Questions & Answers about Zij hoopt op geluk.
Why does this sentence use op instead of a literal translation for "for"?
In Dutch, verbs often use fixed prepositions that don't translate literally. The verb hopen always pairs with op, so the phrase "to hope for" is always hopen op.
Does geluk mean "luck" or "happiness" here?
It can be either! The Dutch word geluk covers both "luck" and "happiness". You have to use context to decide which one makes the most sense.
Could I start this sentence with ze instead of zij?
Yes, you can. Zij is the stressed form and puts a little more emphasis on the person, while ze is the unstressed form. Both mean "she" and are grammatically correct here.
If I wanted to make this a subordinate clause using dat (that), where would the verb go?
If you add a phrase like Hij weet dat (He knows that) to the beginning, the conjugated verb hoopt is pushed to the very end of the sentence. It would become: Hij weet dat zij op geluk hoopt.
Learn Zij hoopt op geluk and more in Dutch
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free