Breakdown of We koken de aardappels totdat ze klaar zijn.
zijn
to be
klaar
ready
koken
to cook
we
we (unstressed form of wij)
ze
they; she (unstressed form of zij) / them (object)
totdat
until (conjunction)
de aardappel
the potato
Questions & Answers about We koken de aardappels totdat ze klaar zijn.
Why does the sentence end with zijn?
The word totdat (until) is a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a subclause (a dependent part of the sentence) which forces the verb to the very end. So instead of the normal order ze zijn klaar, the rule makes it totdat ze klaar zijn.
What is the difference between tot and totdat? Could I use tot here?
Yes, you could just say ...tot ze klaar zijn. Both mean "until". Strictly speaking, tot is a preposition used before a noun (like tot morgen - until tomorrow), while totdat is specifically meant to connect two clauses that have their own verbs. However, native speakers often just use tot for both.
Why does the plural aardappels end in -s instead of -en?
Both aardappels and aardappelen are correct and commonly used! As a general rule, Dutch nouns ending in an unstressed -el, -er, or -en often take an -s plural simply because it rolls off the tongue more easily.
Does klaar always mean "ready"?
It can mean "ready" (prepared), but it also frequently means "done" or "finished". In this sentence about cooking, saying the potatoes are klaar means they are fully cooked and done boiling.
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