Breakdown of Wij hebben precies dezelfde smaak.
wij
we
hebben
to have
precies
exactly
dezelfde
the same (de-words)
Questions & Answers about Wij hebben precies dezelfde smaak.
Why do we use dezelfde here instead of hetzelfde?
Because smaak is a de-word (de smaak). When the phrase for "the same" describes a singular de-word or any plural noun, you must use dezelfde. You only use hetzelfde for singular het-words.
Can smaak refer to taste in music and clothes, or just food?
Both! Just like in English, smaak can refer to the physical sense of taste, but it is also widely used for personal style and preferences. In this sentence, it most likely means two people like the same things, such as clothes, movies, or interior design.
Is it possible to separate precies and dezelfde in this sentence?
No, because precies (exactly) directly modifies the word dezelfde (the same). Just like in English, an adverb that emphasizes an adjective or determiner needs to go immediately before it so the meaning is clear.
Why is dezelfde written as one single word?
While English uses two separate words ("the same"), Dutch fuses the definite article (de or het) and the word for same (zelfde) into a single word. Writing them separately as de zelfde is a common spelling mistake.