Choosing the Task with the Highest Impact | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: At work, two adults prioritize an email, a report, and a design review by urgency, impact, and teammate dependencies..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Choosing the Task with the Highest Impact to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ik heb vier taken en ze lijken allemaal belangrijk.

ik HEP VEER TAH-kuh(n) en zuh LIGH-kuh(n) ah-luh-MAHL buh-LAHNG-khreyk. I have four tasks, and they all feel important.
B

Scheid urgentie van impact voordat je de volgorde kiest.

SKHAIT ur-KHEN-tsee vahn IM-pakt vuh-VOHR-daht yuh duh VOL-khor-duh KEEST. Separate urgency from impact before you choose the order.
A

De e-mail is dringend, maar het rapport heeft invloed op de vergadering met de klant morgen.

duh AY-mail is DRING-unt, mahr ut rah-POR(T) HAYFT IN-vloot op duh vuh-KHAH-duh-ring met duh KLAHNT MOR-khun. The email is urgent, but the report affects tomorrow's client meeting.
B

Het rapport heeft meer impact, vooral als anderen ervan afhankelijk zijn.

ut rah-POR(T) HAYFT MAYR IM-pakt, VOHR-ahl ahls AHN-duh-run ur-VAHN ahf-HANG-kuh-luk zine. The report has higher impact, especially if others depend on it.
A

De ontwerpbeoordeling blokkeert ook een andere teamgenoot.

duh awnt-WERP-buh-OHR-duh-ling bloh-KAYRT OHK uh(n) AHN-duh-ruh TAYM-khuh-NOHT. The design review also blocks another teammate.
B

Doe dan eerst de ontwerpbeoordeling die je teamgenoot blokkeert, als die snel klaar kan zijn.

doo dahn AYRST duh awnt-WERP-buh-OHR-duh-ling dee yuh TAYM-khuh-NOHT bloh-KAYRT, ahls dee SNEL KLAHR kahn zine. Then handle the review that is blocking your teammate first if it will be quick.
A

Daarna kan ik me op het rapport richten zonder iemand te onderbreken.

DAHR-nah kahn ik muh op ut rah-POR(T) RIKH-tun ZON-duhr EE-mahnt tuh on-duh-BRAY-kuh(n). After that, I can focus on the report without interrupting anyone.
B

Afhankelijkheden kunnen veranderen welke taak eerst moet worden gedaan.

ahf-HANG-kuh-lik-HAY-duh(n) KUN-uh(n) vuh-RAHN-duh-run VEL-kuh TAHK AYRST MOOT VOR-duh(n) khuh-DAHN. Dependencies can change which task should come first.
A

De dringende e-mail kan wachten tot na de eerste versie van het rapport.

duh DRING-un-duh AY-mail kahn VAKH-tuh(n) tot nah duh AYRST-uh VAIR-see vahn ut rah-POR(T). The urgent email can wait until after the report draft.
B

Prioriteren gaat om de gevolgen, niet alleen om de druk.

pree-oh-ree-TAY-run KHAHT om duh khuh-VOL-khuh(n), neet ah-LAYN om duh DRUHK. Prioritizing is about consequences, not just pressure.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and is the speaker referring to themself as the subject of “Ik heb vier taken”. It is used before the verb when stating what the speaker has; the same pattern can be reused with “Ik heb” followed by an object. A speaker uses it when talking about their own situation or possessions.
heb “heb” means “have” in “Ik heb vier taken”, expressing that the speaker has four tasks. With “Ik”, this is the form used to state possession or something currently assigned to the speaker. It can be reused in the pattern “Ik heb” followed by an object when describing what one has.
taken “taken” means “tasks” in “Ik heb vier taken”. The form refers to several pieces of work, which fits the plural quantity “vier”. It is useful at work when listing assigned pieces of work or responsibilities.
en “en” connects two statements or items and means “and” in “vier taken en ze lijken allemaal belangrijk”. It links the information about having tasks with the speaker’s assessment of them. It can connect two related ideas in a list or sentence.
ze “ze” means “they” here and refers back to the four tasks in “ze lijken allemaal belangrijk”. It is the subject of “lijken”, so the verb describes how the tasks appear. It can be reused when referring back to several people or things already mentioned.
lijken “lijken” means “seem” or “appear” in “ze lijken allemaal belangrijk”. It presents “belangrijk” as an impression rather than an established fact. It can be reused before an adjective when several things appear to have a certain quality.
allemaal “allemaal” means “all” or “all of them” in “ze lijken allemaal belangrijk”. It shows that the description applies to every one of the four tasks, not just some of them. It is useful when making a statement about an entire group.
belangrijk “belangrijk” means “important” in “ze lijken allemaal belangrijk”. It describes the tasks as having significance or priority in the speaker’s view. It can be reused after “lijken” to describe something that appears important.
Scheid “Scheid” tells someone to separate urgency from impact in “Scheid urgentie van impact”. It is a direct instruction to distinguish two criteria before deciding. The reusable pattern is “Scheid X van Y” when telling someone to keep two considerations apart.
urgentie “urgentie” means “urgency” in “Scheid urgentie van impact”. It refers to how quickly something needs attention, which is treated separately from its impact. It is useful at work when discussing which tasks need immediate action.
van “van” means “from” in the separation pattern “Scheid urgentie van impact”. It marks the second consideration that is being distinguished from the first. In this pattern, it follows the thing being separated and introduces the thing it is separated from.
impact “impact” means “impact” in “Scheid urgentie van impact”. It refers to the effect or importance of a task’s result, rather than how quickly it feels pressing. It is useful when comparing work by the consequences it may have.
voordat “voordat” means “before” in “voordat je de volgorde kiest”. It introduces the action that must happen first: separating urgency from impact. It can be reused to place a subordinate action before another decision or event.
je “je” means “you” in “voordat je de volgorde kiest”. It identifies the person who chooses the order. It can be reused as the subject when giving guidance about what another person should do.
de “de” is the definite article in “de volgorde”, meaning “the” order. It identifies a specific order that is being chosen, and the same form appears capitalized as “De” at the beginning of “De e-mail” and “De dringende e-mail”. It is used before the noun when referring to a specific item.
volgorde “volgorde” means “order” or “sequence” in “de volgorde kiest”. It refers to the arrangement in which the tasks will be handled. It is useful when deciding which item comes first, second, or later.
kiest “kiest” means “choose” in “je de volgorde kiest”. It describes selecting the order of the tasks, and it appears after the subject “je” in this clause. It can be reused when saying that someone selects one option or arrangement.
e-mail “e-mail” means “email” in “De e-mail is dringend”. It identifies one specific work message that needs consideration. It is useful when discussing a message as a task or source of urgency.
is “is” means “is” in “De e-mail is dringend”. It links the email to the quality “dringend” and states its current status. It can be reused to describe what something is like or what condition it has.
dringend “dringend” means “urgent” in “De e-mail is dringend”. It says that the email seems to require prompt attention, although the dialogue later compares that urgency with other consequences. It can be reused after “is” to describe a task or message that needs quick attention.
maar “maar” means “but” in “De e-mail is dringend, maar het rapport heeft invloed op...”. It introduces a contrasting consideration: the email is urgent, while the report has an effect on a future meeting. It is useful for balancing two facts that point toward different decisions.
het “het” is the definite article in “het rapport”, meaning “the” report. It identifies the particular report under discussion, and the same form appears capitalized as “Het rapport” at the beginning of the next sentence. It is used before this specific noun when referring back to the report.
rapport “rapport” means “report” in “het rapport heeft invloed op...”. It refers to the work document connected to tomorrow’s client meeting. It is useful in workplace discussions about a document that must be prepared or reviewed.
heeft “heeft” means “has” in “het rapport heeft invloed op...”. It states that the report produces an effect on the client meeting. It can be reused with a singular subject when describing what something has or what effect it has.
invloed “invloed” means “influence” or “effect” in the expression “heeft invloed op”. Together with “heeft” and “op”, the expression says that the report affects the meeting. The pattern “invloed op” is useful when identifying what is affected by something.
op “op” means “on” in “heeft invloed op de vergadering”. It introduces the meeting that is affected by the report. In the reusable expression “invloed op”, it follows “invloed” and names the target of the effect.
vergadering “vergadering” means “meeting” in “de vergadering met de klant morgen”. It refers to the client meeting taking place tomorrow. It is useful when discussing a planned work meeting or its preparation.
met “met” means “with” in “de vergadering met de klant”. It identifies the people involved in the meeting: the client. It can be reused before a person or group to describe who is participating in an event.
klant “klant” means “client” in “de klant”. It identifies the person or organization meeting with the speakers. It is useful in workplace communication when discussing work done for or with a client.
morgen “morgen” means “tomorrow” in “de vergadering met de klant morgen”. It places the client meeting on the day after today. It can be used to specify when a planned event will happen.
meer “meer” means “more” or “higher” in “meer impact”. It compares the report’s impact with the impact of another task. It can be reused before a noun when saying that one thing has a greater amount or degree than another.
vooral “vooral” means “especially” in “vooral als anderen ervan afhankelijk zijn”. It highlights the condition that makes the report’s impact particularly important. It is useful for emphasizing one factor within a larger explanation.
als “als” means “if” in “als anderen ervan afhankelijk zijn”. It introduces the condition under which the report has especially high importance. It can be reused to introduce a possible situation and its consequence.
anderen “anderen” means “others” in “anderen ervan afhankelijk zijn”. It refers to people besides the speaker and the immediate listener who rely on the report. It is useful when referring to additional people without naming them.
ervan “ervan” means “of it” or “from it” here and refers back to the report in “anderen ervan afhankelijk zijn”. With “afhankelijk zijn”, the whole expression means that others depend on the report. It can be reused when referring back to something already mentioned as the thing on which people depend.
afhankelijk “afhankelijk” means “dependent” in “ervan afhankelijk zijn”. It describes a situation in which other people need the report or its result before they can continue. The reusable pattern is “afhankelijk zijn van” or “afhankelijk zijn ervan” when expressing dependence.
zijn “zijn” means “are” in “anderen ervan afhankelijk zijn”. It completes the expression saying that the other people are dependent on the report. It can be reused after a plural subject in the pattern “X zijn afhankelijk van Y”.
Ontwerpbeoordeling “Ontwerpbeoordeling” means “design review” in “De ontwerpbeoordeling blokkeert...”, with the initial capital because it begins the sentence; the same noun appears as “ontwerpbeoordeling” later. It names the review task that another teammate needs. It is useful when discussing approval or evaluation of a design at work.
blokkeert “blokkeert” means “blocks” in “De ontwerpbeoordeling blokkeert ook een andere teamgenoot”. It says that the design review prevents the teammate from moving forward. It can be reused in the pattern “X blokkeert Y” when one task or event stops another person or process.
ook “ook” means “also” in “blokkeert ook een andere teamgenoot”. It adds the teammate as another person affected by the design review. It is useful when adding one more fact or affected person to information already given.
een “een” introduces “een andere teamgenoot” and means “a” or “an”. It presents the teammate as one person who has not been individually identified. It can be reused before a singular noun when introducing one nonspecific person or thing.
andere “andere” means “another” in “een andere teamgenoot”. It distinguishes this teammate from the people already being discussed. It can be reused before a noun when referring to a different person or item of the same general kind.
teamgenoot “teamgenoot” means “teammate” in “een andere teamgenoot”. It refers to another person on the same team whose work is affected by the review. It is useful in workplace conversations about colleagues and shared dependencies.
Doe “Doe” tells the listener to handle or do something in “Doe dan eerst de ontwerpbeoordeling”. It is a direct instruction to take care of the review first. The pattern “Doe ... eerst” can be reused when telling someone which task to handle before others.
dan “dan” means “then” in “Doe dan eerst...”. It connects the recommendation to the situation just described: because the teammate is blocked, the review should be handled next. It can be reused when giving the next step in a sequence of actions.
eerst “eerst” means “first” in “Doe dan eerst de ontwerpbeoordeling”. It marks the review as the task to handle before the others. It is useful when setting the first step or priority in a sequence.
die “die” means “that” or “which” in “de ontwerpbeoordeling die je teamgenoot blokkeert”. It introduces a clause describing which review is meant. It can be reused after a noun to add identifying information about that person or thing.
snel “snel” means “quick” in “als die snel klaar kan zijn”. It describes the review as something that may be finished in a short time. It can be reused before “klaar” when referring to something that can be completed quickly.
klaar “klaar” means “finished” or “ready” in “snel klaar kan zijn”. With the review as the subject, it describes the review as completed. The pattern “klaar zijn” is useful when saying that a task or item is finished or ready.
kan “kan” expresses possibility in “snel klaar kan zijn” and “kan wachten”. Here it says that the review may be finished quickly and that the email is able to wait. It is commonly followed by another verb, as in “kan zijn” or “kan wachten”.
Daarna “Daarna” means “after that” in “Daarna kan ik me op het rapport richten”. It marks the next stage after completing the design review. It is useful for organizing actions in time and showing what happens next.
me “me” refers back to the speaker in “me op het rapport richten”. Together with “richten op”, it forms the expression for directing one’s attention toward the report. It is used when the speaker is the person focusing on something.
richten “richten” means “focus” in the expression “me op het rapport richten”. The full expression says that the speaker will direct their attention to the report. It can be reused with “op” to describe focusing attention or effort on a particular task.
zonder “zonder” means “without” in “zonder iemand te onderbreken”. It introduces something that will not happen while the speaker focuses on the report. The construction “zonder ... te” is useful for saying that an action is done without performing another action.
iemand “iemand” means “anyone” in “zonder iemand te onderbreken”. It refers to an unspecified person who should not be interrupted. It is useful when the identity of the person is not important or is not stated.
te “te” marks the infinitive in “te onderbreken” after “zonder iemand”. It helps form the construction meaning “without interrupting anyone”. It can be reused before an infinitive in the pattern “zonder ... te”.
onderbreken “onderbreken” means “interrupt” in “zonder iemand te onderbreken”. It refers to stopping someone while they are speaking or working. It is useful when explaining that an action can be completed without disturbing another person.
Afhankelijkheden “Afhankelijkheden” means “dependencies” in “Afhankelijkheden kunnen veranderen...”, with an initial capital because it begins the sentence. In this work context, it refers to relationships in which one task or person relies on another. It is useful when explaining why task order may change.
kunnen “kunnen” means “can” in “Afhankelijkheden kunnen veranderen”. It expresses the possibility that dependencies alter the order of work. It is followed here by the infinitive “veranderen”, and the same modal pattern can be used for other possible actions.
veranderen “veranderen” means “change” in “Afhankelijkheden kunnen veranderen welke taak eerst moet worden gedaan”. It says that dependencies may alter the decision about which task comes first. It can be reused when a situation, plan, or result becomes different.
welke “welke” means “which” in “welke taak eerst moet worden gedaan”. It introduces a choice among possible tasks. It can be reused before a noun when asking or explaining which member of a group is involved.
taak “taak” means “task” in “welke taak eerst moet worden gedaan”. It refers to one item of work whose position in the sequence is being decided. It is useful when discussing a particular piece of work among several tasks.
moet “moet” means “must” or “should” in “welke taak eerst moet worden gedaan”. It expresses the required or appropriate action in the task order. It can be reused before a verb when stating what needs to happen.
worden “worden” means “be” in the passive expression “moet worden gedaan”. Together with “gedaan”, it says that the task must be completed, without focusing on who performs it. It can be reused before a completion form when describing an action that must be carried out.
gedaan “gedaan” means “done” in “moet worden gedaan”. Together with “worden”, it forms the passive idea that the task must be completed. It is useful when the completion of the task matters more than naming the person who does it.
dringende “dringende” means “urgent” in “De dringende e-mail”. It describes the email as needing prompt attention and appears before the noun it modifies. It can be reused before a noun when identifying an urgent task, message, or request.
wachten “wachten” means “wait” in “kan wachten tot na de eerste versie van het rapport”. It says that the urgent email does not need to be handled before the report draft. It can be reused with “wachten tot” to describe delaying something until a specified point.
tot “tot” means “until” in “wachten tot na de eerste versie van het rapport”. It introduces the point up to which the email can wait. The pattern “wachten tot” is useful when specifying when an action will happen later.
na “na” means “after” in “tot na de eerste versie van het rapport”. It places the relevant point after the first version of the report. It can be reused before an event or time to describe what happens afterward.
eerste “eerste” means “first” in “de eerste versie van het rapport”. It identifies the initial version of the report, before later revisions. It is useful when distinguishing an initial draft or stage from subsequent versions.
versie “versie” means “version” and refers here to the first draft of the report in “de eerste versie van het rapport”. It identifies a particular stage of the document. It is useful when discussing drafts or successive forms of a document.
Prioriteren “Prioriteren” names the activity of prioritizing in “Prioriteren gaat om de gevolgen”. It is used as the topic of the sentence and refers to deciding what should come first. It is useful when explaining the general principle behind ordering tasks.
gaat “gaat” contributes to the expression “gaat om”, which means “is about” in “Prioriteren gaat om de gevolgen”. It connects prioritizing with the factor that should guide it. The reusable pattern “Het gaat om ...” introduces the main point or subject of a discussion.
om “om” completes the expression “gaat om de gevolgen”, meaning “is about the consequences”. It introduces what prioritizing is concerned with. The pattern “gaat om” is useful for stating the central issue or criterion.
gevolgen “gevolgen” means “consequences” in “gaat om de gevolgen”. It refers to the results that follow from choosing one task before another. It is useful when evaluating decisions by what may happen afterward.
niet “niet” means “not” in “niet alleen om de druk”. It negates the idea that pressure alone determines the priority. It is useful for rejecting or limiting one explanation in a comparison.
alleen “alleen” means “only” or “alone” in “niet alleen om de druk”. Together with “niet”, it says that prioritizing is not based on pressure alone. It can be reused to limit a factor by saying that it is the sole consideration.
druk “druk” means “pressure” in “niet alleen om de druk”. It refers to the feeling that a task needs attention because it seems pressing, rather than to its broader consequences. It is useful when discussing urgency or pressure in workplace decisions.

Grammar Points

zich richten op + zelfstandig naamwoord

Ik richt me op het rapport.

ik RIKHT muh op ut rah-POR(T).

I focus on the report.

Dit wederkerende werkwoord gebruikt een voornaamwoord zoals me; op staat vóór het zelfstandig naamwoord.

ervan afhankelijk zijn

De volgorde is ervan afhankelijk.

duh VOL-khor-duh is ur-VAHN ahf-HANG-kuh-luk.

The sequence depends on it.

Bij een verwijzing naar iets gebruikt het Nederlands ervan in plaats van alleen van.

Dutch Vocabulary

belangrijk adj
buh-LAHNG-khreyk important
dringend adj
DRING-unt urgent
impact noun
IM-pakt impact
invloed hebben op phrase
IN-vloot HEB-uh(n) op to affect or have an impact on heeft invloed op
kiezen verb
KEE-zun to choose kiest
lijken verb
LIGH-kuh(n) to seem
rapport noun
rah-POR(T) report
scheiden verb
SKHAI-duh(n) to separate Scheid
taak noun
TAHK task taken
urgentie noun
ur-KHEN-tsee urgency
vergadering noun
vuh-KHAH-duh-ring meeting
volgorde noun
VOL-khor-duh order or sequence

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

urgent

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impact

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task

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to seem

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