About This Lesson
Use Navigating a Clinic Visit to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Ik heb een afspraak bij de kliniek.
ik hep uhn uhf-SPRAHK bay duh klee-NEEK. I have a clinic appointment.
A
Maar ik weet niet zeker wat ik eerst moet doen.
mahr ik vayt neet ZAY-kuhr wuht ik AYRST moht doon. But I am not sure what to do first.
B
Begin bij de receptie en laat het personeel je verzekeringspas zien.
buh-GHIN bay duh ray-SEP-tsee uhn laht uht pehr-soh-NAYL yuh vuh-ZAY-kuh-rings-pahs zeen. Start at reception and show them your insurance card.
A
Moet ik een formulier invullen voordat ik de verpleegkundige zie?
moht ik uhn for-moo-LEER in-VUL-luhn VOHR-daht ik duh vur-PLAYKH-kun-duh-khuh zee? Will I need to fill out a form before I see the nurse?
B
Waarschijnlijk, vooral als dit je eerste bezoek is.
vahr-SHINE-luk, vohr-AHL ahls dit yuh AYRST buh-ZOOK is. Probably, especially if this is your first visit.
A
Moet ik daarna in de centrale wachtkamer wachten?
moht ik DAHR-nah in duh sen-TRAH-luh VAKHT-kah-mur VAKH-tuhn? Should I wait in the main waiting room after that?
B
Blijf daar, tenzij de receptie je ergens anders heen stuurt.
blayf dahr, ten-ZAY duh ray-SEP-tsee yuh AYR-ghuns AHN-ders hayn sturt. Stay there unless reception sends you somewhere else.
A
Ik voel me nerveus als ik niet weet hoe de procedure werkt.
ik fool muh nur-VEWS ahls ik neet vayt hoo duh proh-seh-DEW-ruh vairkht. I feel nervous when I do not know the procedure.
B
Dat is normaal. Je kunt het personeel vragen om elke stap uit te leggen.
daht is nor-MAHL. yuh kunt uht pehr-soh-NAYL VRAH-khun om AY-kuh STAP OWT-LEKH-uh. That is normal. You can ask the staff to explain each step.
A
Ik kom vroeg aan, zodat ik genoeg tijd heb voor het papierwerk.
ik kom frook ahn, soh-DAHT ik khuh-NOOK tayt hep vohr uht pah-PEER-vairk. I will arrive early so I have enough time for the paperwork.
B
Extra tijd zou ervoor moeten zorgen dat de afspraak minder gehaast aanvoelt.
EX-trah tayt zow er-VOHR MOH-tuhn ZOR-khun daht duh uhf-SPRAHK MIN-der khuh-HAHST AHN-foolt. Extra time should make the appointment feel less rushed.Word by Word
Ik
In ‘Ik heb een afspraak’, this means ‘I’ and identifies the person speaking. It is used when the speaker talks about their own situation, such as having an appointment.
heb
In ‘Ik heb een afspraak’, this means ‘have’. The dialogue form ‘heb’ is the form of hebben used with ik; the pattern Ik heb + noun expresses possession or a situation the speaker has.
een
In ‘een afspraak’, this means ‘a’ and introduces one unspecified appointment. It is used before a singular noun, as in ‘een formulier’.
afspraak
In ‘een afspraak bij de kliniek’, this means an appointment. The phrase is useful when telling reception or another person that you have scheduled a visit.
bij
In ‘bij de kliniek’, this indicates where or with which institution the appointment is. The pattern een afspraak bij + place or institution identifies the location of an appointment.
de
In ‘de kliniek’, this is the definite article before the specific clinic being discussed. The same article appears in phrases such as ‘de receptie’ and ‘de verpleegkundige’.
kliniek
In ‘de kliniek’, this means clinic, the place where the appointment takes place. It is useful when naming the medical facility in an appointment or directions context.
Maar
At the start of ‘Maar ik weet niet zeker’, this means ‘but’ and introduces a contrasting concern. It is useful when adding a problem or limitation after stating something positive.
weet
In ‘ik weet niet zeker’, this means ‘know’ and expresses that the speaker is not certain. The dialogue form ‘weet’ is the form of weten used with ik; the pattern ik weet + information describes knowledge or certainty.
niet
In ‘ik weet niet zeker’, this negates the speaker’s certainty. The phrase niet zeker is a reusable way to say that someone is unsure about information or a decision.
zeker
In ‘niet zeker’, this means ‘sure’ or ‘certain’. Together with niet, it expresses uncertainty about what to do at the clinic.
wat
In ‘wat ik eerst moet doen’, this means ‘what’ and introduces the action the speaker needs to identify. The pattern wat + clause is useful when asking which thing or action is involved.
eerst
In ‘wat ik eerst moet doen’, this means ‘first’ and marks the earliest action in the procedure. It is useful for organizing steps in order, especially when asking where to begin.
moet
In ‘Moet ik een formulier invullen?’ and ‘wat ik eerst moet doen’, this expresses necessity or what the speaker needs to do. ‘Moet’ and ‘moet’ are forms of moeten; the patterns Moet ik + action? and wat ik moet + action help ask about required steps.
doen
In ‘wat ik eerst moet doen’, this means ‘do’ and refers to the action the speaker should take. It follows moet in the pattern moet + infinitive, which is useful when asking what action is required.
Begin
In ‘Begin bij de receptie’, this is a direct instruction to start at reception. The dialogue form ‘Begin’ comes from beginnen; the pattern Begin bij + place gives someone a starting point.
receptie
In ‘bij de receptie’, this means reception, the place or desk where the visit begins. It is useful when asking where to check in or where to show documents.
en
In ‘Begin bij de receptie en laat het personeel je verzekeringspas zien’, this means ‘and’ and connects two instructions. It is useful for linking actions that should be carried out as part of the same procedure.
laat
In ‘laat het personeel je verzekeringspas zien’, this helps express that the staff should see the insurance card, so the whole phrase means to show it to them. The dialogue form ‘laat’ comes from laten and is followed here by the person involved and the action zien.
het
In ‘het personeel’, this is the definite article before the staff being addressed at the clinic. It does not itself mean ‘staff’; that meaning comes from the complete phrase ‘het personeel’.
personeel
In ‘het personeel’, this means the staff working at the clinic. The phrase is useful when asking or telling clinic employees to help with a form, card, or procedure.
je
In ‘je verzekeringspas’, this means ‘your’, while in ‘je ergens anders heen stuurt’ it means ‘you’. The form can therefore identify the listener’s possession before a noun or the listener as the object of an action.
verzekeringspas
In ‘je verzekeringspas’, this means insurance card. It is useful at reception when showing the document needed for check-in.
zien
In ‘laat het personeel je verzekeringspas zien’, this refers to the staff seeing the insurance card. Together with laat, the full phrase tells the listener to show the card; zien itself is the action of seeing.
formulier
In ‘een formulier invullen’, this means form, referring to the document completed before seeing the nurse. The phrase is useful when asking which document needs to be completed.
invullen
In ‘een formulier invullen’, this means fill out. It is used with a document such as ‘een formulier’ when entering the required information before an appointment.
voordat
In ‘voordat ik de verpleegkundige zie’, this means ‘before’ and places filling out the form earlier than seeing the nurse. It is useful for describing the order of two actions.
verpleegkundige
In ‘de verpleegkundige’, this means nurse, the medical professional the speaker expects to see. It is useful when asking about the next person in the clinic visit.
zie
In ‘voordat ik de verpleegkundige zie’, this means ‘see’ the nurse. The dialogue form ‘zie’ is the form of zien used with ik; the pattern iemand zien identifies whom the speaker will meet or see.
Waarschijnlijk
At the start of ‘Waarschijnlijk, vooral als dit je eerste bezoek is’, this means ‘probably’ and expresses an answer that is likely but not completely certain. It is useful when giving a cautious answer about clinic requirements.
vooral
In ‘vooral als dit je eerste bezoek is’, this means ‘especially’ and gives extra importance to the first-visit condition. The pattern vooral als + clause highlights a situation in which something is particularly likely or relevant.
als
In ‘als dit je eerste bezoek is’, this means ‘if’ and introduces the condition for the advice. It is useful before a clause that explains when something applies.
dit
In ‘dit je eerste bezoek’, this means ‘this’ and points to the current clinic visit. It helps identify the visit being discussed rather than another visit.
eerste
In ‘je eerste bezoek’, this means ‘first’ and identifies the initial visit. It is useful before a noun when distinguishing the beginning of a series of visits or events.
bezoek
In ‘je eerste bezoek’, this means visit. The phrase is useful when discussing someone’s first time at a clinic or another place.
is
In ‘dit je eerste bezoek is’, this links the current visit with the description ‘your first visit’. The dialogue form ‘is’ is a form of zijn; the pattern X is Y identifies or describes something.
daarna
In ‘Moet ik daarna in de centrale wachtkamer wachten?’, this means ‘after that’ and refers to the action of filling out the form. It is useful for asking about the next step in a sequence.
in
In ‘in de centrale wachtkamer’, this indicates the place where the speaker should wait. The pattern in + place is useful for describing where someone stays or performs an action.
centrale
In ‘de centrale wachtkamer’, this means central or main and distinguishes the main waiting room. It is used as part of the noun phrase that identifies the correct waiting area.
wachtkamer
In ‘de centrale wachtkamer’, this means waiting room. The phrase is useful when giving or asking for instructions about where to wait at a clinic.
wachten
In ‘in de centrale wachtkamer wachten’, this means wait. It is used with a place in the pattern in + place + wachten to describe waiting at that location.
Blijf
In ‘Blijf daar’, this is a direct instruction to stay in the indicated place. The dialogue form ‘Blijf’ comes from blijven; the pattern Blijf + place or adverb gives someone guidance about where to remain.
daar
In ‘Blijf daar’, this means ‘there’ and refers to the central waiting room already mentioned. It is useful for referring back to a place without repeating its name.
tenzij
In ‘tenzij de receptie je ergens anders heen stuurt’, this means ‘unless’ and introduces the exception to staying in the waiting room. It is useful when giving an instruction that changes only under a stated condition.
ergens
In ‘ergens anders heen’, this indicates an unspecified place. Together with ‘anders’, it means somewhere else, which is useful when the exact destination is not known.
anders
In ‘ergens anders heen’, this means ‘else’ or ‘different’ and contrasts the new destination with the current waiting room. The pattern ergens anders refers to another unspecified place.
heen
In ‘ergens anders heen stuurt’, this marks movement toward the destination. It completes the direction phrase with the destination in an instruction about sending someone somewhere.
stuurt
In ‘de receptie je ergens anders heen stuurt’, this means sends or directs you somewhere else. The dialogue form ‘stuurt’ comes from sturen; the pattern iemand ergens heen sturen is useful when staff give a person directions to another place.
voel
In ‘Ik voel me nerveus’, this means ‘feel’ and introduces the speaker’s emotional state. The pattern Ik voel me + description is useful when explaining how an unfamiliar situation affects you.
me
In ‘Ik voel me nerveus’, this refers back to the speaker and forms the expression ‘I feel nervous’. It is used with voel when describing the speaker’s own feeling.
nerveus
In ‘Ik voel me nerveus’, this means nervous and describes the speaker’s feeling about not knowing the procedure. It is useful when telling clinic staff or another person that an appointment feels stressful.
hoe
In ‘hoe de procedure werkt’, this means ‘how’ and introduces an explanation of the procedure’s operation. The pattern hoe + clause is useful when asking or explaining the way something works.
procedure
In ‘hoe de procedure werkt’, this means procedure, referring to the sequence of steps during the clinic visit. It is useful when asking staff to explain what will happen.
werkt
In ‘hoe de procedure werkt’, this means works or functions, describing how the procedure operates. The dialogue form ‘werkt’ comes from werken; the pattern hoe iets werkt is useful when asking for an explanation.
Dat
In ‘Dat is normaal’, this refers back to feeling nervous and means ‘that’. In ‘zorgen dat de afspraak minder gehaast aanvoelt’, lowercase ‘dat’ introduces the result clause; these uses connect an idea with a following description or result.
normaal
In ‘Dat is normaal’, this means normal and reassures the speaker that feeling nervous is understandable. The phrase Dat is normaal is useful when responding supportively to someone’s concern.
kunt
In ‘Je kunt het personeel vragen’, this means ‘can’ and presents asking the staff as an available option. The dialogue form ‘kunt’ comes from kunnen; the pattern Je kunt + action gives practical advice or permission.
vragen
In ‘het personeel vragen om elke stap uit te leggen’, this means ask. The pattern iemand vragen om + action is useful when requesting help or an explanation from another person.
om
In ‘vragen om elke stap uit te leggen’, this introduces the action being requested. It works with the following te-construction to express what someone is asked to do.
elke
In ‘elke stap’, this means each or every and applies the request to all steps individually. It is used before a singular noun when referring to every item in a series.
stap
In ‘elke stap uit te leggen’, this means step in the clinic procedure. The phrase is useful when asking staff to explain the procedure one part at a time.
uit
In ‘uit te leggen’, this is the separable part of the verb uitleggen and contributes to the meaning ‘explain’. It stays separated from leggen in this te-construction, while the full dialogue phrase refers to explaining each step.
te
In ‘om elke stap uit te leggen’, this marks the infinitive phrase that describes the requested action. The pattern om + object + te + action is useful after a request such as ‘vragen om’.
leggen
In ‘uit te leggen’, this is the infinitive part that combines with uit to form the meaning ‘explain’. The related citation form is uitleggen, and here it refers to explaining each step rather than placing something somewhere.
kom
In ‘Ik kom vroeg aan’, this means ‘come’ or ‘arrive’ and describes the speaker’s arrival at the clinic. The dialogue form ‘kom’ comes from komen; with aan, the pattern Ik kom ... aan expresses arriving.
vroeg
In ‘kom vroeg aan’, this means early and explains when the speaker plans to arrive. It is useful when arranging enough time before an appointment.
aan
In ‘kom vroeg aan’, this is the separable part of aankomen and completes the meaning ‘arrive’. It appears after the other verb part in the main-clause pattern Ik kom ... aan.
zodat
In ‘zodat ik genoeg tijd heb’, this means ‘so that’ and introduces the intended result of arriving early. It is useful for explaining the purpose or expected consequence of an action.
genoeg
In ‘genoeg tijd’, this means enough and indicates that the amount of time will be sufficient. The pattern genoeg + noun is useful when describing a sufficient quantity.
tijd
In ‘genoeg tijd voor het papierwerk’, this means time, specifically the time available for completing paperwork. The pattern genoeg tijd voor + activity identifies what the available time is intended for.
voor
In ‘tijd voor het papierwerk’, this means ‘for’ and identifies the purpose of the available time. The pattern tijd voor + noun is useful when allocating time to a task.
papierwerk
In ‘het papierwerk’, this means paperwork, referring to the forms and related documents for the visit. It is useful when explaining why someone wants to arrive early.
Extra
In ‘Extra tijd’, this means additional time beyond the usual amount. The pattern extra + noun is useful when describing an added resource that may make a task easier.
zou
In ‘zou ervoor moeten zorgen’, this helps present the expected effect of extra time cautiously rather than as a guaranteed result. It works here with moeten in the pattern zou ... moeten ... to describe what should happen.
ervoor
In ‘ervoor zorgen dat de afspraak minder gehaast aanvoelt’, this refers to the result produced by the extra time. Together with zorgen, the fixed pattern ervoor zorgen dat + clause means to make sure or cause something to happen.
moeten
In ‘zou ervoor moeten zorgen’, this means should in the sense of an expected result. It follows zou and combines with the action zorgen in the pattern zou moeten + action.
zorgen
In ‘ervoor zorgen dat de afspraak minder gehaast aanvoelt’, this contributes to the meaning ‘make sure’ or ‘cause’. The reusable pattern ervoor zorgen dat + result clause connects an action with its expected effect.
minder
In ‘minder gehaast’, this means less and reduces the degree of feeling rushed. The pattern minder + description is useful when comparing the intensity of an experience.
gehaast
In ‘minder gehaast aanvoelt’, this means rushed and describes how the appointment may feel. It is useful when discussing whether there is enough time to complete a process calmly.
aanvoelt
In ‘de afspraak minder gehaast aanvoelt’, this means feels and describes the appointment’s subjective impression. The dialogue form ‘aanvoelt’ comes from aanvoelen; it appears here at the end of the clause describing how the appointment feels.
Grammar Points
tenzij + bijzin: het werkwoord staat achteraan
Blijf, tenzij de verpleegkundige de procedure uitlegt.
blayf, ten-ZAY duh vur-PLAYKH-kun-duh-khuh duh proh-seh-DEW-ruh OWT-laykht.Stay, unless the nurse explains the procedure.
Na tenzij volgt een bijzin. Het vervoegde werkwoord staat aan het einde: de verpleegkundige ... uitlegt.
Dutch Vocabulary
afspraak
noun
uhf-SPRAHK
appointment
eerst
adv
AYRST
first
formulier
noun
for-moo-LEER
form
invullen
verb
in-VUL-luhn
to fill out
kliniek
noun
klee-NEEK
clinic
personeel
noun
pehr-soh-NAYL
staff
receptie
noun
ray-SEP-tsee
reception
verpleegkundige
noun
vur-PLAYKH-kun-duh-khuh
nurse
verzekeringspas
noun
vuh-ZAY-kuh-rings-pahs
insurance card
vooral
adv
vohr-AHL
especially
waarschijnlijk
adv
vahr-SHINE-luk
probably
zeker
adj
ZAY-kuhr
sure
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
staff
Show Answer
personeelappointment
Show Answer
afspraakform
Show Answer
formulierfirst