Breakdown of Omdat we de oorzaak weten, kunnen we de auto repareren.
de auto
the car
kunnen
can
weten
to know (a fact)
repareren
to repair
we
we (unstressed form of wij)
omdat
because (subordinating)
de oorzaak
the cause
Questions & Answers about Omdat we de oorzaak weten, kunnen we de auto repareren.
Why does the second part say kunnen we instead of we kunnen?
This is the main focus of this lesson! The sentence starts with a subordinate clause (Omdat we de oorzaak weten). In Dutch, if a sentence starts with a whole clause instead of just the subject, that entire clause takes up the first position. To keep the main verb (kunnen) in the second position, the subject (we) has to move right behind it. This is called inversion.
Why is weten at the end of the first clause?
The word omdat (because) introduces a subordinate clause. In Dutch, subordinate clauses push their conjugated verb to the very end of that clause. That is why we say omdat we de oorzaak weten instead of using the normal main-clause word order.
Is it normal to have two verbs right next to each other like weten, kunnen?
Yes, this is a very common pattern when you start a sentence with a subordinate clause! The first clause pushes its verb to the end (weten), and the second clause has to put its verb at the very beginning due to inversion (kunnen). The comma shows exactly where the two clauses meet.
Why use weten for "know" instead of kennen?
Weten is used for knowing facts, skills, or specific pieces of information, such as the cause of a broken car. You use kennen when you are simply familiar with a person, a place, or a thing (like knowing a friend or knowing a city).
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