Using the shared laundry room fairly | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Using the shared laundry room fairly to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Alle wasmachines zijn weer bezet.

AH-luh VAHS-muh-SHEE-nuhs zine vair buh-ZET. All the washing machines are full again.

Kijk op het schema wanneer de volgende was klaar is.

Kike op ut SKHAY-mah vuh-NAIR duh VOHL-khun-duh vahs klahr iss. Check the schedule and see when the next load finishes.

Een machine is binnenkort klaar, maar de persoon die de machine heeft aangezet is er niet.

Uhn muh-SHEE-nuh iss bih-nuh-KORT klahr, mahr duh per-SOHN dee duh muh-SHEE-nuh hayft AHNG-uh-ZET iss air neet. One should be done soon, but the person who started it isn't around.

Geef die persoon een paar minuten voordat je hun was verplaatst.

KHAYF dee per-SOHN uhn pahr mee-NOO-tun buh-VOHR-day yuh hun vahs vur-PLAHTST. Give them a few minutes before moving their laundry.

Hoe lang is een redelijke wachttijd voordat ik de was verplaats?

Hoo lahng iss uhn RAY-duh-luh-kuh VAKH-tite buh-VOHR-day ik duh vahs vur-PLAHTST? How long is fair before I move it?

Een korte extra wachttijd is genoeg als er andere mensen wachten.

Uhn KOR-tuh EK-struh VAKH-tite iss guh-NOOKH ahls air AHN-duh-ruh MEN-sun VAKH-tun. A short grace period is enough if other people are waiting.

Ik stel een herinnering in, zodat ik terugkom zodra mijn was klaar is.

Ik STEL uhn huh-RIN-uh-ring in, soh-DAHT ik tuh-RUK-kum ZOH-drah mine vahs klahr iss. I'll set a reminder so I come back as soon as my load is done.

Dat maakt het makkelijker om hetzelfde van alle anderen te vragen.

Daht mahkt ut MAHK-uh-luh-kur om ut-ZELF-duh vahn AH-luh AHN-duh-run tuh VRAH-khun. That makes it easier to ask the same of everyone else.

Ik kan niet klagen over achtergelaten was als ik die van mij ook laat liggen.

Ik kahn neet KLAH-khun OH-vur AKH-tur-guh-LAH-tun vahs ahls ik dee vahn may ohk laht LIG-un. I can't complain about abandoned laundry if I leave mine there too.

In de gedeelde wasruimte gaat het wassen soepeler als mensen op de programmaduur letten.

In duh guh-DAYL-duh VAHS-roy-mtuh khaht ut WAH-sun SOO-puh-lur ahls MEN-sun op duh proh-GRAH-muh-dewr LET-un. Shared laundry goes more smoothly when people watch the cycle times.

Word by Word

Alle “Alle” means “all” in “Alle wasmachines” and refers to the washing machines as a group. Use it before a plural noun when you mean the whole group, for example in “alle mensen” in a shared space.

wasmachines “Wasmachines” means washing machines, the machines being used in the laundry room. It is useful with quantities or states, as in “alle wasmachines” or “de wasmachines zijn bezet” when explaining availability.

zijn “Zijn” means “are” in “Alle wasmachines zijn weer bezet.” It links the plural subject to a condition, and the same pattern works in “De machines zijn klaar” as a new example.

weer “Weer” means “again” here: all the machines are occupied again. Use it when a situation has returned or happened another time, such as “weer wachten” in a shared space.

bezet “Bezet” means occupied or in use, so “wasmachines zijn weer bezet” says that the machines cannot currently be used. You can use it for a seat, room, or machine that is already being used, as in “De stoel is bezet” as a new example.

Kijk “Kijk” tells someone to look or check something, here in “Kijk op het schema.” It is practical for directing someone’s attention to information such as a schedule, notice, or screen.

op “Op” means “on” in “Kijk op het schema,” where the schedule is the source of the information. In “op de programmaduur letten,” it is part of the pattern meaning to pay attention to the cycle duration.

het “Het” is the article “the” before “schema” in “het schema.” Learn it together with the noun in this expression, and use the same article before a singular neuter noun when that is certain.

schema “Schema” means schedule, the posted information used to check when a load finishes. It is useful with “op het schema kijken” when checking planned times.

wanneer “Wanneer” means “when” in the question about the next load: “wanneer de volgende was klaar is.” Use it to ask about or refer to the time at which an event happens.

de “De” is the article “the” in “de volgende was.” Here it introduces the specific next laundry load being discussed. It also appears before plural nouns such as “de machines” as a new example.

volgende “Volgende” means “next” in “de volgende was,” identifying the load that comes after the current one. Use it before a noun when referring to the next item, turn, or event in an order.

was “Was” means laundry or a wash load in “de volgende was” and “mijn was.” Use it for the clothes being washed or the load in the machine, especially when discussing whether the laundry is finished.

klaar “Klaar” means finished or ready in “de volgende was klaar is” and “mijn was klaar is.” It commonly follows the thing that has finished, as in “De was is klaar” as a new example.

is “Is” means “is” in “de volgende was klaar is” and “Een machine is binnenkort klaar.” It connects a singular subject with its condition, such as a load being ready.

Een “Een” means “a” or “one” in “Een machine.” Here it introduces one machine without identifying it more specifically. Use it before a singular noun when introducing one item, as in “een schema” as a new example.

machine “Machine” means machine, here specifically a washing machine in “Een machine.” It can be made more specific by adding a noun such as “wasmachine,” or by using the context of the laundry room.

binnenkort “Binnenkort” means soon in “Een machine is binnenkort klaar.” Use it to place an expected event in the near future, for example when saying that a load will finish soon.

maar “Maar” means “but” and introduces the contrast between a machine finishing soon and its user being absent. Use it to connect two statements where the second limits or contrasts with the first.

persoon “Persoon” means person in “de persoon die de machine heeft aangezet.” It identifies the individual responsible for starting the machine, and it can be followed by information describing that person.

die “Die” means “who” in “de persoon die de machine heeft aangezet,” introducing information about the person. Use it after a person noun to add a description, as in “de persoon die wacht” as a new example.

heeft “Heeft” means “has” in “die de machine heeft aangezet.” Together with “aangezet,” it identifies the person who has started or turned on the machine. This pattern can describe a completed action connected to a person.

aangezet “Aangezet” means turned on or started in “de machine heeft aangezet.” Here it describes starting the washing machine, and it can be reused with an object such as a light or device when the context clearly involves switching it on.

er “Er” means “there” in “er niet,” referring to the laundry room as the relevant place. The expression “er niet zijn” says that someone is not present there, and it is useful when discussing whether a person is available.

niet “Niet” means “not” and negates “er is” in “er niet.” Use it to deny a location, condition, or action, such as saying that someone is not present.

Geef “Geef” means “give” in the instruction “Geef die persoon een paar minuten.” It is used when allowing someone a period of time, and the pattern includes the person receiving the time plus the amount.

paar “Paar” means a few or a couple in “een paar minuten.” With a quantity, it indicates a small number or amount rather than an exact count. Use it with a plural noun such as “een paar minuten” when giving someone brief time.

minuten “Minuten” means minutes, the short period given before moving the laundry. It commonly follows a quantity expression such as “een paar minuten” when describing waiting time.

voordat “Voordat” means “before” and introduces the action that must happen before another action: “voordat je hun was verplaatst.” Use it to connect a time limit or prior action with what follows.

je “Je” means “you” in “voordat je hun was verplaatst,” addressing the person who might move the laundry. It is common in direct instructions and everyday conversation when speaking informally.

hun “Hun” means “their” in “hun was,” referring to the laundry belonging to the person who started the machine. Use it before a noun when identifying something associated with other people, as in “hun machine” as a new example.

verplaatst “Verplaatst” means moves or relocates in “voordat je hun was verplaatst.” Here the object is someone else’s laundry, so the action means taking it out of its current place. Use it with an object when describing moving something to another location.

Hoe “Hoe” means “how” in “Hoe lang,” asking about the extent of a duration. It is used directly before another word to form questions such as “Hoe lang wachten?” as a new example.

lang “Lang” means “long” in the duration question “Hoe lang.” Together, “Hoe lang” asks for the length of a period, such as the reasonable waiting time before moving laundry.

redelijke “Redelijke” means reasonable or fair in “een redelijke wachttijd.” It describes a waiting period that is considered acceptable in the shared situation. Use it before a noun when discussing a balanced or acceptable arrangement.

wachttijd “Wachttijd” means waiting time, specifically the time allowed before the laundry may be moved. It is useful with descriptions of length, such as “een korte wachttijd” as a new example.

ik “Ik” means “I” in “voordat ik de was verplaats” and “Ik stel een herinnering in.” It identifies the speaker as the person taking the action, and it normally comes before the verb in a statement.

verplaats “Verplaats” means “move” in “voordat ik de was verplaats.” The speaker is referring to moving the laundry after a reasonable waiting period. Use it with a direct object when saying what you will move.

korte “Korte” means short in “Een korte extra wachttijd.” It describes the waiting period as brief, and it can be reused before another noun when describing a short amount of time.

extra “Extra” means additional in “een korte extra wachttijd,” referring to time added beyond the normal cycle. Use it before a noun when offering or requesting something in addition to what is already expected.

genoeg “Genoeg” means enough in “Een korte extra wachttijd is genoeg.” It says that the stated amount meets the need. Use it after an amount or description when judging whether something is sufficient.

als “Als” means “if” in “als er andere mensen wachten,” introducing the condition that other people are waiting. Use it to connect a condition with the action or judgment that applies in that situation.

andere “Andere” means other in “andere mensen,” referring to people besides the person whose laundry is already in the machine. Use it before a noun when distinguishing additional people or things from those already mentioned.

mensen “Mensen” means people in “andere mensen wachten.” It refers to the other laundry-room users who are waiting for a machine. Use it when talking about people as a group rather than one specific person.

wachten “Wachten” means wait in “andere mensen wachten.” Here it describes the people waiting for access to a machine. It is useful with a time expression or with “op” when specifying what someone is waiting for.

stel “Stel” means “set” in “Ik stel een herinnering in,” where the speaker sets a reminder. It works with “in” around the object in this expression, and the same pattern can be used for setting an alarm as a new example.

herinnering “Herinnering” means reminder in “een herinnering instellen.” The reminder helps the speaker return when the laundry is finished. Use it with “een herinnering instellen” when arranging a prompt for a later action.

in “In” is part of “een herinnering instellen,” meaning to set a reminder, and it also means “in” in “In de gedeelde wasruimte.” Its meaning depends on the construction: it either completes the setting expression or marks a location.

zodat “Zodat” means “so that” in “zodat ik terugkom zodra mijn was klaar is.” It introduces the intended result of setting the reminder. Use it to connect an action with the result it is meant to produce.

terugkom “Terugkom” means “come back” in “zodat ik terugkom.” It describes the speaker returning to the laundry room after leaving. Use it when someone returns to a place or situation, especially after a reminder or agreed time.

zodra “Zodra” means “as soon as” in “zodra mijn was klaar is.” It signals that the next action will happen immediately after the laundry is finished. Use it to connect a trigger with the action that follows.

mijn “Mijn” means “my” in “mijn was,” identifying the laundry belonging to the speaker. Use it before a noun when marking personal ownership, such as “mijn machine” as a new example.

Dat “Dat” means “that” in “Dat maakt het makkelijker,” referring to the reminder practice just mentioned. It can point back to a previous action or idea that is now being evaluated.

maakt “Maakt” means “makes” in “Dat maakt het makkelijker,” describing the effect of the reminder practice. The pattern “iets maakt het makkelijker om iets te doen” explains that one action makes another action easier.

makkelijker “Makkelijker” means easier in “Dat maakt het makkelijker.” It compares the situation with how it would be without the reminder. Use it after “maakt het” when explaining that an action reduces difficulty.

om “Om” introduces the action in “om hetzelfde van alle anderen te vragen.” Together with “te vragen,” it forms the purpose or action that is made easier. Use this pattern when saying that something makes it easier to do a particular action.

hetzelfde “Hetzelfde” means “the same” in “hetzelfde van alle anderen,” referring to the same punctual behavior expected from the speaker. Use it when asking for or describing an identical action, standard, or amount.

van “Van” means “of” or “from” in “hetzelfde van alle anderen te vragen,” where the speaker asks the same behavior of the other people. Use it with “vragen” when identifying the person from whom something is requested.

anderen “Anderen” means others in “alle anderen,” referring to all the other people in the shared laundry situation. Use it when referring to people besides the person or group already being discussed.

te “Te” appears before “vragen” in “hetzelfde van alle anderen te vragen,” marking the action that is made easier. The pattern “het makkelijker maken om ... te vragen” keeps “te” directly before the action word.

vragen “Vragen” means ask or request in “hetzelfde van alle anderen te vragen.” Here the speaker wants to ask the same considerate behavior of everyone else. Use it with “van” to identify the people being asked and with the requested thing as the object.

kan “Kan” means “can” in “Ik kan niet klagen,” expressing ability or possibility. With “niet,” it says that complaining would not be justified or acceptable in the stated situation.

klagen “Klagen” means complain in “Ik kan niet klagen over achtergelaten was.” It is used with “over” to identify the subject of the complaint. The pattern “klagen over iets” is useful when reporting dissatisfaction.

over “Over” means “about” in “klagen over achtergelaten was,” identifying what the complaint concerns. It commonly follows “klagen” when naming the problem someone is complaining about.

achtergelaten “Achtergelaten” means left behind or abandoned in “achtergelaten was.” It describes laundry that remains in the shared room after its owner has not collected it. Use it before a noun when describing something left in a place.

ook “Ook” means “also” or “too” in “die van mij ook laat liggen.” It points out that the speaker does the same thing as the people being criticized. Use it to add a matching action or fact.

laat “Laat” means “leave” in “die van mij ook laat liggen,” where the speaker leaves their own laundry in place. Together with “liggen,” it describes allowing the laundry to remain there. Use it with an object and “liggen” for this meaning.

liggen “Liggen” means remain lying or remain placed in “laat liggen.” Here it describes laundry staying where it was left rather than being collected. The pattern “iets laten liggen” is useful when saying that someone leaves something in its current place.

gedeelde “Gedeelde” means shared in “de gedeelde wasruimte,” referring to a laundry room used by multiple people. Use it before a noun when emphasizing that a place or resource belongs to or is used by several people.

wasruimte “Wasruimte” means laundry room in “de gedeelde wasruimte.” It identifies the shared place where the machines and laundry are located. Use it with a location phrase such as “in de gedeelde wasruimte” when describing where an action happens.

gaat “Gaat” means “goes” or “proceeds” in “het wassen gaat soepeler,” describing how the laundry process functions. This pattern can describe how an activity proceeds, such as “Het werk gaat goed” as a new example.

wassen “Wassen” refers to washing or doing laundry in “het wassen.” Here it names the activity in the shared laundry room, not a specific item of clothing. Use it with “het” when referring to the activity as a whole.

soepeler “Soepeler” means more smoothly in “het wassen gaat soepeler.” It describes an improvement in how the shared laundry process works when people watch the cycle times. Use it after “gaat” to compare how an activity proceeds.

programmaduur “Programmaduur” means cycle duration, the length of the selected washing program. In “op de programmaduur letten,” it is the information people should monitor to return on time. Use it when discussing how long a machine program lasts.

letten “Letten” means pay attention or watch in “op de programmaduur letten.” The expression requires “op” before the thing receiving attention. Use “op iets letten” when reminding someone to monitor a detail.

mij “Mij” means “me” in “die van mij,” referring to the speaker’s laundry without repeating “was.” The pattern “die van mij” identifies something belonging to the speaker, and it is useful when comparing the speaker’s item with someone else’s.

Grammar Points

zodra + bijzin: het werkwoord staat achteraan

Zodra ik terugkom, stel ik een herinnering in.

ZOH-drah ik tuh-RUK-kum, STEL ik uhn huh-RIN-uh-ring in.

As soon as I come back, I set a reminder.

After zodra, the verb goes to the end of the subordinate clause. In the main clause, the verb comes before the subject.

scheidbaar werkwoord: aanzetten → zet ... aan

Ik zet de wasmachine aan.

Ik ZET duh VAHS-muh-SHEE-nuh AHN.

I switch on the washing machine.

In a main clause, the prefix of a separable verb moves to the end: aanzetten becomes zet ... aan.

Dutch Vocabulary

aanzetten verb

AHN-ZET-un to switch on; to start aangezet

bezet adj

buh-ZET occupied

binnenkort adv

bih-nuh-KORT soon

klaar adj

klahr finished; done

persoon noun

per-SOHN person

redelijk adj

RAY-duh-lik reasonable; fair redelijke

schema noun

SKHAY-mah schedule

verplaatsen verb

vur-PLAHT-sun to move verplaatst

volgende adj

VOHL-khun-duh next

wachttijd noun

VAKH-tite waiting time

was noun

vahs laundry

wasmachine noun

VAHS-muh-SHEE-nuh washing machine wasmachines

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

All the washing machines are full again.

Show Answer

Alle wasmachines zijn weer bezet.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

Show Answer

washing machine

Show Answer

wasmachines

person

Show Answer

persoon

schedule

Show Answer

schema