Rebooking after a possible missed connection | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: During a travel delay, a traveler checks rebooking options and asks for routes with enough transfer time..

EN → NL / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Rebooking after a possible missed connection to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Door deze vertraging mis ik misschien mijn aansluiting.

Dohr DAY-zuh fer-TRAH-khing mis ik mis-KHEEN mine AHN-sloy-ting. I might miss my connection because of this delay.
B

De servicebalie kan andere routes bekijken zodra de vertraging bevestigd is.

Duh SER-vis-bah-LEE kahn AHN-duh-ruh ROOTS-uh buh-KY-kun ZOH-drah duh fer-TRAH-khing buh-VESS-tikht iss. The service desk can check other routes once the delay is confirmed.
A

Ik maak liever nu een plan dan dat ik later moet haasten.

Ik mahk LEE-ver noo un plahn dahn daht ik LAH-ter moot HAH-stun. I would rather make a plan now than rush later.
B

Laten we de opties dan vergelijken, maar houd er rekening mee dat ze kunnen veranderen.

LAH-tun wuh duh OP-tsees dahn fer-KHLY-kun, mahr HOWT ur RAY-kuh-ning may daht zuh KUN-un fer-AHN-der-un. Then let us compare the options, but keep in mind they may change.
A

Kun je hier nagaan of flexibel omboeken mogelijk is?

KUN yuh heer nah-GAHN off flek-see-BEL om-BOO-kun MOH-khuh-luk iss? Can you check whether flexible rebooking is available here?
B

Ik kan het vragen, maar de vervoerder moet het goedkeuren.

Ik kahn ut VRAH-khun, mahr duh fer-VOOR-der moot ut KHOOT-kur-un. I can ask, but the operator has to approve it.
A

Kijk alsjeblieft naar routes met genoeg tijd tussen de overstappen.

Kike ahl-shuh-BLEEFT nahr ROOTS-uh met khuh-NOOKH tite TUS-un duh OH-ver-STAH-pun. Please look for routes with enough time between transfers.
B

Ik zet die routes bovenaan.

Ik zett dee ROOTS-uh BOH-vuh-NAHN. I will put those first.
B

Dan hoeven we niet naar de volgende trein te rennen.

Dahn HOO-vun wuh neet nahr duh VOL-khun-duh trine tuh REN-un. So we are not running for the next train.

Word by Word

Door In "Door deze vertraging", "Door" means because of or due to and gives the reason for missing the connection. It is used before a noun phrase, as in "Door deze vertraging". You could use it when explaining a delay or another cause of a problem.
deze "deze" means this in "Door deze vertraging" and points to the particular delay happening now. It comes directly before the noun it specifies: "deze vertraging". Use it when referring to something nearby or currently under discussion.
vertraging "vertraging" means delay, specifically the delay causing the possible missed connection here. It is used as the object of "Door" in "Door deze vertraging". You can use it when discussing a delayed train, flight, service, or appointment.
mis In "mis ik misschien mijn aansluiting", "mis" means miss, as in fail to catch a connection. The sentence starts with "Door deze vertraging", so the verb comes before "ik". Use "mis" when saying that you may fail to catch a train, bus, flight, or connection.
ik "ik" means I and refers to the traveler speaking in "mis ik misschien mijn aansluiting". Here it follows the verb because the sentence begins with "Door deze vertraging". Use "ik" whenever you are describing your own situation or action.
misschien "misschien" means maybe or perhaps and shows that missing the connection is uncertain. In "mis ik misschien mijn aansluiting", it applies to the possibility of missing the connection. Use it to soften or qualify a statement when you are not sure.
mijn "mijn" means my and identifies the connection as belonging to the speaker's journey. It comes before the noun in "mijn aansluiting". Use it before a noun when referring to something connected with you.
aansluiting "aansluiting" means connection in the travel sense, especially a connecting train or other service. In "mijn aansluiting", it is the service the traveler may fail to catch. You can use it with a possessive or another specification when discussing a connecting service.
De "De" means the in "De servicebalie" and introduces the specific service desk being discussed. It is the capitalized form used at the beginning of the sentence; the same article also appears as "de" inside a sentence. Use it before a noun when referring to a specific item or person.
servicebalie "servicebalie" means service desk, the place where the traveler can ask for help. In "De servicebalie", it is the subject that can check other routes. Use it when referring to a customer-service counter or help desk.
kan "kan" means can or is able to in "kan andere routes bekijken". It is followed by the infinitive "bekijken", so the service desk is able to check the routes. Use "kan" with an infinitive to describe ability or a possible action.
andere "andere" means other and distinguishes the alternative routes from the route already being considered. It comes before the noun in "andere routes". Use it before a noun when referring to alternatives or additional items.
routes "routes" means routes or possible travel paths in "andere routes". Here it refers to alternative ways of continuing the journey after a delay. Use it when comparing different ways to travel from one place to another.
bekijken "bekijken" means check or look at in "kan andere routes bekijken". It is the infinitive following "kan" and describes examining the available routes. Use it with an object when you want someone to examine information, plans, or options.
zodra "zodra" means once or as soon as and introduces the point when the service desk can check the routes. In "zodra de vertraging bevestigd is", it introduces a clause about the delay being confirmed. Use it before an event that triggers another action.
bevestigd "bevestigd" means confirmed in "de vertraging bevestigd is". Together with "is", it describes the delay as having received confirmation. Use it when information, a booking, a time, or another arrangement has been confirmed.
is In "de vertraging bevestigd is", "is" means is and completes the expression describing the delay as confirmed. It appears after "bevestigd" in this subordinate clause. Use it with a description or state when saying what something is like or what condition it is in.
maak "maak" means make in "Ik maak liever nu een plan". It describes creating a plan now rather than waiting until later. Use it with an object such as "een plan" when describing the creation of an arrangement or decision.
liever "liever" means rather or preferably and shows the speaker's preferred choice in "Ik maak liever nu een plan". The preference is completed by the comparison "dan dat ik later moet haasten". Use the pattern "liever ... dan ..." to state which of two actions you prefer.
nu "nu" means now and places the planning action in the present: "Ik maak liever nu een plan". It contrasts with "later" in the same sentence. Use it to refer to the current moment or to an action that should happen immediately.
een "een" means a in "een plan" and introduces one non-specific plan. It comes directly before the noun "plan". Use it before a singular countable noun when the item has not been specified more precisely.
plan "plan" means plan, here referring to an arrangement for dealing with the possible travel problem. In "een plan", it is the thing the speaker wants to make now. Use it for an intended course of action or arrangement.
dan In "liever nu een plan dan dat ik later moet haasten", "dan" means than and introduces the less preferred alternative. At the start of "Dan hoeven we niet...", the capitalized form "Dan" means then and refers to the consequence. Use "liever ... dan ..." for preferences and "Dan ..." to introduce a result or next step.
dat In "dan dat ik later moet haasten", "dat" introduces the clause describing the alternative the speaker wants to avoid. It is part of the comparison after "liever ... dan". Use "dat" to introduce a clause referring to a fact, action, or situation.
later "later" means later and places the possible rushing after the present planning. In "dat ik later moet haasten", it contrasts with "nu". Use it when referring to a time after the current moment.
moet "moet" means must or have to in "moet haasten" and expresses necessity. It is followed by the infinitive "haasten", so the speaker would be forced to rush later. Use it with an infinitive to describe an obligation or necessity.
haasten "haasten" means hurry or rush in "moet haasten". It is the infinitive after "moet" and describes moving quickly because there is not enough time. Use it after a modal verb when describing the need to hurry.
Laten In "Laten we de opties dan vergelijken", "Laten" introduces a suggestion to do something together: let us compare the options. It is followed by "we" and the infinitive "vergelijken". Use "Laten we ..." when proposing a shared action.
we "we" means we and refers to the speaker and the other person together in "Laten we de opties dan vergelijken". It is the subject of the suggested shared action. Use it when including yourself and at least one other person.
opties "opties" means options and refers to the possible rebooking choices. In "de opties", it is the object of "vergelijken". Use it when discussing different choices or possible solutions.
vergelijken "vergelijken" means compare in "Laten we de opties dan vergelijken". It is the infinitive used after "Laten we" and describes examining the options against one another. Use it when evaluating two or more choices, routes, or plans.
maar "maar" means but and connects the suggestion to a caution about the options changing. In "maar houd er rekening mee", it marks a contrast between comparing the options and remembering their uncertainty. Use it to introduce a limitation, correction, or contrasting point.
houd er rekening mee "houd er rekening mee" means keep it in mind or take it into account in this dialogue. In the expression, "houd" gives the instruction, "er" and "mee" are fixed parts of the construction, and "rekening" refers to the consideration being taken into account. A reusable pattern is "houd er rekening mee dat ..." when warning someone to consider a fact or possibility.
ze "ze" means they here and refers back to "de opties". In "ze kunnen veranderen", the options are the thing that may change. Use it to refer back to people or plural things that have already been mentioned.
kunnen "kunnen" means can or may in "ze kunnen veranderen" and expresses a possibility. It is followed by the infinitive "veranderen", so the options may change. Use it with an infinitive to describe ability or a possible event.
veranderen "veranderen" means change in "ze kunnen veranderen". It is the infinitive after "kunnen" and describes the options becoming different. Use it when referring to plans, times, conditions, or other things that may become different.
Kun "Kun" means can in the question "Kun je hier nagaan..." and asks whether the other person is able to check something. It is placed before "je" because this is a question and is followed by the infinitive "nagaan". Use "Kun je ...?" to make a request about someone's ability or willingness to do something.
je "je" means you in "Kun je hier nagaan..." and refers to the person being asked to check the rebooking possibility. It follows the question word "Kun" in this sentence. Use it when addressing one person informally.
hier "hier" means here and refers to the current service desk or travel situation. In "hier nagaan of flexibel omboeken mogelijk is", it specifies where the check should be made. Use it to point to the place or situation currently being discussed.
nagaan "nagaan" means check or find out in "nagaan of flexibel omboeken mogelijk is". It is followed by "of" and a clause stating what needs to be checked. Use the pattern "nagaan of ..." when finding out whether something is true or possible.
of "of" means whether in "nagaan of flexibel omboeken mogelijk is". It introduces the yes-or-no question that the listener should check. Use it after verbs such as "nagaan" when asking whether a situation or option exists.
flexibel "flexibel" means flexible and describes the rebooking as allowing changes rather than being fixed. In "flexibel omboeken", it specifies the type of rebooking being considered. Use it before a noun or noun-like expression when describing something that can adapt to changing circumstances.
omboeken "omboeken" means rebook or change an existing booking in "flexibel omboeken mogelijk is". Here it names the action whose possibility is being checked. Use it when discussing a change to a previously booked journey or service.
mogelijk "mogelijk" means possible in "omboeken mogelijk is". Together with "is", it says that flexible rebooking may or may not be available. Use it with "is" to ask or state whether an action or arrangement can be made.
het "het" means it in "Ik kan het vragen" and refers to the rebooking matter being discussed. It is the object of "vragen", so the speaker can ask about that matter. Use it as a pronoun when the thing being discussed is already clear from the context.
vragen "vragen" means ask in "Ik kan het vragen". It is the infinitive after "kan" and takes "het" as the thing being asked about. Use it after a modal verb when saying that you can ask someone or ask about something.
vervoerder "vervoerder" means carrier or operator, the company responsible for the transport. In "de vervoerder moet het goedkeuren", it is the party whose approval is required. Use it when referring to the company providing the train, bus, flight, or other transport.
goedkeuren "goedkeuren" means approve in "moet het goedkeuren". It is the infinitive after "moet" and takes "het" as the arrangement or request requiring approval. Use it when an authorized person or organization must accept a plan or request.
Kijk "Kijk" means look or check in the request "Kijk alsjeblieft naar routes...". It is an instruction to examine possible routes. Use it at the start of a request when asking someone to look at something.
alsjeblieft "alsjeblieft" means please and makes "Kijk alsjeblieft" a polite request. It is placed after the command here. Use it when asking someone informally to do something.
naar In "Kijk ... naar routes", "naar" marks the routes being examined or considered. It is used with "kijken" in the pattern "kijken naar ...". Use this pattern when asking someone to look at information, possibilities, or objects.
met "met" means with in "routes met genoeg tijd" and introduces a feature of the routes. The routes are described as having enough time between the transfers. Use "met" to add something that accompanies or characterizes a noun.
genoeg "genoeg" means enough in "genoeg tijd". It says that the routes should provide a sufficient amount of time between transfers. Use it before a noun when describing a sufficient quantity, such as "genoeg tijd".
tijd "tijd" means time in "genoeg tijd tussen de overstappen". It refers to the available interval for changing from one service to another. Use it with a quantity or specification when discussing how much time is available.
tussen "tussen" means between and specifies that the time lies between the transfers. In "tussen de overstappen", it introduces the two or more points being related. Use it before people, places, times, or events that mark the boundaries of an interval.
overstappen In "de overstappen", "overstappen" means transfers or changes between services, such as changing trains. The article "de" and the phrase "de overstappen" show that it is being used as a noun here. Use it when discussing the changes required during a journey.
zet "zet" means put or place in "Ik zet die routes bovenaan". Here it means placing the routes at the top of the priority list, not necessarily moving a physical object. Use it with an object and a position or ranking, as in "iets bovenaan zetten".
die "die" means those in "die routes" and points back to the routes with enough transfer time. It comes before the noun it specifies. Use it when referring to particular plural things that have already been mentioned or identified.
bovenaan "bovenaan" means at the top or first in "Ik zet die routes bovenaan". It describes the highest position in the list of route choices. Use it when ranking something at the top of a list or priority order.
hoeven "hoeven" means need to or have to in the negative construction "hoeven we niet ... te rennen". With "niet" and "te" plus an infinitive, it says that running is not necessary. Use the pattern "hoeven ... niet te + infinitive" to say that someone does not need to do something.
niet "niet" means not and negates the need to run in "hoeven we niet ... te rennen". Together with "hoeven", it expresses that the action is unnecessary. Use it with "hoeven" when saying that someone does not have to do something.
volgende "volgende" means next in "de volgende trein". It identifies the train after the current or relevant one. Use it before a noun when referring to the next item, event, or service in sequence.
trein "trein" means train in "de volgende trein". It is the service the travelers do not need to run for. Use it when discussing a train as a vehicle or scheduled service.
te In "te rennen", "te" marks the infinitive used after the negative need construction with "hoeven". The complete pattern is "hoeven ... niet te rennen", meaning that running is not necessary. Use "te" in this construction before the infinitive describing the unnecessary action.
rennen "rennen" means run in "naar de volgende trein te rennen". It is the infinitive after "te" and describes moving quickly toward the next train. Use it when talking about running physically, especially when trying to reach a place or service quickly.

Grammar Points

rekening houden met → houd er rekening mee

Houd er rekening mee.

HOWT ur RAY-kuh-ning MAY.

Keep it in mind.

In this fixed expression, houden and mee split around the object: Houd er rekening mee.

Dutch Vocabulary

aansluiting noun
AHN-sloy-ting connection
bekijken verb
buh-KY-kun to check; to look at
bevestigen verb
buh-VESS-tuh-khun to confirm bevestigd
haasten verb
HAH-stun to rush; to hurry
liever adv
LEE-ver rather
misschien adv
mis-KHEEN maybe
missen verb
MIS-un to miss mis
route noun
ROO-tuh route routes
servicebalie noun
SER-vis-bah-LEE service desk
vergelijken verb
fer-KHLY-kun to compare
vertraging noun
fer-TRAH-khing delay
zodra conj
ZOH-drah once; as soon as

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I will put those first.

Show AnswerIk zet die routes bovenaan.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

maybe

Show Answermisschien

connection

Show Answeraansluiting

route

Show Answerroutes

delay

Show Answervertraging