Learn Dutch: Deze delicatesse laat zich perfect delen. - This delicacy can be perfectly shared.

Deze delicatesse laat zich perfect delen.

This delicacy can be perfectly shared.

Breakdown of Deze delicatesse laat zich perfect delen.

to let (laten we ... = let's ...)

to share

Questions & Answers about Deze delicatesse laat zich perfect delen.

How does laat zich delen translate to "can be shared" instead of "lets itself share"?

The construction zich laten combined with an infinitive expresses that something can be done to the subject. It is an elegant way of expressing a passive potentiality, similar to kan worden (can be). In English, it usually translates to "can be [verb]ed" or "is easily [verb]ed".

Could I just say Deze delicatesse kan perfect worden gedeeld instead?

Yes, that is grammatically correct and means the same thing. However, using laat zich perfect delen sounds a bit more natural and appealing in this context. It implies that the delicacy inherently lends itself well to being shared, rather than just stating a physical possibility.

Why does the word perfect not get an -e ending here?

Because perfect acts as an adverb modifying how the sharing is done, rather than an adjective modifying the noun delicatesse. In Dutch, adverbs take the base form without any added endings.

Where would I place the people I am sharing it with in this sentence structure?

You would place a prepositional phrase like met vrienden (with friends) near the end, right before the final infinitive verb. For example: Deze delicatesse laat zich perfect met vrienden delen.