being put on. Use it when discussing protection for a device display.

op Op means “on” in Doe er tijdelijk een screenprotector op and completes the placement construction with er and doen. It indicates the surface where the protector is put. Use it for something being placed onto a surface.

druk Druk is the imperative form of drukken and means “press” in druk er niet hard op. The whole instruction tells the listener not to apply strong pressure to the screen. Use it for pressing a button, surface, or object.

niet Niet means “not” and negates the instruction druk er niet hard op. It comes before the manner word hard here. Use it to tell someone not to perform an action or not to do it in a stated way.

hard Hard means “hard” or “firmly” and describes the force of pressing. In druk er niet hard op, it warns against applying strong pressure. Use it after an action verb to describe force or intensity.

Moet Moet means “must” or “should” in Moet ik hem blijven gebruiken? It forms a question about whether continued use is advisable. Use moeten at the start of a question when asking about necessity or obligation.

hem Hem means “it” here and refers to the phone in Moet ik hem blijven gebruiken? and Gebruik hem alleen voor eenvoudige taken. It is used as the object of gebruiken. Use it to refer back to the previously mentioned phone.

blijven Blijven means “continue” in blijven gebruiken and asks whether the speaker should keep using the phone. It is followed by the infinitive gebruiken. Use blijven plus an infinitive for an action that continues over time.

gebruiken Gebruiken means “use” in hem blijven gebruiken. Together with blijven, it describes continuing to operate the phone. Use it with an object such as a device, tool, or service.

totdat Totdat means “until” and introduces the point up to which the phone might continue to be used. It connects the use of the phone with the repair service’s inspection. Use it before a clause describing the endpoint of an action.

reparatieservice Reparatieservice means “repair service” and refers to the service that will inspect the phone. In totdat een reparatieservice hem nakijkt, it is the subject of the subordinate clause. Use it when referring to a business or service that repairs devices.

nakijkt Nakijkt means “checks” or “inspects” in een reparatieservice hem nakijkt. It describes the repair service examining the phone. The separable verb nakijken appears together here because it is in a subordinate clause.

Gebruik Gebruik is the imperative form of gebruiken and means “use” in Gebruik hem alleen voor eenvoudige taken. The instruction limits what the listener should do with the damaged phone. Use this direct form when giving advice or a command.

alleen Alleen means “only” and limits the phone’s use to eenvoudige taken. It appears before the phrase that states the allowed purpose. Use it to restrict an action or choice.

voor Voor means “for” in voor eenvoudige taken and introduces the purpose or type of use allowed. It connects gebruiken with the tasks. Use it before a noun phrase to state intended use or purpose.

eenvoudige Eenvoudige means “simple” and describes the tasks that are considered safe enough. It comes before taken in voor eenvoudige taken. Use it before a noun when describing something uncomplicated or not demanding.

taken Taken means “tasks” and refers to simple activities for which the damaged phone may still be used. It follows eenvoudige and is introduced by voor. Use it for duties, activities, or pieces of work.

want Want means “because” or “for” and gives the reason for limiting use. It connects the advice about simple tasks with the danger of loose glass. Use it to add a direct explanation after a statement.

loszittend Loszittend means “loose” in loszittend glas and describes glass that is no longer firmly attached. It specifies the dangerous condition of the glass. Use it before a noun when something is physically loose or not securely fixed.

kan Kan means “can” and expresses the possibility that the glass may cut a finger. It is followed by the infinitive snijden. Use it to describe ability or a possible result.

in In means “in” in in je vinger snijden and is part of the expression describing glass cutting into a finger. It indicates the affected body part. Use it with a body part when describing an injury caused by something sharp.

vinger Vinger means “finger” and is the body part that loose glass may cut. In in je vinger, it identifies where the injury could occur. Use it when talking about a finger or a specific finger-related action.

snijden Snijden means “cut” in kan in je vinger snijden. It follows kan in the infinitive form and describes the possible injury caused by loose glass. Use it for cutting with a sharp edge or object.

hoesje Hoesje means “case” and refers to a protective phone case. In hem in een hoesje bewaren, it is the container in which the phone will be kept. Use it when describing a cover or small protective case for an object.

bewaren Bewaren means “keep” or “store” in hem in een hoesje bewaren. It describes keeping the phone safely inside the case. Use it with an object and a place or container when saying where something is kept.

voorzichtig Voorzichtig means “carefully” and describes how the phone will be carried. In voorzichtig meenemen, it signals that the speaker will avoid handling it roughly. Use it to advise careful behavior around something fragile or risky.

meenemen Meenemen means “take along” or “carry” in voorzichtig meenemen. It describes bringing the phone with the speaker while handling it carefully. Use it when an object travels with someone from one place to another.

zou Zou means “would” or “should” in Dat zou het risico moeten verlagen. Together with moeten, it presents lowering the risk as an expected or advisable result. Use this pattern when describing what an action is expected to achieve.

risico Risico means “risk” and refers to the possibility of further harm while the repair is being arranged. In het risico verlagen, it is the thing being reduced. Use it when discussing the chance of a negative result.

moeten Moeten means “should” or “must” in zou moeten verlagen. After zou, it contributes the idea that lowering the risk is expected or advisable. Use zou moeten plus an infinitive for an expected or recommended result.

verlagen Verlagen means “lower” or “reduce” in het risico moeten verlagen. It describes making the risk smaller through careful handling and a case. Use it with something measurable or abstract that can become less high.

terwijl Terwijl means “while” and links the protective actions with arranging the repair. It shows that the two activities happen during the same period. Use it to connect a main action with another ongoing action.

reparatie Reparatie means “repair” and refers to the service work needed for the phone. In de reparatie regelt and een afspraak voor reparatie, it identifies the planned solution. Use it for the act or service of fixing something.

regelt Regelt means “arranges” in terwijl je de reparatie regelt. It describes the listener organizing the repair. The form is used with je, and the object de reparatie follows it.

afspraak Afspraak means “appointment” in een afspraak voor reparatie. It refers to a scheduled arrangement with the repair service. Use it when arranging a specific time to meet or receive a service.

plaats Plaats means “place” in the fixed expression in plaats van te wachten, which means “instead of waiting.” The full expression is what creates the contrast between booking a repair and waiting. Use in plaats van before an alternative action or choice.

te Te marks the infinitive in te wachten after in plaats van. The phrase in plaats van te wachten means “instead of waiting.” Use te before an infinitive in this kind of alternative-action construction.

wachten Wachten means “wait” in in plaats van te wachten. It names the action that the speaker chooses not to continue. Use it when remaining until something happens or until someone arrives.

Kleine Kleine means “small” and describes the barsten as limited in size. It comes before the plural noun Kleine barsten. Use it before a noun when describing something as not large.

barsten Barsten means “cracks” and refers to breaks in the phone screen. In Kleine barsten kunnen groter worden, these cracks may increase in size. Use it for visible lines or breaks in a hard surface.

kunnen Kunnen means “can” and expresses the possibility that the cracks will become larger. It is followed by the infinitive worden. Use it with a plural subject to describe what may happen or be possible.

groter Groter means “bigger” and describes the cracks increasing in size. In barsten kunnen groter worden, it combines with worden to mean “become bigger.” Use it when comparing a later size or extent with an earlier one.

worden Worden means “become” in kunnen groter worden. It follows kunnen in the infinitive form and expresses a change in size. Use it after a modal verb when describing something changing into a new condition.

als Als means “if” in als je de telefoon blijft gebruiken and introduces the condition under which the cracks may grow. It connects a possible result with continued phone use. Use it to state a condition or a situation that leads to a result.

Grammar Points

in plaats van te + infinitief

in plaats van te wachten

im PLAHTS vahn tuh VAKH-tuhn

instead of waiting

Na in plaats van volgt bij een werkwoord vaak te + infinitief.

blijven + infinitief

blijven gebruiken

BLY-vuhn khuh-BROIK-uhn

to keep using

blijven krijgt een tweede werkwoord in de infinitief: blijven gebruiken betekent ‘to keep using’.

Dutch Vocabulary

back-up noun

BEHK-uhp backup

erger adj

EHR-khur worse

gebarsten verb

khuh-BAR-stuhn cracked

gebroken adj

khuh-BROH-kuhn broken

gegevens noun

khuh-KHAY-vuhns data

glas noun

khlahs glass

laten vallen phrase

LAH-tuhn VAH-luhn to drop

maak verb

mahk make

nog adv

nokh still

schade noun

SKHAH-duh damage

scherm noun

SKHEHRM screen

telefoon noun

tay-luh-FOHN phone

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

make

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maak

phone

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telefoon

damage

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schade

screen

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scherm