Breakdown of Omdat jullie de schade niet betalen, is het ons probleem.
zijn
to be
niet
not
jullie
you (plural)
het probleem
the problem
Questions & Answers about Omdat jullie de schade niet betalen, is het ons probleem.
Why is niet placed right before betalen?
This is a subordinate clause because it starts with omdat (because). In subordinate clauses, the verb (betalen) is pushed to the very end of the sentence. When you make a subordinate clause negative, niet generally goes right in front of that verb at the end.
Why does the second part start with the verb is instead of het is?
This is due to the Dutch verb-second rule. The entire first clause (Omdat jullie de schade niet betalen) acts as the first position of the sentence. To keep the main verb in the second position, the verb (is) must come immediately after the comma, followed by the subject (het).
Why is it ons probleem and not onze probleem?
The word for 'our' changes depending on the gender of the noun. Because probleem is a neuter noun (a het word), you must use ons. If it were a common noun (a de word), you would use onze.
In English we say 'pay FOR the damage'. Where is 'for' in the Dutch sentence?
In Dutch, the verb betalen can be used directly with the thing being paid for, without needing an extra preposition like 'for'. You just say de schade betalen (literally 'pay the damage').