Preparing for a stormy commute | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Preparing for a stormy commute to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Er kan tijdens mijn reis naar het werk een storm komen.

air kahn TIGH-dens mine rice nar hut verk uhn storm KOH-muhn. A storm may hit during my commute.

Als je moet reizen, vertrek dan eerder en houd je route flexibel.

ahls yuh moot RIGH-zuhn, ver-TREK dahn AYR-der en howt yuh ROOT-uh flek-see-BEHL. If you have to travel, leave earlier and keep your route flexible.

Ik moet naar kantoor.

ik moot nar KAHN-tor. I need to go to the office.

Maar ik kan terugkomen voordat de storm sterker wordt.

mahr ik kahn tuh-RUK-koh-muhn voor-DAHT duh storm STAIR-ker vort. But I can come back before it gets stronger.

Draag waterdichte schoenen en vermijd straten die meestal overstromen.

drahkh WAH-ter-dikh-tuh SKHOO-nuhn en ver-MITE STRAH-tuhn dee MAY-stahl OH-ver-STROH-muhn. Wear waterproof shoes and avoid any streets that usually flood.

De tunnel bij het station loopt bij hevige regen vaak onder water.

duh TUN-nuhl bay hut stah-SHON lohpt bay HAY-vuh-khuh RAY-khuhn fahk ON-der WAH-ter. The underpass near the station often floods in heavy rain.

Neem in plaats daarvan de hoofdweg, ook als dat iets meer tijd kost.

naym in plahts dar-VAHN duh HOHFT-vekh, ohk ahls daht eets mayr tite kost. Take the main road instead, even if it adds a little time.

Zou een waterdichte hoes helpen om mijn laptop te beschermen?

zow uhn WAH-ter-dikh-tuh hoos HELP-uhn om mine LAP-top tuh beh-SKHER-muhn? Would a waterproof sleeve help protect my laptop?

Gebruik er een, want vertragingen zijn frustrerend, maar beschadigde apparatuur is erger.

geh-BROYK er uhn, vahnt ver-TRAH-khuhng-uhn zain frus-TRAY-runt, mahr beh-SKHAH-dikh-duh ah-pah-rah-TOOR is AIR-kher. Use one, because delays are frustrating, but damaged equipment is worse.

Voordat ik vertrek, zorg ik dat de batterij van mijn telefoon vol is.

voor-DAHT ik ver-TREK, zorkh ik daht duh bah-tuh-RAY van mine tay-FOHN vol is. Before I leave, I will make sure my phone battery is full.

Dan kun je de updates bekijken als de route verandert.

dahn kun yuh duh UP-dayts buh-KIGH-kuhn ahls duh ROOT-uh ver-AHN-dert. Then you can check updates if the route changes.

Word by Word

Er Er introduces the possibility that something happens in Er kan tijdens mijn reis naar het werk een storm komen; it does not mean a physical place here. It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence presenting an event or possibility, such as Er kan vertraging zijn. Use it when announcing that something may happen.

kan Kan expresses that a storm may or can come in Er kan tijdens mijn reis naar het werk een storm komen. It is followed here by an infinitive, komen, to describe the possible event. Use kan + infinitive for ability or possibility, depending on context.

tijdens Tijdens means during and places the event within a period, as in tijdens mijn reis naar het werk. It is followed by the noun phrase that names the period. Use tijdens + a time or activity when something happens within it.

mijn Mijn means my and shows that the reis naar het werk belongs to or is connected with the speaker. It comes directly before the noun phrase mijn reis. Use mijn before a noun when referring to something associated with yourself.

reis Reis means journey or trip; here it refers to the speaker’s journey to work in mijn reis naar het werk. The noun can be followed by naar to specify the destination. Use reis naar + destination for a journey toward a place.

naar Naar marks the destination in mijn reis naar het werk, meaning a journey to work. It commonly comes before a place or destination, as in naar kantoor. Use naar + destination when describing movement toward somewhere.

het Het is the definite article in het werk, referring to work as a known general destination or activity. It appears directly before werk in this fixed expression. Use het before this noun phrase when saying naar het werk.

werk Werk means work in naar het werk, the destination of the speaker’s commute. It follows het in this noun phrase. Use naar het werk to describe going or travelling to work.

een Een means a or an and introduces one non-specific storm in een storm komen. It comes before the noun storm. Use een before a singular non-specific noun.

storm Storm means storm and names the weather event that may come during the speaker’s commute. In een storm, it is introduced as a non-specific event with een. Use storm when discussing severe windy weather.

komen Komen means come or arrive and describes the storm arriving in Er kan tijdens mijn reis naar het werk een storm komen. It follows kan as the infinitive in this sentence. Use komen for something or someone arriving or moving toward the relevant place or situation.

Als Als introduces the condition if you must travel in Als je moet reizen, vertrek dan eerder. It starts a conditional clause that gives the situation for the advice that follows. Use als + a clause when making advice dependent on a condition.

je Je means you and refers to the person receiving the travel advice in Als je moet reizen. It is the subject of the conditional clause. Use je before a verb when addressing someone in an ordinary direct way.

moet Moet expresses necessity: the listener has to travel in Als je moet reizen. It is followed by the infinitive reizen. Use moet + infinitive to say that someone must or has to do something.

reizen Reizen means travel in Als je moet reizen. It follows moet as the action that is necessary. Use reizen when referring to travelling from one place to another, often with a destination or route.

vertrek Vertrek gives the advice to leave or depart in vertrek dan eerder. It is used here to tell the listener what to do. Use vertrek + a time expression when advising someone to leave at a particular time.

dan Dan means then in vertrek dan eerder and connects the condition with the resulting advice. It points to what should happen if the condition applies. Use dan after a condition when introducing the consequent action.

eerder Eerder means earlier and tells the listener to leave earlier than planned in vertrek dan eerder. It modifies the timing of vertrek. Use eerder when comparing the recommended time with an expected or previous time.

en En means and and joins the two pieces of advice vertrek dan eerder and houd je route flexibel. It links actions that should both be followed. Use en to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal function.

houd Houd gives the instruction to keep the route flexible in houd je route flexibel. It is used here as advice directed at the listener. Use houd + object + adjective when telling someone to keep something in a particular condition.

route Route means route and is the travel path that should remain flexible in je route flexibel. It follows the possessive je. Use route with a destination, travel plan, or adjective describing how it should be managed.

flexibel Flexibel means flexible and describes the desired condition of the route in houd je route flexibel. It follows the object route after houd. Use houden + an object + flexibel when advising that a plan should be open to change.

Ik Ik means I and identifies the speaker as the person who needs to go to the office in Ik moet naar kantoor. It comes before moet in this sentence. Use Ik as the subject when describing your own actions, needs, or plans.

kantoor Kantoor means office and is the destination in Ik moet naar kantoor. It follows naar to name where the speaker needs to go. Use naar kantoor when referring to going to the office.

Maar Maar means but and introduces information that contrasts with the previous statement: the speaker must go to the office but can return before the storm gets stronger. It connects contrasting clauses. Use maar to present an exception, qualification, or opposing point.

terugkomen Terugkomen means come back or return in Ik kan terugkomen voordat de storm sterker wordt. It follows kan as the action the speaker is able to perform. Use terugkomen when returning to a place or situation already understood from context.

voordat Voordat introduces the event that must happen later in time: the speaker can return voordat de storm sterker wordt. It means before and is followed by a clause. Use voordat + clause to state that one event happens before another.

de De is the definite article in de storm and identifies the storm as the one already discussed. It comes directly before storm. Use de before this noun phrase when referring back to a specific storm.

sterker Sterker means stronger and describes the storm becoming more intense in de storm sterker wordt. It expresses a comparison with the storm’s current strength. Use sterker with wordt when describing something becoming stronger.

wordt Wordt means becomes or gets in de storm sterker wordt. It links the storm with the new condition sterker. Use wordt + an adjective when describing a change into a new state.

Draag Draag gives the instruction to wear in Draag waterdichte schoenen. It tells the listener what clothing or footwear to use for the stormy journey. Use draag + clothing or footwear when giving advice about what someone should wear.

waterdichte Waterdichte means waterproof and describes the shoes in waterdichte schoenen. It appears before the noun it modifies. Use waterdichte before an item that protects against water.

schoenen Schoenen means shoes and is the footwear recommended in Draag waterdichte schoenen. It follows the adjective waterdichte. Use schoenen when referring to footwear, especially with verbs such as draag.

vermijd Vermijd gives the instruction to avoid in vermijd straten die meestal overstromen. It tells the listener not to use certain streets. Use vermijd + a place, object, or situation that should not be encountered.

straten Straten means streets and is the object of vermijd in vermijd straten die meestal overstromen. The following clause identifies which streets are meant. Use straten with a location or relative clause when specifying roads in a town or city.

die Die introduces the relative clause die meestal overstromen, which describes the streets that should be avoided. It refers back to straten. Use die to add information about a previously mentioned noun such as a place or object.

meestal Meestal means usually and describes how regularly the streets flood in die meestal overstromen. It indicates a repeated pattern rather than a single event. Use meestal before the verb or verbal phrase when describing what normally happens.

overstromen Overstromen means flood in straten die meestal overstromen. It describes the streets becoming covered by water during heavy rain. Use overstromen for streets, areas, or places that flood.

tunnel Tunnel means tunnel or underpass and identifies the place that often becomes flooded near the station. It is introduced by de in de tunnel. Use tunnel for a passage through or under an obstacle, such as a road or railway.

bij Bij means near in bij het station, locating the tunnel close to the station. It also appears in bij hevige regen, where it describes the conditions under which flooding occurs. Use bij + a place for proximity and bij + a situation or weather condition for circumstances.

station Station means station and is the reference point in bij het station. It follows het in the phrase locating the tunnel. Use station when referring to a train or other public-transport station.

loopt Loopt contributes the verb in loopt onder water, describing the tunnel becoming flooded. Together with onder water, it describes water covering the tunnel rather than a person walking. Use iets loopt onder water when describing a place that becomes flooded.

hevige Hevige means heavy or intense and describes the rain in bij hevige regen. It appears before regen to indicate unusually strong conditions. Use hevige before weather or other conditions when describing their intensity.

regen Regen means rain and names the weather condition associated with the tunnel flooding. It appears in bij hevige regen. Use regen when discussing rainfall, often with an adjective describing its intensity.

vaak Vaak means often and says that the tunnel floods repeatedly in loopt bij hevige regen vaak onder water. It describes frequency. Use vaak when something happens regularly but not all the time.

onder Onder means under in onder water, the expression used to describe the tunnel as flooded. It combines with water to show that the tunnel is beneath or covered by water. Use onder + a noun to describe a position below something, including onder water.

water Water means water in onder water and identifies what covers the tunnel when it floods. It forms the expression onder water with onder. Use water when describing flooding, wet conditions, or a position beneath the surface.

Neem Neem gives the instruction to take or use the main road in Neem in plaats daarvan de hoofdweg. It tells the listener which alternative route to choose. Use neem + a route, road, or object when giving a direct instruction to choose or use it.

in In contributes the first part of the expression in plaats daarvan, meaning instead of that. It works together with plaats and daarvan to replace the previously mentioned route. Use the complete expression in plaats daarvan when choosing an alternative.

plaats Plaats means place in isolation, but in in plaats daarvan it is part of the expression meaning instead of that. The full expression refers back to the route mentioned earlier. Use in plaats daarvan to introduce a replacement choice without repeating the original option.

daarvan Daarvan refers back to the previously suggested route in in plaats daarvan, meaning instead of that. Together with in plaats, it identifies the alternative being chosen. Use daarvan when referring back to something already mentioned with the meaning of that or of it.

hoofdweg Hoofdweg means main road and is the alternative route recommended in de hoofdweg. It follows de because the speakers have a particular main road in mind. Use hoofdweg when referring to a larger or principal road.

ook Ook means even in ook als dat iets meer tijd kost. It introduces a condition that does not change the recommendation to take the main road. Use ook als + clause to mean even if something is the case.

dat Dat refers to the choice of taking the main road in ook als dat iets meer tijd kost. It is the subject of the clause describing what takes more time. Use dat to refer back to a previously mentioned fact, action, or situation.

iets Iets means a little in iets meer tijd, indicating a small additional amount. It modifies the comparative phrase meer tijd rather than referring to an unspecified object. Use iets + comparative expression to soften or limit the amount of a difference.

meer Meer means more in iets meer tijd and shows that the alternative route requires an additional amount of time. It comes before tijd in this phrase. Use meer + noun when comparing an amount with another amount.

tijd Tijd means time in iets meer tijd. It is the amount that the main road may require. Use tijd with kost when saying that an activity or route takes time.

kost Kost means takes in dat iets meer tijd kost, describing the time required by the alternative route. It is used with tijd as the amount required. Use iets kost tijd or iets kost meer tijd when describing how much time an action or route requires.

Zou Zou expresses would in the polite question Zou een waterdichte hoes helpen om mijn laptop te beschermen? It makes the question a tentative request for advice rather than a direct claim. Use zou + subject + infinitive when asking whether something would have a useful effect.

hoes Hoes means sleeve or protective case and refers to the waterproof cover for the laptop in een waterdichte hoes. It is modified by waterdichte. Use hoes for a cover that fits around or protects an object.

helpen Helpen means help in Zou een waterdichte hoes helpen om mijn laptop te beschermen? It asks whether the sleeve would be effective for the stated purpose. Use helpen om + an infinitive phrase when asking or saying that something helps to achieve an action.

om Om introduces the purpose phrase om mijn laptop te beschermen after helpen. It connects the help with the intended action of protecting the laptop. Use om + infinitive construction when stating the purpose or result an action is meant to support.

laptop Laptop means laptop and is the object being protected in mijn laptop te beschermen. It follows mijn to show that it belongs to the speaker. Use mijn laptop when referring to your own laptop.

te Te marks the infinitive beschermen in om mijn laptop te beschermen. Together with om, it forms the purpose construction after helpen. Use te before the infinitive in this type of infinitive phrase.

beschermen Beschermen means protect and names the purpose of the waterproof sleeve in om mijn laptop te beschermen. It follows te in the infinitive construction. Use iets beschermen when describing protection of an object, person, or place.

Gebruik Gebruik gives the instruction to use the sleeve in Gebruik er een. It is directed at the listener as practical advice. Use Gebruik + an object when telling someone to use a tool or protective item.

want Want means because or for and introduces the reason for using the sleeve: delays are frustrating, but damaged equipment is worse. It connects an explanation directly to the preceding advice. Use want before a clause that gives a reason.

vertragingen Vertragingen means delays and names the travel problems described as frustrating in vertragingen zijn frustrerend. It is used as the subject of the clause. Use vertragingen when talking about delays in transport, routes, or schedules.

zijn Zijn means are and links vertragingen with the description frustrerend in vertragingen zijn frustrerend. It connects a plural subject with a description. Use zijn with a plural subject when saying what something is like or what state it is in.

frustrerend Frustrerend means frustrating and describes delays in vertragingen zijn frustrerend. It gives the speaker’s evaluation of the delays. Use frustrerend to describe an event or situation that causes frustration.

beschadigde Beschadigde means damaged and describes the apparatuur in beschadigde apparatuur. It appears before the noun to identify equipment that has been harmed. Use beschadigde before an object when describing its damaged condition.

apparatuur Apparatuur means equipment and refers here to work equipment that could be damaged by water. It is modified by beschadigde in beschadigde apparatuur. Use apparatuur when referring collectively to tools or devices used for a task.

is Is means is and links beschadigde apparatuur with the comparison erger in beschadigde apparatuur is erger. It identifies the condition of the equipment as worse. Use is with a singular subject when describing what it is like or how serious it is.

erger Erger means worse and compares damaged equipment with the frustration of delays in beschadigde apparatuur is erger. It expresses a more serious negative result. Use erger when comparing two problems, situations, or outcomes.

zorg Zorg means make sure in zorg ik dat de batterij van mijn telefoon vol is. With the following clause, it says that the speaker will ensure the battery is full. Use zorg dat + clause when stating that you will ensure a condition or result.

batterij Batterij means battery and is the part of the phone whose condition the speaker will check. It appears in de batterij van mijn telefoon. Use batterij when referring to the power source of a phone or other device.

van Van links de batterij with the phone in de batterij van mijn telefoon, meaning the phone’s battery. It shows the relationship between the battery and the device. Use van + noun to express an of relationship or association.

telefoon Telefoon means phone and identifies the device in de batterij van mijn telefoon. It follows mijn to show that the phone belongs to the speaker. Use mijn telefoon when referring to your own phone.

vol Vol means full and describes the desired state of the phone battery in de batterij van mijn telefoon vol is. It follows the noun phrase it describes. Use vol is when saying that a battery or container has no remaining capacity.

kun Kun means can and expresses that the listener will be able to check updates in Dan kun je de updates bekijken. It is followed by the subject je and the infinitive bekijken. Use kun + subject + infinitive to describe someone’s ability or opportunity to do something.

updates Updates means updates and refers to current travel information in de updates bekijken. It is the object of bekijken. Use updates when referring to new information about a route, situation, or service.

bekijken Bekijken means check or view and describes looking at the updates in de updates bekijken. It follows kun as the infinitive. Use bekijken + an object when telling someone to look at information, a screen, or another visible item.

verandert Verandert means changes in als de route verandert. It describes the route becoming different from its current plan. Use verandert when a route, plan, or situation changes.

Grammar Points

voordat + bijzin: het werkwoord staat achteraan

Voordat je vertrekt, zorg dat je batterij vol is.

voor-DAHT yuh ver-TREKT, zorkh daht yuh bah-tuh-RAY vol is.

Before you leave, make sure your battery is full.

Na voordat staat het vervoegde werkwoord aan het einde van de bijzin.

in plaats daarvan + gebiedende wijs

Neem in plaats daarvan de hoofdweg.

naym in plahts dar-VAHN duh HOHFT-vekh.

Take the main road instead.

In plaats daarvan betekent “instead” en kan vóór het object in een opdracht staan.

Dutch Vocabulary

eerder adv

AYR-der earlier

flexibel adj

flek-see-BEHL flexible

kantoor noun

KAHN-tor office

reis naar het werk phrase

rice nar hut verk commute; journey to work

reizen verb

RIGH-zuhn to travel

route noun

ROOT-uh route

sterker adj

STAIR-ker stronger

storm noun

storm storm

terugkomen verb

tuh-RUK-koh-muhn to come back

tijdens prep

TIGH-dens during

vertrek verb

ver-TREK leave; depart

waterdichte adj

WAH-ter-dikh-tuh waterproof

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I need to go to the office.

Show Answer

Ik moet naar kantoor.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

storm

Show Answer

storm

during

Show Answer

tijdens

flexible

Show Answer

flexibel

office

Show Answer

kantoor