Breakdown of De vloer verkleurt door de zon.
de zon
the sun
de vloer
the floor
door
because of / due to
verkleuren
to discolor
Questions & Answers about De vloer verkleurt door de zon.
How does the prefix ver- change the meaning of the base word in verkleurt?
The prefix ver- is often added to nouns or adjectives to create a verb that indicates a change of state. Here, it is added to the noun kleur (color) to form verkleuren, meaning to change color, fade, or discolor.
Why do we use door here instead of omdat or vanwege to mean 'because of'?
Door is used to indicate a direct physical cause or agent, literally translating to 'by' or 'through.' Since the sun is the physical cause of the fading, door de zon is the most natural choice. Omdat would require a full subclause with a verb, and vanwege is usually reserved for more abstract or formal reasons.
Is verkleuren only used when something changes color by itself, like the floor here?
Yes, verkleuren is generally intransitive, meaning the subject itself undergoes the change of state without a direct object. If you actively change the color of an object yourself, you would instead use a verb like verven (to paint or dye) or the phrase een andere kleur geven (to give a different color).