Breakdown of Waarom reageer je niet op het bericht?
niet
not
waarom
why
het bericht
the message
je
you (unstressed form of jij)
reageren op
to respond to
Questions & Answers about Waarom reageer je niet op het bericht?
Why do we use op here instead of a word for 'to', like naar or aan?
This is a fixed preposition. The verb reageren (to react/respond) always pairs with op. Even though in English you respond 'to' a message, in Dutch you must use reageren op.
Why is the verb reageer instead of reageert?
In questions, the verb and subject switch places. When je or jij (you) comes after the verb, you drop the -t ending. That is why it is je reageert in a normal sentence, but reageer je? in a question.
Why is niet placed where it is in this sentence?
In Dutch, the negative word niet generally goes before prepositional phrases, like op het bericht. It stays after the main verb and subject (reageer je).
Can reageren mean both 'to react' and 'to respond'?
Yes! While it looks like the English word 'react', reageren is the standard Dutch verb for 'responding' to a message, email, or question, as well as 'reacting' to a situation.
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