Responding after spilling coffee on a laptop | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Responding after spilling coffee on a laptop to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik heb koffie vlak bij mijn laptop gemorst en er is wat vloeistof onder het toetsenbord terechtgekomen.

ik hep KAW-fee vlak by mine LAP-top morst en er iss vut vloh-yee-STAWF ON-der ut TOOT-sun-bort tuh-REKHT-kuh-MOH-run I spilled coffee near my laptop, and some liquid went under the keyboard.

Haal meteen de stekker eruit en zet hem uit als hij nog aanstaat.

hahl muh-TAYN duh STEK-er er-OWT en zet um OWT als hay nok AAN-staht Unplug it immediately and turn it off if it is still running.

Zal ik proberen het met een föhn te drogen?

zahl ik proh-BAY-run ut met un FUHN tuh DROH-gun Should I try to dry it with a hair dryer?

Warmte kan meer schade veroorzaken. Laat het door een technicus nakijken.

WARM-tuh kan mayr SKHAH-duh ver-OOR-zah-kun. laht ut dohr un tekh-NEE-kus NAH-ky-ken Heat can cause more damage. Let a technician check it.

Ik maak me zorgen, omdat mijn projectbestanden erop staan.

ik mahk muh ZOR-gun, ohm-DAHT mine proh-YEKHT-bes-TAN-dun er-OP staan I am worried because my project files are on it.

Controleer je cloudback-up vanaf een ander apparaat voordat je de laptop weer aanraakt.

kon-troh-LAYR yuh CLOUD-back-up vah-NAHF un AHN-der uh-pah-RAHT vohr-DAHT yuh duh LAP-top vair AAN-rahkt Check your cloud backup from another device before you touch the laptop again.

De meeste bestanden waren al gesynchroniseerd.

duh MAY-stuh buh-STAN-dun VAH-run al khuh-syn-kroh-nee-ZAYRT Most of the files were already synced.

Laat de laptop uitstaan en probeer hem niet te snel aan te zetten.

LAHT duh LAP-top OWT-stahn un proh-BAYR um neet tuh SNAYL ahn tuh ZET-un Keep the laptop off, and do not try to start it too soon.

Ik breng hem naar een technicus en vraag wat de volgende stap is.

ik breng um nah un tekh-NEE-kus en VRAHKH vut duh VOL-gun-duh stap iss I will take it to a technician and ask about the next step.

Een technicus kan het nakijken zonder de schade erger te maken.

un tekh-NEE-kus kan ut nah-KY-ken ZON-der duh SKHAH-duh ER-gur tuh MAH-kun A technician can check it without making the damage worse.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Ik heb koffie vlak bij mijn laptop gemorst”. It is useful at the start of a sentence about your own action, as in the reusable pattern “Ik heb ...”.

heb In “Ik heb koffie vlak bij mijn laptop gemorst”, “heb” helps form a statement about a completed action. Reuse it before a completed-action form, as in “Ik heb ... gemorst”, when reporting what you have done.

koffie “Koffie” means coffee, the liquid that was spilled in the dialogue. Use it as the object of an action such as “Ik heb koffie ... gemorst” when reporting a coffee spill.

vlak In “vlak bij mijn laptop”, “vlak” strengthens the idea of nearness and means “right” or “directly”. Reuse the pattern “vlak bij” before a place or object when something is very close to it.

bij In “vlak bij mijn laptop”, “bij” means “near” or “by”. Use “bij” with a place or object to say where something is located, as in “bij mijn laptop”.

mijn “Mijn” means “my” and shows that the laptop belongs to or is associated with the speaker. Put it before a noun, as in “mijn laptop”, when referring to something connected with you.

laptop “Laptop” means laptop, the device involved in the problem. It can be used after a possessive, as in “mijn laptop”, or with an article, as in “de laptop”.

gemorst “Gemorst” means spilled in “Ik heb koffie vlak bij mijn laptop gemorst”. It is used after “heb” to report the completed spill; the reusable pattern is “Ik heb ... gemorst” with the spilled substance as the object.

en “En” connects the report about spilling coffee with the result that follows: “en er is wat vloeistof ... terechtgekomen”. Use it to join two related actions or facts in one sentence.

er In “er is wat vloeistof onder het toetsenbord terechtgekomen”, “er” introduces the fact that something is present or has ended up somewhere. Reuse “er is” before a noun when reporting that something exists or is present.

is In “er is wat vloeistof ... terechtgekomen”, “is” states that the liquid has ended up there. It is the form used in the pattern “er is” before a singular thing or amount.

wat “Wat” means some or a small amount in “wat vloeistof”. It is used before an amount of liquid or another uncounted substance, as in “wat vloeistof”.

vloeistof “Vloeistof” means liquid, referring here to the coffee that went under the keyboard. Use it after an amount word such as “wat” when referring generally to liquid.

onder “Onder” means under in “onder het toetsenbord” and shows the position of the liquid. Use “onder” before an object to describe something located below it.

het In “het toetsenbord”, “het” means “the” and introduces the specific keyboard being discussed. Reuse “het” before a noun when referring to a particular object with this article.

toetsenbord “Toetsenbord” means keyboard, specifically the part under which the liquid went. It appears after “het” in “het toetsenbord” when naming that computer component.

terechtgekomen “Terechtgekomen” means ended up or got to a place in “er is wat vloeistof onder het toetsenbord terechtgekomen”. Reuse the pattern “is ... terechtgekomen” to report where something has ended up.

Haal “Haal” is a direct instruction to remove something in “Haal meteen de stekker eruit”. Use it in the command pattern “Haal ... eruit” when telling someone to take something out.

meteen “Meteen” means immediately in “Haal meteen de stekker eruit”. Use it to stress that an action should happen without delay, especially in urgent advice.

de “De” is the definite article in both “de stekker” and “De meeste bestanden”. Put it before a specific noun or noun phrase when referring to something identified in the situation.

stekker “Stekker” means plug in “Haal de stekker eruit”. It is the object being removed, and the reusable expression is “de stekker eruit halen” for unplugging something.

eruit In “Haal de stekker eruit”, “eruit” means out and completes the instruction to remove the plug. Reuse it after the object in the pattern “iets eruit halen” when taking something out.

zet In “zet hem uit”, “zet” contributes the instruction to switch the laptop off. Reuse the command pattern “zet hem uit” when telling someone to turn a device off.

hem “Hem” means “it” here and refers back to the laptop in “zet hem uit”. Use it as the object after the verb when referring back to that device.

uit In “zet hem uit”, “uit” means off and completes the meaning of switching the laptop off. Reuse “iets uitzetten” or the sentence pattern “zet hem uit” for turning a device off.

als “Als” means if in “als hij nog aanstaat” and introduces the condition for the instruction. Use “als” before a condition when an action depends on whether something is true.

hij “Hij” refers to the laptop in “als hij nog aanstaat”, so it means “it” in this context rather than a person. Reuse it when referring back to the laptop in the condition “als hij nog aanstaat”.

nog “Nog” means still in “als hij nog aanstaat” and shows that the laptop may continue to be switched on. Use it to describe a state that has not changed yet.

aanstaat “Aan staat” in the combined form “aanstaat” means is switched on or running in “als hij nog aanstaat”. Reuse it in a condition about whether a device is still on.

Zal “Zal” begins the question “Zal ik proberen het met een föhn te drogen?” and asks whether the speaker should do something. Reuse the pattern “Zal ik ...?” when proposing or checking an action.

proberen “Proberen” means try in “Zal ik proberen het met een föhn te drogen?”. It introduces an attempted action, followed here by “te drogen”; reuse the pattern “proberen ... te ...” when asking about trying something.

met “Met” means with in “met een föhn” and identifies the tool used for drying. Use “met” before an object or tool when saying what something is done with.

een “Een” means “a” or “an” in “een föhn” and “Een technicus”. Put it before a singular, non-specific noun when introducing one item or person.

föhn “Föhn” means hair dryer, the proposed tool in “met een föhn te drogen”. Use it after “een” when naming this device as the tool for drying something.

te In “te drogen”, “te” marks the infinitive used after “proberen”. Reuse it in the pattern “proberen ... te ...” before the action being attempted.

drogen “Drogen” means dry in “het met een föhn te drogen”. It names the intended action and can be used with an object and a tool, as in “met een föhn te drogen”.

Warmte “Warmte” means heat and is presented as a possible cause of further damage. Use it as the subject of a warning, as in “Warmte kan ...”.

kan “Kan” means can or may in “Warmte kan meer schade veroorzaken” and expresses possibility or ability. Reuse the pattern “kan” followed by an action to say what may happen.

meer “Meer” means more in “meer schade” and indicates an additional amount of damage. Put it before a noun such as “schade” when warning that the amount may increase.

schade “Schade” means damage, referring here to harm to the laptop. It can be used as the object of “veroorzaken” or in “de schade” when discussing the existing problem.

veroorzaken “Veroorzaken” means cause in “kan meer schade veroorzaken”. Reuse the pattern “iets kan schade veroorzaken” when explaining what may create damage.

Laat “Laat” is an instruction to have or allow an action to be done in “Laat het door een technicus nakijken”. Reuse the pattern “Laat ... nakijken” when advising someone to arrange an inspection.

door In “door een technicus”, “door” means by and identifies who performs the checking. Use “door” before a person when describing who carries out an action.

technicus “Technicus” means technician, the professional who should inspect the laptop. Use it after “een” in “een technicus” or after “door” in “door een technicus”.

nakijken “Nakijken” means check or inspect in “Laat het door een technicus nakijken”. Reuse the pattern “iets laten nakijken” when arranging for someone to inspect an object.

maak In “Ik maak me zorgen”, “maak” is the verb form used in the expression meaning “I am worried”. Reuse the complete expression “Ik maak me zorgen” when telling someone that you are concerned.

me “Me” refers back to the speaker in “Ik maak me zorgen” and is part of the expression for being worried. Reuse it in the pattern “Ik maak me zorgen” when describing your own concern.

zorgen In “Ik maak me zorgen”, “zorgen” contributes to the expression meaning “I am worried” or “I am concerned”. Use the full pattern “Ik maak me zorgen” when reacting to a problem.

omdat “Omdat” means because and introduces the reason in “omdat mijn projectbestanden erop staan”. Use it before a reason clause when explaining why you feel or do something.

projectbestanden “Projectbestanden” means project files, the files the speaker is worried about losing. Use it as the subject of “mijn projectbestanden erop staan” when referring to files belonging to a project.

erop In “mijn projectbestanden erop staan”, “erop” means on it and refers to the laptop. Use it to refer back to a surface or device already mentioned when something is stored or located on it.

staan In “mijn projectbestanden erop staan”, “staan” says that the files are on or stored on the laptop. Reuse it with files in a pattern such as “bestanden erop staan” when describing where they are kept.

Controleer “Controleer” is a direct instruction to check in “Controleer je cloud-back-up”. Use it at the start of an instruction when telling someone to verify information or a resource.

je In “je cloud-back-up”, “je” means your and identifies the backup belonging to the listener. Put it before a noun when referring to something associated with the person being addressed.

cloud-back-up “Cloud-back-up” means cloud backup, the online copy that should be checked. It appears after “je” in “je cloud-back-up” when referring to the listener’s stored backup.

vanaf “Vanaf” means from in “vanaf een ander apparaat” and identifies the device used as the starting point for checking. Use “vanaf” before a device or location when an action is performed from there.

ander “Ander” means another or other in “een ander apparaat”. Use it before a noun when choosing an alternative to the one currently being discussed.

apparaat “Apparaat” means device, here a device other than the damaged laptop. Use it after “een ander” in “een ander apparaat” when referring to an alternative piece of technology.

voordat “Voordat” means before and introduces the action that should happen later in “voordat je de laptop weer aanraakt”. Use it before a clause to set a time limit or order between actions.

weer “Weer” means again in “de laptop weer aanraakt” and shows that touching the laptop would happen another time. Use it when an action is repeated after it has already happened.

aanraakt “Aanraakt” means touch in “voordat je de laptop weer aanraakt”. It is used after “je” in the clause and can be reused when warning someone not to touch an object yet.

meeste “Meeste” means most in “De meeste bestanden” and refers to the greater part of the files. Reuse the pattern “De meeste” before a plural noun when referring to most members of a group.

bestanden “Bestanden” means files in “De meeste bestanden waren al gesynchroniseerd”. Use it after a quantity expression such as “De meeste” when discussing several files.

waren In “De meeste bestanden waren al gesynchroniseerd”, “waren” states the past condition of the files. Reuse it before a description of what files were like or what state they were in.

al “Al” means already in “waren al gesynchroniseerd” and shows that the syncing had happened by that point. Use it to say that something was completed earlier than expected or before the current moment.

gesynchroniseerd “Gesynchroniseerd” means synced or synchronized in “waren al gesynchroniseerd”. It describes the state of the files and is useful when reporting that files are already matched with a backup or service.

uitstaan “Uitstaan” means remain switched off in “Laat de laptop uitstaan”. It describes keeping the laptop in the off state; reuse the pattern “Laat ... uitstaan” when giving the same kind of instruction.

probeer “Probeer” is a direct instruction to try in “probeer hem niet te snel aan te zetten”. Use it to tell someone to attempt an action, including in the negative instruction “probeer ... niet”.

niet “Niet” makes the instruction negative in “probeer hem niet te snel aan te zetten”. Put it with the verb phrase when telling someone not to perform an action.

snel In “niet te snel”, “snel” means quickly or soon and describes how soon the laptop should be started. Reuse the pattern “niet te snel” when warning someone not to act too soon.

aan In “aan te zetten”, “aan” contributes the meaning of switching on. Reuse it with “zetten” in the expression “aan te zetten” when referring to turning a device on.

zetten In “aan te zetten”, “zetten” combines with “aan” to mean turn on or switch on. Reuse the pattern “iets aan te zetten” when describing the action of powering a device on.

breng “Breng” means take or bring in “Ik breng hem naar een technicus” and describes taking the laptop to a professional. Reuse the pattern “Ik breng ... naar ...” when saying that you will take something to a destination.

naar “Naar” means to and introduces the destination in “naar een technicus”. Use it before a person or place when describing where something or someone is taken.

vraag “Vraag” means ask in “vraag wat de volgende stap is”. It introduces a request for information; reuse the pattern “vraag wat ... is” when asking what something is or should be.

volgende “Volgende” means next in “de volgende stap”. Put it before a noun to identify the action or item that comes after the current one.

stap “Stap” means step in “wat de volgende stap is”, referring to the next action in solving the problem. Use it with “volgende” when asking what to do next.

zonder “Zonder” means without in “zonder de schade erger te maken”. It introduces an action that should not occur; reuse the pattern “zonder ... te ...” when describing how to avoid an unwanted result.

erger “Erger” means worse in “de schade erger te maken” and describes an increase in the seriousness of the damage. Use it with “maken” in the pattern “iets erger maken” when saying that something worsens a problem.

maken In “de schade erger te maken”, “maken” means make and describes causing the damage to become worse. Reuse the pattern “iets erger maken” when explaining that an action could worsen an existing problem.

Grammar Points

omdat + bijzin: het werkwoord staat achteraan

omdat de laptop aanstaat

ohm-DAHT duh LAP-top AAN-staht

because the laptop is on

In een bijzin met omdat staat het vervoegde werkwoord aan het einde. Dit verschilt van de gewone Engelse woordvolgorde.

Dutch Vocabulary

aanstaan verb

AAN-stahn to be on aanstaat

drogen verb

DROH-gun to dry

föhn noun

FUHN hair dryer

koffie noun

KAW-fee coffee

laptop noun

LAP-top laptop

meteen adv

muh-TAYN immediately

morsen verb

MOR-sun to spill gemorst

proberen verb

proh-BAY-run to try

terechtkomen verb

tuh-REKHT-koh-mun to end up terechtgekomen

toetsenbord noun

TOOT-sun-bort keyboard

vloeistof noun

VLOH-yee-stof liquid

warmte noun

WARM-tuh heat

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Most of the files were already synced.

Show Answer

De meeste bestanden waren al gesynchroniseerd.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to be on

Show Answer

aanstaat

laptop

Show Answer

laptop

hair dryer

Show Answer

föhn

keyboard

Show Answer

toetsenbord