Question 1

Why does the verb kun come before je?

Accepted Answer

Because the sentence starts with the phrase Tijdens de verhuizing (During the move). In Dutch, the main verb is always the second idea in the sentence (the V2 rule). Since the prepositional phrase takes up the first spot, the verb kun comes second, pushing the subject je to the third spot.

Question 2

Why is it kun je and not kunt je?

Accepted Answer

When the subject je or jij (you) comes immediately after the verb, you drop the -t at the end of the verb. So while you would normally say je kunt, it changes to kun je when the word order is inverted.

Question 3

I thought it was de matras. Why does this sentence use dat?

Accepted Answer

Matras is one of the rare nouns in Dutch that can be either a de-word or a het-word! Both are completely correct. Because this sentence treats it as a het-word, it uses dat (that). If you prefer using de matras, you would say die matras.

Question 4

Can I use leggen or zetten here instead of tillen?

Accepted Answer

Not without changing the meaning. Tillen means to lift or carry something heavy. The verbs from your current lesson, leggen (to lay down) and zetten (to put upright), describe the action of placing an object somewhere. You have to lift (tillen) the mattress before you can lay it down (leggen) on the bed!

Question 5

Does alleen mean "only" or "alone" here?

Accepted Answer

In this context, it means "alone" or "by yourself". The phrase niet alleen tillen means you cannot lift it by yourself. If you meant "only" (as in, you can't only lift the mattress, you also have to lift the boxes), the Dutch sentence would normally use alleen maar to make that clear.

Tijdens de verhuizing kun je dat matras niet alleen tillen.

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