Checking travel bags before leaving | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Checking travel bags before leaving to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Onze reistassen moeten nog een laatste keer worden gecontroleerd voordat we vertrekken.

ON-zuh RICE-tah-sun MOO-tun nokh un LAHT-stuh kayr WOR-dun khun-troh-LAYRT voo-DAHT wuh fer-TREK-un. Our travel bags need a final check before we go.

Begin met de spullen die je tijdens de reis nodig hebt.

buh-GHIN met duh SPUH-lun dee yuh TIE-duns duh RICE NOH-dikh hept. Start with the items you need during the journey.

Ik heb mijn sleutels, medicijnen en een warme extra laag.

ick hehp mine SLUR-tuls, meh-dee-SAY-nun un un WAR-muh EK-struh lahkh. I have my keys, medicine, and a warm layer.

Kun je makkelijk bij de snacks en het water?

kuhn yuh MAH-kuh-luk bye duh sneks un ut WAH-tur? Are snacks and water easy to reach?

Ze zitten in het zijvak.

zuh ZIH-tun in ut ZIGH-vahk. They are in the side pocket.

En de opladers en kleine dingen voor extra comfort?

un duh OH-plah-durs un KLINE-uh DING-un vohr EK-struh KOM-fort? What about chargers and small comfort items?

Ik heb ze bij elkaar ingepakt, zodat ze makkelijk te vinden zijn.

ick hehp zuh bye el-KAHR ing-uh-PAHKT, zoh-DAHT zuh MAH-kuh-luk tuh VIN-dun zine. I packed them together so they are easy to find.

Dat zou de reis rustiger moeten maken als de plannen veranderen.

daht ZOW duh RICE RUHS-tuh-khur MOO-tun MAH-kun ahls duh PLAH-nun fer-AHN-duh-run. That should make the trip calmer if plans change.

Ik heb ook extra ruimte vrijgelaten voor alles wat we onderweg meenemen.

ick hehp ohk EK-struh ROY-mtuh VRY-khuh-LAH-tun vohr AH-lus waht wuh ON-dur-wekh MAY-nay-mun. I also left extra space for anything we pick up.

Dan zouden we moeten kunnen vertrekken zonder op het station opnieuw in te pakken.

dahn ZOW-dun wuh MOO-tun KUN-un fer-TREK-un ZON-dur op ut stah-SHON op-NEE-oo in tuh PAH-kun. Then we should be able to leave without repacking at the station.

Word by Word

Onze ‘Onze’ means “our” and shows that the reistassen belong to or are associated with the speakers. It is used before a plural noun, as in ‘Onze reistassen’. Use ‘Onze’ before plural things you are referring to together with another person.

reistassen ‘Reistassen’ means travel bags in this dialogue. It names the bags being checked before departure and is formed from reis and tassen. Use it for bags used to carry belongings on a journey.

moeten ‘Moeten’ expresses that something needs to happen: the bags ‘moeten ... worden gecontroleerd’, or need to be checked. It is followed here by the passive expression ‘worden gecontroleerd’. Use ‘moeten’ before an action that is required.

nog In ‘nog een laatste keer’, ‘nog’ adds the idea of one more or remaining check before departure. It helps show that the final check has not happened yet. A common reuse pattern is ‘nog een keer’ for “one more time” or “again”.

een ‘Een’ introduces one check or occasion in ‘een laatste keer’. Here it corresponds to “a” in the expression “a final time,” rather than naming a specific previously mentioned occasion. Use ‘een’ before a singular noun such as ‘keer’.

laatste ‘Laatste’ means final or last and describes ‘keer’ in ‘een laatste keer’. It marks this as the final check before leaving. Use ‘laatste’ before a noun when identifying the final item or occasion.

keer ‘Keer’ means a time or occasion in ‘een laatste keer’. The phrase refers to one final occasion for checking the bags. Use ‘keer’ in expressions such as ‘een keer’ when talking about an occurrence or repetition.

worden In ‘worden gecontroleerd’, ‘worden’ helps form the expression “be checked,” showing that the bags receive the checking action. Together with ‘gecontroleerd’, it presents the checking as something done to the bags. A common reuse pattern is ‘worden’ plus a completed action form for something being done.

gecontroleerd ‘Gecontroleerd’ means checked in ‘worden gecontroleerd’. It describes the completed checking action carried out on the travel bags; its citation form is ‘controleren’. Use ‘gecontroleerd’ with ‘worden’ when describing something that is being checked.

voordat ‘Voordat’ means before and introduces the event that must happen first in ‘voordat we vertrekken’. It connects the final check with the later departure. Use ‘voordat’ before a clause describing an earlier event.

we ‘We’ means “we” and refers to the two people who will leave together. It is the subject of ‘vertrekken’ in ‘voordat we vertrekken’. Use ‘we’ when speaking about yourself together with at least one other person.

vertrekken ‘Vertrekken’ means leave or depart in ‘we vertrekken’. Here it refers to leaving for the journey after the bags have been checked. Use ‘vertrekken’ for leaving a place or setting off.

Begin ‘Begin’ tells the other person to start with something: ‘Begin met de spullen’. It is a direct instruction, related to the verb ‘beginnen’. Use ‘Begin met’ when giving someone a starting point for a task.

met In ‘Begin met de spullen’, ‘met’ means with and identifies what the person should start with. It links the instruction to the first group of items. Use ‘beginnen met’ or ‘Begin met’ before the thing or activity that comes first.

de ‘De’ means “the” before ‘spullen’, referring to the items relevant to the journey. It introduces a specific group of things rather than an unspecified item. Use ‘de’ before a noun when referring to a known or identified thing.

spullen ‘Spullen’ means things or belongings, especially the personal items needed for the journey. It is the object of ‘Begin met’ in ‘Begin met de spullen’. Use ‘spullen’ for a group of belongings when the individual items do not need to be listed.

die ‘Die’ means “that” or “which” in ‘de spullen die je tijdens de reis nodig hebt’. It introduces information identifying which belongings are meant. Use ‘die’ to connect a noun with a clause that describes or specifies it.

je ‘Je’ refers to the person being addressed in ‘die je ... nodig hebt’. It means “you” here and is the subject of ‘nodig hebt’. Use ‘je’ when addressing someone in an ordinary informal or general situation.

tijdens ‘Tijdens’ means during and places the need for the items within the journey: ‘tijdens de reis’. It is followed here by the noun phrase ‘de reis’. Use ‘tijdens’ before an event or period to say when something happens.

reis ‘Reis’ means journey or trip in ‘tijdens de reis’. It names the period during which the items will be needed. Use ‘reis’ for a journey or trip, often with ‘de’ or another determiner.

nodig In ‘nodig hebt’, ‘nodig’ expresses that something is needed. The phrase ‘die je tijdens de reis nodig hebt’ means “that you need during the journey.” Use ‘nodig hebben’ with an object for something a person needs.

hebt ‘Hebt’ completes ‘nodig hebt’ and means “have” in the sense of having a need. With ‘je’, it forms the expression “you need” in this sentence; it is related to ‘hebben’. Use ‘je hebt’ when saying that you have something or need something with ‘nodig’.

Ik ‘Ik’ means “I” and identifies the speaker who lists the items already packed. It is the subject of ‘heb’ in the following dialogue. Use ‘Ik’ to talk about yourself.

mijn ‘Mijn’ means “my” and shows that the keys belong to or are carried by the speaker. It comes directly before ‘sleutels’ in ‘mijn sleutels’. Use ‘mijn’ before a noun when referring to something connected with yourself.

sleutels ‘Sleutels’ means keys and is one of the items the speaker has packed. It is part of the list ‘mijn sleutels, medicijnen en ...’. Use it for keys used to open or lock something.

medicijnen ‘Medicijnen’ means medicines and names another item the speaker has with them. It appears in a list after ‘mijn sleutels’. Use ‘medicijnen’ when referring to medicine items in general or in the plural.

en ‘En’ means “and” and joins the listed items ‘medicijnen’ and ‘een warme extra laag’. It adds another item without starting a new sentence. Use ‘en’ to connect words, phrases, or clauses.

warme ‘Warme’ means warm and describes ‘laag’ in ‘een warme extra laag’. It indicates that the extra clothing layer is intended to provide warmth. Use ‘warme’ before a noun when describing something as warm in a phrase like this.

extra ‘Extra’ means additional or extra in ‘een warme extra laag’. It shows that the layer is an added piece of clothing, not the main layer already being worn. Use ‘extra’ before a noun for something added beyond what is already present.

laag ‘Laag’ means layer and refers here to an additional layer of clothing. It is the noun described by ‘warme’ and ‘extra’. Use ‘laag’ for one layer of clothing or material.

Kun ‘Kun’ means “can” in the question ‘Kun je makkelijk bij de snacks en het water?’. With ‘bij’ and the items that follow, it asks whether the person can reach or access them easily. Use ‘Kun je ...?’ to ask someone whether they are able to do something or access something.

makkelijk ‘Makkelijk’ means easily or without difficulty in ‘makkelijk bij de snacks en het water’. It describes how easy it is to reach the items. Use ‘makkelijk’ with an action or access expression when something can be done without difficulty.

bij In ‘bij de snacks en het water kunnen’, ‘bij’ helps express access to the snacks and water, rather than simply location. The question asks whether the person can get to them easily. A common reuse pattern is ‘bij iets kunnen’ for being able to reach or access something.

snacks ‘Snacks’ means snacks and names food that should be easy to reach during the journey. It is joined with ‘het water’ in the question. Use ‘snacks’ for small items of food eaten between meals or while travelling.

het ‘Het’ means “the” before ‘water’ in ‘het water’. It refers to the specific water packed for the journey. Use ‘het’ before a noun when referring to a specific item that takes this article.

water ‘Water’ means water and is one of the things the speaker wants to access easily. In ‘het water’, it refers to the water already packed for the journey. Use ‘water’ when talking about water as a drink or supply.

Ze ‘Ze’ means “they” here and refers back to the snacks and water. It is the subject of ‘zitten’ in ‘Ze zitten in het zijvak’. Use ‘ze’ to refer back to plural items that have already been mentioned.

zitten ‘Zitten’ means are located or are placed in ‘Ze zitten in het zijvak’. It describes where the snacks and water are stored. Use ‘iets zit in’ to say that an item is located inside a place or container.

in ‘In’ means in and places the items inside ‘het zijvak’. It introduces the location of the snacks and water. Use ‘in’ before a place or container when something is inside it.

zijvak ‘Zijvak’ means side pocket and names the storage compartment where the snacks and water are located. It is the object of the location phrase ‘in het zijvak’. Use ‘zijvak’ for a pocket on the side of a bag or similar item.

opladers ‘Opladers’ means chargers and names the charging devices being checked next. It is plural because the question refers to chargers as a group. Use ‘opladers’ when talking about devices used to charge phones or other electronics.

kleine ‘Kleine’ means small and describes ‘dingen’ in ‘kleine dingen voor extra comfort’. It indicates that the comfort items are small. Use ‘kleine’ before a noun when describing something as small in this type of phrase.

dingen ‘Dingen’ means things or items and refers to small objects that provide extra comfort. It is linked to ‘opladers’ in the question by ‘en’. Use ‘dingen’ for items when their exact names are not important or are not listed.

voor In ‘dingen voor extra comfort’, ‘voor’ means for and indicates the purpose of the things. The items are intended to provide extra comfort. Use ‘voor’ before a noun phrase to express purpose or intended use.

comfort ‘Comfort’ means comfort in ‘extra comfort’. It describes the pleasant or convenient condition the small items are meant to support. Use ‘comfort’ when talking about physical ease or convenience.

elkaar In ‘bij elkaar ingepakt’, ‘elkaar’ contributes to the meaning “together”: the items are packed together in one place. The phrase does not mean that the items are acting on each other. Use ‘bij elkaar’ when saying that separate things are together or grouped.

ingepakt ‘Ingepakt’ means packed in ‘Ik heb ze bij elkaar ingepakt’. It describes the completed action of putting the chargers and comfort items into the bag; its citation form is ‘inpakken’. Use ‘ingepakt’ with ‘hebben’ to describe items that someone has packed.

zodat ‘Zodat’ means “so that” and introduces the intended result in ‘zodat ze makkelijk te vinden zijn’. The items were packed together with the result that they can be found easily. Use ‘zodat’ before a clause expressing a purpose or result.

te In ‘makkelijk te vinden’, ‘te’ marks the infinitive ‘vinden’ in the expression “easy to find”. It connects the quality ‘makkelijk’ with the action of finding the items. Use ‘te’ before an infinitive in similar expressions about something being possible or easy to do.

vinden ‘Vinden’ means find in ‘makkelijk te vinden’. It names the action that is easy because the items were packed together. Use ‘te vinden’ after an expression such as ‘makkelijk’ when describing something that is easy to find.

zijn In ‘makkelijk te vinden zijn’, ‘zijn’ means are and links the items to the description “easy to find”. It completes the clause introduced by ‘zodat’. A common reuse pattern is ‘iets is makkelijk te vinden’ for saying that something is easy to find.

Dat ‘Dat’ means “that” and refers to packing the items together and keeping them easy to find. It is the subject of ‘zou ... moeten maken’ in the next sentence. Use ‘Dat’ to refer back to an action, fact, or situation just mentioned.

zou ‘Zou’ expresses an expected or suggested result in ‘Dat zou de reis rustiger moeten maken’. Together with ‘moeten maken’, it says that this should make the trip calmer. Use ‘zou’ with a following action when describing an expected, possible, or suggested result.

rustiger ‘Rustiger’ means calmer in ‘de reis rustiger maken’. It describes the expected effect on the trip if plans change. It is the comparative form related to ‘rustig’; use it when describing a calmer state than before or than another situation.

maken ‘Maken’ means make in ‘de reis rustiger maken’. The construction says that the organized packing should cause the trip to become calmer. Use ‘iets ... maken’ when describing an action that causes something to have a certain quality.

als ‘Als’ means “if” in ‘als de plannen veranderen’. It introduces the possible situation in which the trip may become calmer. Use ‘als’ before a clause describing a condition or a possible time.

plannen ‘Plannen’ means plans and refers to the arrangements for the journey. It is the subject of ‘veranderen’ in ‘de plannen veranderen’. Use ‘plannen’ for arrangements or intentions about what will happen.

veranderen ‘Veranderen’ means change in ‘de plannen veranderen’. It describes the possibility that the travel arrangements will be different from what was expected. Use ‘veranderen’ for plans, conditions, or other things that become different.

ook ‘Ook’ means also and adds another preparation to the earlier list of packed items. In ‘Ik heb ook extra ruimte vrijgelaten’, it shows that leaving space is an additional action. Use ‘ook’ when adding a similar or related fact.

ruimte ‘Ruimte’ means space or room in ‘extra ruimte vrijgelaten’. It refers to room left inside the travel bags for additional items. Use ‘ruimte’ for available room in a bag, container, room, or other place.

vrijgelaten ‘Vrijgelaten’ means left free or left available in ‘extra ruimte vrijgelaten’. It describes space that was deliberately not filled; its citation form is ‘vrijlaten’. Use ‘ruimte vrijlaten’ when keeping room available for something that may be added later.

alles ‘Alles’ means everything and refers to any items the travellers may take along during the journey. It is followed by the describing clause ‘wat we onderweg meenemen’. Use ‘alles’ when referring to a complete set of things without listing each one.

wat ‘Wat’ means “that which” or “what” in ‘alles wat we onderweg meenemen’. It introduces the clause describing what is included in ‘alles’. Use ‘alles wat’ before a clause when referring to every thing that meets the following description.

onderweg ‘Onderweg’ means on the way and describes when or where the items may be taken along. In ‘wat we onderweg meenemen’, it refers to the travel period between departure and arrival. Use ‘onderweg’ when talking about something happening while travelling from one place to another.

meenemen ‘Meenemen’ means take along and, in this travel context, includes items picked up during the journey. It is the action in ‘alles wat we onderweg meenemen’. Use ‘iets meenemen’ when taking an item with you to another place.

Dan ‘Dan’ means then and introduces the conclusion drawn from the careful packing. It connects the preparation with the expected ability to leave without repacking. Use ‘Dan’ at the start of a sentence to express a consequence or next step.

zouden ‘Zouden’ expresses an expected or suggested possibility in ‘zouden moeten kunnen vertrekken’. Together with ‘moeten kunnen’, it says that leaving should be possible. Use ‘zouden’ with a following verb phrase when describing what is expected or should be possible.

kunnen ‘Kunnen’ means be able to in ‘moeten kunnen vertrekken’. It expresses the possibility of leaving after the bags have been prepared. Use ‘kunnen’ before an infinitive to say that someone is able to do something.

zonder ‘Zonder’ means without and introduces the action that will not be needed: ‘zonder ... opnieuw in te pakken’. It shows that they can leave while avoiding another packing session. Use ‘zonder te’ plus an infinitive for doing something without carrying out another action.

op In ‘op het station’, ‘op’ means at and identifies the location of the possible repacking. It is part of the fixed location phrase for the station. Use ‘op’ in expressions such as ‘op het station’ when referring to being at that place.

station ‘Station’ means station and refers to the place where the travellers might otherwise repack their bags. It appears in the phrase ‘op het station’. Use ‘station’ for a train or other transport station.

opnieuw ‘Opnieuw’ means again or once more in ‘opnieuw in te pakken’. It shows that the packing would be repeated at the station. Use ‘opnieuw’ before an action that is done another time.

pakken ‘Pakken’ means pack in ‘opnieuw in te pakken’. With ‘opnieuw’ and ‘te’, the phrase means to pack again. Use ‘inpakken’ for putting items into a bag, and ‘pakken’ here as the action within the expression ‘opnieuw in te pakken’.

Grammar Points

zodat + ... + te vinden is

zodat alles makkelijk te vinden is

zoh-DAHT AH-lus MAH-kuh-luk tuh VIN-dun iss

so that everything is easy to find

After zodat, the conjugated verb moves to the end. Dutch also uses te + infinitive in te vinden.

Dutch Vocabulary

beginnen verb

buh-GHIN-un to start; to begin Begin

controleren verb

kon-troh-LAY-run to check gecontroleerd

laag noun

lahkh layer

medicijnen noun

meh-dee-SAY-nun medicines; medication

reis noun

RICE journey; trip

reistas noun

RICE-tahs travel bag reistassen

sleutels noun

SLUR-tuls keys

spullen noun

SPUH-lun things; items

tijdens prep

TIE-duns during

vertrekken verb

fer-TREK-un to leave; to depart

voordat conj

VOHR-daht before

warm adj

VARM warm warme

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

They are in the side pocket.

Show Answer

Ze zitten in het zijvak.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to start; to begin

Show Answer

Begin

to leave; to depart

Show Answer

vertrekken

travel bag

Show Answer

reistassen

during

Show Answer

tijdens