The Task-Focused Continuous: bezig zijn
To emphasize that someone is engaged in an ongoing task or deeply focused, Dutch uses bezig zijn (to be busy).
Using bezig zijn met
When the focus is a physical object (a noun) or a general activity (an infinitive acting as a noun), pair bezig zijn with the preposition met (with).
| The old mechanic is busy with the jack. | De oude monteur is bezig met de krik. |
| Are you busy with the battery or the oil? | Ben jij bezig met de accu of de olie? |
| The mechanic is busy tinkering. | De monteur is bezig met sleutelen. |
Using te + Infinitive for Specific Actions
To describe an ongoing action with a direct object, drop met. Place the object after bezig zijn and add te before the infinitive at the end of the clause.
| He is busy repairing the jack and the brake. | Hij is bezig de krik en de rem te repareren. |
Separable Verbs: Many mechanical actions use separable verbs, such as losdraaien (to loosen) or vastdraaien (to tighten). The word te goes between the prefix and the verb, written as three separate words (e.g., los te draaien).
| The mechanic is busy unscrewing the exhaust. | De monteur is bezig de uitlaat los te draaien. |
| We are busy tightening the screw in the metal. | Wij zijn bezig de schroef in het metaal vast te draaien. |
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