Resolving a shared kitchen problem | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: In a shared kitchen, two adults plan a calm message about cleaning dishes, counters, and trash without blaming anyone..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Resolving a shared kitchen problem to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Na het avondeten was de gedeelde keuken weer rommelig achtergelaten.

Nah het AH-vont-ay-tun vahz duh khuh-DEHL-duh KUR-kun vair ROM-uh-luk AKH-tur-khuh-LAH-tun. The shared kitchen was left messy again after dinner.
B

We moeten dit bespreken zonder één persoon de schuld te geven.

Vuh MOY-tun dit buh-SPRAY-kun zun-DER ayn pair-SOHN duh SKHULT tuh KHAY-vun. We should bring it up without blaming one person.
A

Misschien zou een herinnering aan ieders schoonmaaktaken helpen.

Muh-SKHEEN zow un huh-RIN-uh-ring ahn EE-durs SKHOHN-mahk-tah-kun HEL-pun. Maybe a reminder about cleaning responsibilities would help.
B

Maak het concreet door de afwas, het aanrecht en het afval te noemen.

Mahk het kohn-KRAYT dohr duh AH-fvahs, het AHN-rekht un het AH-fahl tuh NOH-mun. Make it specific by mentioning dishes, counters, and trash.
A

Zullen we eerst een rooster ophangen of het in de groepschat bespreken?

ZUL-un vuh AIRST un ROH-stur OHF-hahn-khun or het in duh KHROOPS-khat buh-SPRAY-kun? Should we post a schedule or talk in the group chat first?
B

Begin met een rustig bericht, zodat het niet agressief overkomt.

Buh-KHIN met un ROOS-tuk buh-RIKHT, zoh-DAHT het neet ah-khruh-SSEEF OH-vur-komt. Start with a calm message so it does not feel aggressive.
A

Het bericht kan iedereen vragen om de gedeelde ruimte te respecteren.

Het buh-RIKHT kan EE-dur-ayn VRAH-khun om duh khuh-DEHL-duh RUY-mtuh tuh ray-spekh-TAY-run. The message can ask everyone to respect the shared space.
B

Gebruik een rustige formulering en vermijd woorden als altijd en nooit.

Khuh-BROYK un ROOS-tuh-khuh for-myoo-LAY-ring un vur-MAYT VOHR-dun ahls AHL-tayt un NOYT. Use calm wording and avoid words like always and never.
A

Zo klinkt het bericht niet als een aanval.

Zoh klinkt het buh-RIKHT neet ahls un ahn-VAHL. That keeps the message from sounding like an attack.
B

Duidelijke keukenregels werken beter als de toon respectvol blijft.

DOY-duh-luh-kuh KUR-kun-ray-khuls WER-kun BAY-tur ahls duh TOHN ray-SPEKH-tfohl BLYFT. Clear kitchen rules work better when the tone stays respectful.

Word by Word

Na “Na” means after in time, here referring to the time after dinner. It appears in “Na het avondeten”. A reliable reuse pattern is “Na” followed by an event or time. Use it when saying when something happened.
het “het” is the definite article meaning the in “het avondeten”. It is the article used with this noun in the dialogue. Reuse “het” before a noun that takes this article. It is useful when referring to a specific meal or thing.
avondeten “avondeten” means dinner or the evening meal. In “het avondeten”, it names the meal after which the kitchen was left messy. The phrase “Na het avondeten” is a useful way to place an event after dinner. Use it when discussing evening routines.
was “was” means was and places the kitchen situation in the past. It is used in the sentence describing what condition the kitchen was left in. A useful reuse pattern is “was” with a description of a past state. Use it when recounting what something was like earlier.
de “de” is the definite article meaning the in “de gedeelde keuken”. It introduces the specific kitchen being discussed. Reuse “de” before a noun that takes this article. Use it when referring to a particular shared area.
gedeelde “gedeelde” means shared and describes the kitchen as used by more than one person. It appears in “de gedeelde keuken”. A useful pattern is an adjective before the noun it describes. Use it when discussing a space or responsibility shared by several people.
keuken “keuken” means kitchen, the room where the problem occurred. In “de gedeelde keuken”, it identifies the shared room. It can be reused with an article and a describing word. Use it when discussing cleaning, rules, or activities in a kitchen.
weer “weer” means again and shows that the kitchen was messy another time. It appears before the description in “weer rommelig achtergelaten”. A useful pattern is placing “weer” with an action or state that has returned. Use it when reporting a repeated problem.
rommelig “rommelig” means messy and describes the condition of the kitchen. It is used after “was” to characterize how the kitchen was left. A useful pattern is using it as a description of a room or place. Use it when a space is untidy but the situation is not necessarily severe.
achtergelaten “achtergelaten” means left behind or left in a particular condition. In this dialogue, it says that the kitchen was left messy after dinner. The form is used with “was” to describe what was left. Use it when describing the condition in which someone leaves a place or object.
We “We” means we and refers to the two people planning how to handle the kitchen issue. It is the subject of “We moeten dit bespreken”. A useful pattern is “We” followed by a verb when proposing a shared action. Use it when speaking for yourself and at least one other person.
moeten “moeten” expresses should or must in “We moeten dit bespreken”. Here it presents discussing the issue as the necessary or sensible next step. It is followed by an infinitive, such as “bespreken”. Use it when recommending an action or saying it is necessary.
dit “dit” means this and refers to the current kitchen problem. It appears directly before “bespreken” in “dit bespreken”. A useful pattern is using “dit” to point to a matter already understood from the situation. Use it when referring to the issue being discussed now.
bespreken “bespreken” means discuss or bring up. In “dit bespreken”, it names the planned action of addressing the kitchen problem. It follows “moeten” in this sentence. Use it when talking about discussing a topic with another person or group.
zonder “zonder” means without and introduces something that should not happen. In “zonder één persoon de schuld te geven”, it introduces avoiding blame. A useful pattern is “zonder” with a noun or with an action using “te”. Use it when describing an action carried out without another action or condition.
persoon “persoon” means person and refers here to one individual who should not be blamed alone. It appears in “één persoon”. The phrase identifies an individual within the group. Use it when referring to a particular human being rather than the whole group.
schuld “schuld” means blame in the expression “de schuld te geven”. The full expression means to blame one person, while “schuld” supplies the idea of responsibility for the problem. A useful reuse pattern is referring to someone as receiving blame. Use it when discussing responsibility in a conflict.
te “te” marks the infinitive in “te geven” after “zonder”. Together, “zonder één persoon de schuld te geven” describes avoiding the action of blaming one person. A useful pattern is “zonder” followed by “te” and an infinitive. Use it when explaining an action that is deliberately left out.
geven “geven” means give, but in “de schuld te geven” it forms the expression meaning to blame someone. The infinitive follows “te” in the sentence. A useful reuse pattern is the complete expression for assigning blame to a person. Use it when discussing who is being blamed for a problem.
Misschien “Misschien” means maybe and softens the suggestion that follows. In “Misschien zou ... helpen”, it presents the idea as a possibility rather than a firm instruction. A useful pattern is beginning a suggestion with “Misschien”. Use it when offering an idea cautiously.
zou “zou” means would in “Misschien zou een herinnering ... helpen”. With “Misschien”, it makes the proposed solution tentative. It is used with the infinitive “helpen”. Use it when suggesting what might have a useful effect.
een “een” means a or an and introduces one non-specific reminder in “een herinnering”. It presents the reminder as a possible solution, not as something already identified. A useful pattern is “een” before a singular noun. Use it when introducing one item or idea.
herinnering “herinnering” means reminder, something intended to help people remember an expectation or task. In the dialogue, it refers to a reminder about cleaning responsibilities. A useful pattern is a reminder connected to a subject or responsibility. Use it when suggesting a note or message that helps people remember something.
aan “aan” means about or concerning in “een herinnering aan ieders schoonmaaktaken”. It connects the reminder with the cleaning responsibilities it concerns. A useful reuse pattern is using “aan” after a noun such as a reminder to identify its subject. Use it when specifying what a reminder is about.
ieders “ieders” means everyone’s or each person’s and describes the responsibilities as belonging to all the people involved. It appears directly before “schoonmaaktaken”. A useful pattern is “ieders” followed by a noun. Use it when talking about something belonging to each member of a group.
schoonmaaktaken “schoonmaaktaken” means cleaning tasks or cleaning responsibilities. In “ieders schoonmaaktaken”, it refers to the tasks assigned to the people sharing the kitchen. The compound names specific household duties. Use it when discussing who is responsible for cleaning.
helpen “helpen” means help and describes the useful effect the reminder might have. It follows “zou” in “zou ... helpen”. A useful pattern is saying that a proposed action or object would help. Use it when evaluating a possible solution.
Maak “Maak” means make and is an instruction to make the message more specific. In “Maak het concreet”, it tells someone how to improve the communication. A useful pattern is “Maak” followed by an object and a description. Use it when giving direct advice about changing something.
concreet “concreet” means specific or concrete and describes a message that gives clear details. In “Maak het concreet”, it contrasts with leaving the request general. The dialogue shows that mentioning particular kitchen duties makes the message concrete. Use it when asking for clearer, more practical wording.
door “door” means by or through and introduces the method used to make the message specific. In “door de afwas, het aanrecht en het afval te noemen”, the method is mentioning particular items. A useful pattern is “door” followed by an action with “te”. Use it when explaining how a result can be achieved.
afwas “afwas” means the dishes or washing-up. It is the first concrete kitchen responsibility mentioned in the list. In “de afwas”, it refers to dishes that need washing rather than to the general room. Use it when discussing a household cleaning task.
aanrecht “aanrecht” means kitchen counter or work surface. It is one of the specific areas that should be mentioned in the message. The dialogue uses it as part of a list of kitchen responsibilities. Use it when discussing cleaning or leaving a kitchen surface clear.
en “en” means and and joins the listed kitchen items. In “de afwas, het aanrecht en het afval”, it connects the final item to the preceding items. A useful pattern is using “en” to link words or actions in a list. Use it when adding one related item to another.
afval “afval” means trash or waste and is the final kitchen responsibility in the list. In “het afval”, it refers to waste that needs handling. A useful pattern is mentioning “afval” when discussing household duties. Use it when talking about removing or managing waste in a shared space.
noemen “noemen” means mention or name. In “door ... te noemen”, it describes making the message specific by naming the dishes, counter, and trash. It appears as an infinitive after “te”. Use it when making a topic clearer by identifying particular people, objects, or tasks.
Zullen “Zullen” helps form a suggestion about what the two people should do next. In “Zullen we eerst een rooster ophangen of het in de groepschat bespreken?”, it proposes two possible joint actions. A useful pattern is “Zullen we” followed by an action. Use it when asking another person to decide on a shared plan.
eerst “eerst” means first and indicates which action should happen before another one. It appears in “eerst een rooster ophangen”. A useful pattern is placing “eerst” before the first step in a sequence. Use it when deciding the order of actions.
rooster “rooster” means schedule or rota. In the dialogue, it is a schedule for shared kitchen responsibilities. It appears in “een rooster ophangen”. Use it when organizing duties or times for people in a group.
ophangen “ophangen” means put up or post, especially by hanging something in a visible place. In “een rooster ophangen”, it describes posting the schedule for the group to see. A useful pattern is using it with an object that can be hung up. Use it when displaying a notice or schedule.
of “of” means or and presents two alternatives. In the question, the alternatives are posting a schedule and discussing the issue in the group chat. A useful pattern is “A of B” when choosing between options. Use it when asking which of two actions should happen.
in “in” means in and identifies the communication channel in “in de groepschat”. It places the discussion inside the group chat. A useful pattern is “in” followed by a place or communication space. Use it when saying where a conversation or activity takes place.
groepschat “groepschat” means group chat, a shared online conversation for several people. In “de groepschat”, it is the channel where the kitchen issue could be discussed. A useful pattern is referring to a discussion in a group chat. Use it when communicating with all members of a shared group.
Begin “Begin” means start or begin and gives the instruction to start with a calm message. In “Begin met een rustig bericht”, it identifies the first step. A useful pattern is “Begin met” followed by the starting point. Use it when telling someone how to start a conversation or process.
met “met” means with and identifies what the action should start with in “Begin met een rustig bericht”. It connects the verb “Begin” to the first item or step. A useful pattern is “Begin met” followed by a noun or activity. Use it when specifying the starting point of an action.
rustig “rustig” means calm and describes the message as non-confrontational. In “een rustig bericht”, it characterizes the kind of message to send. A useful pattern is placing it before a noun to describe a calm thing or approach. Use it when trying to keep communication composed.
bericht “bericht” means message, here a written communication about the shared kitchen. It appears in “een rustig bericht”. A useful pattern is describing a message by its tone or purpose. Use it when planning what to write to another person or group.
zodat “zodat” means so that and introduces the intended result of starting with a calm message. In “zodat het niet agressief overkomt”, it explains the purpose of the calm wording. A useful pattern is “zodat” followed by the result you want. Use it when connecting an action with its desired effect.
niet “niet” means not and negates the impression described in “niet agressief overkomt”. It shows that the message should avoid seeming aggressive. A useful pattern is placing “niet” with the word or phrase being negated. Use it when stating that a quality or impression should be absent.
agressief “agressief” means aggressive and describes how the message might be perceived. In “niet agressief overkomt”, it is the impression the speakers want to avoid. A useful pattern is using it after “overkomen” to describe how something seems. Use it when discussing whether communication feels hostile.
overkomt “overkomt” means comes across or is perceived in “niet agressief overkomt”. Here it describes the impression made by the message, not physical movement. A useful pattern is using “overkomen” with a description of how something seems to others. Use it when giving feedback about the tone of a message.
kan “kan” means can and expresses what the message is able or intended to do. In “Het bericht kan iedereen vragen”, it introduces the possible function of the message. A useful pattern is “kan” followed by an infinitive. Use it when describing a possible action or effect.
iedereen “iedereen” means everyone and refers to all the people sharing the space. In “iedereen vragen”, it is the group of people the message addresses. A useful pattern is asking or telling “iedereen” to do something. Use it when a request applies to the whole group.
vragen “vragen” means ask. In “iedereen vragen om de gedeelde ruimte te respecteren”, it describes making a request of everyone. The useful construction is asking someone to do something with “om” and an infinitive. Use it when making a request rather than giving a direct accusation.
om “om” helps introduce the action being requested in “vragen om de gedeelde ruimte te respecteren”. Together with “vragen”, it connects the people being asked to the requested action. A useful pattern is “vragen om” followed by an action. Use it when stating what someone is asked to do.
ruimte “ruimte” means space, here the shared area of the home. In “de gedeelde ruimte”, it refers to the place everyone should treat respectfully. A useful pattern is describing a space as shared or private. Use it when discussing how people should use a common area.
respecteren “respecteren” means respect and names the action requested of everyone. In “de gedeelde ruimte te respecteren”, it means treating the shared space considerately. It follows “om” in the request construction. Use it when asking people to treat a person, place, or rule with consideration.
Gebruik “Gebruik” means use and gives advice about the choice of wording. In “Gebruik een rustige formulering”, it tells the reader to choose calm language. A useful pattern is “Gebruik” followed by the thing to use. Use it when recommending a particular method, tool, or style.
rustige “rustige” means calm and describes the wording as composed rather than confrontational. It appears in “een rustige formulering”. The form is used directly before the noun it describes. Use it when recommending a calm style of communication.
formulering “formulering” means wording or formulation, referring to the way an idea is expressed. In “een rustige formulering”, it concerns the choice and style of words in the message. A useful pattern is describing a formulation by its tone or clarity. Use it when revising a written request.
vermijd “vermijd” means avoid and gives a direct instruction about word choice. In “vermijd woorden als altijd en nooit”, it advises leaving out words that can make the message sound accusatory. A useful pattern is “vermijd” followed by the thing to leave out. Use it when advising someone not to use a particular expression or behavior.
woorden “woorden” means words and refers here to the expressions “altijd” and “nooit”. It is the object of “vermijd”. A useful pattern is discussing particular words in a message. Use it when reviewing or changing the language of written communication.
als “als” means like or such as in “woorden als altijd en nooit”. It introduces examples of the words being discussed. A useful pattern is using “als” after a general category to give examples. Use it when illustrating which items belong to a group.
altijd “altijd” means always and expresses that something happens every time. In the dialogue, it is named as a word to avoid in a calm message because it can make a complaint sound absolute. Use it when describing a repeated pattern that truly applies every time.
nooit “nooit” means never and expresses that something does not happen at any time. It is listed with “altijd” as wording that may make the message sound accusatory. Use it when describing a complete absence of an action or event.
Zo “Zo” means that way or so and refers to the calm wording and careful word choice just discussed. In “Zo klinkt het bericht niet als een aanval”, it introduces the resulting effect. A useful pattern is using “Zo” to summarize how a previous action achieves a result. Use it when explaining the consequence of a method.
klinkt “klinkt” means sounds or comes across in “klinkt ... als een aanval”. It describes how the message is perceived by the reader. A useful pattern is using it with “als” to compare an impression with something else. Use it when evaluating the tone of spoken or written communication.
aanval “aanval” means attack. In “als een aanval”, it describes the impression of an accusatory message rather than a physical event. The expression helps explain why the wording should remain calm. Use it when discussing communication that feels personally hostile.
Duidelijke “Duidelijke” means clear and describes the kitchen rules as easy to understand. It appears before “keukenregels” in “Duidelijke keukenregels”. A useful pattern is placing an adjective before the noun it describes. Use it when recommending rules or instructions that leave little room for confusion.
keukenregels “keukenregels” means kitchen rules, the agreed expectations for using and cleaning the shared kitchen. In the dialogue, these rules work better when the tone remains respectful. The compound refers specifically to rules for the kitchen. Use it when discussing shared responsibilities and behavior in that space.
werken “werken” means work or function. Here, “keukenregels werken beter” says that the rules are more effective under the right conditions. A useful pattern is describing how well a rule, method, or solution works. Use it when evaluating whether an approach produces the desired result.
beter “beter” means better and compares how effectively the rules work. In “werken beter”, it says the rules function more successfully when the tone is respectful. A useful pattern is using “beter” with a verb to compare results. Use it when saying that one approach is more effective than another.
toon “toon” means tone and refers to the manner or feeling conveyed by the message. In “de toon respectvol blijft”, it describes how the communication should continue to sound. A useful pattern is discussing whether a message’s tone is calm or respectful. Use it when reviewing communication before sending it.
respectvol “respectvol” means respectful and describes the desired tone of the message. In “de toon respectvol blijft”, it says that the communication should continue to show consideration. A useful pattern is using it to describe the tone of a message or conversation. Use it when aiming for constructive communication during a disagreement.
blijft “blijft” means stays or remains and says that the tone continues to be respectful. In “de toon respectvol blijft”, it describes continuity rather than a change. A useful pattern is using it with a quality that should continue. Use it when explaining that a positive communication style must be maintained.

Grammar Points

te + infinitief

de schuld te geven

duh SKHULT tuh KHAY-vun

to blame

The particle te comes before the infinitive in this construction.

de + bijvoeglijk naamwoord op -e + zelfstandig naamwoord

de duidelijke keukenregels

duh DOY-duh-luh-kuh KUR-kun-ray-khuls

the clear kitchen rules

An adjective before a noun usually takes -e after de.

Dutch Vocabulary

aanrecht noun
AHN-rekht counter; worktop
achterlaten verb
AKH-tur-LAH-tun to leave behind achtergelaten

was ... achtergelaten

afwas noun
AH-fvahs dishes; washing-up
avondeten noun
AH-vont-ay-tun dinner

Na het avondeten

bespreken verb
buh-SPRAY-kun to discuss
concreet adj
kohn-KRAYT specific; concrete
de schuld geven phrase
duh SKHULT KHAY-vun to blame de schuld te geven
gedeeld adj
khuh-DEHLT shared gedeelde

de gedeelde keuken

herinnering noun
huh-RIN-uh-ring reminder
keuken noun
KUR-kun kitchen

de gedeelde keuken

rommelig adj
ROM-uh-luk messy
schoonmaaktaak noun
SKHOHN-mahk-TAHK cleaning task schoonmaaktaken

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

kitchen

Show Answerkeuken

reminder

Show Answerherinnering

dinner

Show Answeravondeten

to discuss

Show Answerbespreken