Zeg je het abonnement op, dan eindigt de termijn.
If you cancel the subscription, then the term ends.
Breakdown of Zeg je het abonnement op, dan eindigt de termijn.
eindigen
to end
dan
then
je
you (unstressed form of jij)
opzeggen
to cancel (a subscription, contract)
het abonnement
the subscription
de termijn
the term
Questions & Answers about Zeg je het abonnement op, dan eindigt de termijn.
Why is there no word for 'if' in this sentence?
There is a special rule in Dutch: you can leave out the word for 'if' (als) by putting the verb first. Zeg je... literally means 'Say you...', but starting the sentence this way automatically turns it into a conditional 'If you say...' clause.
Why is the word op right before the comma?
It is the prefix of the separable verb opzeggen (to cancel). When you split a separable verb, the prefix goes to the very end of its clause. The core verb (zeg) goes first to make the 'if' condition, and op waits at the end of that first part of the sentence.
Why is the word order eindigt de termijn instead of de termijn eindigt?
The second part of the sentence starts with dan (then). In Dutch, whenever a clause begins with something other than the subject, the verb and subject swap places. Because dan takes the first position, the verb (eindigt) must come second, pushing the subject (de termijn) to the third position.
Can I use opzeggen to cancel a meeting or an appointment?
No, opzeggen is only used to terminate ongoing formal agreements, like a subscription (een abonnement), a membership, or a contract. If you want to cancel a one-time event like an appointment or a class, you must use a different separable verb: afzeggen.
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