Compound locative adverbs

Layout and Typography

When adjusting a page or graphic, you will often discuss the font (het lettertype) and the overall layout (de lay-out).

We must change the font of the layout.
We moeten het lettertype van de lay-out veranderen.

Compound Locative Adverbs

To guide someone through a design, you need to pinpoint exact spatial locations. In Dutch, create compound adverbs by combining horizontal positions—links (left), rechts (right), or midden (center)—with vertical positions—boven (top) or onder (bottom).

Unlike in English, these are written as a single compound word, with the horizontal direction coming first.

Top Corners: linksboven and rechtsboven

Combine links or rechts with boven for the top corners of your page.

It is no longer possible to align the text top left.
Het is niet meer mogelijk om de tekst linksboven uit te lijnen.
The margin top right is too wide.
De marge rechtsboven is te breed.

Bottom Corners: linksonder and rechtsonder

For the bottom corners, pair left and right directions with onder.

Can you align the title bottom left?
Kun je de titel linksonder uitlijnen?
We must place the text bottom right in the layout.
We moeten de tekst rechtsonder in de lay-out plaatsen.

The Center: middenboven and middenonder

If an element needs to be horizontally centered but pinned to the top or bottom, use midden (center) as your prefix.

The photo top center is too small, after all.
De foto middenboven is immers te klein.
Why is the logo bottom center?
Waarom staat het logo middenonder?

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