Resolving a shared office room conflict | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: In a shared office, two adults plan how to resolve a double-booked meeting room with a brief use request and a fair compromise..

EN → NL / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Resolving a shared office room conflict to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

De vergaderruimte is dubbel geboekt in de agenda van het gedeelde kantoor.

Duh fer-khah-der-ROYM-tuh iss DOO-bul khuh-BOOKT in duh ah-JEN-dah fan duh khuh-DAYL-duh kan-TOHR-oh. The meeting room is double-booked on the shared office calendar.
B

Wie heeft de ruimte het hardst nodig?

Vee hayft duh ROYM-tuh ut HARTST NOH-dikh? Who needs it more urgently?
A

Ik heb een privégesprek met een klant.

Ik hep un pree-VAY khuh-SPRAYK met un klahnt. I have a private client call.
A

Maar iemand anders heeft de ruimte geboekt om alleen te werken.

Mahr EE-mant AHN-ders hayft duh ROYM-tuh khuh-BOOKT um ah-LAYN tuh WER-kuh. But someone else booked it for solo work.
B

Vraag dan of die persoon je de ruimte even kan laten gebruiken.

FRAHK dan of dee per-SOHN yuh duh ROYM-tuh AY-vun kan LAH-tun khuh-BRY-kun. Then ask whether they can let you use it briefly.
A

Ik wil niet klinken alsof mijn taak belangrijker is.

Ik vil neet KLINK-un ahl-SOHF mine tahk buh-LAHNG-khur iss. I do not want to sound like my task is more important.
B

Bied een compromis aan, bijvoorbeeld dat je de ruimte voor het telefoongesprek gebruikt en meteen daarna weggaat.

BEET un kom-proh-MEES ahn, by-VOHR-baylt dat yuh duh ROYM-tuh vohr ut tay-luh-FOHN-khuh-SPRAYK khuh-BRYKST un may-TAYN DAHR-nah WEKH-khaht. Offer a compromise, like using it for the call and leaving right after.
A

Dat voelt eerlijk. Ik kan die persoon ook helpen een andere werkplek te vinden.

Dat foolt AIR-luk. Ik kan dee per-SOHN ohk HELP-un un AHN-dur WERK-playk tuh VIN-dun. That feels fair. I can also help them find another workspace.
B

Daarmee laat je zien dat je ook hun reservering respecteert.

DAHR-may laht yuh zeen dat yuh ohk hun ray-zur-VAY-ring reh-spek-TAYRT. That shows you respect their booking too.
A

Ik kan die persoon nu een bericht sturen en de situatie uitleggen.

Ik kan dee per-SOHN noo un buh-RIKHT STYRE-un un duh see-too-AH-tsee OWT-LEKH-un. I can message them now and explain the situation.
B

Houd het bericht kort en stel dat compromis voor.

Howt ut buh-RIKHT kort un STEL dat kom-proh-MEES vohr. Keep the message brief and suggest that compromise.

Word by Word

De “De” is the definite article meaning “the” here, used in “De vergaderruimte” and “de agenda”. It is reused before a specific room or calendar already understood in the situation.
vergaderruimte “Vergaderruimte” means meeting room, the room intended for the client call. It is used in “de vergaderruimte” and “de ruimte” when referring back to that room.
is “Is” links the meeting room with its current state in “is dubbel geboekt”. Use “X is ...” to describe a situation or condition.
dubbel In “dubbel geboekt”, “dubbel” indicates that something has been booked twice. This expression is useful for reporting a duplicate room or appointment booking.
geboekt “Geboekt” means booked in this dialogue: the room has two bookings, and someone has booked it for solo work. Use it when talking about a reserved room, place, or appointment.
in “In” places the double booking inside the shared office calendar in “in de agenda”. It is commonly used to locate information in a calendar, document, or system.
agenda “Agenda” means calendar here, the schedule where the room bookings appear. “In de agenda” is a useful expression for checking or recording scheduled activities.
van “Van” connects the calendar with the shared office in “de agenda van het gedeelde kantoor”, meaning the calendar of the shared office. The pattern “de ... van ...” links something to its owner or associated place.
het “Het” is the definite article meaning “the” in “het gedeelde kantoor”. It is part of the fixed noun phrase referring to the specific shared office.
gedeelde “Gedeelde” describes the office as shared by several people in “het gedeelde kantoor”. It identifies a place used by more than one person in this situation.
kantoor “Kantoor” means office in “het gedeelde kantoor”. Here it refers to the workplace whose calendar contains the room bookings.
Wie “Wie” asks which person or who in “Wie heeft de ruimte het hardst nodig?”. Use “Wie ...?” when asking which person is involved or needs something.
heeft In “heeft de ruimte ... nodig”, “heeft” helps express that someone needs the room. The reusable pattern is “iets nodig hebben”, with the needed thing placed before “nodig” here.
ruimte “Ruimte” means room or space here and refers to the meeting room. “De ruimte” can be used to refer back to a specific place already mentioned.
hardst In “het hardst nodig”, “hardst” marks the highest degree of urgency: who needs the room most urgently. This expression is useful when comparing several people’s need for something.
nodig “Nodig” means needed or necessary in “de ruimte ... nodig hebben”. Use it with “hebben” to say that someone needs a particular thing.
Ik “Ik” means “I” and is the speaker in “Ik heb een privégesprek”. It is used as the subject when the speaker describes their own situation.
heb “Heb” means “have” in “Ik heb een privégesprek”. The pattern “Ik heb ...” introduces something the speaker has or needs to deal with.
een “Een” means “a” or “an” in “een privégesprek”. It introduces one non-specific conversation or call.
privégesprek “Privégesprek” means a private conversation or call, here with a client. It identifies why the speaker needs a quiet meeting room.
met “Met” means “with” in “met een klant”, connecting the private call with the client involved. Use “een gesprek met ...” to identify the person taking part in a conversation.
klant “Klant” means client or customer here, the person in the private conversation. It is used after “met” in “met een klant”.
Maar “Maar” means “but” and introduces a contrast with the speaker’s private client call. It is useful at the start of a sentence when adding an opposing or limiting point.
iemand “Iemand” means someone in “iemand anders”. It refers to an unspecified person who made the other booking.
anders “Anders” means else in “iemand anders”, identifying a different person. The expression “iemand anders” is a common way to say “someone else”.
om In “om alleen te werken”, “om” introduces the purpose of the booking: the person booked the room in order to work. The pattern “om ... te ...” expresses a purpose.
alleen “Alleen” means alone in “alleen te werken”, describing work done without another person. It helps explain why the other person also wants the room.
te “Te” marks the infinitive in “te werken” after “om”. Together, “om ... te werken” expresses the purpose of an action.
werken “Werken” means work in “om alleen te werken”. It describes the activity the other person planned to do in the room.
Vraag “Vraag” means “ask” as an instruction in “Vraag dan of ...”. The pattern “Vraag ... of ...” is used to ask someone to find out whether something is possible.
dan “Dan” means “then” and presents the next step after identifying the conflicting bookings. “Vraag dan ...” connects advice to the situation just described.
of “Of” introduces the question of whether the person can allow the room to be used in “of die persoon ... kan laten gebruiken”. Use “vragen of ...” for an indirect yes-or-no question.
die “Die” means “that” in “die persoon” and points to the person already mentioned. The phrase “die persoon” avoids repeating the person’s description.
persoon “Persoon” means person in “die persoon”. Here it refers to the other person who booked the room.
je “Je” means “you” in “je de ruimte even kan laten gebruiken”. It refers to the person asking to use the room.
even “Even” means briefly or for a moment in “de ruimte even kan laten gebruiken”. It presents the request as limited in duration, which makes the request more practical.
kan “Kan” means “can” and expresses whether the other person is able or willing to allow the brief use of the room. It appears in the pattern “kan ... laten gebruiken”.
laten In “je de ruimte ... laten gebruiken”, “laten” means let or allow. The pattern “iemand iets laten gebruiken” describes giving another person permission to use something.
gebruiken “Gebruiken” means use in “de ruimte ... gebruiken”. It describes the requested action involving the meeting room.
wil “Wil” means want in “Ik wil niet klinken alsof ...”. It expresses the speaker’s intention or concern about how the request may sound.
niet “Niet” negates the expression “wil klinken” in “Ik wil niet klinken alsof ...”. It is used here to say that the speaker does not want to give a certain impression.
klinken “Klinken” means sound or come across in “niet klinken alsof ...”. The pattern “klinken alsof ...” describes the impression created by someone’s words.
alsof “Alsof” means “as if” and introduces the impression the speaker wants to avoid: “alsof mijn taak belangrijker is”. Use it to describe how something appears or sounds.
mijn “Mijn” means “my” and identifies the task as belonging to the speaker in “mijn taak”. It is placed directly before the thing the speaker refers to.
taak “Taak” means task in “mijn taak”. Here it refers to the work connected with the private client call.
belangrijker “Belangrijker” means more important in “mijn taak belangrijker is”. It compares the speaker’s task with the other person’s work or booking.
Bied “Bied” means “offer” as an instruction in “Bied een compromis aan”. The full pattern “Bied ... aan” is used to propose something to another person.
compromis “Compromis” means compromise, a solution that considers both people’s needs. Here it is the proposed arrangement for using the room briefly and leaving afterward.
aan In “Bied een compromis aan”, “aan” is the particle that completes the expression meaning “offer”. Keep it with the verb in the reusable pattern “iets aanbieden” or the exact instruction “Bied ... aan”.
bijvoorbeeld “Bijvoorbeeld” means “for example” and introduces one concrete version of the compromise. It is useful before a specific suggestion, as in “bijvoorbeeld dat ...”.
dat The lowercase “dat” in “bijvoorbeeld dat je ...” introduces the content of the suggestion, while capital “Dat” in “Dat voelt eerlijk” refers back to the proposed compromise. These forms help connect an idea with its explanation or evaluation.
voor In “voor het telefoongesprek”, “voor” means for and marks the purpose of using the room. In “stel dat compromis voor”, it is the particle that completes the expression meaning suggest or propose.
telefoongesprek “Telefoongesprek” means phone call in “voor het telefoongesprek”. It identifies the activity for which the speaker wants to use the room.
gebruikt “Gebruikt” means uses in “dat je de ruimte voor het telefoongesprek gebruikt”. The phrase shows the object “de ruimte” and the purpose “voor het telefoongesprek”.
en “En” means “and” and joins the two actions in “gebruikt en meteen daarna weggaat”. It connects the room use with leaving afterward.
meteen “Meteen” means immediately or right away in “meteen daarna”. It emphasizes that leaving happens without delay after the call.
daarna “Daarna” means after that and refers to the time after using the room for the phone call. The expression “meteen daarna” clearly orders the two actions.
weggaat “Weggaat” means leaves or goes away in “meteen daarna weggaat”. Here it means leaving the meeting room immediately after the call.
voelt “Voelt” means feels in “Dat voelt eerlijk”. It describes the speaker’s personal evaluation of the proposed compromise.
eerlijk “Eerlijk” means fair in “Dat voelt eerlijk”. It describes an arrangement that seems balanced to the people involved.
ook “Ook” means also or too. In “kan ... ook helpen” it adds another helpful action, and in “ook hun reservering” it adds another point that should be respected.
helpen “Helpen” means help in “helpen een andere werkplek te vinden”. It describes assisting the other person with finding an alternative place to work.
andere “Andere” means another or other in “een andere werkplek”. It marks the workspace as an alternative to the meeting room.
werkplek “Werkplek” means workspace, a different place where the other person can work. It is the object of “vinden” in “een andere werkplek te vinden”.
vinden “Vinden” means find in “een andere werkplek te vinden”. It describes the goal of the offered help.
Daarmee “Daarmee” means “by doing that” or “with that” and refers to helping find another workspace. In “Daarmee laat je zien ...”, it connects an action with what that action demonstrates.
laat In the construction “laat je zien”, “laat” helps express “show” or “make evident”, not physical permission. The full pattern “Daarmee laat je zien dat ...” explains what an action demonstrates.
zien In “laat je zien”, “zien” contributes to the meaning “show” or “demonstrate”. The pattern “laten zien dat ...” is used to explain what someone’s action makes clear.
hun “Hun” means “their” in “hun reservering”, referring to the other person’s booking. It is placed before the thing that belongs to or is associated with them.
reservering “Reservering” means reservation or booking in “hun reservering”. Here it refers specifically to the other person’s booking of the meeting room.
respecteert “Respecteert” means respects in “hun reservering respecteert”. It expresses recognizing that the other person’s booking also deserves consideration.
nu “Nu” means “now” in “nu een bericht sturen”. It places the suggested message at the present moment.
bericht “Bericht” means message in “een bericht sturen”. It is the written communication the speaker plans to send about the room conflict.
sturen “Sturen” means send in “een bericht sturen”. The pattern “een bericht sturen” describes sending a message to someone.
situatie “Situatie” means situation in “de situatie uitleggen”. It refers to the double booking and the need to find a fair arrangement.
uitleggen “Uitleggen” means explain in “de situatie uitleggen”. It describes making the room conflict clear to the other person.
Houd “Houd” means “keep” as an instruction in “Houd het bericht kort”. The pattern “Houd ... kort” tells someone to limit the length of something.
kort “Kort” means brief or short in “Houd het bericht kort”. It describes the recommended length of the message about the booking conflict.
stel “Stel” means “suggest” or “propose” as an instruction in “stel dat compromis voor”. The full pattern “iets voorstellen” is used to put an idea or solution forward.

Grammar Points

alsof + bijzin

Het klinkt alsof deze taak belangrijker is.

ut KLINKT ahl-SOHF DAY-zuh tahk buh-LAHNG-khur iss.

It sounds as if this task is more important.

Na alsof volgt een bijzin; de persoonsvorm staat meestal achteraan.

stel ... voor

Stel bijvoorbeeld een compromis voor.

STEL by-VOHR-baylt un kom-proh-MEES VOHR.

For example, suggest a compromise.

Voorstellen is scheidbaar: in een hoofdzin staan stel en voor uit elkaar.

Dutch Vocabulary

agenda noun
ah-JEN-dah calendar
alleen adv
ah-LAYN alone; solo
anders adv
AHN-ders else
dubbel geboekt phrase
DOO-bul khuh-BOOKT double-booked
gedeelde adj
khuh-DAYL-duh shared
hardst adv
HARTST most urgently
iemand pron
EE-mant someone
klant noun
klahnt client
persoon noun
per-SOHN person
privégesprek noun
pree-VAY khuh-SPRAYK private call
vergaderruimte noun
fer-khah-der-ROYM-tuh meeting room
Vraag verb
FRAHK ask

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

else

Show Answeranders

client

Show Answerklant

calendar

Show Answeragenda

private call

Show Answerprivégesprek