Questions & Answers about Ik hoor een voetstap, dus het gebouw is helemaal niet leeg.
How does the phrase helemaal niet work in this sentence?
The word helemaal normally means completely or entirely. When paired with niet (not), it forms the phrase helemaal niet, meaning not at all. Because we are negating the adjective leeg (empty), the whole phrase goes right before the adjective.
Could I use helemaal niets instead of helemaal niet here?
No, because helemaal niets translates to nothing at all. You use helemaal niet (not at all) to negate an adjective like leeg (empty) or a verb. If you wanted to say that there is nothing inside the building, you would use helemaal niets.
Why doesn't the word order change after the word dus?
The word dus (so) acts as a coordinating conjunction here, just like en (and) or maar (but). It connects two main clauses, so the second part keeps the standard subject-verb order: het gebouw is. It does not push the verb to the end of the sentence.
Is voetstap the only way to say step in Dutch?
It is the best word for this context. A voetstap specifically refers to the sound or physical footprint of a step, which makes perfect sense with the verb hoor (hear). Another common word is pas, but that is used more for the physical movement or measurement of taking a step.