Ending a networking conversation politely | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Ending a networking conversation politely to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik vond het prettig om met je te praten.

ik VONT ut PRET-ukh um met yuh tuh PRAH-tun. I have enjoyed talking with you.

Maar ik zou nog een paar andere mensen moeten spreken.

mahr ik zow nokh un pahr UN-druh MAY-sun MOH-tun SPRAY-kun. But I should meet a few more people.

Dat begrijp ik; bij dit soort evenementen vliegt de tijd voorbij.

daht buh-KH-RAYP ik; bay dit SOHRT ay-vuh-NAY-mun VLAYKHT duh tayt vuh-BY. I understand; this is the kind of event where time disappears quickly.

Kunnen we contactgegevens uitwisselen voordat ik ga?

KUN-uh(n) vuh kon-TAKT-khuh-VAY-vuns OWT-wiss-uh-lun vuh-DAHT-uh ik khah? Before I go, could we exchange contact details?

Dat lijkt me goed. Ik wil dit gesprek later voortzetten.

daht LAYKT muh KHUT. ik vil dit khuh-SPREK LAH-tur VOHR-ZET-tun. I would like that. I want to continue this conversation later.

Een korte notitie over ons onderwerp zou het vervolg makkelijker maken.

un KOR-tuh noh-TEE-tsee OH-vur ons ON-dur-vairp zow ut vur-VOLKH MAH-kuh-lur MAH-kun. A short note about our topic would make the follow-up easier.

Noem het gesprek over de werkwijze, dan weet ik weer waar het over ging.

NOHM ut khuh-SPREK OH-vur duh VAIRK-vay-zuh, dan vayt ik vayr vahr ut OH-vur khing. Mention the workflow discussion, and I will know the context.

Ik waardeerde de concrete voorbeelden die je deelde.

ik vahr-DAYR-duh duh kon-KRAY-tuh VOHR-bayl-dun dee yuh DAYL-duh. I appreciated the concrete examples you shared.

Door jouw vragen kon ik ze duidelijker uitleggen.

dohr yow VRAH-khun kon ik zuh DOW-duh-luh-kur OWT-lekh-un. Your questions helped me explain them more clearly.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and is the speaker referring to themself in “Ik vond het prettig om met je te praten.” It is used as the subject before a verb, as in “Ik wil...” in this dialogue. Use it when stating your own opinion, action, or experience.

vond “Vond” means “found” or “considered”; in “Ik vond het prettig...” it expresses that the speaker enjoyed the conversation. It is the past form used with “Ik” here. The pattern “Ik vond het prettig om...” is useful for politely saying that an activity was pleasant.

het In “Ik vond het prettig om met je te praten,” “het” is the “it” placed before the description “prettig.” The activity that was pleasant follows in “om met je te praten.” This pattern lets you evaluate an activity without repeating the activity first.

prettig “Prettig” means “pleasant” in “Ik vond het prettig om met je te praten.” It describes the conversation as comfortable or enjoyable. It can be used after “het ... vinden” to give a positive evaluation of an activity.

om “Om” helps introduce the activity being evaluated in “om met je te praten.” Together with “te” before the verb, it forms the infinitive construction “om ... te ...” here. This construction is useful after expressions such as “het prettig vinden.”

met “Met” means “with” in “met je te praten,” identifying the person the speaker talked with. It is placed before the person or group involved in the activity. The pattern “met iemand praten” means to talk with someone.

je “Je” means “you” in “met je te praten,” referring to the person being addressed. Here it is the informal form used for the conversation partner. Use “met je praten” when saying that you talk with someone informally.

te “Te” marks the infinitive “praten” in “om met je te praten.” It appears directly before the infinitive in this construction. Together, “te praten” identifies the activity that was pleasant.

praten “Praten” means “to talk” in “om met je te praten.” It is the infinitive after “te” and refers to the conversation between the two attendees. The pattern “met iemand praten” is a common way to describe talking with someone.

Maar “Maar” means “but” and introduces a reason for changing the current activity: “Maar ik zou nog een paar andere mensen moeten spreken.” It connects the pleasant conversation with the speaker’s next obligation. Use it to add a contrasting point.

zou “Zou” contributes “would” in “ik zou ... moeten spreken” and makes the obligation sound less direct or more polite. It is used with the infinitive “moeten” in this sentence. The pattern “Ik zou ... moeten...” can express a possible or polite obligation.

nog “Nog” means “still” or “additional” here: the speaker should speak to a few additional people. It occurs before “een paar andere mensen.” Use it before a quantity or activity when something is still to be added or done.

een “Een” means “a” in “een paar andere mensen,” where it forms the quantity expression “a few.” The same form appears as “Een korte notitie” at the start of another sentence. It introduces a singular noun or a fixed quantity expression.

paar “Paar” means “few” in “een paar andere mensen,” referring to a small number of people. With “een,” it forms the common quantity expression “een paar.” Use “een paar” before a plural noun when referring to a small number.

andere “Andere” means “other” in “een paar andere mensen,” showing that these are people in addition to the current conversation partner. It comes before the plural noun “mensen.” Use it before a noun when distinguishing additional or different people or things.

mensen “Mensen” means “people” in “een paar andere mensen.” It is the plural noun referring to the attendees the speaker still wants to meet. It can follow a quantity expression such as “een paar.”

moeten “Moeten” means “need to” or “should” in “zou ... moeten spreken,” expressing the speaker’s remaining obligation. It is the infinitive used after “zou.” The pattern “moeten + infinitive” describes something someone needs to do.

spreken “Spreken” means “to speak” or “to talk with” in “mensen moeten spreken.” It is the infinitive after “moeten.” The pattern “met mensen spreken” is useful for describing professional conversations.

Dat “Dat” means “that” in “Dat begrijp ik,” referring to the previous statement about needing to meet more people. It stands at the beginning of the response as the thing the speaker understands. Use it to refer back to an idea that has just been mentioned.

begrijp “Begrijp” means “understand” in “Dat begrijp ik.” Together with “Dat,” it means “I understand that.” The pattern “Dat begrijp ik” is a polite way to acknowledge another person’s explanation or situation.

bij “Bij” means “at” or “during” in “bij dit soort evenementen,” referring to what happens at events of this type. It introduces the setting rather than the people attending. Use “bij” before an event or situation when describing what happens there.

dit “Dit” means “this” in “dit soort evenementen,” pointing to the type of event currently being discussed. It comes before “soort.” Use it to identify a nearby, current, or just-mentioned type of situation.

soort “Soort” means “kind” or “type” in “dit soort evenementen.” The phrase identifies events with similar characteristics. The reusable pattern “dit soort + noun” means “this kind of + noun.”

evenementen “Evenementen” means “events” in “dit soort evenementen.” It refers to professional networking events of the type being discussed. It follows “soort” to specify what kind of events are meant.

vliegt “Vliegt” literally means “flies,” but in “vliegt de tijd voorbij” it describes time passing very quickly. It is part of the expression “de tijd vliegt voorbij.” Use this expression when an activity seems to end sooner than expected.

de “De” means “the” in “de tijd,” referring to time as the subject of the expression. It appears before the noun “tijd.” Use it with this noun in the phrase “de tijd vliegt voorbij.”

tijd “Tijd” means “time” in “de tijd vliegt voorbij.” In this sentence, time is described as passing quickly during the event. The common expression “de tijd vliegt voorbij” means that time passes very quickly.

voorbij “Voorbij” contributes the meaning “past” or “by” in “vliegt de tijd voorbij.” With “vliegt,” it completes the expression for time passing quickly. Use it after “de tijd vliegt” in this expression.

Kunnen “Kunnen” means “can” or “could” in the polite question “Kunnen we contactgegevens uitwisselen...?” It comes first because the sentence is a question. The pattern “Kunnen we ...?” is useful for making a suggestion or request together.

we “We” means “we” in “Kunnen we contactgegevens uitwisselen,” referring to both conversation partners. It is the subject of the question. Use it when proposing a joint action.

contactgegevens “Contactgegevens” means “contact details” in “contactgegevens uitwisselen.” It refers to information used to contact someone, in the context of exchanging details after meeting. The pattern “contactgegevens uitwisselen” is useful in professional networking.

uitwisselen “Uitwisselen” means “to exchange” in “contactgegevens uitwisselen.” It is the infinitive after “kunnen” and describes a two-way sharing of information. Use the pattern “iets uitwisselen” when two people share something with each other.

voordat “Voordat” means “before” and introduces the time clause “voordat ik ga.” It explains that exchanging details should happen before the speaker leaves. Use it before a clause describing an earlier action or event.

ga “Ga” means “go” in “voordat ik ga,” referring to the speaker leaving the event. It completes the clause introduced by “voordat.” The pattern “voordat ik ga” is useful when arranging something before departure.

lijkt “Lijkt” means “seems” in “Dat lijkt me goed,” where the speaker says that the proposal seems acceptable or agreeable to them. It is part of the expression “Dat lijkt me goed.” Use this expression to respond positively to a suggestion.

me “Me” means “me” in “Dat lijkt me goed,” identifying whose opinion is being expressed. It follows “lijkt” in this expression. The pattern “Dat lijkt me goed” means that something seems good or acceptable to the speaker.

goed “Goed” means “good,” and in “Dat lijkt me goed” it means acceptable or agreeable. It evaluates the proposed plan positively. Use it after “lijkt me” when approving an arrangement.

wil “Wil” means “want” in “Ik wil dit gesprek later voortzetten.” It expresses the speaker’s intention to continue the conversation. The pattern “Ik wil + infinitive” states what the speaker wants to do.

gesprek “Gesprek” means “conversation” in “dit gesprek,” referring to the discussion the two attendees are having. It is modified by “dit” and later by “voortzetten.” Use it for a conversation that can be continued or discussed later.

later “Later” means “later” in “dit gesprek later voortzetten,” referring to a future time after the event. It indicates when the conversation will continue. Use it with an activity that is postponed to a later moment.

voortzetten “Voortzetten” means “to continue” in “dit gesprek later voortzetten.” It is the infinitive after “wil” and takes “dit gesprek” as its object. The pattern “een gesprek voortzetten” is useful when resuming a discussion at a later time.

korte “Korte” means “short” in “een korte notitie,” describing the note as brief. It appears directly before the noun “notitie.” Use it before a noun when describing something with limited length or duration.

notitie “Notitie” means “note” in “Een korte notitie over ons onderwerp.” It refers to a brief written reminder about the subject of the conversation. The pattern “een notitie over + topic” is useful for recording the subject of a follow-up.

over “Over” means “about” in “een notitie over ons onderwerp,” identifying the subject of the note. It comes before “ons onderwerp.” Use “over” to introduce what a note, conversation, or explanation concerns.

ons “Ons” means “our” in “ons onderwerp,” referring to the topic shared by both speakers. It appears directly before the noun “onderwerp.” Use it when something belongs to or concerns the speaker and another person or group.

onderwerp “Onderwerp” means “topic” in “ons onderwerp,” referring to what the two people discussed. It is the subject mentioned in the proposed follow-up note. Use it after “over” when naming what a conversation or note concerns.

vervolg “Vervolg” means “follow-up” or “continuation” in “het vervolg makkelijker maken.” It refers to the later continuation of the professional conversation. The pattern “het vervolg” is useful when discussing the next step after an earlier exchange.

makkelijker “Makkelijker” means “easier” in “het vervolg makkelijker maken.” It describes the follow-up as requiring less effort because the topic is recorded. Use the comparative form when comparing an action with how difficult it would otherwise be.

maken “Maken” means “make” in “het vervolg makkelijker maken,” where it means to cause the follow-up to become easier. It is the infinitive after “zou.” The pattern “iets makkelijker maken” is useful for describing an action that reduces difficulty.

Noem “Noem” means “mention” in “Noem het gesprek over de werkwijze.” It gives a direct suggestion about what to include in the follow-up note. Use it when asking someone to name or refer to a specific subject.

werkwijze “Werkwijze” means “way of working” or “workflow” in “het gesprek over de werkwijze.” It identifies the professional process that was discussed. The pattern “een gesprek over de werkwijze” is useful when referring to a discussion about how work is done.

dan “Dan” means “then” or “in that case” in “dan weet ik weer waar het over ging.” It links mentioning the workflow discussion with the result that the context will return. Use it to introduce a consequence or next result.

weet “Weet” means “know” in “dan weet ik weer...” and refers to recognizing the context again. It is used with “waar het over ging” to say what the conversation was about. The pattern “weten waar het over gaat” is useful for identifying a discussion’s subject.

weer “Weer” means “again” or “back” in “dan weet ik weer waar het over ging.” It shows that the speaker will recover the context once more. Use it when information becomes familiar or available again.

waar In “waar het over ging,” “waar” helps introduce the question “what it was about.” The whole clause refers to the subject of the earlier conversation, not to a physical place. The pattern “weten waar het over gaat” means knowing what something concerns.

ging “Ging” means “went,” but in “waar het over ging” it contributes the meaning “was about.” It refers back to the earlier conversation and its subject. The expression “waar het over ging” is useful when recalling what a past discussion concerned.

waardeerde “Waardeerde” means “appreciated” in “Ik waardeerde de concrete voorbeelden.” It expresses positive recognition of the examples the other person shared. The pattern “iets waarderen” is useful for thanking or acknowledging someone’s contribution.

concrete “Concrete” means “concrete” or “specific” in “de concrete voorbeelden.” It describes examples that give clear, practical details. Use it before “voorbeelden” when emphasizing that examples are specific rather than general.

voorbeelden “Voorbeelden” means “examples” in “de concrete voorbeelden die je deelde.” It refers to the practical cases shared during the workflow discussion. Use it with “geven,” “bespreken,” or “delen” when talking about illustrative details.

die “Die” introduces the relative clause “die je deelde,” which identifies the examples being discussed. Here it refers back to the plural noun “voorbeelden.” Use it to connect a noun with additional information about that noun.

deelde “Deelde” means “shared” in “die je deelde,” referring to the examples the other person provided. It appears inside the relative clause after “die.” Use the pattern “voorbeelden delen” when describing the act of sharing examples.

Door “Door” means “through” or “by means of” in “Door jouw vragen kon ik ze duidelijker uitleggen.” It introduces the questions as the reason or means that helped the speaker explain better. Use it before a noun phrase when identifying what enabled a result.

jouw “Jouw” means “your” in “jouw vragen,” referring to the questions belonging to or asked by the other speaker. It comes directly before the noun “vragen.” Use it to identify something associated with the person being addressed.

vragen “Vragen” means “questions” in “jouw vragen.” In this dialogue it is a plural noun referring to questions that helped clarify the explanation. It can follow a possessive such as “jouw” when identifying someone’s questions.

kon “Kon” means “could” or “was able to” in “kon ik ze duidelijker uitleggen.” It explains that the questions made it possible for the speaker to give a clearer explanation. The pattern “kon ik + infinitive” describes an ability or possibility in a past situation.

ze “Ze” means “them” in “ze duidelijker uitleggen,” referring back to the concrete examples. It is the object of “uitleggen.” Use it to avoid repeating a plural noun that has already been mentioned.

duidelijker “Duidelijker” means “more clearly” in “ze duidelijker uitleggen.” It compares the clarity of this explanation with the clarity it might otherwise have had. Use it before or with an explanatory verb when describing improved clarity.

uitleggen “Uitleggen” means “to explain” in “ze duidelijker uitleggen.” It is the infinitive after “kon” and takes “ze” as its object. The pattern “iets uitleggen” is useful when describing the act of making information clear.

Grammar Points

voordat + bijzin: werkwoord achteraan

Voordat we contactgegevens uitwisselen, praten we.

vuh-DAHT vuh kon-TAKT-khuh-VAY-vuns OWT-wiss-uh-lun, PRAH-tun vuh.

Before we exchange contact details, we talk.

After voordat, the conjugated verb moves to the end of the subordinate clause.

waar het over ging

Noem het onderwerp waar het gesprek over ging.

NOHM ut ON-dur-vairp vahr ut khuh-SPREK OH-vur khing.

Name the topic the conversation was about.

In this fixed clause, waar introduces the topic, while over stays before the final verb ging.

Dutch Vocabulary

andere adj

UN-druh other

begrijpen verb

buh-KH-RAYP-un to understand begrijp

een paar det

un pahr a few

evenementen noun

ay-vuh-NAY-mun events

mensen noun

MAY-sun people

praten verb

PRAH-tun to talk

prettig adj

PRET-ukh pleasant

soort noun

SOHRT kind; type

spreken verb

SPRAY-kun to speak; to talk to

tijd noun

TAYT time

vliegt voorbij phrase

VLAYKHT vuh-BAY flies by; passes quickly

vonden verb

VON-dun found; considered vond

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

other

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andere

pleasant

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prettig

to speak; to talk to

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spreken

people

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mensen