Breakdown of Je moet de tafel verschuiven, want de zithoek is te krap.
zijn
to be
de tafel
the table
te
too
want
because
moeten
to have to, must
je
you (unstressed form of jij)
krap
cramped / tight
verschuiven
to shift / to move (by sliding)
de zithoek
the seating area
Questions & Answers about Je moet de tafel verschuiven, want de zithoek is te krap.
Why is it te krap here, and how does that compare to the word order for genoeg?
The word te (too) always goes before the adjective, just like in English (too cramped = te krap). However, as you are learning in this lesson, genoeg (enough) goes after the adjective. If the area was spacious enough, you would say ruim genoeg.
Why doesn't the verb move to the end of the sentence after want?
Want (because) is a coordinating conjunction, meaning it joins two main sentences without changing the normal word order. If you used omdat (which also means because), the second part would be a subclause and the verb would move to the end: ... omdat de zithoek te krap is.
What does the prefix ver- add to the verb schuiven?
The base verb schuiven means to push or slide. The prefix ver- is often used in Dutch to indicate a change, transformation, or movement from one place to another. So verschuiven specifically means to shift, move, or rearrange something into a new position.
Why is verschuiven at the very end of the first clause?
This is standard word order when using a modal verb like moeten (must). The conjugated modal verb (moet) takes the second position in the sentence, which pushes the main action verb (verschuiven) all the way to the end of that clause in its full infinitive form.
Learn Je moet de tafel verschuiven, want de zithoek is te krap and more in Dutch
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free