Learn Dutch: Jullie waren vaak vervelend op de middelbare school.

Jullie waren vaak vervelend op de middelbare school.

You were often annoying in high school.

Breakdown of Jullie waren vaak vervelend op de middelbare school.

Questions & Answers about Jullie waren vaak vervelend op de middelbare school.

Why is the verb waren instead of was here?

Waren is the plural past tense form of zijn (to be), which translates to "were". Because the subject is jullie (the plural "you"), we must use the plural verb. If you were talking to just one person, you would use the singular: Jij was vaak vervelend... (You were often annoying...).

Does vervelend just mean "annoying"?

It is a very flexible word! Depending on the context, vervelend can mean "annoying", "unpleasant", "nasty", or even "boring". When talking about students' behavior in school, it definitely leans towards "annoying" or "badly behaved".

Why is it op de middelbare school and not in de middelbare school?

In English you say you are "in" high school, but Dutch uses the preposition op (on) for schools. You will also see this in the common phrase ik zit op school (I am in school / I attend school).

Doesn't middelbaar mean "middle"? Why does it translate to "high school"?

Literally, it does mean "middle", so middelbare school translates word-for-word as "middle school". However, in the Netherlands and Flanders, this term refers to secondary education (usually ages 12 to 18). It is the direct equivalent of the American "high school" or British "secondary school".