Breakdown of We bereiken een compromis, hoewel zij er ontevreden mee is.
zijn
to be
zij
she
een
a/an
wij
we
hoewel
although
er
it (in 'er ... op/mee', pronominal adverb)
mee
along, with (too)
bereiken
to achieve / to reach (a goal)
ontevreden
dissatisfied
het compromis
the compromise
Questions & Answers about We bereiken een compromis, hoewel zij er ontevreden mee is.
Why are er and mee separated by ontevreden?
ermee is a pronominal adverb meaning "with it". In a subordinate clause, these words often split. The er part usually sits right after the subject (zij), while the preposition part (mee) moves toward the end of the clause, just before the verb (is). This places the adjective ontevreden right in the middle.
Why does the verb is go at the very end of the sentence?
The word hoewel (although) introduces a subordinate clause. A key rule in Dutch is that subordinate clauses push the conjugated verb—in this case, is—to the very end of the clause.
Where does the word mee come from? Shouldn't "with" be met?
You are right that "with" is normally met (as in ontevreden met, meaning "dissatisfied with"). However, when met combines with er to mean "with it", the word met always changes its shape to mee. Together they form ermee, which is split up in this sentence.
Do I have to split ermee in this sentence?
It is highly recommended. While you might occasionally hear native speakers keep it together (like ...hoewel zij ermee ontevreden is), splitting it so that er is near the subject and mee is near the verb is the most natural and standard word order in Dutch.
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