Checking presentation equipment | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: Before clients arrive for a meeting, two coworkers test the projector, microphone, slides, and backup drive..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Checking presentation equipment to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

We moeten de presentatieapparatuur controleren voordat de klanten arriveren.

wuh MOO-tun duh preh-zun-TAH-tsee-ah-pah-rah-TOOR kun-troh-LAY-run vuh-DAHT duh KLAHN-tun ah-ree-VAY-run. We should check the presentation equipment before the clients arrive.
B

Ik kan de laptop eerst op de projector aansluiten.

ik kahn duh LAP-top ayrst op duh proh-YEK-tor AHN-sloy-tun. I can connect the laptop to the projector first.
A

Het beeld is zichtbaar, maar het lijkt een beetje uitgerekt.

hut baylt is ZIKHT-bahr, mahr hut laykt uhn BAY-chuh OYT-guh-REKT. The image is showing, but it looks a little stretched.
B

Ik kan de beeldscherminstellingen aanpassen en de dia's opnieuw testen.

ik kahn duh BAYLT-skhehrm-in-STEL-ling-un AHN-pahs-un en duh DEE-ahs ohp-NYOO TEST-un. I can adjust the display settings and test the slides again.
A

Kun je ook het volume van de microfoon controleren?

koon yuh ohk hut voh-LOO-muh vahn duh mee-kroh-FOHN kun-troh-LAY-run? Could you also check the microphone volume?
B

Het geluid klinkt helder, maar op de achterste rij is misschien meer volume nodig.

hut guh-LOWT klinkt HEL-dur, mahr op duh AKH-tur-stuh ray is muh-SKHAIN mayr voh-LOO-muh NOH-dikh. It sounds clear, but the back row may need more volume.
A

Ik heb de dia's op een back-upschijf meegenomen.

ik hep duh DEE-ahs op uhn BAK-up-skhyf MAY-guh-NOH-mun. I brought the slides on a backup drive.
B

Laten we een korte repetitie doen met de openingsdia.

LAH-tun wuh uhn KOR-tuh reh-puh-TEE-tsee DOON met duh OH-puh-nings-DEE-ah. Let's do a quick rehearsal with the opening slide.
A

De openingsdia werkte, dus alles lijkt nu klaar.

duh OH-puh-nings-DEE-ah WERK-tuh, duss AL-lus laykt nyoo klahr. The opening slide worked, so everything seems ready now.
B

Deze technische controle geeft ons één ding minder om ons zorgen over te maken.

DAY-zuh TEKH-nee-shuh kun-troh-LAY khayft ons ayn ding MIN-dur om ons ZOR-gun OH-vur tuh MAH-kun. This tech check gives us one less thing to worry about.

Word by Word

We ‘We’ means the speaker and at least one other person, here the coworkers preparing the meeting. It is the subject of ‘We moeten de presentatieapparatuur controleren’ and is useful when proposing a shared action.
moeten ‘Moeten’ expresses that checking the equipment is necessary or advisable. It is followed by the infinitive ‘controleren’ in ‘We moeten de presentatieapparatuur controleren’; use it to state an obligation or strong recommendation.
de ‘De’ is the definite article meaning ‘the’ in ‘de presentatieapparatuur’, ‘de klanten’, ‘de projector’, and ‘de microfoon’. It comes directly before the noun being identified, such as equipment or a device in a work setting.
presentatieapparatuur ‘Presentatieapparatuur’ means the equipment used for a presentation, such as the projector and microphone in this scene. It is the object of ‘controleren’ in ‘de presentatieapparatuur controleren’; use it when discussing presentation equipment as a group.
controleren ‘Controleren’ means to check or inspect something to make sure it works properly. In ‘We moeten de presentatieapparatuur controleren’, it follows ‘moeten’ and takes the equipment as its object; the same pattern works for checking other concrete items.
voordat ‘Voordat’ means ‘before’ and introduces the later event that must still happen, here the clients arriving. In ‘voordat de klanten arriveren’, it connects the equipment check with a following clause; use it to place one action before another.
klanten ‘Klanten’ refers to the clients who are expected at the meeting. In ‘voordat de klanten arriveren’, it is the group that will arrive; use it for people receiving a company’s services or attending as clients.
arriveren ‘Arriveren’ means to arrive, here describing the clients reaching the meeting. It appears after ‘voordat’ in ‘voordat de klanten arriveren’; use it when referring to someone reaching a place or event.
Ik ‘Ik’ means ‘I’ and identifies the coworker speaking in ‘Ik kan de laptop eerst op de projector aansluiten’. It is the subject of the sentence and is used to describe the speaker’s ability or planned action.
kan ‘Kan’ expresses ability or availability, here ‘I can connect the laptop’. In ‘Ik kan de laptop eerst op de projector aansluiten’, it is followed by an infinitive at the end; use it to offer or describe what someone is able to do.
laptop ‘Laptop’ means laptop, the computer being connected to the projector. It is the object in ‘de laptop eerst op de projector aansluiten’; use it when referring to a portable computer in a work or presentation setting.
eerst ‘Eerst’ means ‘first’ and marks the first action in the preparation sequence. In ‘de laptop eerst op de projector aansluiten’, it places connecting the laptop before the other checks; use it to organize actions in order.
op ‘Op’ means ‘onto’ in ‘op de projector aansluiten’, showing the device that receives the connection. The construction ‘aansluiten op’ is used with a device or system being connected to another device.
projector ‘Projector’ means projector, the device receiving the laptop connection. In ‘op de projector aansluiten’, it follows the preposition ‘op’; use it when discussing equipment that displays a computer image for an audience.
aansluiten ‘Aansluiten’ means to connect, here connecting the laptop to the projector. It is the infinitive in ‘Ik kan de laptop eerst op de projector aansluiten’; use it with a device and the equipment it is connected to.
Het ‘Het’ is the definite article meaning ‘the’ in ‘Het beeld’ and ‘Het geluid’. It comes before these nouns when the speaker refers to the image or sound being checked; use the same article directly before the relevant noun.
beeld ‘Beeld’ means the projected image or display seen on the screen. In ‘Het beeld is zichtbaar’, it is the subject being evaluated; use it when discussing what appears on a screen or through a projector.
is ‘Is’ links a subject with its description or condition, as in ‘Het beeld is zichtbaar’ and ‘is misschien meer volume nodig’. Here it helps describe the image as visible and state what may be needed; use it to connect a subject with information about it.
zichtbaar ‘Zichtbaar’ means visible, so ‘Het beeld is zichtbaar’ says that the projected image can be seen. It describes the condition of the image; use it when reporting whether something can be seen.
maar ‘Maar’ means ‘but’ and introduces a contrast. In ‘Het beeld is zichtbaar, maar het lijkt een beetje uitgerekt’, the image is visible while a problem with its shape remains; use it to balance two contrasting observations.
lijkt ‘Lijkt’ means ‘seems’ or ‘looks’ and presents an observation rather than an absolute claim. In ‘het lijkt een beetje uitgerekt’ and ‘alles lijkt nu klaar’, it is followed by a description; use it when something appears to have a certain quality or condition.
een ‘Een’ introduces the amount or noun that follows in ‘een beetje’, ‘een korte repetitie’, and ‘een back-upschijf’. In ‘een beetje’ it helps form a small-amount expression; use it before a singular item or amount in a similar phrase.
beetje ‘Beetje’ means ‘a little’ and limits the degree of the problem in ‘een beetje uitgerekt’. The expression ‘een beetje’ softens the description; use it before a quality when the amount or degree is small.
uitgerekt ‘Uitgerekt’ means stretched, describing the image as wider or otherwise distorted in appearance. In ‘het lijkt een beetje uitgerekt’, it follows the description introduced by ‘lijkt’; use it when an image or shape does not have its normal proportions.
beeldscherminstellingen ‘Beeldscherminstellingen’ means display settings, the settings that control how the image appears. It is the object of ‘aanpassen’ in ‘de beeldscherminstellingen aanpassen’; use it when changing screen or display configuration.
aanpassen ‘Aanpassen’ means to adjust or change something to improve its result. In ‘Ik kan de beeldscherminstellingen aanpassen’, it follows ‘kan’ and takes the display settings as its object; use it when making a setting fit a particular need.
en ‘En’ means ‘and’ and joins two related actions. In ‘de beeldscherminstellingen aanpassen en de dia's opnieuw testen’, it connects adjusting the settings with testing the slides again; use it to link actions or items.
dia's ‘Dia's’ means slides in the presentation. In ‘de dia's opnieuw testen’ and ‘de dia's op een back-upschijf meegenomen’, it refers to the presentation material; use it when discussing individual presentation slides.
opnieuw ‘Opnieuw’ means ‘again’ and shows that the slides will be tested after an earlier test or adjustment. In ‘de dia's opnieuw testen’, it comes before the infinitive; use it when repeating an action.
testen ‘Testen’ means to test or check performance. In ‘de dia's opnieuw testen’, it is an infinitive describing the next action; use it with equipment, software, or presentation material that needs a practical check.
Kun ‘Kun’ means ‘can’ or ‘could’ and begins the request ‘Kun je ook het volume van de microfoon controleren?’. With ‘je’, it asks a colleague to perform an additional action; use this construction for a direct request.
je ‘Je’ refers to the person being addressed in ‘Kun je ook het volume van de microfoon controleren?’. It identifies the colleague asked to help; use it when speaking directly to someone in this conversational setting.
ook ‘Ook’ means ‘also’ and adds the microphone check to the other preparation tasks. In ‘Kun je ook het volume van de microfoon controleren?’, it signals an additional request; use it when asking for one more action or including one more item.
volume ‘Volume’ means the loudness level of the sound. In ‘het volume van de microfoon controleren’, it is the thing being checked; use it when discussing how loud or quiet audio should be.
van ‘Van’ means ‘of’ in ‘het volume van de microfoon’ and links the volume to the microphone. This noun relationship is useful when specifying which object a quality or setting belongs to.
microfoon ‘Microfoon’ means microphone, the device whose loudness is being checked. In ‘het volume van de microfoon’, it identifies the source of the sound; use it when discussing spoken audio equipment.
geluid ‘Geluid’ means sound, here the sound produced through the microphone. In ‘Het geluid klinkt helder’, it is the subject being evaluated; use it when describing audio during a meeting or test.
klinkt ‘Klinkt’ means ‘sounds’ and describes how the audio comes across to listeners. In ‘Het geluid klinkt helder’, it is followed by the quality ‘helder’; use it to give an impression of sound or another sensed quality.
helder ‘Helder’ means clear in ‘Het geluid klinkt helder’, indicating that the sound can be understood without distortion. It describes the quality of the audio; use it when reporting that spoken sound is clear.
achterste ‘Achterste’ means the backmost or furthest-back one, here modifying ‘rij’ in ‘de achterste rij’. It identifies the row farthest from the front; use it before a noun when locating something at the back.
rij ‘Rij’ means row, here a row of seats in the meeting room. In ‘op de achterste rij’, it identifies where listeners are seated; use it when referring to a line or row of people or seats.
misschien ‘Misschien’ means ‘maybe’ and marks uncertainty about the amount of volume needed. In ‘is misschien meer volume nodig’, it softens the statement; use it when suggesting a possibility without presenting it as certain.
meer ‘Meer’ means ‘more’ and indicates that a greater amount of volume may be needed. In ‘meer volume’, it modifies the amount of sound; use it when comparing a needed amount with the amount currently available.
nodig ‘Nodig’ means needed or required, here stating that the back row may require more volume. In ‘is misschien meer volume nodig’, it describes what is necessary; use it to say that something is required for a purpose.
heb ‘Heb’ means ‘have’ and works with ‘meegenomen’ in ‘Ik heb de dia's op een back-upschijf meegenomen’. Together they state that the speaker has brought the slides along; use ‘heb’ with a completed action and its object.
back-upschijf ‘Back-upschijf’ means backup drive, the storage device carrying a copy of the slides. In ‘op een back-upschijf meegenomen’, it identifies where the slides were stored; use it when referring to a backup storage device.
meegenomen ‘Meegenomen’ means brought along, here referring to the slides carried on the backup drive. In ‘Ik heb de dia's op een back-upschijf meegenomen’, it completes the action with ‘heb’; use it when saying that something was brought with you.
Laten ‘Laten’ begins the joint suggestion ‘Laten we een korte repetitie doen’, meaning ‘Let’s do a short rehearsal’. With ‘we’, it invites the other person to take part; use it to propose a shared action.
korte ‘Korte’ means short and describes the limited length of the rehearsal in ‘een korte repetitie’. It comes directly before ‘repetitie’; use it to describe an activity that will not take much time.
repetitie ‘Repetitie’ means rehearsal, here a practice run of the presentation. In ‘een korte repetitie doen’, it is the activity the coworkers propose; use it when practicing before a performance, presentation, or event.
doen ‘Doen’ means ‘to do’ or ‘to carry out’, here completing the suggestion ‘Laten we een korte repetitie doen’. It is the infinitive for carrying out the rehearsal; use it with an activity that someone proposes performing.
met ‘Met’ means ‘with’ and connects the rehearsal to the opening slide in ‘een korte repetitie doen met de openingsdia’. It introduces the item used in or included in the activity; use it to specify what an activity is done with.
openingsdia ‘Openingsdia’ means opening slide, the first slide used to begin the presentation. In ‘met de openingsdia’ and ‘De openingsdia werkte’, it identifies the slide chosen for the rehearsal; use it when discussing the beginning of a presentation.
werkte ‘Werkte’ says that the opening slide functioned successfully during the test. In ‘De openingsdia werkte, dus alles lijkt nu klaar’, it provides the successful result that supports the conclusion; use it when reporting that equipment or a feature functioned.
dus ‘Dus’ means ‘so’ or ‘therefore’ and introduces a conclusion based on what came before. In ‘De openingsdia werkte, dus alles lijkt nu klaar’, it connects the successful test with the conclusion that everything is ready.
alles ‘Alles’ means ‘everything’ and refers collectively to the equipment and preparation being checked. In ‘alles lijkt nu klaar’, it gives a broad summary rather than naming each item; use it when referring to the whole relevant set.
nu ‘Nu’ means ‘now’ and places the conclusion at the current point after the checks. In ‘alles lijkt nu klaar’, it emphasizes the present state; use it when reporting a situation at this moment.
klaar ‘Klaar’ means ready in ‘alles lijkt nu klaar’. It describes the complete setup after the checks; use it when equipment, people, or preparations are prepared for the next activity.
Deze ‘Deze’ means ‘this’ and points to the particular check just completed in ‘Deze technische controle’. It identifies something close in the current situation; use it before a noun when referring to a specific item or activity.
technische ‘Technische’ means technical and describes the type of check in ‘Deze technische controle’. It connects the check with equipment and technology; use it before a noun for an activity involving technical systems.
controle ‘Controle’ means a check or inspection, here the review of the presentation equipment. In ‘Deze technische controle’, it names the completed activity; use it when describing an inspection carried out to find or prevent problems.
geeft ‘Geeft’ means ‘gives’ or ‘provides’ and describes the benefit of the technical check in ‘geeft ons één ding minder om ons zorgen over te maken’. It takes ‘ons’ as the people receiving the benefit; use it when an action provides someone with a result or advantage.
ons ‘Ons’ means ‘us’ in ‘geeft ons’ and again identifies the people who might worry in ‘ons zorgen over te maken’. It refers to the two coworkers together; use it for the speaker and others as the recipient or affected group.
ding ‘Ding’ means ‘thing’, here one possible concern connected with preparing the meeting. In ‘één ding minder om ons zorgen over te maken’, it refers to one remaining worry or task; use it for an unspecified item, matter, or concern.
minder ‘Minder’ means ‘less’ and in ‘één ding minder’ means one fewer thing to worry about. It expresses a reduction in the number of concerns; use it when comparing a smaller amount with an earlier amount.
om ‘Om’ helps introduce the purpose or description in ‘om ons zorgen over te maken’. Together with ‘te maken’, it links the thing to the action connected with it; use this kind of construction to describe what something is for or relates to.
zorgen ‘Zorgen’ means worries or concerns in ‘ons zorgen over te maken’. It is part of the expression describing having worries about a topic introduced by ‘over’; use it when discussing concerns that someone has about a situation.
over ‘Over’ means ‘about’ in the expression ‘zorgen over’, introducing the topic of the worries. Here the topic is the remaining concern about the meeting preparation; use it before the matter someone is concerned about.
te ‘Te’ appears before the infinitive ‘maken’ in ‘te maken’ and helps form the infinitive construction after ‘om’. In this sentence it connects the concern with the action of worrying; use it before an infinitive in a similar construction.
maken ‘Maken’ means ‘make’ in form, but in ‘ons zorgen over te maken’ it completes the expression for worrying about something. The full expression refers to having concerns about a topic introduced by ‘over’; use it with that topic when describing something that causes worry.

Grammar Points

voordat + bijzin: de persoonsvorm staat achteraan

Voordat de klanten arriveren, controleer ik de presentatieapparatuur.

vuh-DAHT duh KLAHN-tun ah-ree-VAY-run, kun-troh-LAYR ik duh preh-zun-TAH-tsee-ah-pah-rah-TOOR.

Before the clients arrive, I check the presentation equipment.

In a Dutch subordinate clause with voordat, the conjugated verb moves to the end.

aansluiten als scheidbaar werkwoord: sluit ... aan

Ik sluit de projector aan.

ik SLOYT duh proh-YEK-tor AHN.

I connect the projector.

The prefix aan separates from sluiten in a main clause and moves to the end.

Dutch Vocabulary

aansluiten verb
AHN-sloy-tun to connect
arriveren verb
ah-ree-VAY-run to arrive
beeld noun
BAYLT image; picture
controleren verb
kun-troh-LAY-run to check
eerst adv
ayrst first
klant noun
KLAHNT client; customer klanten
laptop noun
LAP-top laptop
presentatieapparatuur noun
preh-zun-TAH-tsee-ah-pah-rah-TOOR presentation equipment
projector noun
proh-YEK-tor projector
uitgerekt adj
OYT-guh-REKT stretched
voordat conj
vuh-DAHT before
zichtbaar adj
ZIKHT-bahr visible

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

client; customer

Show Answerklanten

projector

Show Answerprojector

before

Show Answervoordat

first

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