Question 1

Why is zulke used here instead of zo'n?

Accepted Answer

Zulke means "such" and is used before plural nouns like orkanen (hurricanes), as well as uncountable nouns. You would only use zo'n for a singular countable noun, like zo'n orkaan (such a hurricane).

Question 2

Why does the adjective ongelofelijke get an -e at the end?

Accepted Answer

Adjectives almost always get an -e added to them when they come right before a noun. Because orkanen is a plural noun, the adjective modifying it must take this -e ending.

Question 3

Why do we use geen instead of niet to say "no words"?

Accepted Answer

In Dutch, you use geen to negate nouns that are indefinite, meaning they don't have a specific word like "the", "this", or "my" in front of them. Since we are negating the general plural noun woorden (words), we must use geen.

Question 4

The singular word for hurricane is orkaan. Why does the plural orkanen drop an a?

Accepted Answer

This is because of Dutch spelling rules for long vowels. When we add the plural -en, the syllable splits right before the consonant (or-ka-nen). Because the a is now at the end of an open syllable, it automatically makes a long vowel sound, so writing the second a is no longer needed.

Ik heb geen woorden voor zulke ongelofelijke orkanen.

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