Rescheduling a Meeting Because of Icy Roads | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: On an icy morning with poor visibility, two adults discuss changing an in-person meeting to an online option or a safer time..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Rescheduling a Meeting Because of Icy Roads to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

De wegen zijn glad en het zicht is vanochtend slecht.

duh VAY-khun zayn khlaht un ut zikht iss vah-NOKH-tunt slekht The roads are icy, and visibility is poor this morning.
B

Naar de afspraak rijden klinkt riskant.

NAHR duh uhf-SPRAHKH RYE-dun klinkt riss-KAHNT Driving to the meeting sounds risky.
A

Ik vind het vervelend om de afspraak te verzetten, maar veiligheid moet vooropstaan.

ik vint ut vuh-RVAY-lunt um duh uhf-SPRAHKH tuh vuh-ZET-tun, mahr VAY-luh-khyte moot vohr-OP-STAHN I hate to reschedule, but safety should come first.
B

Stuur ze nu een bericht en leg duidelijk uit hoe de wegen zijn.

STEW-r zuh new un buh-RIKHT un lekh DOY-luhk OWT khoo duh VAY-khun zayn Message them now and explain the road conditions clearly.
A

Zal ik voorstellen om online af te spreken in plaats van helemaal af te zeggen?

zahl ik vohr-STEL-lun um on-LYNE uhf tuh SPRAY-kun in PLAHTS vahn hay-luh-MAHL uhf tuh ZEKH-un Should I suggest meeting online instead of canceling completely?
B

Zo kan het werk doorgaan zonder dat iemand hoeft te reizen.

zoh kahn ut werk DOHR-khahn ZON-dur daht EEM-ahnt hooft tuh RYE-zun That would keep the work moving without anyone traveling.
A

Ik kan vragen of videobellen voor hen zou werken.

ik kahn VRAH-khun uf VEE-dee-oh-BEL-lun vohr hen zow WER-kun I can ask whether joining by video would work for them.
B

Bied ook aan om elkaar persoonlijk te ontmoeten zodra de wegen veiliger zijn.

beet ohk ahn um uhl-KAHR PAIR-sohn-luhk tuh ONT-moot-un ZOH-drah duh VAY-khun VAY-luh-khur zayn Offer to meet in person once the roads are safer, too.
A

Als ze liever willen wachten, komt morgen mij ook goed uit.

ahls zuh LEE-vur VIL-lun VAKH-tun, komt MOR-khun may ohk khoot OWT If they would rather wait, tomorrow also works for me.
B

Duidelijke opties zouden het gemakkelijker moeten maken om de verandering te accepteren.

DOY-duh-luh-kuh OP-sees ZOW-dun ut khuh-MAH-kuh-luh-kur MOOT-un MAH-kun um duh vuh-AHN-dur-ing tuh ak-sep-TAY-run Clear options should make the change easier to accept.

Word by Word

De “De” means “the” before “wegen” in this dialogue. It is used directly before a noun, as in “De wegen zijn glad”.
wegen “Wegen” means “roads” here. It is used as the subject in “De wegen zijn glad” when describing road conditions.
zijn “Zijn” means “are” in “De wegen zijn glad.” It is the form of “zijn” used with the plural subject “De wegen”.
glad “Glad” means icy or slippery here, describing the road surface. It is used after “zijn” in “De wegen zijn glad” to describe a condition.
en “En” means “and” and connects the two weather observations in “De wegen zijn glad en het zicht is vanochtend slecht.” Use it to join two related statements.
het “Het” means “the” before “zicht” in this dialogue. It is part of the noun phrase “het zicht” when talking about visibility.
zicht “Zicht” means visibility here, especially how clearly people can see. It is used with “slecht” in “het zicht is vanochtend slecht” to describe poor visibility.
is “Is” means “is” in “het zicht is vanochtend slecht.” It is the form of “zijn” used with the singular phrase “het zicht”.
vanochtend “Vanochtend” means “this morning” and places the poor visibility in time. It appears before “slecht” in “het zicht is vanochtend slecht”.
slecht “Slecht” means poor or bad here, describing the visibility. In “het zicht is vanochtend slecht,” it follows “is” to describe the condition.
Naar “Naar” means “to” or “toward” in “Naar de afspraak rijden.” It marks the destination of the driving in this expression.
afspraak “Afspraak” means appointment or meeting here. The phrase “naar de afspraak rijden” describes driving to a scheduled meeting.
rijden “Rijden” means driving or to drive in “Naar de afspraak rijden.” It follows the destination phrase and refers to traveling by vehicle.
klinkt “Klinkt” means “sounds” in “klinkt riskant,” expressing an assessment of the idea. It commonly appears before an adjective describing how something seems.
riskant “Riskant” means risky here, describing the idea of driving to the meeting. It follows “klinkt” in “rijden klinkt riskant” to give that assessment.
Ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Ik vind het vervelend.” It is used before the verb when the speaker gives a personal opinion.
vind “Vind” means “find” or “consider” in “Ik vind het vervelend.” The pattern “Ik vind het vervelend om...” lets the speaker describe a situation as unpleasant.
vervelend “Vervelend” means unpleasant or regrettable here, referring to rescheduling the appointment. It follows “Ik vind het” in “Ik vind het vervelend om de afspraak te verzetten.”
om “Om” introduces the infinitive phrase “om de afspraak te verzetten,” meaning “to reschedule the meeting.” The pattern “het vervelend om ... te” connects an evaluation with an action.
te “Te” is the infinitive marker in “om de afspraak te verzetten.” It appears directly before “verzetten” in this construction.
verzetten “Verzetten” means reschedule or move here, referring to changing the appointment time. It appears in “om de afspraak te verzetten” after “om ... te”.
maar “Maar” means “but” and contrasts the regret about rescheduling with the priority of safety. It connects the two parts of “Ik vind het vervelend ..., maar veiligheid moet vooropstaan.”
veiligheid “Veiligheid” means safety here. In “veiligheid moet vooropstaan,” it is the priority that should guide the decision.
moet “Moet” means “must” or “should” in “veiligheid moet vooropstaan.” It expresses a strong requirement about what should take priority.
vooropstaan “Vooropstaan” means come first or take priority here. The expression “veiligheid moet vooropstaan” is useful when saying that safety has the highest priority.
Stuur “Stuur” means “send” in the instruction “Stuur ze nu een bericht.” It is used to tell someone to send something to another person.
ze “Ze” means “them” in “Stuur ze nu een bericht,” referring to the people connected with the meeting. It appears between the verb and the thing being sent in this sentence.
nu “Nu” means “now” and asks for the message to be sent immediately. It appears in the instruction “Stuur ze nu een bericht.”
een “Een” means “a” or “an” before “bericht.” The phrase “een bericht” refers to one message without identifying a specific message.
bericht “Bericht” means message here, the thing that should be sent. It appears in “Stuur ze nu een bericht” after the recipient “ze.”
leg “Leg” means “explain” in “leg duidelijk uit hoe de wegen zijn.” Together with “uit,” it introduces an explanation of the road conditions.
duidelijk “Duidelijk” means clearly here and describes how the road conditions should be explained. It appears between “leg” and “uit” in “leg duidelijk uit.”
uit “Uit” completes the expression “leg ... uit,” meaning explain. The full expression “leg duidelijk uit hoe de wegen zijn” introduces the information to be explained.
hoe “Hoe” means “how” in “hoe de wegen zijn.” It introduces the description of the roads after “leg duidelijk uit.”
Zal “Zal” introduces the question “Zal ik voorstellen...?” and expresses “shall I” or “will I” as a suggestion. It stands at the beginning of this yes-or-no question.
voorstellen “Voorstellen” means suggest or propose here. The pattern “Zal ik voorstellen om online af te spreken” is used to ask whether one should suggest an option.
online “Online” means online, referring here to meeting through the internet instead of in person. It appears in “online af te spreken” to describe the meeting format.
afspreken “Afspreken” means meet or arrange to meet in “online af te spreken.” It is used after “voorstellen om” to name the suggested activity.
in “In” is part of the expression “in plaats van,” meaning instead of. It does not mean a physical location in this dialogue.
plaats “Plaats” means place inside the fixed expression “in plaats van,” which means instead of. The expression introduces the option being replaced.
van “Van” completes “in plaats van,” meaning instead of in this sentence. It is followed by “helemaal af te zeggen,” the alternative that is being avoided.
helemaal “Helemaal” means completely here and modifies the cancellation. In “helemaal af te zeggen,” it means canceling completely rather than choosing another format.
af “Af” forms the expression “af te zeggen,” meaning to cancel. It works together with “zeggen,” so the full expression should be learned as “af te zeggen.”
zeggen “Zeggen” means say, but in “af te zeggen” it contributes to the expression meaning cancel. The phrase “helemaal af te zeggen” refers to canceling the meeting completely.
Zo “Zo” means “that way” or “thus” here, referring to the proposed online option. It introduces the result in “Zo kan het werk doorgaan.”
kan “Kan” means “can” in “kan het werk doorgaan,” expressing that the work is able to continue. It is followed by the subject “het werk” and the verb “doorgaan.”
werk “Werk” means work here, referring to the activity that can continue. The phrase “het werk doorgaan” appears in the sentence “Zo kan het werk doorgaan.”
doorgaan “Doorgaan” means continue here, describing the work continuing despite the changed meeting format. It follows “kan” in “kan het werk doorgaan.”
zonder “Zonder” means “without” and introduces the condition that nobody needs to travel. Here it is followed by “dat iemand hoeft te reizen,” a full clause.
dat “Dat” introduces the clause “dat iemand hoeft te reizen” after “zonder.” It connects “zonder” with the information about nobody needing to travel.
iemand “Iemand” means anyone or someone here, referring to a person who might otherwise travel. In “zonder dat iemand hoeft te reizen,” it appears in the clause after “dat.”
hoeft “Hoeft” means needs to or has to in “iemand hoeft te reizen.” With “zonder,” the phrase says that no one needs to travel.
reizen “Reizen” means travel here. It follows “hoeft te” in “iemand hoeft te reizen,” which describes the travel that is unnecessary.
vragen “Vragen” means ask in “Ik kan vragen of videobellen voor hen zou werken.” It is followed by “of” to introduce the question being asked.
of “Of” means whether in “vragen of videobellen voor hen zou werken.” It introduces an indirect yes-or-no question.
videobellen “Videobellen” means video calling here, referring to joining the meeting by video. It is the subject of “videobellen ... zou werken” in the indirect question.
voor “Voor” means “for” in “voor hen zou werken.” It marks the people for whom the video call might be suitable.
hen “Hen” means “them” after “voor” in “voor hen zou werken.” It refers to the people who would join or evaluate the video option.
zou “Zou” expresses “would” in “videobellen voor hen zou werken.” It presents the suitability of video calling as a possibility being checked.
werken “Werken” means work or function here, asking whether video calling would be suitable for them. The pattern “zou ... werken voor hen” is used to ask whether an option will be effective for specific people.
Bied “Bied” means “offer” in the instruction “Bied ook aan om elkaar persoonlijk te ontmoeten.” Together with “aan,” it introduces something offered to someone.
ook “Ook” means “also” or “too” and adds the in-person meeting as another option. It appears in “Bied ook aan” before the offer is stated.
aan “Aan” completes “bied ... aan,” meaning offer. The full pattern “Bied ook aan om...” introduces an additional proposal.
elkaar “Elkaar” means “each other” in “elkaar persoonlijk te ontmoeten.” It shows that the people in the meeting would meet one another.
persoonlijk “Persoonlijk” means in person or personally here, contrasting with the online option. It modifies “te ontmoeten” in “elkaar persoonlijk te ontmoeten.”
ontmoeten “Ontmoeten” means meet here. The phrase “elkaar persoonlijk te ontmoeten” describes meeting one another face to face.
zodra “Zodra” means “as soon as” or “once” and introduces the point when the roads become safer. It begins the time clause “zodra de wegen veiliger zijn.”
veiliger “Veiliger” means safer here, comparing the future road conditions with the current risky conditions. It appears before “zijn” in “de wegen veiliger zijn.”
Als “Als” means “if” in “Als ze liever willen wachten.” It introduces a condition under which tomorrow is also suitable.
liever “Liever” means rather or preferably here, expressing a preference to wait. It appears before “willen wachten” in “ze liever willen wachten.”
willen “Willen” means want in “ze liever willen wachten.” It is followed by “wachten” to express what they would prefer to do.
wachten “Wachten” means wait here, referring to delaying the meeting until conditions improve. It follows “willen” in “liever willen wachten.”
komt “Komt” means “comes,” but in “komt morgen mij goed uit” it expresses that tomorrow suits or works for the speaker. The reusable pattern is “komt ... mij goed uit” for saying that a time is convenient.
morgen “Morgen” means tomorrow and names the alternative meeting day. In “komt morgen mij ook goed uit,” it is the time that suits the speaker.
mij “Mij” means “me” in “komt morgen mij ook goed uit.” It identifies the person for whom tomorrow is convenient.
goed “Goed” means well or satisfactorily in “komt ... goed uit,” which means suits or works out. The phrase “komt morgen mij ook goed uit” is used to say that a proposed time is convenient.
Duidelijke “Duidelijke” means clear here, describing options that are easy to understand. It appears before “opties” in “Duidelijke opties”.
opties “Opties” means options here, referring to the possible meeting arrangements. It is modified by “Duidelijke” in “Duidelijke opties.”
zouden “Zouden” expresses “would” in “zouden ... moeten maken,” presenting the expected effect of the clear options. It works together with “moeten” in this sentence.
gemakkelijker “Gemakkelijker” means easier here, comparing the change with how difficult it might otherwise be to accept. It appears before “moeten maken” in “gemakkelijker moeten maken.”
moeten “Moeten” means should or must in “zouden ... moeten maken,” expressing an expected or desirable effect. Together with “zouden,” it softens the claim about what clear options ought to do.
maken “Maken” means make in “het gemakkelijker moeten maken om de verandering te accepteren.” It appears after “moeten” and takes the result “het gemakkelijker” plus the action introduced by “om.”
verandering “Verandering” means change here, referring to changing the original meeting arrangement. It appears as “de verandering,” the thing that people are expected to accept.
accepteren “Accepteren” means accept here, referring to accepting the change in meeting plans. It follows “om ... te” in “om de verandering te accepteren.”

Grammar Points

Separable verb: leg ... uit

Leg de verandering duidelijk uit.

lekh duh vuh-AHN-dur-ing DOY-luhk OWT

Explain the change clearly.

In a main clause, a separable verb splits: the prefix moves to the end of the sentence.

in plaats van + te-infinitief

In plaats van de afspraak af te zeggen, kunnen we videobellen.

in PLAHTS vahn duh uhf-SPRAHKH uhf tuh ZEKH-un, KUN-un vuh VEE-dee-oh-BEL-lun

Instead of cancelling the appointment, we can make a video call.

After in plaats van, use te plus the infinitive; with a separable verb, te comes between the prefix and verb.

Dutch Vocabulary

afspraak noun
uhf-SPRAHKH appointment; meeting

Naar de afspraak rijden klinkt riskant.

bericht noun
buh-RIKHT message

Stuur ze nu een bericht.

glad adj
khlaht icy; slippery

De wegen zijn glad.

rijden verb
RYE-dun to drive

Naar de afspraak rijden klinkt riskant.

riskant adj
riss-KAHNT risky

Rijden klinkt riskant.

vanochtend adv
vah-NOKH-tunt this morning

Het zicht is vanochtend slecht.

veiligheid noun
VAY-luh-khyte safety

Veiligheid moet vooropstaan.

vervelend adj
vuh-RVAY-lunt unpleasant; annoying

Ik vind het vervelend om de afspraak te verzetten.

verzetten verb
vuh-ZET-tun to reschedule; to move

De afspraak verzetten.

vooropstaan verb
vohr-OP-STAHN to come first; to be paramount

Veiligheid moet vooropstaan.

weg noun
vekh road wegen

De wegen zijn glad.

zicht noun
zikht visibility

Het zicht is vanochtend slecht.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Driving to the meeting sounds risky.

Show AnswerNaar de afspraak rijden klinkt riskant.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

visibility

Show Answerzicht

to reschedule; to move

Show Answerverzetten

appointment; meeting

Show Answerafspraak

this morning

Show Answervanochtend