Breakdown of Zullen we bij de borrel aanschuiven, zodat we kunnen bijpraten?
bij
at / near / by
kunnen
can
zullen
shall / will
we
we (unstressed form of wij)
zodat
so that
bijpraten
to catch up (bring up to date)
de borrel
the informal gathering/the drinks
aanschuiven
to join/sit down at the table
Questions & Answers about Zullen we bij de borrel aanschuiven, zodat we kunnen bijpraten?
Why do we use Zullen we to say "Shall we" here? Could I use Laten we instead?
Zullen we is used to make a proposal or suggestion in the form of a question, just like "Shall we...?" in English. Laten we means "Let's..." and is used for statements, not questions. Since this sentence ends with a question mark and asks for the other person's input, Zullen we is the right choice.
What exactly is a borrel?
A borrel is a highly typical Dutch social gathering with drinks and snacks (often involving cheese and bitterballen). It translates loosely to "having drinks," but it is a specific cultural institution, most famously seen in the vrijdagmiddagborrel (Friday afternoon drinks with colleagues).
What does aanschuiven literally mean?
It literally means "to slide up" or "to push up." In Dutch, aanschuiven is a very natural and common way to say "to join" a group, a table, or a meal. It gives the cozy imagery of pulling up a chair to sit with others.
Why are both kunnen and bijpraten pushed to the very end of the sentence?
The word zodat (so that) introduces a subordinate clause. In Dutch subordinate clauses, all verbs are sent to the end. Here, the modal verb kunnen (can) and the infinitive bijpraten (catch up) stack together at the end of the clause.
How does the verb bijpraten work?
Bijpraten is a separable verb made of bij (up/with) + praten (to talk), which together mean "to catch up" or "to bring up to speed." If you used it as the main verb in a standard sentence, it would split (for example: Wij praten even bij - We are catching up for a bit). It stays glued together here because it's being used as an infinitive at the end of the sentence.
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