Explaining "Why" with Namelijk
In Dutch, you can provide a reason or explanation for a previous statement by using the explanatory adverb namelijk. It acts similarly to adding "you see" to a sentence in English.
| I am calling the vet. My dog is sick, you see. | Ik bel de dierenarts. Mijn hond is namelijk ziek. |
Position in the Sentence
Because namelijk is an adverb and not a conjunction (like want or omdat), it does not glue two clauses together. Instead, it sits inside a new sentence.
It is placed in the "middle field" of the clause. Typically, this means it goes directly after the subject and the conjugated verb.
| The cat may not eat or drink. She is getting an operation, you see. | De kat mag niet eten of drinken. Ze krijgt namelijk een operatie. |
If the sentence contains additional elements like modal verbs, adjectives, or past participles, namelijk stays in the middle, pushing the rest of the information toward the end of the sentence.
| The dog must stay on an empty stomach. The stomach must be completely empty, you see. | De hond moet nuchter blijven. De maag moet namelijk helemaal leeg zijn. |
At the Vet
You will practice this adverb while discussing pet health and instructions from the vet (de dierenarts). Notice how namelijk introduces the underlying reason for a medical instruction or symptom.
| We are giving the cat two pills. She has a high fever, you see. | We geven de kat twee pillen. Ze heeft namelijk hoge koorts. |
| The doctor is feeling the stomach. The dog has a fever and pain, you see. | De arts voelt aan de maag. De hond heeft namelijk koorts en pijn. |