Rescheduling an appointment while confirming continuity of care | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: At a clinic reception desk, a patient reschedules an appointment while confirming that the next clinician can review the previous notes..

EN → NL / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Rescheduling an appointment while confirming continuity of care to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ik moet mijn afspraak verzetten omdat mijn vergadering is uitgelopen.

ick moot mine ahf-SPRAHK vuh-ZET-uhn OM-daht mine vuh-KHAH-duh-ring iss OWT-khuh-loh-puhn. I need to reschedule my appointment because my meeting ran long.
B

We kunnen naar een ander tijdstip zoeken, afhankelijk van welke behandelaar beschikbaar is.

vuh KUN-nuh NAHR un AHN-duhr TAYT-steep ZOO-kuhn, ahf-HANK-uh-luk vahn WEL-kuh buh-HAN-duh-lahr buh-SKHEEK-bahr iss. We can look for another slot, depending on which practitioner is free.
A

Ik heb liever iets op korte termijn, als dat mogelijk is.

ick hep LEE-vuhr eets op KOR-tuh tur-MINE, ahls daht MOH-khuh-luk iss. I would prefer something soon, if possible.
B

De eerst beschikbare plek is bij een andere behandelaar uit hetzelfde team.

duh AYRST buh-SKHEEK-bahr plek iss bay un AHN-duh-ruh buh-HAN-duh-lahr owt HET-ZELF-duh TAYM. The earliest opening is with another clinician on the same team.
A

Dat is goed, zolang die mijn notities van het vorige bezoek kan inzien.

daht iss KHOOT, soh-LAHNG dee mine noh-TEE-sees vahn ut VOR-uh-khuh buh-ZOOK kahn in-ZEEN. That works if they can see my notes from the last visit.
B

Die heeft toegang tot uw dossier, maar kan nog steeds een paar vragen stellen.

dee HAYFT TOH-khank tot oo doh-SEE, mahr kahn nokh STAYTS un pahr VRAH-khuhn STEL-luhn. They can access the record, though they may still ask a few questions.
A

Dat is prima, zolang die de nodige achtergrondinformatie heeft.

daht iss PREE-mah, soh-LAHNG dee duh NOH-duh-khuh AHKH-ter-khRONT-in-for-MAH-tsee HAYFT. That is fine, as long as they have the background.
B

Ik kan een notitie toevoegen met het verzoek om uw dossier vóór de afspraak door te nemen.

ick kahn un noh-TEE-see TOE-voo-khuhn met ut vuh-ZOOK om oo doh-SEE VOHR duh ahf-SPRAHK DOHR tuh NAY-muhn. I can add a note asking them to review your record before the appointment.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” here and identifies the speaker as the person who needs to change the appointment. It appears before the verb in “Ik moet mijn afspraak verzetten”; a patient uses it when explaining their own situation.
moet “Moet” expresses that the speaker needs to or must reschedule in “Ik moet mijn afspraak verzetten”. It is followed here by an infinitive, and a patient can use this pattern to explain a necessary action.
mijn “Mijn” means “my” and shows that the appointment belongs to the speaker in “mijn afspraak”. It is placed before the noun; patients use it when referring to their own appointments or records.
afspraak “Afspraak” means “appointment” here, specifically the scheduled clinic visit in “mijn afspraak”. The word can be reused for a scheduled meeting with a person or service; a patient uses it when arranging or changing a visit.
verzetten “Verzetten” means “to reschedule” in “mijn afspraak verzetten”. It follows “moet” as the action that needs to happen; patients use it when an existing appointment must move to another time.
omdat “Omdat” introduces the reason for changing the appointment: “omdat mijn vergadering is uitgelopen”. It connects a main statement to its reason, and a patient can use it when explaining why an appointment needs to be rescheduled.
vergadering “Vergadering” means “meeting” in “mijn vergadering is uitgelopen”. It is the event that caused the scheduling problem; someone can use it when explaining that a work meeting affected their availability.
is “Is” helps form “is uitgelopen”, which says that the meeting ran long. In this expression it works with “uitgelopen” rather than standing alone; a speaker can use the same pattern to describe an event that has overrun.
uitgelopen “Uitgelopen” means “run long” in “mijn vergadering is uitgelopen”. Together with “is” it explains why the original appointment can no longer be kept; someone uses it when an event lasts longer than planned.
We “We” means “we” and refers here to the clinic staff in “We kunnen naar een ander tijdstip zoeken”. It is used as the subject before the verb; reception staff can use it when offering to help a patient.
kunnen “Kunnen” expresses ability or possibility in “We kunnen naar een ander tijdstip zoeken”. It is followed by an infinitive and is useful when clinic staff offer an available action or option.
naar “Naar” forms part of “naar een ander tijdstip zoeken”, meaning to look for another time. With “zoeken”, this preposition introduces what is being sought; reception staff use the pattern when searching for an alternative appointment.
een “Een” means “a” in “een ander tijdstip” and introduces one non-specific alternative time. It comes before the noun phrase; speakers use it when referring to an option that has not yet been specified.
ander “Ander” means “another” in “een ander tijdstip”, identifying a time different from the original one. It comes before “tijdstip”; clinic staff use the phrase when offering a different appointment slot.
tijdstip “Tijdstip” means “time” or “time slot” in “een ander tijdstip”. It refers to the scheduled point in time rather than to the whole appointment; reception staff use it when searching for a new booking time.
zoeken “Zoeken” means “look for” in “naar een ander tijdstip zoeken”. It follows “kunnen” as the action the staff can perform; the same construction is useful when someone is trying to find an alternative option.
afhankelijk “Afhankelijk” means “depending” in “afhankelijk van welke behandelaar beschikbaar is”. Together with “van” it introduces the condition that determines the available time; staff use it when availability depends on another factor.
van “Van” completes the expression “afhankelijk van”, meaning “depending on”. It introduces the factor that the choice depends on, and it can be reused before a person, thing, or clause that determines an outcome.
welke “Welke” means “which” in “welke behandelaar beschikbaar is”, asking which practitioner is available. It comes before the noun it identifies; reception staff use it when a choice depends on one member of a group.
behandelaar “Behandelaar” means “practitioner” or “clinician” in “welke behandelaar beschikbaar is”. It refers to the healthcare professional who may see the patient; a clinic can use it when discussing which professional has an opening.
beschikbaar “Beschikbaar” means “available” in “welke behandelaar beschikbaar is”. It describes whether the practitioner can take the appointment; staff use it when checking people, times, or services that can be used.
heb “Heb” forms the preference expression “Ik heb liever iets op korte termijn”, meaning “I would prefer something soon”. Together with “liever” it states a preference; a patient can use it when requesting one option over another.
liever “Liever” means “rather” or “preferably” in “Ik heb liever iets op korte termijn”. Together with “heb” it expresses the speaker’s preferred option; patients use this pattern when making a polite scheduling preference known.
iets “Iets” means “something” in “iets op korte termijn”, referring to an unspecified appointment or time. It is useful when the exact option is not yet known; a patient can use it while asking for any suitable near-term possibility.
op “Op” is part of the time expression “op korte termijn”, meaning “in the short term” or soon. This preposition introduces the time period; speakers use the expression when requesting action within a limited period.
korte “Korte” means “short” in “op korte termijn”, describing the limited length of the period. It modifies “termijn” in this fixed time expression; a patient uses the phrase to ask for something soon.
termijn “Termijn” means “term” or “period” in “op korte termijn”, referring to the near future. The phrase is a practical way to discuss timing; patients use it when asking for an appointment soon.
als “Als” means “if” in “als dat mogelijk is” and introduces a condition on the request. It starts a conditional clause; a patient uses it to make a request dependent on what the clinic can arrange.
dat “Dat” refers to the requested near-term option in “als dat mogelijk is”. It points back to something already understood rather than naming it again; speakers use it to refer to a previously mentioned option.
mogelijk “Mogelijk” means “possible” in “als dat mogelijk is”. It describes whether the requested arrangement can be made; a patient uses the expression to leave room for the clinic’s actual availability.
De “De” means “the” in “De eerst beschikbare plek”. It introduces the specific earliest opening being discussed; reception staff use it when presenting a particular available option.
eerst “Eerst” contributes the meaning “first” or “earliest” in “De eerst beschikbare plek”. It places the opening at the earliest point among the available options; staff use it when identifying the soonest appointment.
beschikbare “Beschikbare” means “available” in “De eerst beschikbare plek”. It describes the opening that can actually be booked and combines with “eerst” to identify the soonest option; reception staff use it when offering an opening.
plek “Plek” means “place” and refers to an appointment opening in “De eerst beschikbare plek”. In scheduling, it can point to an available place in the calendar; clinic staff use it when offering a booking.
bij “Bij” means “with” in “bij een andere behandelaar”, identifying the practitioner who will see the patient. It is commonly used with a person or professional; reception staff use it when describing who an appointment is with.
andere “Andere” means “another” or “other” in “een andere behandelaar”, referring to a practitioner different from the originally expected one. It comes before the person being contrasted; staff use it when offering care from a different clinician.
hetzelfde “Hetzelfde” means “the same” in “uit hetzelfde team”. It shows that the other practitioner belongs to the same team as the original one; clinic staff use it when reassuring a patient about team continuity.
team “Team” means “team” in “hetzelfde team”, referring to the group of clinicians working together. It is used after “hetzelfde” to identify the shared group; staff can mention it when explaining that another clinician is part of the same care team.
goed “Goed” means “fine” or “acceptable” in “Dat is goed”. It signals that the proposed alternative is acceptable under the stated condition; a patient can use it when agreeing to an arrangement.
zolang “Zolang” means “as long as” in “zolang die mijn notities van het vorige bezoek kan inzien”. It introduces the condition that must be met for the arrangement to be acceptable; a patient uses it when setting a requirement.
die “Die” refers to the other practitioner in “zolang die mijn notities van het vorige bezoek kan inzien”. It allows the person to be referred to again without repeating the noun; a speaker can use it when the person is already clear from the conversation.
notities “Notities” means “notes” in “mijn notities van het vorige bezoek”. It refers to the written information from the previous visit; a patient uses it when asking whether a new clinician can see earlier details.
het “Het” means “the” in “het vorige bezoek” and introduces the specific previous visit. It comes before “vorige bezoek”; speakers use it when referring to a known visit in the patient’s history.
vorige “Vorige” means “previous” or “last” in “het vorige bezoek”. It identifies the visit that happened before the current appointment; a patient uses it when referring to information from an earlier visit.
bezoek “Bezoek” means “visit” in “het vorige bezoek”, referring here to the patient’s earlier clinic visit. It can be used in healthcare scheduling to identify a consultation or appointment that already happened.
kan “Kan” expresses ability or possibility in “die mijn notities van het vorige bezoek kan inzien”. It is followed by the action “inzien”; a patient uses the pattern to state what the practitioner must be able to do.
heeft “Heeft” means “has” in “Die heeft toegang tot uw dossier”. It states that the practitioner possesses the required access; clinic staff use it when confirming that a professional can consult the patient’s record.
toegang “Toegang” means “access” in “toegang tot uw dossier”. Together with “tot” it describes permission or ability to consult the record; staff use the expression when explaining who can view patient information.
tot “Tot” completes “toegang tot uw dossier”, meaning “access to your record”. It introduces the thing that can be accessed; the same pattern is useful when describing access to a system, file, or service.
uw “Uw” means “your” in the formal address “uw dossier”. It marks the record as belonging to the patient while maintaining a polite service tone; clinic staff use it when speaking respectfully to a patient.
dossier “Dossier” means “record” or “file” in “uw dossier”, referring to the patient’s clinical record. It is used for the collection of relevant patient information; staff use it when discussing what a practitioner can consult.
maar “Maar” means “but” and contrasts access to the record with the possibility of further questions in “maar kan nog steeds een paar vragen stellen”. It connects two related statements; staff use it to add a qualification without withdrawing the first statement.
nog “Nog” contributes the idea of continuation in “nog steeds”, meaning that the questions may still occur. Its meaning here comes from the full expression with “steeds”; staff use it when an additional action remains possible.
steeds “Steeds” reinforces continuation in “nog steeds”, meaning “still”. It works with “nog” rather than carrying the whole meaning alone; clinic staff use the expression to explain that questions may continue to be asked despite record access.
paar “Paar” means “a few” in “een paar vragen”, indicating a small number of questions. It is used before the plural noun; staff use the phrase to reassure a patient that only a limited number of questions may remain.
vragen “Vragen” means “questions” in “een paar vragen”. It names the information the practitioner may still request; a clinician can use it when checking details with a patient.
stellen “Stellen” is part of “een paar vragen stellen”, the expression used for asking questions. It follows “kan” in this sentence; a clinician uses this construction when requesting additional information from a patient.
prima “Prima” means “fine” or “perfectly acceptable” in “Dat is prima”. It confirms that the proposed arrangement is acceptable; a patient can use it when agreeing to a condition or explanation.
nodige “Nodige” means “necessary” or “needed” in “de nodige achtergrondinformatie”. It specifies that the clinician should have the relevant information required for continuity; a patient uses the phrase when explaining what background must be available.
achtergrondinformatie “Achtergrondinformatie” means “background information” in “de nodige achtergrondinformatie”. It refers to the context needed to understand the patient’s situation; a patient can use it when asking whether a new clinician has enough prior information.
notitie “Notitie” means “note” in “een notitie toevoegen”. It refers to a written message that can be added to the appointment or record; reception staff use it when recording an instruction for another clinician.
toevoegen “Toevoegen” means “add” in “een notitie toevoegen”. It follows “kan” as the action the staff member can perform; staff use it when placing extra information into a record or appointment.
met “Met” means “with” in “met het verzoek om uw dossier vóór de afspraak door te nemen”. It introduces the content or purpose of the note; staff use this construction when adding a note that contains a specific request.
verzoek “Verzoek” means “request” in “het verzoek om uw dossier vóór de afspraak door te nemen”. It identifies the note as a formal request to the next clinician; staff use it when recording an action that someone should carry out.
om “Om” introduces the requested action in “het verzoek om uw dossier vóór de afspraak door te nemen”. It connects “verzoek” to the infinitive phrase that states what should be done; staff use this pattern when formulating a request.
vóór “Vóór” means “before” in “vóór de afspraak”, specifying the deadline for reviewing the record. It introduces the event that the action must precede; staff use it when setting a time requirement.
door “Door” is part of “door te nemen”, which means to review or go through the record. Its contribution is understood together with “te nemen”, not as the whole meaning by itself; staff use the expression when asking someone to examine information carefully.
te “Te” helps form the infinitive construction “door te nemen” after the request. It links the requested action to “verzoek om”; staff use this structure when stating what someone is being asked to do.
nemen “Nemen” is the infinitive in “uw dossier vóór de afspraak door te nemen”, where the full expression means “to review your record”. It follows “te” in this construction; a clinician can use the expression when describing preparation before an appointment.

Grammar Points

afhankelijk van + zelfstandig naamwoord

afhankelijk van de behandelaar

ahf-HANK-uh-luk vahn duh buh-HAN-duh-lahr

depending on the practitioner

Afhankelijk van is followed by van plus the person or thing that determines the situation.

door te + infinitief

door te nemen

DOHR tuh NAY-muhn

to review; to go through

Door te + infinitive describes an action carried out as a way to achieve something.

Dutch Vocabulary

afhankelijk van phrase
ahf-HANK-uh-luk vahn depending on
afspraak noun
AF-SPRAHK appointment
behandelaar noun
buh-HAN-duh-lahr practitioner; clinician
beschikbaar adj
buh-SKHEEK-bahr available
eerst beschikbare plek phrase
AYRST buh-SKHEEK-bahr plek earliest available opening
liever adv
LEE-vuhr preferably; rather
op korte termijn phrase
op KOR-tuh tur-MINE soon; in the short term
team noun
TAYM team
tijdstip noun
TAYT-steep time; time slot
uitlopen verb
OWT-loh-puhn to run long; to overrun uitgelopen
vergadering noun
vuh-KHAH-duh-ring meeting
verzetten verb
vuh-ZET-uhn to reschedule

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

practitioner; clinician

Show Answerbehandelaar

time; time slot

Show Answertijdstip

preferably; rather

Show Answerliever

available

Show Answerbeschikbaar