Breakdown of Je moet de tegenstander in het eerste level verslaan.
in
in
eerste
first (1st)
moeten
to have to, must
je
you (unstressed form of jij)
Questions & Answers about Je moet de tegenstander in het eerste level verslaan.
Why is the main verb verslaan placed at the very end of the sentence?
This is a good reminder of standard Dutch word order. Because the modal verb moet (must) takes the second position in the sentence, it pushes the main action verb, verslaan, all the way to the end in its full infinitive form.
How is the word tegenstander formed?
It is made up of tegen (against) and stander (someone who stands). So it literally translates to someone who stands against you, which is a great way to remember that it means opponent or adversary.
Is level just the English word, and why does it take het instead of de?
Yes, it is a direct English loanword! While there is no single strict rule for the gender of borrowed words, English terms related to gaming, technology, and abstract concepts frequently become neuter het words in Dutch. Because it is a het word, the adjective before it gets an -e ending, making it het eerste level.
I know slaan means to hit. How does the prefix ver- change its meaning here?
The inseparable prefix ver- often indicates a change of state or taking an action to its absolute conclusion. When added to slaan (to hit or strike), it creates verslaan, meaning to thoroughly strike down or defeat.