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Questions & Answers about De kat is zo klein.
Why is it klein and not kleine in this sentence?
Because it comes right after the verb (is), rather than directly before the noun. Adjectives in this position are called 'predicative' adjectives, and in Dutch, they never get an extra -e ending. If the adjective came directly in front of the noun instead, it would be de kleine kat (the small cat).
Is zo working like the other degree modifiers in this lesson?
Exactly. Just like heel (very) or te (too), zo (so) is a degree modifier. It sits directly before the adjective klein to tell us specifically how small the cat is.
Can I use heel or erg in this sentence instead of zo?
Yes, you can! If you say De kat is heel klein or De kat is erg klein, it means 'The cat is very small'. Using zo specifically means 'so small', which usually implies you are looking right at the cat and reacting to its size.
How do I pronounce the ei in klein?
The ei makes a sound that doesn't exist perfectly in English. It sounds a bit like the 'a' in 'late' gliding into an 'ee' sound. It is pronounced exactly the same as the ij in words like ijs.