Questions & Answers about Zij naait al tien jaar.
Why is it jaar instead of jaren after the number tien?
In Dutch, units of time, measure, and currency usually remain in the singular form when they follow a specific number. So, it is tien jaar (ten years), just like you would say vijf euro (five euros) or drie kilo (three kilos).
Why does the Dutch sentence use the present tense (naait) when the English translation says 'has been sewing'?
Dutch uses the present tense for an action that started in the past and is still happening right now. Because she is still sewing today, you use the present tense naait. English handles this differently by using the present perfect continuous tense.
What is the function of al in this sentence?
The word al literally means 'already'. In Dutch, combining a present tense verb, al, and a period of time is the standard way to emphasize how long an ongoing action has been happening. Together, naait al tien jaar translates to 'has been sewing for ten years'.
Could I use ze instead of zij in this sentence?
Yes, ze is the unstressed version of zij and would sound perfectly natural. You choose zij when you want to put specific emphasis on the person (for example: she has been sewing for ten years, as opposed to someone else).