Checking a restaurant order | Learn Dutch in English

About This Lesson

Use Checking a restaurant order to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Kunnen we onze bestelling doornemen voordat het eten komt?

KUN-nen vuh ON-zuh buh-STEL-ling DOHR-nay-mun vohr-DAHT uht AY-tun komt? Could we review our order before the food comes out?

Wat wilt u precies bevestigen?

Vaht vilt oo pruh-SEES buh-VES-tuh-ghun? What would you like to confirm?

Ik heb om de milde versie gevraagd, niet om de pittige.

Ik hep om duh MIL-duh VER-see khuh-VRAHKT, neet om duh PIT-tuh-ghuh. I asked for the mild version, not the spicy one.

Laat me dat even met de keuken controleren.

LAHT muh daht AY-vun met duh KUHR-kun kun-troh-LAY-run. Let me check that with the kitchen.

Het bijgerecht is waar ik me het meest zorgen over maak.

Uht BYE-khuh-REKHT is vahr ik muh uht MAYST ZOR-ghun OH-vur mahk. The side dish is the part I am most worried about.

Ik kan een duidelijke opmerking toevoegen, zodat de bestelling goed wordt klaargemaakt.

Ik kan un DOW-duh-luh OP-mer-king TOO-voo-ghun, ZOH-daht duh buh-STEL-ling khoot vohrt KLAHR-ghuh-mahkt. I can add a clear note so the order is prepared correctly.

Dat helpt. We willen alleen dat de maaltijd overeenkomt met onze bestelling.

Daht helpt. Vuh VIL-lun AH-layn daht duh MAHL-tayt OH-vur-AYN-komt met ON-zuh buh-STEL-ling. That helps. We just want the meal to match our order.

Ik begrijp het. Het is beter om dit te controleren voordat het eten aankomt.

Ik buh-KHREYP uht. Uht is BAY-tur om dit tuh kun-troh-LAY-run vohr-DAHT uht AY-tun AHN-komt. I understand. It is better to check before the food arrives.

Kunt u de bestelling bevestigen voordat het eten wordt geserveerd?

KUNT oo duh buh-STEL-ling buh-VES-tuh-ghun vohr-DAHT uht AY-tun vohrt khuh-SER-VAYRT? Could you confirm the order before the food is served?

Ik controleer het nu en laat u weten of er iets moet worden aangepast.

Ik kun-troh-LAYR uht noo en laht oo VAY-tun of ur eets moot vohrt AHN-ghuh-paht. Let me check now and tell you if anything needs changing.

Word by Word

Kunnen “Kunnen” means can or could and begins a polite request in “Kunnen we onze bestelling doornemen”. Here it asks whether the speakers can review the order. Reuse it before a subject and an infinitive when making a request.

we “we” means we and refers to the speakers as a group. It is the subject in “Kunnen we onze bestelling doornemen” and “We willen alleen dat de maaltijd overeenkomt met onze bestelling”. Reuse it for a group that includes the speaker.

onze “onze” means our and shows that the bestelling belongs to the speakers. It appears before the noun in “onze bestelling”. Reuse it before something belonging to a group that includes the speaker.

bestelling “bestelling” means order, here a restaurant order. It appears in “onze bestelling” and “de bestelling bevestigen”. Reuse it when referring to an order that can be checked or confirmed.

doornemen “doornemen” means to review or go through something carefully. In “onze bestelling doornemen”, it describes reviewing the restaurant order before the food comes. Reuse it after a modal expression such as “Kunnen we”.

voordat “voordat” means before and introduces the time condition in “voordat het eten komt”. It connects an action with something that has not happened yet. Reuse it before a clause with the event that must happen later.

het “het” means the before nouns such as “het eten” and “Het bijgerecht”, and it means it as the object in “controleer het nu”. Its exact meaning depends on whether it introduces a noun or refers back to something already mentioned. Reuse it with a het-word or as a short reference to a thing.

eten “eten” means food in “het eten”. Here it refers to the meal that is about to come or arrive, not to the act of eating. Reuse it with “het” when talking about food in general.

komt “komt” means comes in “het eten komt”. It describes the food coming out or becoming available. Reuse it with a subject such as “het eten” to say that something comes.

Wat “Wat” means what and begins the question “Wat wilt u precies bevestigen?”. It asks which thing the other person wants to confirm. Reuse it at the beginning of a question about an unspecified thing.

wilt “wilt” means want in the formal question “Wat wilt u precies bevestigen?”. It expresses what the addressed person wants to do. Reuse the pattern “wilt u” before an infinitive when asking a formal person about a desired action.

u “u” is the formal word for you. It is the person being addressed in “Wat wilt u precies bevestigen?” and the person receiving information in “laat u weten”. Reuse it when speaking politely to one or more people.

precies “precies” means exactly and asks for a specific detail in “Wat wilt u precies bevestigen?”. It narrows the question to the particular part of the order. Reuse it after a question word when asking for precision.

bevestigen “bevestigen” means confirm. In “de bestelling bevestigen”, it refers to checking that the order is correct, and it also follows “wilt u” in the question. Reuse it with the thing being confirmed, such as an order.

Ik “Ik” means I and identifies the speaker. It begins “Ik heb om de milde versie gevraagd” and “Ik controleer het nu”. Reuse it as the subject when describing your own request or action.

heb “heb” means have in “Ik heb om de milde versie gevraagd”. Together with “gevraagd”, it presents the speaker’s request for a particular version. Reuse the pattern “Ik heb om ... gevraagd” when stating what you requested.

om “om” is part of the request pattern in “om de milde versie gevraagd”. It links the act of asking to the item requested. Reuse it before the requested item with the expression for asking for something.

de “de” means the and introduces nouns or noun phrases such as “de milde versie”, “de pittige”, and “de bestelling”. It identifies a specific item in the order. Reuse it before a de-word or a phrase referring to a known option.

milde “milde” means mild and describes the requested version in “de milde versie”. It distinguishes the requested food from the spicy option. Reuse it before a noun when describing a mild version or quality.

versie “versie” means version or option. In “de milde versie”, it identifies the particular form of the dish that was requested. Reuse it after an adjective when distinguishing between versions of the same item.

gevraagd “gevraagd” means asked for or requested in “Ik heb om de milde versie gevraagd”. It identifies what the speaker requested from the restaurant. Reuse it after the requested item in the pattern “om ... gevraagd”.

niet “niet” means not and rejects the alternative in “niet om de pittige”. It makes clear that the spicy option was not requested. Reuse it to negate a choice or exclude an option.

pittige “pittige” means spicy one in “de pittige”. It refers to the spicy version without repeating “versie”. Reuse it after “de” when the noun is clear from the context and the spicy option is being identified.

Laat “Laat” means let and begins the request “Laat me dat even met de keuken controleren”. Here the speaker asks to be allowed to check something. Reuse “Laat me” before an action you propose to carry out yourself.

me “me” means me and refers to the speaker as the person who will check the order. It follows “Laat” in “Laat me dat even met de keuken controleren”. Reuse it when asking someone to let you do something.

dat “dat” means that and refers to the order detail that needs checking in “Laat me dat even met de keuken controleren”. In “Dat helpt”, it refers back to the helpful action or information. Reuse it to point to something already mentioned.

even “even” means just or briefly and softens the request in “Laat me dat even met de keuken controleren”. It makes the proposed check sound limited and unobtrusive. Reuse it in a polite request for a short action.

met “met” means with and identifies the party involved in the check in “met de keuken controleren”. The speaker will check the matter with the restaurant kitchen. Reuse it before the person or group you consult or work with.

keuken “keuken” means kitchen. In “met de keuken”, it refers to the restaurant’s kitchen as the place or staff responsible for preparing the order. Reuse it when discussing a restaurant matter with the kitchen.

controleren “controleren” means check or verify. In “dat even met de keuken controleren”, it describes checking the order detail with the kitchen, and in “dit te controleren” it describes checking it before the food arrives. Reuse it for verifying an order, detail, or piece of information.

bijgerecht “bijgerecht” means side dish. It is the part of the order that worries the speaker in “Het bijgerecht is waar ik me het meest zorgen over maak”. Reuse it when identifying an additional dish served with the main meal.

is “is” means is and links “Het bijgerecht” to the issue being described. In “Het bijgerecht is waar ik me het meest zorgen over maak”, it identifies the side dish as the main concern. Reuse it to connect a subject with its description or explanation.

waar “waar” means where, but in “waar ik me het meest zorgen over maak” it introduces the part or issue that is the speaker’s concern. It connects the side dish with the following explanation. Reuse it to introduce a clause identifying where or what a concern lies.

meest “meest” means most and marks the greatest degree of worry in “me het meest zorgen”. It shows that this is the speaker’s main concern. Reuse it with a comparison or concern when identifying the highest degree.

zorgen “zorgen” means worries or concerns in the expression used in “ik me het meest zorgen over maak”. It is part of the expression for feeling worried about something. Reuse it with a topic introduced by “over” when describing a concern.

over “over” means about in the worry expression in “zorgen over”. It identifies the subject of the concern, here the side dish. Reuse it after the worry expression to name what causes concern.

maak “maak” means make in the expression “zorgen over maak”. In the full expression, the speaker says that they are worried about the side dish. Reuse this worry expression with “over” followed by the topic of concern.

kan “kan” means can and expresses ability in “Ik kan een duidelijke opmerking toevoegen”. It says that the speaker is able to add a note. Reuse it before an infinitive to describe what someone can do.

een “een” means a and introduces the singular item in “een duidelijke opmerking”. It presents the note as one item that can be added. Reuse it before a singular noun when the specific item is not yet identified.

duidelijke “duidelijke” means clear and describes the note in “een duidelijke opmerking”. It indicates that the note should communicate the order detail clearly. Reuse it before a noun when describing something as clear.

opmerking “opmerking” means note or comment. In “een duidelijke opmerking toevoegen”, it is the information added to the order. Reuse it with “toevoegen” when putting a note into an order or record.

toevoegen “toevoegen” means add. In “een duidelijke opmerking toevoegen”, it describes putting an extra note into the order. Reuse it after “kan” when saying that someone can add something.

zodat “zodat” means so that and introduces the intended result in “zodat de bestelling goed wordt klaargemaakt”. The note is added with the aim that the order is prepared correctly. Reuse it before a clause describing a purpose or result.

goed “goed” means correctly in “goed wordt klaargemaakt”. It describes the order being prepared in the right way. Reuse it before or with an action when emphasizing that something is done properly.

wordt “wordt” combines with “klaargemaakt” in “wordt klaargemaakt” to say that the order is being prepared. It focuses on the order receiving the preparation rather than on who prepares it. Reuse it with a preparation or action word when describing what is done to something.

klaargemaakt “klaargemaakt” means prepared in “wordt klaargemaakt”. It describes the order after the kitchen has prepared it according to the note. Reuse it with “wordt” when describing an order or meal being prepared.

helpt “helpt” means helps in “Dat helpt”. It says that the clarification or proposed note is useful to the speaker. Reuse “Dat helpt” to acknowledge that someone’s action or information is useful.

willen “willen” means want in “We willen alleen dat de maaltijd overeenkomt met onze bestelling”. It expresses what the speakers desire from the meal. Reuse the pattern “willen dat” before a clause describing the desired result.

alleen “alleen” means only or just in “We willen alleen dat de maaltijd overeenkomt met onze bestelling”. It limits the request to having the meal match the order. Reuse it to emphasize that the request is restricted or modest.

maaltijd “maaltijd” means meal. In “de maaltijd overeenkomt met onze bestelling”, it refers to the food that will be served as a whole. Reuse it when talking about an entire meal rather than one individual dish.

overeenkomt “overeenkomt” means matches or corresponds in “de maaltijd overeenkomt met onze bestelling”. It says that the meal should be consistent with what was ordered. Reuse it with “met” to identify what something matches.

begrijp “begrijp” means understand in “Ik begrijp het”. The speaker uses it to acknowledge the other person’s concern. Reuse “Ik begrijp het” when showing that you understand what someone has explained.

beter “beter” means better and evaluates checking as the preferable action in “Het is beter om dit te controleren”. It presents checking before arrival as a good choice. Reuse the pattern “Het is beter om” when recommending one action.

dit “dit” means this or it and refers to the checking action in “dit te controleren”. It points to something already understood from the conversation. Reuse it before an infinitive when referring to a specific action just mentioned.

te “te” marks the infinitive in “om dit te controleren”. It links the recommendation to the action of checking. Reuse it between “om” and an infinitive in this type of purpose or recommendation pattern.

aankomt “aankomt” means arrives in “voordat het eten aankomt”. It describes the food reaching the table or arriving at the expected time. Reuse it after “voordat” when referring to something arriving before another action.

Kunt “Kunt” means can or could in the formal request “Kunt u de bestelling bevestigen?”. It asks the addressed person politely to confirm the order. Reuse “Kunt u” before an infinitive when making a formal request.

geserveerd “geserveerd” means served in “wordt geserveerd”. It describes the food being brought to the customer. Reuse it with “wordt” when saying that food is served.

controleer “controleer” means check in “Ik controleer het nu”. It describes the speaker checking the order immediately. Reuse it with an object such as “het” when stating that you are checking something now.

nu “nu” means now and specifies that the checking happens immediately in “Ik controleer het nu”. It contrasts the present check with waiting until the food arrives. Reuse it to mark an action taking place at the current time.

en “en” means and and links the two actions in “controleer het nu en laat u weten”. The speaker will check first and then provide information. Reuse it to connect two related actions or clauses.

weten “weten” means know, but in “laat u weten” it contributes to the expression meaning let you know. The speaker promises to give the other person information. Reuse “laat u weten of” before the information that will be provided.

of “of” means if or whether and introduces the uncertain point in “of er iets moet worden aangepast”. It frames the information as a question about whether a change is needed. Reuse it after an expression such as “laat u weten” when introducing what will be checked or reported.

er “er” helps introduce the unspecified issue in “er iets moet worden aangepast”. Here the meaning is that there may be something that needs changing. Reuse it in a clause describing whether something exists or needs to happen.

iets “iets” means something or anything and refers to an unspecified part of the order in “iets moet worden aangepast”. The exact item is not known yet. Reuse it when referring to an unspecified thing that may need attention.

moet “moet” means must or needs to in “iets moet worden aangepast”. It expresses that an adjustment is necessary if a problem is found. Reuse it before “worden” and an action word when saying that something needs to be done.

worden “worden” is the form used with “aangepast” in “moet worden aangepast” to express that something is to be adjusted. It helps focus on the item receiving the change. Reuse it after “moet” in this passive pattern.

aangepast “aangepast” means adjusted or changed in “moet worden aangepast”. It describes a modification that may be needed in the order. Reuse it with “moet worden” when saying that something requires a change.

Grammar Points

voordat + bijzin

Voordat we de bestelling bevestigen, controleren we de versie.

vohr-DAHT vuh duh buh-STEL-ling buh-VES-tuh-ghun, kun-troh-LAY-run vuh duh VER-see.

Before we confirm the order, we check the version.

Na een bijzin met ‘voordat’ staat het vervoegde werkwoord in de hoofdzin vóór het onderwerp.

laten + infinitief

Laat de keuken de maaltijd klaarmaken.

LAHT duh KUHR-kun duh MAHL-tayt KLAHR-mah-kun.

Let the kitchen prepare the meal.

‘Laten’ krijgt een tweede werkwoord in de infinitief en betekent dat iemand iets laat doen.

Dutch Vocabulary

bestelling noun

buh-STEL-ling order

bevestigen verb

buh-VES-tuh-ghun to confirm

doornemen verb

DOHR-nay-mun to review

eten noun

AY-tun food

keuken noun

KUHR-kun kitchen

laten verb

LAH-tun to let Laat

mild adj

MILT mild milde

pittig adj

PIT-tukh spicy pittige

precies adv

pruh-SEES exactly

versie noun

VER-see version

voordat conj

vohr-DAHT before

vragen verb

VRAH-ghun to ask for gevraagd

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

What would you like to confirm?

Show Answer

Wat wilt u precies bevestigen?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

order

Show Answer

bestelling

spicy

Show Answer

pittige

version

Show Answer

versie

to confirm

Show Answer

bevestigen