Breakdown of U bent hier ook, meneer.
zijn
to be
u
you (formal)
hier
here
meneer
sir / Mr.
ook
also / -ever (concessive particle)
Questions & Answers about U bent hier ook, meneer.
How do I know when to use u instead of jij?
U is the formal version of 'you'. You use it to show respect, usually with people you do not know well, authority figures, older people, or when addressing someone as meneer (sir) like in this sentence.
Is the verb form for u always the same as for jij?
Not always! For the verb zijn (to be), they both use bent (jij bent, u bent). But for most other regular verbs, u takes the same verb ending as hij (he) or zij (she).
Why does ook come after hier instead of before it?
In Dutch, ook (also or too) often comes right after the specific word it emphasizes. Since the speaker is emphasizing that the person is here, ook follows hier.
Can meneer mean both 'sir' and 'mister'?
Yes! When used on its own to directly address someone, like in this sentence, it translates to 'sir'. If you put it in front of a last name, it is used like 'Mr.' or 'Mister'.
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