Learn Dutch: Mag ik vaders tamme vogel aaien? - May I pet father's tame bird?

Just like in English, you can add an -s to names and family titles to show possession. Vaders tamme vogel simply translates to "father's tame bird". Notice that you do not use an article like de before it.

Why does the adjective tam (tame) change to tamme here?

Vogel is a de-word (de vogel). When an adjective comes before a noun in a specific or possessive phrase, it usually gets an -e added to it. The spelling also changes: to keep the "a" sound short, the "m" has to be doubled to make tamme.

Why is the verb aaien at the very end of the sentence?

This sentence uses the modal verb mag (may / am allowed to). In Dutch, when you use a modal verb, the main action verb (aaien, meaning "to pet") is pushed to the very end of the sentence in its full dictionary form.

What verb does mag come from?

It is the "ik" (I) form of the verb mogen, which means "to be allowed to". You use mag ik when asking for permission, exactly like saying "may I" in English.

How would I ask "Which bird may I pet?" using the grammar from this lesson?