Questions & Answers about Wij spelen in het weekend buiten.
Why does the verb spelen look exactly like the dictionary form?
In Dutch, when you use plural pronouns like wij (we), jullie (you all), or zij (they), the present tense verb is simply the infinitive (the full dictionary form). So wij spelen just means we play.
Why is buiten (outside) at the very end of the sentence?
Dutch sentences usually follow a specific order for extra details: Time, then Manner, then Place. Since in het weekend tells us when (Time) and buiten tells us where (Place), the time must come before the place.
Why is it in het weekend instead of 'op het weekend'?
Prepositions can be tricky because they rarely translate word-for-word. While English speakers say 'on the weekend' or 'at the weekend', Dutch specifically uses in for the weekend: in het weekend.
Could I say We spelen instead of Wij spelen?
Yes! Wij is the stressed form of the word 'we', and we is the unstressed form. You can use either here, but using wij puts a little extra emphasis on the fact that we (rather than someone else) are the ones playing outside.